Tag Archives: kathie shoop

Mindful Writers Retreat Recap – Autumn 2021

October 19, 2021 philgiunta@ptd.net

To the disappointment of some of my fellow attendees at the Mindful Writers Retreat last week, summer weather made a final, triumphant return. Daytime temperatures hovered between 73F and 79F with abundant sunshine in bucolic Ligonier, PA. Unlike last year, when the foliage was resplendent in autumn colors, most of the trees this time were only beginning to show signs of the season.

This was my third Mindful Writers Retreat since 2018 and I hope to see it become an annual autumn tradition for me. There are also winter and spring retreats in February and March, respectively, but I have conflicting events at those times of year.

The Ligonier Camp and Conference center, nestled in the Laurel Highlands region of the Allegheny Mountains, is the perfect location for hours of quiet, uninterrupted writing sessions, rejuvenating walks in the woods to stir the creative juices, and enjoying delicious meals and evening socials with a coterie of talented fellow writers.

This year’s retreat delivered the added bonus of a brief paranormal experience. It was shortly after 3AM on Tuesday, October 12 when, during a restless sleep, I heard the door to my room creak open and what sounded like a hand sliding along the vinyl covering on one of the neighboring bunk bed mattresses. It wasn’t entirely dark in the room as I had left a low wattage light on. Unable to move at first, I opened my eyes with great difficulty, but there was no one to be seen… except for the owls.

That could have been a simple case of sleep paralysis, but Ligonier has a rich history dating back to the Revolutionary War. Fort Ligonier is only minutes away from the lodge and just down the street is the Wilpen Rail Trail where, on July 5, 1912, a horrible train wreck occurred claiming 24 lives and injuring 38 others.

All told, it was a productive week for me as I finished the outline and first two chapters for what I hope will be my fourth paranormal mystery novel. I also submitted a short story to Space Opera Digest, a prestigious science fiction anthology, and made a few tweaks to my short story intended for next year’s Mindful Writers anthology.

I’ve so far contributed to two of the Mindful Writers charity anthologies beginning in September 2019 with Over the River and Through the Woods and in January 2021 with Love on the Edge. Their first book, Into the Woods, was published in spring of 2018, a few months before I arrived on the scene. New editions of all three anthologies were released in June 2021.

The anthologies are made possible through the efforts of retreat co-organizer Kathie Shoop and editor/publisher Demi Stevens of Year of the Book Press. Larry Schardt, a fellow member of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, is the other half of the retreat coordination team with Kathie.

Speaking of Kathie, she took time out of the retreat to interview each author about their published books and what they enjoy most about the retreats.

As usual, the week flew by much too quickly, but I left with memories I’ll cherish forever, including an early morning walk in the fog. Already looking forward to next October!

Blog, Holidays, New Releases, Writing Retreats

Christmas Rocks!

November 23, 2019 philgiunta@ptd.net

Fellow writer Larry “Rock ‘n Roll” Schardt reveals the personal inspiration behind his essay, “First Nativity” for Over the River and Through the Woods. This winter holiday anthology—published by Year of the Book Press—features stories, essays, and poems from the attendees of the Mindful Writers Retreat.

“Christmas rocks! Through my life, Christmas has always been an exciting time. My mother taught us the joy in giving in the spirit of Jesus. As the oldest of nine, I learned the elation that goes with giving… picking out that special gift for each of my four brothers and three sisters. The manger of our nativity set was always the centerpiece of every holiday. When I moved out on my own it was critical that I got my own heirloom to have forever. My story is about carrying on that family tradition.” —Dr. Larry Schardt

Together with Kathleen Shoop, Larry serves as co-organizer of the Mindful Writers Retreat which takes places three times per year at the Ligonier Camp and Conference Center in Ligonier, PA and nestled in the gorgeous Laurel Highlands.

Speaking of Kathleen, her delightful story for our anthology was adapted from a touching historical event.

“My story, “The Christmas Tree,” was inspired by the true story of Mark Carr, the first Christmas tree vendor to sell trees in Washington Market, New York City. I’d read about him over the years, as he’s mentioned in various Christmas books I own. So when coming up with an idea for a holiday story to submit to Over the River and Through the Woods, Carr’s story immediately came to mind. I changed the names and pieced together the facts I could find to make the fictionalized story feel “real.” I think I captured what must have been the wonder and joy the family felt when they realized they could share their abundance of trees with others and save their farm.” —Kathleen Shoop

Proceeds from the sale of Over the River and Through the Woods benefit the Ligoner Camp and Conference Center. We thank you for your support!

Blog, New Releases

Over the River and Through the Woods!

September 26, 2019 philgiunta@ptd.net

A beam of sunlight on an otherwise dreadful day. My two advance copies of the winter holiday anthology, Over the River and Through the Woods, featuring my story, “Limited Time Offer.” The book will debut on October 8! Whoo-hoo… or Ho-Ho-Ho… or something like that… 😄

The full roster of authors includes Lorraine Donohue Bonzelet, Jennifer Diamond, Abigail Drake, Phil Giunta, Kimberly Kurth Gray, N.J. Hammer, Hilary Hauck, Eileen Enwright Hodgetts, Lori M. Jones, Ramona DeFelice Long, Janet McClintock, MaryAlice Meli, Amy Morley, Sherren Elias Pensiero, Cara Reinard, James Robinson, Jr., Larry Schardt, Kathleen Shoop, Demi Stevens, Denise Weaver, and Michele Zirkle. Edited by Demi Stevens.

All of the writers listed above are attendees of the Mindful Writers Retreat, which occurs three times per year at the Ligonier Camp and Conference Center in Ligonier, PA. I had the pleasure of attending my first retreat in October 2018 and it will not be my last!

Proceeds from the sale of the anthology benefit the Ligonier Camp and Conference Center. Stay tuned for more info!

Blog, Writing Retreats

After Action Report: Mindful Writers Retreat – Autumn 2018

October 19, 2018 philgiunta@ptd.net 1 Comment

As I write this, it is the final night of the five-day Mindful Writers Retreat held in the Lamont Lodge at Ligonier Camp and Conference Center in Ligonier, PA. The camp is nestled in the magnificent Laurel Highlands region of the Allegheny Mountains.

The retreat, impeccably organized by the gracious and talented Kathie Shoop and Larry Schardt, occurs three times per year (winter, spring, and fall) and combines meditation with long quiet hours of writing. The cost of this week’s retreat was $400 and includes private room and bath and all meals prepared by the camp’s staff. Each attendee also receives a welcome pack overflowing with goodies including a coffee mug, handmade bowl, yoga mat, pen and pencil set, notebook, and much more.

Writing in the great room before a blazing hearth.

While each attendee can use their day as they see fit, there are suggested activities such as a sunrise walking meditation where each writer sets off on their own perambulation of the trails and surrounding woods (flashlight recommended). This is followed by breakfast and a four-hour quiet writing session. After lunch, a 15-minute seated meditation helps writers refresh and focus before delving back into their work for another four hours until dinner. Evenings are reserved for dessert and yet more writing in the great room for the remainder of the evening. There’s nothing like writing by a crackling fire! And yes, marshmallows were toasted and S’mores were distributed.

Toasting marshmallows for S'mores! — Toasting marshmallows for S’mores!

While most of us congregated in the great room, other options include a second-floor balcony and, of course, sequestering yourself in your room. Speaking of which, each room has two to three sets of bunk beds. After all, this is a camp designed to accommodate scores of kids and chaperones during the summer. For the first time in probably 40 years, I climbed up a ladder to go to sleep each night because naturally, I chose a top bunk.

On this, our last evening, two of my fellow scribes performed a wonderful after dinner concert of flute and bagpipe. Later, several of us gathered in the lobby of the lodge to perform an audio drama written by one of the attendees.

Before the retreat, each member was encouraged to bring a book to swap, which I did, and ended up with a spectacular 600-page collection of mystery and crime stories culled from the Black Mask pulp magazine that began in the 1920s.

Will I return next year? Absolutely. After two months of upheaval in my life—which allowed for scant writing time— the retreat allowed me to catch up on the first draft of my WIP and write an outline for a new short story.

Also, on the second day of the conference, I received a call from publisher and editor Nancy Sakaduski of Cat & Mouse Press informing me that not merely one but both of my short story submissions were accepted for their upcoming anthology, Beach Pulp. Click here for more details on that.

Hmmm… Perhaps there’s even a little magic to the Mindful Writers Retreat!

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