presents
FALLING FORWARD
a writing retreat
oct. 2-5, 2025 · camden, me
• OCTOBER 2025
• CAMDEN MAINE
• OCTOBER 2025 • CAMDEN MAINE
Where do you go when the old story no longer fits?
What do you write from the in-between?
Join bestselling writer Lyz Lenz for Falling Forward— an immersive weekend of writing, gentle yoga, harbor breezes, and radical self-trust. Designed for those navigating any kind of transition, be it parenthood, job shifts, divorce or creative upheaval — this retreat is a space for letting go and beginning again.
You’ll gather for daily writing sessions at The Villager Cafe, part of a historic mill complex in downtown Camden, where the river meets the harbor, the leaves are turning, and the path forward is beginning to unfold.
Whether you’re stepping out of one story or shaping the next, we’ll explore the fertile, uncertain space between what was and what’s ahead.
RETREAT FLOW
Think of the weekend as an invitation to let go — of relationships, roles, identities, homes, old stories that no longer serve. Lessons with Lyz will feature craft talks and writing prompts, with 1-2 short assigned readings distributed ahead of arrival. Each day, we’ll gather to trade hard-won tools and unexpected tricks to hone your writing and cultivate your voice. We’ll pull back the curtain on creative routines: wins, flops, and the messy middle. You’ll connect with fellow writers in intimate breakout groups, and also have quiet, protected time to dive into your project—or summon that idea that’s been waiting in the wings.
Mornings begin with a breakfast spread at the inn, and gentle yoga at a studio just down the street that overlooks the harbor. We’ll follow with a writing session that blends craft, community, and raw generative work. Lunch is on your own, with charming spots to explore just steps away. One afternoon we’ll sail Camden Harbor on a chartered sailboat; another, we’ll linger over wine and dive deep into story-telling, structure and technique. Evenings feature dinner, both catered and at beloved local spots around town, with a final, intimate evening of readings in a converted artist’s studio.
All of it takes place during the town’s annual Harbor Arts Fair and books festival, with artists from all over New England—a vibrant setting you’ll have time to explore. Think of it not just as break from your life, it’s a reset for your creative soul.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Dinners at top spots in Camden
Catered meals from The Villager Café
Morning yoga with a view
A private sail through Camden Harbor
Final-night reading among your fellow writers — a small circle of new friends.
THE CAFE
Writing classes will be held around the long table at The Villager Cafe, recently featured in The Christian Science Monitor for its innovative use of space. Each afternoon, the space is yours — reserved just for this retreat — complete with locally roasted coffee and cozy, creative energy.
Breakfasts and some dinners are catered lovingly by the cafe. You’ll also dine out at some of Camden’s treasured local spots.
We’ll toast with wine or mocktails and share stories over supper. We’re happy to work with you on meals that accommodate your needs—just let us know when you register.
THE ROOMS
Guests will stay at The Inn at Camden Place — a boutique hotel set along the Megunticook River. Quiet, comfortable, and walkable to everything Camden has to offer. Just off the main street, the inn offers a peaceful retreat with the sound of the river just outside your window. You’ll be steps from bookstores, bakeries, and the harbor, with cozy rooms to return to after a full day of writing, walking, and connecting.
Click to see rates
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
We’re capping attendance at 15 to keep things intimate. Think deep conversations over dinner, spontaneous walks with fellow writers to take in the leaves, meaningful feedback from your instructor.
Have a writing friend you want to work closely with? Bring them! Or make a new one here. We’re being intentional about fostering spaces for connection and collaboration, through small group sessions, quiet creative rituals, and unstructured time that invites creative thinking. Whether you're an extrovert, an introvert, or somewhere in between, you'll find room to be yourself and build something new.
YOUR GUIDE TO FALLING FORWARD
Your guide through it all is Lyz Lenz — quick-witted, acid-tongued, and brilliantly vulnerable. Her most recent book, This American Ex-Wife, is part memoir, part social and political analysis, and wholly unforgettable.
Raised in a conservative Christian family and homeschooled in Texas, Lyz stepped into one story early—love, marriage, motherhood—only to discover she was meant for another.
Now, from her home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, she writes with fire and clarity about the mess and meaning of modern life. Her Substack, Men Yell at Me, has become a refuge for readers seeking truth with a side of humor—and a little righteous rage.
Over the weekend, you’ll write with her, laugh with her, and maybe even cry a little over lobster bisque. One thing’s for sure: you’ll leave with a sharper voice and a deeper sense of what matters.
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Her first two books — God Land: A Story of Faith, Loss, and Renewal in Middle America and Belabored: A Vindication of the Rights of Pregnant Women — explore identity, power, and place through a singular blend of memoir, cultural critique, and unflinching reported honesty. Whether she’s probing the American dream, challenging patriarchal expectations, or making you laugh through your tears, Lyz turns the personal into the political — and the political into something electric, urgent, and true.
Raised in a conservative Christian family, homeschooled in Texas, and now based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Lyz writes from the heart of the country with a voice that’s emotionally fearless and surprisingly expansive in its reach. Her popular Substack, Men Yell at Me, has become a refuge for readers across the country who see themselves in her work and wish they could sit across the table from her. Now, a lucky few finally can.
GETTING THERE & AWAY
Most guests will fly into Portland (PWM). Optional round-trip shuttle available for extra fee; free parking for those who drive. We can help coordinate rides in advance, with further details available upon request.
Contact Lucia at lgraves@midcoastvillager.com to inquire or reserve your spot.