2023 Santa Fe
Life Letters Retreat
with Nancy Sharp November 2023
Our Santa Fe Life Letters Retreat takes place in northern New Mexico, with a premier location in the heart of Santa Fe's historic Plaza, including an award-winning spa, Luminaria Restaurant and Patio, and a year-round heated garden pool, as well as many unique onsite galleries and boutiques. Santa Fe is one of America's most historic, artistic, and fascinating cities. Known as “The City Different,” the nation's oldest state capital city is a place unlike any other in the world. Santa Fe is 400+ years of cultural fusion with echoes of the past alive in the present.
The Life Letters Retreat is open to individuals as well as couples. You’ll map your life’s narrative to date and be expertly led to write a personalized document that you can be proud of. No matter your writing experience, you’ll walk away with craft techniques about storytelling that will strengthen your voice on the page. You might even forge a path to publication.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to tell the stories, history, and experiences that have shaped your life’s journey. It’s a gift to you, your loved ones, and your community.
Listen to Nancy Sharp on
Colorado Public Radio.
More here:
Curious to hear excerpts of other students reading their Life Letters? Watch here:
Testimonials
All interested participants are encouraged to apply by October 25th, 2023.
Life Letters Retreat Leader:
Nancy’s corporate clients include the New York Life Insurance Company, Eagle Strategies, Lincoln Financial, Virginia Credit Union, Dallas Bar Association, Women’s Estate Planning Council, University of Denver, American Academy of Psychotherapists, New York's 92nd Street Y, The Rose Community Foundation, and numerous other businesses and groups. She also works with private clients in every corner of the globe.
Nancy holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction from Goucher College and is a certified instructor in Guided Autobiography. Winner of the Colorado Book Award for Creative Nonfiction and First Book Finalist for Books for a Better Life, her debut memoir Both Sides Now: A True Story of Love, Loss, and Bold Living is a portrait of the surprising turns life takes and the resilience it takes to keep stepping forward. She is also the author of the picture book Because the Skyis Everywhere and has ghostwritten several other works, including a family legacy book for a client that led to an interview with Warren Buffett in his Omaha office and to her becoming an associate producer on a forthcoming documentary called Who Are the Marcuses?
Nancy has been published in several essay anthologies, and articles, essays, columns, and letters by her have appeared in The New York Times, AARP’s The Ethel, Katie Couric's Wake-Up Call, Next Avenue, The Huffington Post, journals for the American Academy of Psychotherapists and the University of Colorado Hospital’s Center for Bioethics and the Humanities, and elsewhere. She has guest lectured at the Lighthouse Writers Workshop, Regis University's MFA Program, The Writing Center at Marshall University, and The New School. Nancy teaches storytelling and legacy writing workshops online and hosts creativity retreats. She lives in Denver, CO with her family and absurdly cute Havanese dog. Email nsharp@nancysharp.net for inquiries.
About The Inn and Spa at Loretto
Lodging at Inn & Spa at Loretto
Our Santa Fe Life Letters Retreat takes place at The Inn and Spa at Loretto, a AAA Four Diamond resort that epitomizes the intrigue of northern New Mexico through artist design and world-class accommodations. The Inn and Spa at Loretto celebrates the authentic Southwestern style and culture of New Mexico. It is the most photographed building in the state, with a premier location in the heart of Santa Fe's historic Plaza, including an award-winning spa, Luminaria Restaurant and Patio, and a year-round heated garden pool, as well as many unique onsite galleries and boutiques.
*Each participant will have their own room. If you would like to bring your spouse/partner please let us know. Tuition will be discounted for your spouse/partner less the cost of the hotel room.
2023 Santa Fe Life Letters Retreat Schedule
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Thursday, November 9, 2023
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Historic Walking Tour of Santa Fe
12:00PM - 1:00PM: Lunch break and free time.
1:00 PM - 4:00PM: Afternoon Workshop - Reading of sample letters and comparable works; personalizing the document – salutation, values, unique circumstances; Identifying dominant theme and/or main components for the body of the Life Letter; Reflect on stories, poems, letters and/or other items that you may wish to include in the Life Letter or keepsake box. Begin outline of Life Letter.
6:00 PM: Group Dinner at a restaurant in downtown Santa Fe
Friday, November 10, 2023
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch
Saturday, November 11, 2023
9:00 PM – 12:00 PM: Put finishing touches on Life Letters document; Decide when and how to present your Life Letter.
12:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Lunch on your own/Free Time.
2:00 PM - 4:30PM: Celebratory Reading of Life Letters.
Sunday, November 12, 2023
Tuition
- Daily breakfast and four nights at The Inn and Spa at Loretto.
- Life Letters Retreat, led by Nancy Sharp.
- Personalized guidance and coaching by Nancy Sharp.
- Afternoon group activities including a Historic Walking Tour of Sante Fe, a Private Food Tour of Santa Fe, and more.
- Opening night reception and dinner.
- Closing night happy hour reception and reading.
- A once in a lifetime experience.
- Life Letter Keepsake Folder & Box: an enduring gift for you, your loved ones, and community.
- Note: If you would like to bring your spouse/partner please let us know. Tuition will be discounted for your spouse/partner less the cost of the hotel room.
- Expanded FAQ at the bottom of this page.
Application & General FAQ
What is the application deadline?
Applications for our November 2023 Life Letters Retreat in Santa Fe with Nancy Sharp are now open and will close on October 25th, 2023. Early applications are encouraged.
What will my application include? The answers to the following questions:
- What excites you most about being accepted into this workshop? Why do you think you’re a good fit for this workshop?
- What is your comfort level writing autobiographically? Have you ever journaled? Are you a letter writer? Ever been published?
- Who are you intending to share your Life Letter document with? Family? Community? Both?
- Tell us about a symbolic object that has great significance. Family heirloom? Painting? Handwritten note?
When will I know if I've been accepted to the workshop?
Our goal is to provide an intimate and memorable retreat so that participants can find meaning during and after the retreat. We will accept applicants on a rolling basis until the retreat is full and then begin waitlists. Writers are encouraged to apply early.
How much does it cost?
Tuition is $3,195.
Are Payment Plans Available?
Yes. Accepted writers will have the option to pay their tuition in full or opt for a payment plan divided into equal monthly payments by selecting Shop Pay or Affirm (for U.S. & Canadian residents) at checkout.
What does tuition include?
-Life Letters Retreat, led by Nancy Sharp.
-Personalized guidance and coaching by Nancy Sharp.
-Afternoon group activities including a Historic Walking Tour of Sante Fe, a Private Food Tour of Santa Fe, and more.
-Opening night reception and dinner.
-Closing night happy hour reception and reading.
-A once in a lifetime experience.
-Life Letter Keepsake Folder & Box: an enduring gift for you, your loved ones, and community.
-Note: If you would like to bring your spouse/partner please let us know. Tuition will be discounted for your spouse/partner less the cost of the hotel room.
What is tuition payment schedule?
If your application is accepted, full tuition is due within 14 days of acceptance. You can pay your tuition in full or opt for a payment plan by selecting Affirm or Shop Pay at checkout.
What is your Refund policy?
Tuition is nonrefundable 14 days after acceptance notification, regardless of attendance. If a refund is requested up to 14 days after acceptance notification, all but a $750 deposit will be refunded.
Where is the hotel and workshop venue?
Our Santa Fe Life Letters Retreat takes place at the Inn and Spa at Loretto, a AAA Four Diamond resort that epitomizes the intrigue of northern New Mexico through artist design and world-class accommodations. The Inn and Spa at Loretto celebrates the authentic Southwestern style and culture of New Mexico. It is the most photographed building in the state, with a premier location in the heart of Santa Fe's historic Plaza, including an award-winning spa, Luminaria Restaurant and Patio, and a year-round heated garden pool, as well as many unique onsite galleries and boutiques.
Santa Fe is one of America's most historic, artistic, and fascinating cities. Known as “The City Different,” the nation's oldest state capital city is a place unlike any other in the world. Santa Fe is 400+ years of cultural fusion with echoes of the past alive in the present.
Can I bring my spouse/partner?
If you would like to bring your spouse/partner please let us know. Tuition will be discounted for your spouse/partner less the cost of the hotel room.
How late can I apply?
We will accept applications through October 25th, 2023.
What is your COVID policy?
It is the responsibility of attendees of Writing Workshops to make sure they are vaccinated and boosted in accordance with federal and state guidelines. If the state of New Mexico or the United States government forbids entry to the state of New Mexico for the dates of November 8th - 12th, 2023, Writing Workshops will offer a full refund for program fees. Writing Workshops will not reimburse for any airline tickets or additional trip-related expenses incurred. If the retreat takes place on the dates planned, no program fees will be reimbursed, regardless of attendance.
What will you do with my email?
We respect your privacy. We will only use your email to send you information about Writing Workshops. We won't sell or rent your email to other organizations.
I have a question not answered here.
Please contact us and we’ll reply promptly. You can also Chat with us (lower left of your screen).