Springfed Writers’ Retreat books Sandra Seaton
Sandra Seaton, playwright and librettist, will be on staff for the 1st Annual Springfed Writers Retreat, October 9-12, 2008 at the Birchwood Inn, Harbor Springs, MI. Her plays have been performed in cities throughout the country, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Cleveland and Ann Arbor. In Seaton’s one-woman drama, Sally, an aged Sally Hemings recalls her life with Thomas Jefferson, reliving and re-evaluating the dilemmas she faced and the choices she made. She has explored the relationship between the president and Sally Hemings in a number of works, including her libretto for the song cycle From the Diary of Sally Hemings. Seaton’s other works include the plays The Will, about the struggles of a black Tennessee family during Reconstruction, as well as a trilogy of plays about African-American students at a Midwestern university during the Civil Rights Movement: Room and Board, Do You Like Philip Roth? and Reservations. She has been awarded residencies at Yaddo, Hedgebrook, Ragdale and Dorset artists’ colonies. As a Professor of English at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Sandra Seaton taught courses in playwriting, fiction writing, and African American Literature.
Also on staff this year: Poets Cornelius Eady and Maria Mazziotti Gillan our own beloved poet M.L. Liebler, author Jack Driscoll, children/adult scary writer Johnathan Rand/Christopher Knight and songwriter Michael Smith. Director John D. Lamb has been hosting his songwriter retreats at the Birchwood Inn for thirteen years. This year’s writer retreat falls during the peak of the color season. The Birchwood Inn has a beautiful view of the lake shore and is only 3 miles north of the lovely shops and restaurants in downtown Harbor Springs.

Springfed Writers’ Retreat books Cornelius & Maria
Poets Cornelius Eady and Maria Mazziotti Gillan will be on staff for the 1st Annual Springfed Writers Retreat, October 9-12, 2008 at the Birchwood Inn, Harbor Springs, MI. Also returning this year: our own beloved poet M.L. Liebler, author Jack Driscoll, children/adult scary writer Johnathan Rand/Christopher Knight and songwriter Michael Smith. Director John D. Lamb plans to announce more guest writers in upcoming newsletters. Lamb has been hosting his songwriter retreats at the Birchwood Inn for thirteen years and claims that much good writing happens in Harbor Springs, the city that inspired the name Springfed Arts.

Lamb's Retreat for Songwriters Filmed
for Michigan Public Television
The 13th Annual Lamb's Retreats for Songwriters were held on the weekends of November 1-4 and November 8-11 at the Birchwood Inn, Harbor Springs, MI. On staff the first weekend were Michael Smith, Dick Siegel, Kitty Donohoe, David Mosher, Josh Davis, Anne Heaton, Seth Bernard and Daisy Mae. The second weekend staff featured Tom Prasada Rao, Cary Cooper, Chuck Brodsky, David Massengill, Corinne West, Michael Crittenden and Kirby. The second weekend was filmed by a production crew from University of Michigan Flint in conjunction with the Michigan Humanities Council. A short film documentary about the retreat and John D. Lamb's song assignments will begin airing on Michigan Public Television early in the new year. The film will also be viewable at The Michigan Humanities Art Council website www.michiganhumanities.org/media/

Walloon Writers’ Retreat Renamed and Relocated
Springfed Writers Retreat
Springfed Arts will begin hosting the newly christened Springfed Writers Retreat, October 9-12, 2008 at the Birchwood Inn, Harbor Springs, MI. Director John D. Lamb had hosted the Walloon Writers’ Retreat at Michigania, a University of Michigan affiliated facility near Boyne City for nine years. Lamb says that the move to the Birchwood Inn will be a smooth one. He has been hosting his songwriter retreats at the Inn for thirteen years and claims that much good writing happens in Harbor Springs, the city that inspired the name Springfed Arts. The rooms and beds at The Birchwood Inn are more comfortable than cabins and the walkways to the conference area are closer and easier to travel. Good shopping is nearby and the fall colors will be peaking. Lamb assures that he will continue to offer quality staff and quality food. The Springfed Writers Retreat will announce this year’s featured guest writers in an upcoming newsletter.

Dear John letters for the 9th annual
Walloon Writers’ Retreat held September 27 -30.