Planning and Money

Reservations are currently not open for any events.

Note the refund policy before sending payment.

To reserve your space at a retreat, you will need to pay the reservation price before the deadline shown above. The reservation prepayment enables us to choose an affordable location of proper size and amenities, includes the cost of the rental and a very generous food allowance, and reduces the risk of unexpected costs for all of us.

Currently the reservation price is set at $300.00, and can be paid by cash, Paypal (including credit cards), check, or money order. The reservation deposit can only be refunded if we are able to re-reserve your space, or if we are unable to provide a space at all.

We will refund any excess money (after rental fees and food are paid for) after the event is over and deposits have been returned. The new prepay system enables us to minimize or eliminate cost surprises, but there is a chance of a $20-50 overrun at the end of the event. (We have had several refunds and a couple of overruns--depends on the cost of food and rent.) There will be a warning in advance if you're expected to bring overage money.

The actual cost depends on the facility chosen and the number of attendees. While we'd prefer that cost not be an obstacle to attendance, we do not offer "scholarships" or the like at this time. Also, we cannot guarantee the location or sleeping configurations before the reservation deadline (since location is determined based on reservations).

Currently there is no cost difference between single occupancy and multiple occupancy per room, and no cost difference for late arrivers/early departers.

Exceptions:

We may have a free write-in (for day visitors on Saturday afternoon).

There is a small discount on housing costs for bona fide writer couples who share a one-bed bedroom. This will be approximately 15-20% of the housing share, or about $40 (no food discount applies) and will be handled in the rebate/overage phase after the event. The discount will be applied solely at the organizer's judgment, and must be requested before paying.

History

2002

No retreat this year, but the South Bay writing group for NaNoWriMo really started to gel this year. Under the cruise directorship of Lauren, we built a community for the November effort and kept it going beyond the TGIO (Thank God It's Over) party for Nano 2002. In fact, some subset of the group still meets twice a week in continuations of the original write-ins from November 2002.

2003

The first year, seven writers who returned from the 2002 NaNoWriMo event decided to go off for a weekend early in November and write, support each other's writing, share a bit of their writing, and have a relaxing time doing so, away from most of the complications of daily life. Ian Dudley coordinated the original Sobanano (South Bay Nanos) retreat, held at Highland House in Inverness, California. We wrote tens of thousands of words that weekend and had a great time.

2004

The second year, Rob Novak volunteered to coordinate the event, as Ian had taken on the formidable task of being co-municipal liaison for the South Bay region. Seven people made the trek to Monte Rio, California, to hold this retreat at the Northwood Beach House rental. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 60,000 words were written, with Ian accounting for about a third of those. We also began the tradition of scheduled feature meals, with Elke's lasagna and Rob's waffles.

2005

The third year, nine writers escaped to the heart of Marin County to write, eat, and relax at Spirit House. Under the guarding eyes of dozens of buddhas, two goats, two cats, and the guarding noses of two dogs for the first few hours, we wrote over 100,000 words, with Ian once again breaking the 20k mark. Two breakfasts and two dinners were scheduled, with little time or appetite left for lunch.

This was the first year we had attendees who had never been South Bay Nanos. We also had the milestone of having three municipal liaisons in attendance, although all three were originally South Bay Nanos. And finally, this was the first time we invited non-attendees to join us for an afternoon write-in, as part of the rotating Pan-Bay Write-In schedule.

Spring 2006

For the first time, we held a retreat outside of November. Six people from three regions (North Bay, San Francisco, and South Bay) got together in May for an off-season retreat in Monte Rio, California, at Tir Na Nog. Progress was made on screenplays, Nano novels, short stories, and maple syrup white wine marinade recipes. We're hoping to make this one a regular event, if people are interested.

Nano 2006

Our first South Of The Bay retreat took place in Aptos, south of Santa Cruz. Nine writers came together and wrote over 103,000 words (including over 27k from Ian). No BBQ or hot tub, it was a good experience nonetheless.

Spring 2007

The second Spring Thing retreat drew seven people from South Bay to Santa Rosa, to Artisan House in Monte Rio. Plenty of food, not as much alcohol, and varying project progress were enjoyed. It looks like this will be an ongoing event as well.

Nano 2007

The fifth November retreat brought a bumper crop of 11 writers to an oceanfront house in Pacifica. Our first four-day retreat, this event produced over 120,000 words and the Kitchen Gnome project. More details to come.

Spring 2008

The third spring retreat saw five writers retreating to Stinson Beach, with special guests Chris (the founder of Nanowrimo) and Jennifer (the director of Script Frenzy) joining us for an afternoon write-in on Saturday! We're hoping they'll become regular special guests, and bring lots of HQ with them.

Nano 2008

Our sixth November retreat broke records again--a lucky 13 writers and 121,518 words written (Ian slacked off at only 18k this year). Two writers passed the halfway point by the end of the day on Sunday, and one passed 50k Saturday night. And we once again had the beach at Aptos as inspiration and distraction.

Nano 2009

Our seventh November retreat (tenth retreat overall) with 7 writers near the beach in Santa Cruz coming up with just over 62k words.

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