Join us for an atmospheric, fun-filled writing retreat where you’ll write and revise a short story—ghostly, strange, quiet, or otherwise—in the company of other writers.
October 15-18, 2026 REGISTRATION IS OPEN
What’s it all about?
For over a decade, Wordcrafters has hosted a bewitching autumn writing retreat at the Oregon Coast—you may know it as Ghost Story Weekend. This year, we’re opening the doors wider. Into the Veil welcomes any short story that lives in the in-between: the uncanny, the quietly strange, the literary, the liminal, and yes—still plenty of ghosts, if that’s your story to tell.
Picture this: four days at the Oregon Coast as the tide turns and the season shifts, crafting your tale and sharing it 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 short story writing and emerge with a tale to tell of your own.
This fun, generative writing retreat takes place in Newport, Oregon at the recently renovated Hotel Sylvia, and welcomes writers of all levels.
What you’ll get at Into the Veil
- Instruction on how to write short stories, across genres
- Exploration of liminal spaces, thresholds, and the stories that live there
- 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, strange maps, odd recipes, and love letters
- A Wordcrafters short-story guidebook filled with prompts and information
- 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 Into the Veil Writers 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
- An experience of community with like-hearted writers
- The knowledge of how to craft short stories
- A deeper understanding of the liminal—the spaces between one thing and another, where stories live
Your Spirit Guide
Our Into the Veil spirit guide is Portland-based author Erick Mertz. He’ll inspire you with talks on story structure, craft, and how to feed your monster—whatever shape it takes this year. 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 Into the Veil 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), 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 15
- 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 16
- 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 17
- 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 18
- 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 15 – 18, 2026
Oct 15 at 5 pm thru Oct 18 at 12 pm
Hotel Sylvia, Newport, Oregon
Cost $449 (Includes event registration and meals–hotel is separate)
Members only registration through August 14. General registration opens August 15
Scholarship info: We want everyone to have access to our writing programs. If you need additional support, please complete our scholarship request form.
Pricing info: Our classes and events are priced at their actual cost to run.
If paying the full price would keep you from joining us, use the code ACCESS at checkout to reduce your registration amount by 20%—no questions asked. If you’re a Wordcrafters member, use code MEMBERACCESS.
If the full price is within your means, please leave the ACCESS code for those who truly need it.
If you’re able, you can add a donation during registration to support our scholarship fund.
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.
Click here to learn about becoming a Wordcrafter.
Join us for a long weekend of atmospheric creativity, right where the tide meets the shore and the season starts to turn. Register now to secure your spot at this beloved — and newly expanded — event. Let’s make some magic together, whatever kind of story you’re here to tell.
REGISTRATION OPENS TO EVERYONE!
HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
Masks are optional. Please stay home if you’re unwell with any upper respiratory illness.
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