Our Vision
Where mind, body, and forest meet.
Now in its second year, the Sitka Writers Retreat is a 4-day immersive Alaskan experience that blends the tranquility of nature with the creativity of writing and the rejuvenation of yoga, body work, and mindful presence. Join award-winning authors Amy Butcher and Brendan Jones and inspired yoga instructor Colleen Byers for an intimate writing and yoga retreat amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Sitka, a remote fishing village of 8,000 located on Baranof Island in North America's largest temperate rainforest. Home to Alaska brown bears, eagles, sea otters, orcas, humpback whales, ravens, puffins, sea lions, and more, Sitka is a dynamic, culturally rich community and a serene sanctuary that offers scenic views of the mountains, ocean, and Tongass National Forest, the crown jewel of the forest system and one of the world's last remaining pristine temperate rainforests. Our mission is to support a mindful and creatively rich experience and to encourage participants to find inspiration, focus, and renewal while deepening their writing and yoga practices.
Limited spots available.
We offer discounts for locals and members of 49 Writers.
About the Sitka Writers Retreat
In this all-inclusive retreat, participants will engage in daily writing workshops, yoga, and meditation classes that encourage openness, rejuvenation, and growth. Spend mornings in creative writing classes learning craft and generating new material through inspired lessons and writing exercises, afternoons enjoying solo writing time or exploring Sitka, and evenings in optional yoga and meditation classes that help wind down and restore the spirit. Collectively, we'll explore the island through guided wilderness excursions by foot, van, and boat to remote Alaskan hot springs, a raptor rehabilitation center, and optional hikes through the Tongass National Forest.
Brendan, Amy, and Colleen consider it a privilege to live, work, and experience the remote beauty of Sheet'ka Kwaan (Sitka). As visitors on Tlingit Aáni, participants will also learn about the island’s indigenous Tlingit history and ways of life through visits to the island's cultural and arts Visitors' Center and learn through conversations with respected Tlingit community elders.
Participants will enjoy private and cozy lodgings in campus housing, all steps away from our daily classrooms and the Sitka National Historical Park and neighboring Totem Park. We’ll gather for meals at the Sitka Fine Arts campus dining hall and occasionally indulge in the island's cozy coffeeshops, quaint cafes, and vibrant restaurants and breweries. Best of all, the campus where we’ll stay is only blocks away from downtown Sitka and all of the city's historic sights, cafes, bookstores, and gift shops. You can also reach numerous hiking and walking trails in just a few minutes by foot.
Bikes, kayaks, paddle boards, and vehicles will also be made available to writers for individual outings and adventuring.
From mat to manuscript, forest floor to inner core.
Your Retreat Experience
Writing Workshops
Nurture your creativity through creative writing master classes, generative writing exercises, and guided talks on the craft of fiction and creative nonfiction with award-winning writers Amy Butcher and Brendan Jones, who have been teaching together in Sitka for over a decade and, between them, have published four books and hundreds of articles, essays, and stories.
Yoga & Meditation Sessions
Harmonize body and mind through daily yoga and meditation classes designed for participants of all levels. Led by Colleen Byers—an empowering yoga instructor with over a decade of experience leading yoga, breathwork, and meditation classes and workshops across the country—you'll sink deeply into your mat, your mind, and your body, settling in each night to rest deeply.
Guided Wilderness Excursions
Immerse yourself in the Alaskan wilderness through guided forest walks through the Tongass National Rainforest, soak in the natural hot springs of Goddard, view recovering birds and learn about raptor rehabilitation at the Sitka Raptor Center, enjoy a scenic Alaskan coastal bonfire, and partake in many additional once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Bikes, kayaks, paddle boards, and vehicles are also available for participants to use for individual exploration. We'll take care of the details—you take in the sights.
Solo Writing Time
Between intimate group writing classes and guided yoga and meditation sessions, participants will enjoy ample free time to write in their private room overlooking the sea, on the mossy quiet of the Tongass, or in a neighboring cozy coffee shop or bookstore. Built-in solo writing time allows you to sink deeply into your creative work. These hours are yours—to write, to reflect, and to let the wild landscape inspire new works and pages.
General Schedule
Mornings
Optional yoga and meditation classes and solo writing time, breakfast, and mid-morning writing workshop with Amy Butcher and Brendan Jones
Afternoons
Lunch followed by afternoon writing workshops, Alaskan excursions, and solo writing time
Evenings
Dinner, optional yoga and meditation classes and solo writing time, and evening readings, craft talks, and bonfires on the beach
Meet Your Hosts
Amy Butcher, Brendan Jones, and Colleen Byers have over thirty years collective experience leading writing and yoga classes all across the country.
Colleen Byers
Yoga & Meditation Instructor
With nearly a decade of teaching and nearly 2,000 classes shared, Colleen weaves yoga, energy, and nature into a practice that feels both grounding and transcendent. A 500-hour certified yoga teacher and Reiki Master, she guides students to soften into presence, awaken their intuition, and remember the wholeness that already lives within them. Her classes are an invitation to move with breath, honor the body, and listen to the quiet wisdom of the heart. Join her in the wild stillness of Alaska for a retreat that nourishes the soul and rekindles connection to the earth and self.
2025 Participant Testimonials
"This retreat reignited the spark that keeps me writing. I have always loved being in the woods, but there is something so special about a temperate rain forest: the ancient trees, the softness beneath our feet, the infinite shades of green, and the quiet to contemplate within."
"I loved going into the rain forest, finding a perch, and writing in the moment. Nature's soft embrace was so nurturing, and the words flowed, all the more significant because I'd been frozen/blocked/not writing for too long."
"The lodgings were perfect, quiet, convenient, and comfortable, and the cookout and sauna were a great way to spend the last evening."
Connect with Us
Feel free to reach out for any inquiries or to learn more about the 2026 retreat!
