GREEN HOURS: a five-night retreat
with The Dream Side
March 29 to April 3, 2026
A five-night generative writing retreat at the Steamboat Inn in the lush, riverine landscape of Southern Oregon, with award-winning writers Meng Jin, Rachel Khong, Susanna Kwan, and Shruti Swamy, and a like-minded community of artists
Green hours to write
Green hours to find new ways into your writing
Green hours to reconnect with the natural world
Green hours to pause from screens, alerts, and devices
Green hours to grow your practice in community
Green hours to read, imagine, and dream
What it is
The retreat of our dreams: five nights in the Umpqua National Forest, along a rushing river and what is known as the “waterfall highway.” Each day starts with a generative writing class to provide focus and inspiration, then moves into optional afternoon activities to get us out into nature and out of our own heads, communal dinners to engage with other writers, and most of all, the rare opportunity to think, dream, read, and write—to rest and simply be. These are Green Hours, which don’t follow clock time—spacious days in which writing arises from deep presence and immersion in the natural world. The Steamboat Inn provides both verdant surroundings and a cherished constraint: very limited wi-fi and no cell service on its grounds—giving us all the opportunity to unplug and exist in the world of the forest, the world of our writing, and the community we create together.
Our program
Our mid-morning generative classes take inspiration from the surrounding landscape: rivers, rocks, trees, and the webs and relationships of the natural world, as well as the inner landscapes of our dreams. Our approach is both grounded and expansive, blending craft discussion with exploration. We’ll provide practical instruction alongside guided prompts for experimentation and reflection.
In addition to morning classes, we’ll have afternoon activities and low-key evening events designed to help you connect with other writers and feel part of the community.
You’ll leave with new pages and new insights, and a renewed sense of connection to language, place, other writers, and yourself. Our hope is that you may also find a rare quiet—the kind that comes from stepping away from the obligations of daily life. We’ll trade screens, headlines, and social media for rivers, trees, and Green Hours.
Your instructors are four working writers whose books and ideas have been shaped by our friendship. Read more about us here. Read more about our teaching philosophy here.
Who is this for
Writers at all levels are welcome. We’re fiction writers, and our classes lean in that direction, but poets, essayists, and writers of other forms will find plenty of cross-pollination. This retreat is for those who agree that good work often grows out of a mix of quiet hours and unexpected conversations. It is for anyone seeking time and space to focus on their work—whether you’re deep in a draft or revision, or looking to rekindle a creative spark. Come with curiosity, patience, and a sense of play. Come with a project you’re stuck on or the beginnings of a new idea—or just come as you are and see what grows in our time together. The retreat will be limited to 34 writers.
Where you’ll find us
We’ll gather at the Steamboat Inn in southern Oregon, a 2-hour drive from Eugene and a ~3.5-hour drive from Portland, situated in a bend of the North Umpqua River. We have a number of options from shared accommodations to solo suites, which you can learn more about here. Please be aware that we will be expecting rain at this time of year. And come prepared to disconnect: there is no cellphone reception and very limited Wi-Fi. A landline and Wi-Fi are available only in the main building.
What is included
The retreat fee ranges from $3,128 to $4,565 depending on accommodation. Room and board, and all workshops and activities, are covered by your registration fee. All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be provided by the award-winning Steamboat Inn restaurant: locally sourced and attentive to any dietary restrictions. You are responsible for your travel to and from the Inn (though we are happy to help connect people who would like to carpool).
Our cancellation policy
To reserve your place, we require a $1,000 nonrefundable deposit. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance in case of illness or unforeseen events. Unfortunately, we’re not able to offer refunds.
Apply
Our application is simple and does not require a writing sample. Rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and options will be removed as they fill. We encourage you to apply early to secure your preferred accommodations. We are currently accepting applications, which will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.
Questions?
We’re happy to answer them. Email hello@thedreamside.com