Offering professional development opportunities to creative writers since 1989, Sage Hill Writing is the place to work on your next writing project.
Do you have a story to tell?
Latest News
Spring Fiction Colloquium Accepting Applications!
Program Dates:
May 16-24, 2026
Location:
In Person at St. Peter’s Abbey, Muenster, SK
Application Deadline:
March 28, 2026
The Spring Colloquium is a facilitated, in-person retreat for a group of about nine writers.
In a small group context, focus is on individual manuscript consultations with the faciliator, and on seminar discussions dealing with technical, philosophical, or conceptual issues in contemporary writing. Instruction occurs within a deep-immersion setting, with an emphasis on individual writing and manuscript revision.
Facilitated by Kevin Chong
Kevin Chong is the author of seven books of fiction and nonfiction, most recently the novel The Double Life of Benson Yu, which was a finalist for the 2023 Giller Prize and named a Best Book of Canadian Fiction by the CBC. His creative nonfiction and journalism have recently appeared in Time, Literary Hub, Montecristo, and the Globe and Mail. An associate professor at UBC Okanagan, he lives in Vancouver with his family.
For more information and to apply, visit our colloquium page!
“The Sage Hill Spring Fiction Colloquium provided the perfect storm of inspiring craft talks, group writing sessions, one-on-one sessions with our incredibly generous instructor, nightly post-dinner walks, and free time to write. Over a ten-day period, I made more progress on my novel than I would have in ten weeks at home. The feedback and support I received was invaluable.”
~ Lesley Trites, 2024 Spring Fiction Colloquium Alum
Location:
ONLINE programs are held via Zoom
IN PERSON programs are held at St. Peter’s Abbey, Muenster, SK
Application Deadline:
April 20, 2026
ONLINE
Emerging Prose with Conor Kerr
Emerging Poetry with Neil Aitken
Creative Nonfiction with Jenna Butler
Playwriting with Vern Thiessen
IN-PERSON
Summer Fiction with Lauren Carter
Poetry with George Murray
Work on your writing project at our facilitated summer courses!
Writers at our summer programs develop their skills and their manuscripts in a small group context. These courses focus on works-in-progress and offer group discussions / seminars, industry talks, writing time, and individual one-on-one meetings with the instructor.
Check out the links above for the specifics of each summer program.
For more information and to apply, visit our writing retreats page!
Sage Hill came at the exact right time that I needed for my project. I feel it was the wind I needed in my sails. Sage Hill helped me establish some foundational skills in nonfiction and help ground me in a supportive community.
~ Brian Braganza, 2025 Summer Nonfiction Alum
Donate a Prize to Our Upcoming Online Fundraising Auction
Do you offer a product or service that you can donate to Sage Hill’s newest fundraising initiative?
This March 27-31, Sage Hill Writing is holding an online auction in support of our summer 2026 programs.
We are currently gathering donations of auction prizes.
Donated prizes could include:
– Gift cards or certificates
– Experiences, adventures, and activities (e.g. tickets to an event, excursions, rentals, tours, or travel)
– Services (e.g. a one-on-one writing consultation or co-writing session with an established writer)
– Products in new condition
– Art pieces, books, etcetera!
Your donation will support youth beginning to find the joy of writing, as well as emerging and established authors refining their craft.
To contribute a prize, send us an email here.
Auction items can be local or appeal to our national audience. If a donated prize is a physical item, please check in with us to discuss pickup / delivery options.
As ever, we are grateful to our supporters!
The event details will be announced in late March. Keep watch on our upcoming newsletters if you love bidding on fun experiences, gift certificates, and other excellent prizes in support of a favourite charity!
Participant Funding Opportunities
Did you know that you can apply for grant funding to support your attendance at Sage Hill?
And that you can apply for a Sage Hill Scholarship or Bursary?
Sage Hill offers scholarships and bursaries to our participants. To apply for a bursary or scholarship, include a letter of request with your application to a Sage Hill program.
To learn more about Sage Hill’s scholarships and bursaries, as well as other funding sources – including provincial and national support, visit our scholarship and bursaries page!
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How to Contribute to Sage Hill’s Scholarships & Bursaries for Writers
Bursaries and scholarships are made available through the generosity of people who believe in Sage Hill’s work. To contribute an award, contact us or visit our Support page.
🎊 Thank You, Tara Dawn Solheim, 🎊
For Your Years as Executive Director!
We are excited to share the news of a leadership transition at Sage Hill Writing.
Tara Dawn Solheim has moved on from her role as Executive Director of Sage Hill Writing. From 2016 to 2024, Tara Dawn made a lasting impact on hundreds of writers who attended our programs. She oversaw a tremendous period of growth for the organization and saw Sage Hill through pivotal changes, including a flood, a fire, changes of venue, and the development and introduction of online writing programs. With a strong commitment to crafting an exceptional experience for our participants, Tara Dawn is a passionate and devoted supporter of artists.
While recently spending a year on respite from service to Sage Hill, Tara Dawn determined it was time to shift her focus to her own creative work as a musician, writer, and performer. We are delighted to learn that she has been invited to do a three-month artist residency in Spain!
After nearly a decade of service, we can not thank Tara Dawn enough for her contribution to Sage Hill and the writing community. Tara Dawn, we wish you success in all of your future endeavours!
“It has been a blessing to work with Sage Hill over the past 10 years. I believe in the value of the experience that Sage Hill offers and it has been a joy to be part of this tradition. I have had the opportunity to meet many amazing writers, to support them in their creative journeys, and have grown so much in the process. I am confident that the Sage Hill community is in good hands with Caitilin Terfloth at the helm! Appreciation to Caitilin, Program Assistant Tia Hendricks, and the Board of Directors for their expertise in steering the ship as I move forward in my own creative adventures. After experiencing breast cancer, I am grateful to now be in a thriving state of being and I feel compelled to use my energy to create art. I’m excited to continue pursuing my own practice in music, singing, DJing, somatic exploration, and poetry.”
– Tara Dawn Solheim
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“I had the pleasure to attend with Tara at the helm, and wow, what a treat! She brings such a wonderful presence — she’s calm, and fun, and supportive.”
– Past Participant
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“Tara Dawn and Caitlin were fantastic. So present, so good humoured, so competent, and so patient. Plus, they had a great energy that really contributed to the fantastic atmosphere of the whole event. My sincere thanks to you both.”
– Past Participant
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“I want to thank Tara Dawn and Caitlin for an amazing job! The demands are constant, things come up – and you both handled everything with humour and grace! You created a warm, inviting, creative, friendly environment and that is everything in these situations! It was an honour to be faculty in this kind of nurturing environment! Thank you so much!”
– Jeanette Lynes
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🎉 Welcome to Our New Executive Director 🎉
We are delighted to introduce Caitilin Terfloth as Sage Hill Writing’s Executive Director.
Caitilin has been with Sage Hill since 2016, serving as our Program Manager until she stepped up as Acting Executive Director in August 2024. During her year as Acting Executive Director, Caitilin developed new community partnerships, increased funding, championed accessibility, streamlined organizational processes, and engaged with staff, board, and participants to develop and implement program improvements – and she’s just getting started!
Caitilin has a deep commitment to helping writers develop, a love of writing, and over a decade of experience in non-profit administration and management. She has been an editor and volunteer coordinator, has served on several boards, and has a long history of volunteerism. Her open, collaborative leadership approach, her familiarity with Sage Hill’s inner workings and history, and her dedication to Sage Hill’s mission and values are just some of the reasons why she is so well-suited to guide our organization into the future.
“This past year, my priority was to provide a steady transition, ensuring rewarding experiences for our participants, staff, and facilitators. I could not have done this without Sage Hill’s Program Assistant, Tia Hendricks, the Board of Directors, and years of learning how to run an arts non-profit from Tara Dawn. Going forward, you can expect the same high-quality programming for which Sage Hill is known. I am happy to meet Sage Hill’s supporters and alumni, and anyone who is curious about Sage Hill; don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or would like to connect!”
– Caitilin Terfloth
It is with confidence that we welcome Caitilin more permanently into the Executive Director role, and foresee an exciting future for Sage Hill Writing!
“Sage Hill is a very special experience and I’m in awe of the care and work that Caitlin and Tia put in to make this year a special one. I will remember it always.”
– Madeleine Thien
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“I was so moved by the care and attention to detail and hard work that went into the in-person experience. If I could come back in person every single year I absolutely would. And I am so grateful to Caitilin and Tia for all the thought, effort, and heart that they put into this.”
– Past Participant
Click above to watch Evadne Anderson’s testimonial video filmed after completing the 2023 Sage Hill Emerging Writers’ Course.