Distinguished faculty • Process-oriented approach • Vibrant community
Every spring and summer, Sage Hill Writing welcomes cohorts of writers from across genres and writing backgrounds. Whether you are an established or emerging writer, we have a program to support you in your creative process.
Our writing retreats offer challenging but supportive environments where you can take your literary projects to the next level, be mentored by distinguished faculty, and join a welcoming community of writers. Our alumni form life-long community bonds, and often return to Sage Hill when working on new projects.
LOCATION: In person at St. Peter’s Abbey, Muenster, SK
Spring Colloquium Application Deadline: The application deadline for the 2026 Spring Poetry Colloquium has passed. However, as long as the course remains available on the application form, we are accepting late applications.
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Focusing on your writing doesn’t have to be a solitary endeavour. In the Spring Fiction Colloquium, you can delve into your manuscript in a small-group retreat environment that facilitates deep-immersion into the writing process. With individual manuscript consultations and stimulating seminar discussions, you will have the tools you need to bring new energy to your project.
The Fiction Colloquium is offered biennially, as it on rotation with a Poetry Colloquium.
In 2026, a Fiction Colloquium will be offered.
During the summer months, the Fiction Course offers an excellent alternative to the colloquium.
Application guidelines: Successful applicants for the 2026 Spring Fiction Colloquium generally have some publication record, and are working towards manuscript completion.
“Sage Hill […] provided the perfect storm of inspiring craft talks, group free 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 Alumna
“The food was fantastic, the facility, grounds and hosts were so, so welcoming. I had a fantastic time and feel blessed to have been able to stay somewhere as lovely as St. Peter’s. Caitilin took so much care to make us all feel at home, which is truly an asset to Sage Hill as a whole.”
2025 Anonymous Spring Poetry Colloquium Alum
“Sage Hill was a truly life-changing experience. The thoughtful intensity of uninterrupted time with our writing was unlike anything else in the world, and it wasn’t just the writing that was critical to Sage Hill as an experience–it was time to walk, eat, talk, bond, work, write, and grow as writers with and alongside other poets, and it was time to learn from an intelligent, spiritually knowledgable, philosophical mentor.”
2025 Anonymous Spring Poetry Colloquium Instructor
Summer Courses
COURSE DATES: Online Programs: June 30 – July 9, 2026 In Person Programs: July 2 – 11, 2026
Summer Courses’ Application Deadline: April 20, 2026
“The immense privilege of getting to reacquaint myself with my novel at Sage Hill is one I will be trying to use wisely for a long time. The chance to connect with such inspiring fellow writers, have all logistic needs taken care of by kind and dedicated organizers, and receive one on one feedback from an accomplished, engaged, and generous author, was a dream. I’m so grateful.”
Nicole Smith, 2025 Fiction Course Alumna
The craft of writing is a lifelong exercise in learning. That’s why Sage Hill’s Summer Courses – Nonfiction, Poetry, Fiction, Playwriting and Emerging Writers’ – are designed as a forum for writers at all stages of their careers to focus on developing their skills, exchanging ideas and learning from both mentors and peers. Bring your new or ongoing writing project to these small-group facilitated retreats, where you will take the next step in your process supported by a vibrant community of writers.
Application guidelines:The Summer Courses each have their own guidelines. Visit the page for the course you are interested in for further details.
Note: You do not need to be published to apply to the Emerging Writers’ Course.
