Join us for a spooky, fun-filled writing retreat where you’ll write and revise a short ghost story in the company of other writers.
October 23-26, 2025 | REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
What’s it all about?
For over a decade, Wordcrafters has hosted the bewitching Ghost Story Weekend. Created by the illustrious Elizabeth Engstrom, this generative writing retreat is a must for anyone who loves a good ghost story.
Picture this: four days at the Oregon Coast, crafting ghostly tales, and sharing them with fellow writers. You’ll enjoy good company, good chocolate, and good stories. From Thursday evening to Sunday morning, you’ll dive into the art of ghost story writing and emerge with a tale to tell of your own.
This fun, generative writing retreat takes place in Newport, Oregon at the newly renovated Hotel Sylvia, and welcomes writers of all levels.
What you’ll get at Ghost Story Weekend
- Instruction on how to write short stories
- Knowledge about ghost stories
- Daily writing time
- Opportunities to share your story-in-progress and receive feedback
- Time to revise your short story
- A bag of inspiration, filled with goodies like tarot cards, haunted places, strange recipes, and love letters
- A Wordcrafters short-story guidebook filled with prompts and information
- A 30-minute one-on-one story session with the instructor to help you with plot, structure, and character development
- Delicious chocolate and snacks
- Camaraderie with fellow writers
Photos of Ghost Story Weekends past
“This is what I look forward to every year.”
What you’ll take home with you
- A finished short story that you’ll write and revise throughout the long weekend
- Information on where you can submit your story for publication
- An experience of community with like-hearted writers
- The knowledge of how to craft short stories
- A deeper understanding of the ghost story genre
Your Spirit Guide
Our Ghost Story spirit guide is Portland-based author Erick Mertz. He’ll inspire you with talks on ghost stories, story structure, and how to feed your monster. Throughout the weekend, Erick will be available for one-on-one guidance, sharing his story wisdom during meals and gatherings, while writing his own story alongside you.
One-on-one consults
Each participant at Ghost Story Weekend has the opportunity for a 30-minute craft session with instructor Erick Mertz.
He’ll unstick your story stuckness, help you with your writing process, share advice and knowledge on craft in general, or help with whatever your writing-related need is!
“Sign up immediately”
Our Escape at the Coast!
The newly-renovated Hotel Sylvia in Newport, Oregon!
THE PERFECT SETTING
A NOSTALGIC, LITERARY-THEMED RETREAT
Step into a space designed for reflection, where you can reconnect with yourself and rekindle old passions. The literary-themed rooms at Hotel Sylvia in Newport, Oregon, celebrate authors and genres that have shaped storytelling. Each room has its own character, filled with books and details that invite you to unplug and experience a different time, sparking your curiosity. Find comfort in a quiet corner where you can read, rest, and recharge.
What to expect
- Thursday evening: optional dinner (not included), speculative story discussion and instruction, and the official start of writing
- Friday: dedicated writing time, group meals, a craft talk, and small-group critique of your first draft.
- Saturday: dedicated writing time to work on your draft, group meals, and, in the evening, gathering around the fire to share your fantastical story.
- Sunday morning: light feedback session to help you further refine your tale.
The Wordcrafters Haunted Library
Don’t be scared!
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned writer, you’ll find a supportive community here. This retreat is a fantastic way to dive into short story writing and connect with others who share your passion.
Details and Schedule
Location: Hotel Sylvia in Newport, OR
Participants stay in their own private room at the newly renovated Hotel Sylvia (unless you want to find a fellow writer to share with) and come to the Wordcrafters Haunted Library in the same location for meals, community, and writing time.
You’re welcome to join in as many (or as few) group activities as your possibly introverted writer heart desires.
Tuition: Includes all instruction, five meals (breakfast daily and lunch on Friday and Saturday, and plenty of treats. Register for your room separately. Rooms are $199 and up/night.
Attendance: Limited to 16 participants, plus the instructor.
Thursday, October 23
- 4 pm: Arrive at Hotel Sylvia and check in
- 5 pm: The Wordcrafters Haunted Library opens to begin gathering and get to know each other
- 6 pm: Dinner and cocktail hour–either on your own or as a group trip to a nearby restaurant
- 7:30 pm: Gather around the fireplace to talk about speculative stories, story structure, and get your magical writing inspiration
- 8 pm: Writing begins
Friday, October 24
- 9 am: Breakfast
- 1 pm: Lunch and craft talk
- 5:30 pm: Dinner–either on your own or as a group trip to a nearby restaurant
- 7 pm: Small group story sharing and critique of your first draft (if desired)
Saturday, October 25
- 9 am: Breakfast
- 1 pm: Lunch
- 5:30 pm: Dinner–either on your own or as a group trip to a nearby restaurant
- 7 pm: Witching Hour: Story sharing around the fire
Sunday, October 26
- 9 am: Breakfast
- 10 am: Feedback session
- Noon: Farewells
Meals
Five meals are included in your registration: breakfast daily at Cafe Sylvia in the hotel plus box lunches on Friday and Saturday. We’ll also have snacks plus a frightening amount of chocolate. On Thursday, we plan to go to a nearby restaurant as a group and each pay for our own meal.
Lunches will be simple and nourishing, fueling your creative self and taking the stress out of having to plan, cook, and clean to let you focus on your writing.
Dinners will allow us to take advantage of the many lovely restaurants in Newport.
- Lunches will be sammies, salads, and soups.
- Chocolate is a meal, right? There will be chocolate! Plus snacks!
Once you register, we’ll send you a survey checking on any food issues you have or accommodations you need.
About the instructor
Erick Mertz (he, him) is an author, born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, a place he is still lucky enough to call his home. He writes a paranormal mystery series, “The Strange Air,”, described as “Longmire” meets “The X-Files,” set in the fictional central Oregon town of Whistler’s Grove. Erick has (ghost-) written dozens of award-winning, optioned and produced narrative fiction screenplays.
In a previous lifetime, while a student at the University of Oregon, he studied English literature and played records late at night on campus radio 88.1 KWVA. After school was finished, he worked in group homes and as a case manager for community-based adults with developmental disabilities. This is an area where he continues to work.
If he’s not writing, you can probably find him worrying about the Portland Trailblazers, drinking a local beer, or exploring that glorious Pacific Northwest landscape with his wife, Lisa, and son, Elijah. a writing camp in the woods.
Find out more about Erick at erickmertzwriting.com
Get to know Erick in this Q&A!
Four days: Thursday to Sunday, October 23-26, 2025
Oct 23 at 5 pm thru Oct 26 at 12 pm
Hotel Sylvia, Newport, Oregon
October 23-26, 2025
4 pm Thursday to noon Sunday
Cost
Access: $337 – if you have limited access to funds
Sustainer: $449 – the actual cost of this program
Patron: $559 – if you have more access to resources and can support others who need to pay less
Choose the ticket price that best reflects your financial capacity. We trust you to discern your level of need or ability to help others with less access to wealth.
Learn more about our Pay From Your Heart Pricing.
Scholarship info: We want everyone to have access to our writing programs. If you need additional support, please complete our scholarship request form.
Wordcrafters members save 10% on this and other events and classes.
Ready to Write?
Join us for a long weekend of spooky creativity. Register now to secure your spot at this beloved event. Let’s make some ghostly magic together!
HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
Masks are optional. Please stay home if you’re unwell with any upper respiratory illness.
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