| South Cabin Writers Retreat

Imagine writing your novel, poem or screenplay in a vintage log house that rests on the shore of an unspoiled Canadian lake. A few kilometers from Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario and surrounded by pine and hemlock forest, this water-access only gem on Oxtongue lake is peaceful and inspirational. The ideal sequestered setting for creativity and imagination to thrive.

Enjoy the solitude while you create your masterpiece and take advantage of having your own personal mentor, a member of MMW+C faculty,  review and comment upon your work remotely.

The South Cabin Writers’ Cottage residency is seasonal (July-October) and accepts writers of all genres: novelists, editors, publishers, screenwriters, playwrights, composers and poets. The cabin is set up to accommodate one or two adults and is not suitable for children. It is intended for those writers who have had some experience with solitude and are comfortable with practical aspects of rustic living, such as water safety, fire safety, and stewardship of the land. Please note: at this time there is no easy access for people with disabilities and there is a mildly steep stairway from the dock to the cabin. 

South Cabin sleeping accommodations include two single beds on a screened-in porch and a double futon couch/bed in the spacious main room, in case it gets too chilly for porch sleeping. The Cabin features a stone fireplace, a large woodstove, high speed wifi, a landline phone, a large antique oak desk and a basic black and white printer. Cellular service is available through a local carrier. (Note: The Cabin does not provide a TV or sound system.)  

Because South Cabin is a water-access only property, upon arrival, writers and their luggage will be transported to the Cottage via pontoon boat, a short ride from the access dock. If you fly into Toronto’s Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Northern Airport Shuttle (https://northernairport.com) provides transportation to the neighboring town of Huntsville, 30 minutes from South Cabin. The South Cabin staff offers complimentary transportation from Huntsville to Oxtongue Lake. For those writers who arrive in their own vehicles, parking is available at the dock access.

While in residence, writers are asked to provide and prepare their own food (basic kitchen staples are provided). As a convenience, groceries can be ordered online (https://www.yourindependentgrocer.ca) and can be picked up in Huntsville either by the South Cabin staff transporting you from the airport shuttle to the lake, or by you if you are driving in your own vehicle. There will be an opportunity midweek for additional grocery shopping in the nearby town of Dwight, which also has a pharmacy, a liquor store and several bakeries.

Mentors will be suggested after consultation with student.

All Images: Betz Siegfried