CURTIS - The Erickson Center for the Arts' 3nd Annual North of 45 Retreat for Writers will be held May 1013 at Chamberlin's Ole Forest Inn in Curtis. Ann Rowland, director of North of 45 said, "North of 45 Retreat for Writers is exactly that; a retreat. It creates a place for anyone who has a passion for writing to explore the craft without the usual distractions of daily responsibilities."
In the company of other writers, the retreat offers opportunities for attendees to learn from well-respected Michigan authors who comprise the staff, to relax, to find some alone time to nurture the creative process, or to do nothing at all.
Rowland says the main purpose of the retreat is to give writers some time to catch their breath in the midst of a busy life.
Featured authors/presenters for the 2012 retreat are Christopher Knight (aka Johnathan Rand) and Jerry Dennis.
Knight, who resides in the "Tip of the Mitt," is best known for his children's series, "American Chillers," "Michigan Chillers," and a series for young readers, "Freddie Fernortner," "Fearless First Grader," all written under his pen name, Johnathan Rand. However he also has half a dozen adult thrillers in circulation, as well as a young adult novel.
Knight has also published hundreds of magazine articles and dozens of short stories. He travels coast to coast, speaking in schools, libraries and bookstores about the power of the written word. www.americanchillers.com
From the Traverse City area, Dennis is the author of many literary and popular works about nature, science, and outdoor recreation. His essays and stories have appeared in The New York Times, Smithsonian, Audubon, National Geographic Traveler, American Way, Gray's Sporting Journal, and many other publications, and have won numerous awards.
His 2012 book release, "The Windward Shore," is his tenth. Dennis is a frequent guest lecturer at universities, has been a commentator on national and regional public radio, and, in 1999, was named Michigan Author of the Year by the Michigan Library Association. www.jerrydennis.net
Rowland is a freelancer whose recently syndicated, weekly gardening column, "Dirty Knees," is in its eighth year of publication.
A singer/songwriter, her work in groundwater education took her program of water conservation songs, "Excuse Me, Sir, That's My Aquifer" nationwide in the 1990's. Since then, Rowland has published dozens of magazine articles, and recorded five full-length albums (four with her music partner/husband Will).
Passionate about writing education, Rowland is the director of Johnathan Rand's Author Quest, a camp for young writers, ages 10 13.
For more details or to register for the North of 45 Retreat for Writers, call Kelly Chamberlin, 800-292-0440.
Erickson Center for the Arts is a Michigan non-profit corporation. Its mission is to enrich the mind, body and spirit by providing educational, cultural and physical activity to individuals of all ages.