Oregon Coast, October 2024

In October of 2024, nine writers gathered on the Oregon coast to focus on their writing projects via dedicated writing time and critique under the guidance and care of facilitators Joanna Rose and Brian Benson.

The Stepping Stones writing retreat was one of the most inspiring, fulfilling, and skill-building writing activities I have engaged in. I enthusiastically recommend it to any serious writer.

–Anne Lown

Altura, Portugal, May 2024

In May of 2024, seven writers traveled all the way to the southern coast of Portugal to join together for a prompt-based generative retreat that focused on elements of craft under the teachings of Joanna Rose.

I am grateful to Stepping Stones writing retreat for creating a supportive community of writers in a beautiful place. Joanna Rose’s love of language suffuses her teaching. She finds the beauty in her students’ writing, and then helps them draw even more from within. Anyone who has a chance to work with her is lucky indeed.

–Janie Cohen