The Stanley Hotel Writers Retreat - October 22nd-25th, 2015

My name is R.J. Cavender and I love working with horror writers.

That's why I'm hosting this second writers retreat at the historic and haunted birthplace of Stephen King's The Shining, The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.

If you want to join us, simply register by choosing a package here on this campaign and I'll send you the code to receive the group discount rate when you make your hotel reservations.

*Editing Packages and Event Registration does not include your hotel room or transportation fees. Hotel room rates are listed at the bottom of the page.*

But your registration does include all our group discount perks, select editing packages, inclusion on any outings/trips over the weekend, and a guaranteed tour of Room 217.

Join us on our Facebook group page and help us plan the trip together for 2015: https://www.facebook.com/stanleyretreat






We don't want to set a rigid schedule or any programming that would take away from your writing time, since this is a retreat and not a convention or conference. So no dealers room, and very limited programming. Instead we're offering a unique experience with a great group of authors and publishing professionals, in a fantastic hotel with a history steeped in horror (fiction?)

Each package includes different perks that should fit the need of all authors, whether you're looking for some feedback and a polishing of your work...or you're just needing a great place to write and get away. Let us host your once-in-a-lifetime writing escape, and we'll promise you a great time in a scenic and spooky locale.

For the last few years I've served as the pitch session coordinator for three horror writers conventions, two of which I was also a co-chair. So I've had some solid experience seeing how hosting events operates from the inside. And with the first Stanley Hotel Writers Retreat being a successful event, we've decided to return in 2015 for a weekend we'll all remember for years to come. I hope you find this idea as exciting as I do, and I truly hope you'll join us for this unique and haunting writing experience! The Stanley Hotel is truly amazing...

Advance tickets will be available through the hotel for the Friday night Murder Mystery Dinner at The Stanley Hotel and the annual Shining Masquerade Ball on Saturday night, as well! Group rates are also available for ghost tours of the hotel and paranormal investigations.

Event registrations/packages for The Stanley Hotel Writers Retreat are transferable, but non-refundable. If you're not entirely sure if you can make it, please don't register. Funds for this event will be spent as they come in, securing rooms, vehicles, and other event expenses. Cancellations will create problems, so commit to this now...don't flake out...and we'll see you then!

Fees for cancellation with the hotel and every last detail to reserve rooms are listed below. Confirmation of perk/package redemption will be within 24-hours, with instructions on how to redeem your room discounts at The Stanley Hotel once you've registered.

We hope to see you in October!

+Guest of Honor Authors+ appearing @ Stanley Hotel Writers Retreat 2015:

JACK KETCHUM

http://www.jackketchum.net/

JOSH MALERMAN

http://www.harpercollins.com/cr-107479/josh-mal...


RICHARD CHIZMAR

https://www.facebook.com/richardchizmar


TRENT ZELAZNY

https://www.facebook.com/trentzelazny


KEALAN PATRICK BURKE
(Due to impending deadlines, Kealan Patrick Burke has had to cancel.)

DANIEL KNAUF

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0460567/

And don't forget about out pre-event party in Denver!
Wednesday we'll be staying at the La Quinta Inn - Denver Central.

http://www.laquintadenvercentral.com/

We'll be making a field trip over to StarBuds Medical and Recreational Marijuana Dispensary for those who'd like to buy some goodies for the trip!

It's LEGAL in Colorado, but feel free to ask me about any details...I'll be sure to answer any questions you may have about recreational marijuana and CO laws. 21+ only for this event. (Consume responsibly.)

http://starbuds303.com/

Later on Wednesday night (I'm thinking we'll likely go around 7pm):

http://www.13thfloorhauntedhouse.com/

And be sure to stay through SUNDAY...as that's when we're having our Overnight Paranormal Investigation and Sit-Down Writing Exercise!

The Stanley Hotel Writers Retreat will have its own private paranormal investigation that WILL INCLUDE time to sit down and write in the infamously haunted Stanley Hotel Concert Hall! Discount group pricing of $40 will be collected closer to event time...with the investigation/write-in lasting for 5 hours, 10pm-3am on Sunday night.

About Your Hosts/Editors

R.J. Cavender is an Associate Member of the Horror Writers Association and the thrice Bram Stoker Award®-nominated editor of the +Horror Library+ anthology series from Cutting Block Press. Horror Library IV (co-edited with Boyd E. Harris) won the 2010 reader's choice Black Quill Award from Dark Scribe Magazine  in the Best Dark Genre Anthology category.

R.J. is also a publishing consultant and co-editor of the Bram Stoker Award-nominated Horror For Good: A Charitable Anthology, which includes stories from award-winning authors Jack Ketchum, Ray Garton, Ramsey Campbell, and Benjamin Kane Ethridge. His latest project for Dark Regions Press is The Midnight Meat Train: Special Definitive Edition by Clive Barker.

R.J. Is the managing editor of horror at Dark Regions Press, editor-in-chief at the new Cutting Block Books, an acquisitions editor at Blood Bound Books, and pitch sessions coordinator for World Horror Convention.

R.J. lives in Tucson, Arizona. His Favorite novel is The Shining. 

Chris Morey has edited the works of Joe R. Lansdale, Tom Piccirilli, Jeff Strand, Weston Ochse and Gord Rollo. Formerly the webmaster and Internet marketer for Dark Regions Press, he is now the owner and publisher of the press. He is the creator and editor of the Black Labyrinth imprint illustrated by Santiago Caruso, and is currently working on a hardcover project with Clive Barker. Chris has interviewed many renowned authors such as Ramsey Campbell, Rick Hautala, Mort Castle, W.H. Pugmire, Jeffrey Thomas, Simon Strantzas, Jeff Strand and many others. He has been interviewed by Dark Discoveries Magazine, Cemetery Dance Magazine, and Horror World.

Boyd E. Harris is the founder, co-editor, and former owner of Cutting Block Press, a small press company that specializes in anthologies of short and long horror fiction.  As publisher, his books Horror Library Volume 3, Volume 4, Volume 5, and Tattered Souls 2 were nominated for Bram Stoker Awards® for Superior Achievement in an Anthology. His last published anthology, Horror for Good: A Charitable Anthology was also nominated for a 2013 Bram Stoker Award.

Boyd has the exclusive distinction of being a Black Quill Award winning editor in two mediums, one for Dark Recesses Press magazine, and one for Horror Library Volume 4.

Boyd's work as editor has helped authors get stories optioned for films, as well as getting authors opportunities with larger publishers.

Boyd applies a theory that there should be balance between the storyline and the structure, and emphasizes the value of challenging a reader's imagination, while not allowing the read to become arduous. 

*Hotel Reservation Information* 

Attendees will be responsible for phoning in their reservations at The Stanley Hotel reservation line at (970) 577-4040 Monday – Friday 9am-4pm.

To receive special group rates, attendees must give the group discount code they received upon registering through this campaign.

Individuals will be responsible for paying their own room, tax and incidental charges. Guests will call The Stanley Hotel to make a reservation from the group room block and will be required to pay a deposit equal to 1 night  room rental.

Group rate of $179.00 per room, per night will be applied to guest’s entire 4-night stay-- October 22rd-25th, 2015. Single or double occupancy. 

Individual Cancellation Policy: Individual cancellations received within 30 days of arrival will be charged at the full rate for the entire stay, whether or not the group block commitment has been met or exceeded.

Cutoff Date

The block of rooms will be held until September 22, 2015.  Those rooms not reserved prior to this date will be released for general sale.  Reservations requests after this date will be taken on a space available basis at the higher of the contract rate or rate available at that time.  Should such requests be accepted, such room nights will be credited to your block for purposes of any calculation of attrition.

Room Assignments

The reservation department will attempt to accommodate specific requested room types, but cannot guarantee specific room types, locations, or room numbers.  Requested room types that are not included in the group block will be charged the prevailing  guestroom rate at the time the reservation is made.

Pre/Post Group Rates

The group rates will be honored on space available basis for group attendees up to 3 days before or after the group’s scheduled stay.

Check-in/Check-out/Change Rooms

Check in time begins at 4:00 pm.  Room availability cannot be confirmed until that time.  Check out time is 11:00 am. 

No Shows & Early/Late Departures

Rooms which have been reserved by and whose occupants fail to show on scheduled day of arrival will be billed for the total lodging amount for the contracted time.  Early departures and/or late arrivals will be charged the contracted nightly rate for the entire reserved stay.

Splitting Room Charges

If group attendees are to pay for their own rooms, tax and incidentals AND are sharing rooms, the following must be considered: The Stanley Hotel is unable to divide certain charges (telephone calls, restaurant charges, incidentals, etc.).  It is the responsibility of the individual whose name appears on the reservation folio to finalize all charges between the occupants BEFORE check out.

It is the responsibility of the group leader or meeting planner to inform all attendees of the above.

Package Delivery and Storage

All incoming boxes will incur a $5.00 per box handling fee.  All outgoing boxes will incur a $5.00 per box handling fee in addition to the shipping charges (if the hotel incurs these shipping charges) and must be made via FedEx or UPS with appropriate tracking information.  These charges will be billed to the Master Account.

Materials for your function may be sent to The Stanley Hotel no earlier than 72 hours prior to the beginning of your event. All packages must be properly addressed to the both client and the conference services manager; they must also outline the name of the group/event and the dates of the function. 

Shipment contents and delivery schedules are not the responsibility of The Stanley Hotel.  Return shipments must be completed within 48 business hours after the close of the event; clients are responsible for packaging and completing all shipping documents prior to departure from the hotel.

2014's Stanley Hotel Writers Retreat Group Photo

The Stanley Hotel Writers Retreat Keytag