Join Us For
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October 6-8, 2023
Rock Springs Ranch
1168 KS-157 • Junction City, KS 66441
Rock Springs Ranch
1168 KS-157 • Junction City, KS 66441
Registration is now closed.
2023 Contest Results
2023 Prose Writer of the Year, Julie A. Sellers
2023 Youth Writer of the Year: Madeline Male
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2023 Poet of the Year, Julie Ann Baker Brin
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Thank you to our sponsors
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This year we invite you to try something new—take a moment to write with us!
Our annual gathering, brought to you by Districts 3 & 4, comes in the form of a writing retreat. We know you have many questions, and we will answer those questions here.
Our annual gathering, brought to you by Districts 3 & 4, comes in the form of a writing retreat. We know you have many questions, and we will answer those questions here.
Q: What does the registration fee of $250 for members and $280 for nonmembers include?
A: $250 is the current member “early bird” rate which includes housing for two nights, use of the Rock Springs grounds from Friday, October 6, starting at 4:00pm to Sunday at 2:00pm, and meals for the duration of the event. More about the schedule of events (also included in the fee) below. Those who are not yet members of Kansas Authors Club are invited to register for a fee of $280, which includes membership through the end of 2024.
A: $250 is the current member “early bird” rate which includes housing for two nights, use of the Rock Springs grounds from Friday, October 6, starting at 4:00pm to Sunday at 2:00pm, and meals for the duration of the event. More about the schedule of events (also included in the fee) below. Those who are not yet members of Kansas Authors Club are invited to register for a fee of $280, which includes membership through the end of 2024.
Updated!
Q: Rock Springs Ranch is a 4-H camp! Are you actually suggesting we sleep in tents and cabins?
A: Rock Springs Ranch is well known as a central hub for 4-H camps and activities, and if you attended a camp there in the last 75 years, you will be delighted by how much it has grown and changed. For our retreat, we will be housed at Leadership Lodge, which features a large living area with furniture and private suites, each containing a queen bed and a single bed (a bunk, but we are not asking anyone to sleep on the top level) on the main floor and two single beds in the loft. A minimum of three (max 4) people will be assigned to each suite, so at least one will need to be able to climb stairs. Each suite has two showers, a toilet, sinks, desk space, and lounge furniture. Bedding is included in our retreat package. You may wish to bring your own quilt or a favorite pillow if it helps you sleep better, but the essentials will be there.
Q: Rock Springs Ranch is a 4-H camp! Are you actually suggesting we sleep in tents and cabins?
A: Rock Springs Ranch is well known as a central hub for 4-H camps and activities, and if you attended a camp there in the last 75 years, you will be delighted by how much it has grown and changed. For our retreat, we will be housed at Leadership Lodge, which features a large living area with furniture and private suites, each containing a queen bed and a single bed (a bunk, but we are not asking anyone to sleep on the top level) on the main floor and two single beds in the loft. A minimum of three (max 4) people will be assigned to each suite, so at least one will need to be able to climb stairs. Each suite has two showers, a toilet, sinks, desk space, and lounge furniture. Bedding is included in our retreat package. You may wish to bring your own quilt or a favorite pillow if it helps you sleep better, but the essentials will be there.
Q: Can we choose our own roommates?
A: There will be space on the registration form to designate your preferred roommates. It will be helpful if you have a conversation about those arrangements prior to registering and then follow up that all have registered. We will be limiting registration to the first 80 attendees and then starting a wait-list to determine if it will be feasible to reserve a second housing unit, so encouraging your preferred roommates to register in a similar window would be helpful to us.
A: There will be space on the registration form to designate your preferred roommates. It will be helpful if you have a conversation about those arrangements prior to registering and then follow up that all have registered. We will be limiting registration to the first 80 attendees and then starting a wait-list to determine if it will be feasible to reserve a second housing unit, so encouraging your preferred roommates to register in a similar window would be helpful to us.
Q: Can RSR accommodate my food allergies or alternate meal request?
A: Yes, requests to accommodate food allergies, medical needs, religious restrictions, or attendees who prefer common lifestyle dishes will be met. Prior to the retreat weekend, you will receive a link to submit special food requests and instructions. Meals not requiring special consideration are served buffet-style in the dining hall with breakfast at 7:30am, lunch at 12:00pm, and dinner at 6:00pm.
A: Yes, requests to accommodate food allergies, medical needs, religious restrictions, or attendees who prefer common lifestyle dishes will be met. Prior to the retreat weekend, you will receive a link to submit special food requests and instructions. Meals not requiring special consideration are served buffet-style in the dining hall with breakfast at 7:30am, lunch at 12:00pm, and dinner at 6:00pm.
Q: What about snacks and between meal options?
A: Kansas Authors Club will provide some snacks and refreshments throughout the event. You are welcome to bring your own snacks if you prefer, and it is recommended if you feel you will need snacks between mealtimes. There will be the ability to make coffee and refill water bottles in the lodge.
A: Kansas Authors Club will provide some snacks and refreshments throughout the event. You are welcome to bring your own snacks if you prefer, and it is recommended if you feel you will need snacks between mealtimes. There will be the ability to make coffee and refill water bottles in the lodge.
Q: How much walking will be required?
A: Updated: There are both walking and driving routes on campus. You can spend all or none of the entire weekend on foot, depending on your desires and abilities.
Details for Drivers:
There is plenty of parking at the lodge and there is also a large parking space near the dining hall. We will encourage those who wish to drive to carpool in groups to avoid congestion. There is also space for a few vehicles to park (or drop off) at the building where we will be hosting activities. The distance between the dining hall and the activities hall is quite short and we expect most will be able to walk it, but we can reserve space for a couple of vehicles for those who need it.
Details for Walkers:
From the lodge to the hall where we will be hosting most of our events is a distance of approximately 2.5 to 3 city blocks. There are paved and gravel paths to our destinations. The dining hall is up a short hill from the event center, a bit more of a jaunt, but there is plenty of parking and folks are welcome to drive from the lodge to the dining hall if they prefer.
A: Updated: There are both walking and driving routes on campus. You can spend all or none of the entire weekend on foot, depending on your desires and abilities.
Details for Drivers:
There is plenty of parking at the lodge and there is also a large parking space near the dining hall. We will encourage those who wish to drive to carpool in groups to avoid congestion. There is also space for a few vehicles to park (or drop off) at the building where we will be hosting activities. The distance between the dining hall and the activities hall is quite short and we expect most will be able to walk it, but we can reserve space for a couple of vehicles for those who need it.
Details for Walkers:
From the lodge to the hall where we will be hosting most of our events is a distance of approximately 2.5 to 3 city blocks. There are paved and gravel paths to our destinations. The dining hall is up a short hill from the event center, a bit more of a jaunt, but there is plenty of parking and folks are welcome to drive from the lodge to the dining hall if they prefer.
- Distance from Leadership Lodge to Williams Dining Hall—.3 miles / approximate 7 minute walk
- Distance from Leadership Lodge to event hall—.2 miles / approximate 4 minute walk
- Distance from event hall to dining hall—.2 miles / approximate 5 minute walk (up a bit of a hill)
Q: I am an experienced writer/published author with a work-in-progress. Is there anything for me at this retreat?
A: Our recommendation for writers with works-in-progress is to come and indulge in the energy to further your progress. One approach would be to attend the sessions for fun and inspiration, but continue to write on only your existing work-in-progress. Another approach would be to take advantage of nature and a break from fixing your own meals, hole up in a corner of one of our designated quiet rooms and work away! Socialize when and if you want to. RSR should provide plenty of space to change your setting each time you feel the need for a break from writing. And maybe you’ll find an audience who would enjoy hearing you read a few pages of your work-in-progress.
A: Our recommendation for writers with works-in-progress is to come and indulge in the energy to further your progress. One approach would be to attend the sessions for fun and inspiration, but continue to write on only your existing work-in-progress. Another approach would be to take advantage of nature and a break from fixing your own meals, hole up in a corner of one of our designated quiet rooms and work away! Socialize when and if you want to. RSR should provide plenty of space to change your setting each time you feel the need for a break from writing. And maybe you’ll find an audience who would enjoy hearing you read a few pages of your work-in-progress.
Q: I am a new writer. I’ve never done anything like this before and I don’t know if I can keep myself busy writing throughout the weekend.
A: There is no one way to enjoy a writing retreat. Throughout the day, there will be opportunities for learning and inspiration, as well as the occasional stash of prompts you might be moved to take advantage of. There will be areas designated for quiet writing as well as conversation. If you get tired of writing, take a walk! If you get tired of walking, find a sharing space and tune into what other attendees are working on.
A: There is no one way to enjoy a writing retreat. Throughout the day, there will be opportunities for learning and inspiration, as well as the occasional stash of prompts you might be moved to take advantage of. There will be areas designated for quiet writing as well as conversation. If you get tired of writing, take a walk! If you get tired of walking, find a sharing space and tune into what other attendees are working on.
Q: I am looking forward to the writing retreat. What should I bring?
A: Here is a sample packing list:
Clothing: good walking shoes & socks, clothes to accommodate your preferred activities (yoga, walking, hikes, lounging) and layers for indoor/outdoor activities. All sessions, including meals, will be casual attire. Don’t forget to bring a bath towel!
Extras: a refillable water bottle, an insulated travel mug if you want to keep coffee readily available, an extra quilt for sleeping, a picnic blanket for writing time on the lawn if you are into that sort of thing. Easy-to-carry camping chairs, cushions, and yoga mats are welcome. Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray. Our musical attendees should feel free to bring portable, campfire friendly musical instruments such as harmonicas, bongos, or recorders/flutes.
Writing materials: Laptops and tablets are welcome, as are pens, pencils and sharpeners, pads, notebooks or journals. Come prepared to follow your bliss.
A: Here is a sample packing list:
Clothing: good walking shoes & socks, clothes to accommodate your preferred activities (yoga, walking, hikes, lounging) and layers for indoor/outdoor activities. All sessions, including meals, will be casual attire. Don’t forget to bring a bath towel!
Extras: a refillable water bottle, an insulated travel mug if you want to keep coffee readily available, an extra quilt for sleeping, a picnic blanket for writing time on the lawn if you are into that sort of thing. Easy-to-carry camping chairs, cushions, and yoga mats are welcome. Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray. Our musical attendees should feel free to bring portable, campfire friendly musical instruments such as harmonicas, bongos, or recorders/flutes.
Writing materials: Laptops and tablets are welcome, as are pens, pencils and sharpeners, pads, notebooks or journals. Come prepared to follow your bliss.
NOTE: The use of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and illegal drugs is strictly prohibited on RSR grounds.
No firearms or other weapons allowed.
No firearms or other weapons allowed.