Doug Crandell - Literary Retreat

	What is the Literary Life? When I first started trying to break into the world of literature, I thought success was merely getting my name in print. As I moved forward, and began meeting the people who became my network (fellow writers, kind agents and patient editors) I realized what I wanted most was to live differently, not just to publish.
To that end, living the literary life means many things: time to write, a circle of support, reading and sharing good books, helping others with the same dream to find success, choosing to live a healthier lifestyle by embracing good foods, focusing on the whole person, and stepping away from accepting life as a predetermined process. In summary, the fine Georgia writer, Flannery O'Connor, said: "I write to find out what I know." We believe in taking this profound concept further and including the notion of "real community" as our basis to move forward. Our mantra will be: "We write to find out what we all know." How is the Literary Lifestyle Community different from a writing workshop?
Workshops are finite; that is, they begin and end, and the event is over. While we will offer an introductory, six-week session with frequent gatherings of Literary Life Fellows, that's just the start. After a Fellow receives instruction and feedback on her writing, they become part of a support group. Below are some outcomes we will achieve together that make this burgeoning literary community different from the standard workshop model: Access to a Visiting Writers Series, which puts Fellows in direct contact with some of our most significant and talented American Writers A monthly gathering of Literary Life Fellows that focuses on writing, support, good food, and a healthy lifestyle. Help and guidance from an energetic duo (see bios below) that have worked together to create a new lifestyle for themselves
Friends & Family Reading Nights that celebrate new work, and where potlucks are the mainstay and the outdoors and nature are the central backdrop. On-going support via e-mail for works-in-progress. These interactive elements will enable us to create and sustain the Literary Life Community together.

Peer Instructors
Nancy Brooks-Lane Nancy is a poet, writer, photographer and painter. She has written extensively in the field of disability rights and holds editorial positions in several venues. Nancy edits all of Doug's writing, from essays and short stories to book-length projects. Her focus in helping people who want to write comes from a desire to encourage the human need to create. "People who have the courage to write should be supported in every way. I hope my abilities in editing, and offering feedback can be a real lifeline to those who want to try."
Doug Crandell Doug is a writer who has seen his share of rejection and disappointment. Yet, he believes the sometimes painful process of making it into print is well worth the hardship. Doug has published two books, written six and is a regular contributor to The SUN Magazine, Atlanta Magazine, The Smithsonian Magazine and Glimmer Train. Doug has won fellowships from the Sherwood Anderson Foundation, the Hohenberg Foundation and was the 2005 Goldfarb Fellow at the Virginia Center for Creative Arts. (Full Bio)
His personal values regarding writing are similar to Nancy's. "I really like the process of teaching people how to take a small idea, maybe a character or an image, and turn it into a short story, novel or memoir. Writing is a way of life. It takes patience and love, but most off all, it requires a supportive network."
	If you'd like to apply for consideration as a Literary Life Fellow, please fill out the application, and begin enjoying good food and the literary life today. Apply Now!