This Halloween, why not try a little Historical Fiction with a sprinkle of magical realism? Maybe, just maybe, every word is true.
Kathleen Shoop’s “The Night Circus” goes back in time to bring an enchanting spectacle of wild animals, trapeze artists, clowns, and jugglers face to face with the dangerous work of coal miners and the families who made life worth living. Tragedy breathes life into new dreams and inspires Halloween wonder. Unexpected friends, an old recipe book, and family secrets reveal things Gertie couldn’t have imagined until her parents took her back to Meadow.
You can find that story and many other amazing tales in Cashmere Ghost & Graveyards at Night, the latest charity anthology from the wordsmiths of the Mindful Writers Retreat. The book goes live on August 31, but you can preorder now! Proceeds benefit the Allegheny Land Trust.
One of the highlights of my year is attending the five-day Mindful Writers Retreat in Ligonier, PA with a stellar group of writers that I’ve had the honor to call friends for the past seven years. Our retreat takes place at the Ligonier Camp and Conference Center (LCCC) nestled in the Laurel Highlands region of the Allegheny Mountains of western Pennsylvania.
LCCC is a kids’ camp during the summer. Off-season, they rent out their facilities to various groups. Each room at the Lamont Lodge has three sets of bunk beds. In years past, I enjoyed sleeping on the top bunk but on this occasion, the ceiling fan was a bit too close for comfort when climbing atop any of the three bunks so I took the lower bed this time.
As I’ve written in years past, everything about our retreat is magical from the location to the hours of quiet writing time to the fun and camaraderie we share during our five days together. Attending the Mindful Writers Retreat for the first time in 2018 was one of my best life decisions for my soul as well as my writing career.
The first two days were sunny and clear. Clouds and rain rolled in for Wednesday and Thursday, but my sunrise walk through woods and along the mountain on Tuesday offered an opportunity for spectacular views, as always.
As for writing, my goal for the retreat was to finish the outline for the sword and sorcery story and write at least the first two or three scenes.
Also, I wanted to take at least a half day to review a paranormal mystery novella that I started in 2022 and worked on sporadically for about a year in between short story projects. I picked it up again last year’s Mindful Writers Retreat and had not looked at it since. It needed more work than I could give it in the few days at the retreat so I turned my attention back to the S&S story and wrote 2,100 words. The limit is 5,000 per the publisher’s submission requirements. Once I finish this story, I plan to turn my attention back to the novella and finish it by summer 2026.
It has long become tradition for many of the writers to gather by the fire and chat on Thursday evenings as it is our final night together. We do have social time during lunch and dinner, but many of us only see one another once or twice a year at the retreat so the fireside chats permit us more time to catch up.
After our 9AM brunch on Friday, it was time for final hugs and goodbyes. This a group of writers I’ve have come to miss when we’re apart but fortunately, I will see three of them in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware in a few weeks as we gather at Browseabout Books on Saturday, November 8 from 11AM to 1PM to sign copies of our Mindful Writers anthologies.
On my way from the retreat, I visited the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA. Every autumn, when I drive Route 30 on my way to or from Ligonier, I consider stopping here and never do. Friday was a damp, cold, windy day but nevertheless, I was determined to visit the memorial. Although the visitor center was closed due to the government shutdown, I walked to the overlook and then drove around to the Wall of Names. My last stop was the Tower of Voices, a 93-foot tall wind chime near the entrance and exit. All told, a sobering experience and reminder of how much we should cherish our friends and loved ones.
After a year’s absence, it was pure joy to return to Ligonier, PA during the third week in October for the Mindful Writers Retreat nestled in the Laurel Highlands region of the Allegheny Mountains.
Everything about the Mindful Writers Retreat is magical, the gorgeous fall foliage that surrounds us, the amazing writers who have become my tribe since I began attending in 2018, the guided meditations we practice each day, the peaceful sunrise walks through the woods, and of course, the hours of quiet writing time each day.
All of these elements come together at the Ligonier Camp and Conference Center, resulting in an extraordinary experience that keeps me coming back almost every autumn (I’ve missed only two since 2018).
My Home for the Week: Room 8 in Lamont LodgeLamont Lodge
On Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, I took sunrise walks through the endless woods and trails of the Ligonier Camp. As always, these beautiful excursions bring enormous peace to the mind, heart, and soul and, of course, they’re excellent for the body as well.
I spent the first two and a half days editing works written by fellow members of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group. Every odd year, our group publishes a themed anthology of short stories, essays, and poems. I’ve been on the editing team for these anthologies since 2016. We’re gearing up for our 2025 anthology, Writing a Wrong. I managed to finish all nine pieces that were assigned to me by Wednesday morning.
The latter half of the week was spent on a sequel to a novella that I’d published in 2018 called Like Mother, Like Daughters. As I did with my first two novels, Testing the Prisoner and By Your Side, I plan to reissue Like Mother, Like Daughters along with its sequel in one omnibus edition. That might happen in 2025, but more likely the year after.
On Wednesday afternoon, I ventured into town with another writer, Lilan Laishley, to ship some items I had sold on eBay the previous Friday. While there, we took the opportunity to cast our votes in the town’s scarecrow contest. It’s a Ligonier tradition that some of the local businesses set up scarecrows around the center of town. Residents and tourists are then afforded the opportunity to vote on their favorite. In this case, there were about 25 scarecrows to choose from.
Afterwards, we stopped for ice cream at the Ligonier Creamery before heading back to the lodge for more writing time.
On Thursday afternoon, I walked down to the local creek where I meditated for a brief time and basked under the autumn sun. Thursday is our last full day at the retreat and in what has become a tradition, most of us took a break from writing to gather around the hearth in the evening.
Thursday night by the fire.Thursday night by the fire.
However, one of our longtime members, Lori Jones, had the brilliant idea to take a night walk through the camp to some of the cabins scattered about the property. This turned into a quasi-paranormal investigation that ended in a breathtaking star gazing event.
Night walk through the Ligonier Camp and Conference CenterLori Jones checking out the Alexander House like Nancy Drew!“Ghost hunting” in the Alexander House.“Ghost hunting” in the Alexander House.The Mindful Writers Paranormal Investigators. Any evidence we find can and will be used in a story.
This year’s Mindful Writers Retreat was the most magical one yet. The weather was gorgeous for the entire week (it usually is), our group participated in our usual hijinks and shenanigans, and I managed to accomplish everything I’d planned for the week.
The only time I ever dislike a Friday is when I’m at the retreat because that is the day all of us part ways and return to reality. Deepest gratitude to Kathie Shoop and Larry Schardt for all they do to organize the Mindful Writers Retreat twice a year. I already look forward to next October!
As I write this, the sun is rising on the final morning of the 2022 Autumn Mindful Writers Retreat. As always, it was a magical week at the Ligonier Camp and Conference Center nestled in the Laurel Highlands in western Pennsylvania.
Mother Nature blessed us with five days of clement weather and vivid fall colors. I managed to finish three more chapters of my novella-in-progress and when I wasn’t writing, I hiked through the woods and joined my fellow scribes in afternoon meditation.
On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, I stole away from the retreat to participate in two Zoom sessions with fellow members of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group. The first was a discussion panel on Writing Genre Fiction with Dianna Sinovic, Michael Daigle, and Rachel Thompson. The second was an Author Dialogue with Dianna wherein we enjoyed an informal discussion about various aspects of writing. Both Zoom meetings will be included in the programming for the upcoming Easton Book Festival.
On our final evening of the retreat, the group gathered around the fire for a few hours of relaxation and socializing. Now, it’s nearly time for our final brunch together and then I’m on the road home with fond memories, some lessons learned about book marketing, and solid progress in my current project.
Deep gratitude to retreat organizers Kathie Shoop and Larry Schardt and to the staff at the Ligonier Camp and Conference Center. I look forward to future retreats!
Looking for the perfect read for the end of beach season or a trip to your own back yard? Check out SHELL HOUSE, the latest anthology by Year of the Book Press with stories by members of the Mindful Writers Retreat. Print and ebook versions are available everywhere and the ebook is on sale for $0.99!
Proceeds benefit the Marine Education, Research, and Rehabilitation Institute in Lewes, DE.
Several SHELL HOUSE authors will be signing copies at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, DE on October 1, 2022 at 4PM. If you’re in town, stop by, say hi, and grab a copy!
Each piece in the anthology takes place at SHELL HOUSE, a historic mansion that once stood on the border of Rehoboth and Dewey Beaches between the Atlantic Ocean and Silver Lake.
The famous site provides the backdrop for stories of every genre, from the roaring 20s to present day. There’s nothing like the beach to bring out the fun in life. Read on to see what inspired some of the more lighthearted tales in the collection. In later posts, we’ll explore some of the other tales in various genres.
“A Sunday Séance at the Sea” by Kimberly Kurth Gray was inspired by her bleach blonde, storytelling, obsessed with the afterlife, kitten heel wearing Auntie Ev. Drawing from flamboyant relatives and researching Spiritualism, Kimberly found the pieces of her Shell House story falling together in the perfect, otherworldly way. She even discovered that the actress Mae West was a believer in Spiritualism. And who better to help the spirits move from one existence to the next? It gives a whole new meaning to, “Come up and see me sometimes,” don’t you think?
Kathleen Shoop offers two lighthearted tales set nearly a century apart and connected by champagne and pineapple upside down cake! The first story, “Flora & George” was inspired by the 1920s bootlegging that sprouted up along the Delaware coast. The roaring 20s was the perfect back drop for witty banter and insta-love to bloom. The inspiration behind “Frannie & Eli” is the story of Flora and George and the illicit party that brought them together. A message in a bottle, a secret hidey hole, and a century of fabulous Shell House stories. Oh, if the walls could talk …. Sometimes they do.
Cindy Moldovan’s “Love Dawns at Shell House” was inspired by, well, love! Main character Lacey is taking an early morning stroll when she realizes that she is in love. But this fun story explores more than romance. Lacey is soon tasked with finding a way to save Shell House from demolition. Conflicts arise threatening Rehoboth’s beloved home and the guy who has captured her heart! Can love win out?
My own tale of science fiction comedy, “See You Around the Cosmos, Sweet Cheeks!” originated on a sweltering July evening while walking the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk. Dramatic lights in the night sky almost convinced me that I was witnessing experimental military crafts or extraterrestrials. But the silent light show ended up being nothing more than kites laden with LEDs. Nevertheless, my writer’s brain began conjuring a story. I took the idea and ran with it, all the way back to autumn of 1983 when Rehoboth was less developed and the Shell House property would have been dark and deserted on an off-season night. The perfect location to encounter a massive alien ship? You’ll have to read to find out!
Reviews are pouring in for Shell House, the latest anthology from Year of the Book Press and the Mindful Writers Retreat members.
Below are the first four reviews from our blog tour. Click on any one of the links to see the full review, read excerpts from three of the short stories, and enter to win an ebook copy of Shell House and a $50 Amazon gift card!
“I am always in awe of the Mindful Writers Retreat Authors books. The collections of short stories are a fulfilling treat that leaves you in a state of reading bliss.” – Shelly at Lynchburg Reads
“In this fourth installment of the Mindful Writers Retreat Anthology Series you will find a beautiful collection of short stories that circle around the city of Rehoboth and its famous Shell House. The authors include a bit of the history of Rehoboth and share experiences of different types of love. Stories that feature bootlegging, fantasy, science-fiction, architectural conservation, and many more to explore the ways people love. I really enjoyed these stories and the couple of recipes included! A perfect beach theme and read!” – Natalie at Mammanatty
“Shell House is the fourth installment of the Mindful Retreat Series, and I must say I am just in love with these collections.” – Melanie at It’s My Side of Life
“[Shell House] is such a fabulously different summer read… I love the Mindful Writers Retreat series, and I adore how the theme of each book is different, yet they still invoke a lot of the same feelings. This book is outstanding and is chock full of wonderful stories.” – Sonya at Sanity Is For Those Without Children
Contributors to Shell House include: Lorraine Donohue Bonzelet, Gloria Bostic, Deborah Hetrick Catanese, Jennifer D. Diamond, Judy England-McCarthy, Phil Giunta, Kimberly Kurth Gray, Hilary Hauck, Larry Ivkovich, Stephanie Keyes, S. M. Kraftchak, Cindy Moldovan, Amy Morley, Michael Morley, James Robinson, Jr., Larry Schardt, Carol Schoenig, Kathleen Shoop, Demi Stevens, Lisa Valli, Madhu Bazaz Wangu, Denise Weaver, and Michele Zirkle.
Kathleen Shoop’s “The Night Circus” goes back in time to bring an enchanting spectacle of wild animals, trapeze artists, clowns, and jugglers face to face with the dangerous work of coal miners and the families who made life worth living. Tragedy breathes life into new dreams and inspires Halloween wonder. Unexpected friends, an old recipe book, and family secrets reveal things Gertie couldn’t have imagined until her parents took her back to Meadow. 
