Want to book me to teach at your retreat, have me on your show, visit your class, or speak at your event?
August 7 to 12, 2026
Hollyhock
5-day Retreat
August 7 to 12, 2026
Cortes Island, British Columbia
Writing with Intuition: A Story Is a State of Mind Retreat
A Journey into Creative Consciousness
March 7, 2026 · 1:30 to 3:30pm
Online
December 6, 2025 · 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Picton, Ontario
November 1, 2025 · 2:00 to 4:00pm
Halifax, Nova Scotia
September 28, 2025 · 1:30 to 2:30pm
Toronto, Ontario
Writing With Creative Curiosity
Reconnect with your creative curiosity in this transformative 60-minute workshop with acclaimed author and master writing coach Sarah Selecky. Learn practical techniques to bring mindfulness and presence to your writing practice, whether you're starting fresh or deepening your relationship with an existing project. Through guided exercises and freewriting prompts, you'll discover how to access a state of calm fascination that makes writing feel natural and engaging. Sarah shares key methods from her new book, Story Is a State of Mind, showing you how to integrate conscious and unconscious awareness for more authentic, interesting work. You'll generate new material while learning sustainable practices to keep your creative energy alive. This focused gathering creates space for writers to explore and connect with their innate wisdom. Leave with fresh material, reliable techniques for accessing your creativity, and a renewed sense of possibility in your writing life.
Location: Metro Hall (Room 310), 55 John Street, Toronto, Ontario Note: Attending is 100% free, but space is limited. Register in advance.
September 19, 2025 · 10:00am to 12:00pm
Kingston, Ontario
Meet bestselling author and beloved writing teacher, Sarah Selecky at Indigo Books in Kingston and learn how to write with your whole mind.
Location: Cataraqui Centre, 945 Gardiners Road, Unit Y011, Kingston, Ontario
September 19, 2025 · 1:30 to 3:00pm
Kingston, Ontario
Writing With Creative Curiosity
Bridging writing craft and spiritual practice, this class teaches participants how to channel their natural curiosity into a heightened awareness that can lead to transformative creative breakthroughs. Guided exercises, meditations, freewriting prompts, and deep noticing practices will open participants to a state of calm fascination.
All genres/All levels.
Location: Kingston Marriott, 285 King St East, Rideau Room (2nd floor), Kingston, Ontario
Sunday, September 7, 2025 · 12:15pm to 2:15pm
Eden Mills, Ontario
Reconnect with your creative curiosity in this transformative workshop with acclaimed author and master writing coach Sarah Selecky. Learn practical techniques to bring mindfulness and presence to your writing practice, whether you’re starting fresh or deepening your relationship with an existing project. Through guided exercises, meditations, freewriting prompts, and deep noticing practices, you’ll discover how to access a state of calm fascination that makes writing feel natural and engaging. Sarah shares key methods from her new book, Story Is a State of Mind, showing you how to integrate conscious and unconscious awareness for more authentic, interesting work. You’ll generate new material while learning sustainable practices to keep your creative energy alive. This special gathering creates space for writers to explore, experiment, and connect with their innate wisdom. Leave with fresh writing, reliable techniques for accessing your creativity, and a renewed sense of possibility in your writing life.
Location: Eden Mills Writers’ Festival at The Cedars, Eden Mills, ON
July 26, 2025 · 1:00 to 3:00pm
Ottawa, Ontario
Writers of all experience levels! Don’t miss your chance to chat with acclaimed writing instructor and Giller Prize finalist Sarah Selecky about her brand new book on writing craft, Story is a State of Mind: Writing and the Art of Creative Curiosity.
Stop by and grab a signed copy!
Location: Perfect Books, 258A Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario
July 12, 2025 · 2:30 to 4:00pm
Picton, Ontario
Enjoy an afternoon in Prince Edward County of 5-minute stories
Writers include: Andrew Binks, Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer, Stacey Michener, Suzanne Biro, Zane Koss, Jess Posgate, David Carpenter, Kirsteen MacLeod, Sarah Selecky, C Fitton, Jane Macdonald, Zoe Whittall, plus 2 open-mic spots!
Location: 3071 County Rd 13, South Bay, Prince Edward County, ON
May 13, 2025 · 12:15pm to 2:15pm
Wellington, Ontario
I’m leading a very special Story Is a State of Mind workshop in Prince Edward County in May. Sophie Arkana and Natalie Goldenberg-Fife invited me to lead 10-15 people through a spiritual experience of writing with presence and insight, as a part of their immersive week-long retreat.
In this session, I will guide you through gentle yet powerful practices designed to awaken your creative curiosity and deepen your connection to your true nature. Drawing from my book Story Is a State of Mind, I’ll introduce you to techniques like Deep Noticing and how to discern between the energy of Power versus Force in your writing and life.
Through a blend of whole-minded awareness exercises, inner focus practices, and reflective writing prompts, you’ll learn to access a state of presence that allows for profound insights and self-discovery. This workshop isn’t about crafting perfect prose – it’s about using writing as a tool for personal exploration and growth.
I will also provide you with daily reflection prompts and practices to continue your journey throughout the retreat, allowing you to integrate these insights with your yoga, meditation, and other retreat experiences.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a set of practical tools to enhance your self-awareness, tap into your innate wisdom, and cultivate a deeper sense of presence in your daily life. Whether you’re an experienced writer or simply curious about using writing for personal growth, this workshop will offer a compassionate and enlightening start to your retreat experience.
All participants will receive a copy of my book Story Is a State of Mind to support their ongoing practice.
This beautifully curated experience will nourish your body, mind, and spirit. The details and the level of care will be exquisite. Consider taking time away for deep rest and an illuminating reset.
May 3, 2025 · 10am to 2pm
New York, New York
We’ll begin with a grounding meditation to connect with our creative presence. Then we’ll dive into practical ways to use tarot as your creative compass. Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, you’ll learn specific techniques for developing characters and that you can use again and again.
You’ll have time to write, share your work (if you choose), and receive guidance from both Theresa and me as your stories unfold.
Location: Balance Art Center, 151 West 30th Street, NYC
Cost: $151.00 USD (plus NY Sales Tax)
April 1, 2025 · 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Vancouver, British Columbia
How do we cultivate a sustainable writing practice and keep our creative energy alive? Join acclaimed author and master writing coach Sarah Selecky for a meditative writing workshop on maintaining your creative spark.
Whether you’re beginning your writing journey anew or seeking to deepen your relationship with an existing project, this workshop invites you to step into a state of calm fascination that integrates both conscious craft and unconscious awareness into your writing practice.
Inspired by her newest book, Story Is a State of Mind, Sarah will guide you through exercises, freewriting prompts and deep noticing practices that invite mindfulness into the act of writing. Leave with fresh material, reliable techniques for accessing your creativity, and a renewed sense of possibility in your writing life.
To support our non-profit programming and to help us cover costs, this workshop is $10 . If you are experiencing barriers to attend, please reach out over email — we are happy to provide you with one of our reserved free-by-donation tickets.
We have limited seating, so please reserve your spot!
Location: Upstart & Crow Literary Arts Studio, 1387 Railspur Alley Vancouver, BC V6H 3R7
March 29, 2025 · 11:45am
Austin, Texas
Many writers experience the world in high definition—picking up subtle patterns, sensing hidden connections, and processing sensory information intensely. In this experiential workshop, I’ll show you how to transform this heightened awareness into powerful creative writing. Learn how to harness your natural pattern-recognition and sensory sensitivity to create vivid descriptions and unexpected connections in your work. Perfect for writers who sometimes feel overwhelmed by input but suspect their sensitivity could be a creative superpower.
This event is a beautifully crafted in-person gathering that celebrates different ways of thinking, learning, and being in the world. If you’re curious about connecting with other creative minds in an intentional space designed for genuine connection, this is for you.
NeuroDiversion is more than a conference—it’s a thoughtfully designed community experience created by Chris Guillebeau (the visionary behind World Domination Summit in Portland, Oregon). I attended WDS every summer, and made lifelong friends in that community. Chris knows how to create spaces where real connections flourish!
This conference is his next chapter, and I’d love to see you there and experience it with you. You’ll find inspiring keynote speakers, engaging workshops, and plenty of room to be exactly who you are. If you’re an educator, this would be great professional development. And older kids and teenagers are welcome at this conference, too!
March 23, 2025 · 3:00pm
Los Angeles, California
In this unique conversation, authors Sarah Selecky and Henry Lien explore how approaching creativity through non-traditional doorways can transform writing for authors and readers. Drawing from meditation, mindfulness, and Eastern storytelling traditions, they discuss how writers and readers can access and appreciate deeper layers of creativity by stepping outside conventional Western literary frameworks. Through practical examples, interactive thought experiments, and play-inspired exercises, they’ll share how embracing alternative creative pathways—from embodied awareness to non-Western and non-linear narrative structures—can enrich literature for its creators and readers.
Location: Auditorium Books; 300 S. Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles 90013
March 18, 2025 · 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Victoria, British Columbia
Reconnect with your creative curiosity in this transformative three-hour workshop. Learn practical techniques to bring mindfulness and presence to your writing practice, whether you’re starting fresh or deepening your relationship with an existing project.
Through guided exercises, meditations, freewriting prompts, and deep noticing practices, you’ll discover how to access a state of calm fascination that makes writing feel natural and engaging.
I’ll be sharing key methods from my new book, Story Is a State of Mind, showing you how to integrate conscious and unconscious awareness for more authentic, interesting work. You'll generate new material while learning sustainable practices to keep your creative energy alive.
This special gathering creates space for writers to explore, experiment, and connect with their innate wisdom. Leave with fresh material, reliable techniques for accessing your creativity, and a renewed sense of possibility in your writing life.
Note: This is a living-room style workshop (with snacks!). Location will be communicated with attendees in advance. There is one remaining bursary available based on need. Email info@victoriafestivalofauthors.ca for more details.
September 20 to 22, 2024
Rhinebeck, New York
Writing is a physical activity that bends the body into a particular and occasionally painful shape. Some aspects of that shape may be nonnegotiable—eyes on a page, hands gripping a pen, or curled atop a keyboard—but others are not. You can choose writing positions that better support your shoulders, spine, hips, and more—and find creative ways to infuse movement into your non-writing time.
This energizing and inspiring workshop guides you through simple steps toward creating a more dynamic writing practice and intentionally using movement to nourish your body and creativity at the same time. Discover how dynamic writing releases your creative energy and reveals new insights, as you pair physical exercises with short writing exercises to connect mind, body, and story.
This retreat is designed for anyone who writes or loves the written word; all experience levels are welcome.
Enrollment is limited for this program.
Those who register early will have the most options for accommodation, whether on campus, in a local hotel or inn, or in an Airbnb. Those who commute are still able to enjoy all their meals on campus, the daily activities (yoga, meditation, tai chi), and all the amenities on campus (library, sanctuary, tennis/pickleball & basketball courts, wellness center, cafe, boats at the lake, labyrinth, and hiking trails.)
Transform your writing group, conference, or classroom with Sarah’s unique blend of craft and consciousness. Drawing from Story Is a State of Mind, Sarah offers dynamic workshops and talks that help writers access their creative power with more ease, awareness, and joy.
Session options include:
Sarah brings over twenty years of teaching experience to each event, creating meaningful experiences that inspire lasting change in writers’ practices.
Contact support@sarahselecky.com to learn more.
Sarah Selecky Writing School
Writing is both a craft and a calling, and learning to honour both is a lifelong practice. Inspired by this, I’ve created programs, courses, and resources to support you at every stage of your creative life, including The Story Course, Centered, and one-to-one coaching.
Get in Touch
Information
Stay Connected
Join thousands of writers from around the world on the path to a deeper creative life.
