July 17-19th 2026
Two award-winning artists will lead an intimate group of participants in generative workshops all about truth-telling and story making. Sonja Larsen is a writer and Johanna Nutter is a playwright and performer.
- Daily workshops & discussions
- Lots of time and space for writing
- Healthy food & snacks provided
WRITING THE SOUND
Writing the Sound is a rustic off-grid writing retreat located on Gambier Island overlooking beautiful Howe Sound located just 20 minutes from Horseshoe Bay.
July 20th-24th 2026
THE SELF GUIDED RETREAT Extend your stay or join us for your own getaway. No workshops but individual consults available for a fee.
- Accomodations at 10% off
- Healthy food & snacks $75 a day
- Lots of time and space for writing
Writing the Sound
Workshops & Activities | $400 weekend
- Daily Workshops
- One evening social & reading
- Creative & recreational activities to explore
- Writing resource library
- Beautiful setting with access to hiking trails
What past participants have said:
(I enjoyed the) warm, welcoming hosts Sonja and Johanna, their inclusive, encouraging workshops, generous feedback and acceptance of individuality that created comfort and security.”
“The entire weekend was thought provoking and encouraging.”
“I’d recommend it to all of my writer friends.”
Summer camp for your creative spirit
Accommodations | $35 – $150 a night
Whether it’s bringing your own tent, staying in the glamping tent or getting cozy in the little cabin, a variety of unique accommodations are available for the retreat.
What past participants have said:
“The mountainous seaside setting, the panoramic views, the almost touchable proximity of night sky constellations all took my breath away.”
Let us feed you body & soul
Food and Refreshments | $150 weekend
6 healthy organic and/or locally sourced mostly plant based meals
Coffee, tea, refreshments and snacks to fuel your creativity!
What past participants have said:
“Fresh and outstanding with a scope to accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions.”
“The food was delicious and plentiful, which is great. I loved that there were snacks available.”
ABOUT US | FAQ | ACCOMMODATIONS | REGISTER OR EMAIL FOR MORE INFO
Johanna and Sonja were both recovering hippie kids and aspiring creatives when they met waitressing on the Main in Montreal. In addition to their offbeat childhoods, they have a broad range of experience in creating art from real life experiences and love the work of helping people find and share their own story.
Sonja Larsen is an award-winning author and creative late bloomer who loves helping people find their voice. Her writing workshops and retreats are geared to helping people build the skills and courage to tell their stories.
Her memoir Red Star Tattoo – My life as a girl revolutionary won the Edna Staebler Creative Non-Fiction Award and short-listed for the Hilary Weston Writer’s Trust award and featured on the CBC and National Post’s best books of the year lists. A graduate of the SFU Writer’s Studio, her short work has also appeared in anthologies as well as literary publications in Canada, the US and the UK.
Johanna Nutter is an interdisciplinary theatre artist and teacher recognized for bringing people together through personal narrative. Her plays, notably my pregnant brother/my playwright sister, have toured in both English and French across Canada and internationally, from Centaur Theatre in her hometown of Tiohtià:ke (Montreal), to the Soho in London, UK. She engages with artists, festivals, and organizations to help professional and aspiring creators tell their stories. Recent collaborators include Sobey-winning artist Nadia Myre, the Canadian Centre for Architecture, Playwrights’ Workshop Montreal, and her alma mater, Concordia University. Her work is rooted in the belief that storytelling is a communal act—one that fosters connection, empathy, and a deeper understanding of our collective experience.
ABOUT US | FAQ | ACCOMMODATIONS | REGISTER OR EMAIL FOR MORE INFO
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill or experience level is this retreat best suited for?
Our workshops are geared to provide opportunities for creative reflection and insight so we hope they will be useful for writers at all experience levels. Wonder if this is the right fit for you? Let’s chat!
Tell me more about Gambier island and the surrounding area
The Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound watershed includes a majestic fjord perched spectacularly on the edge of Metro Vancouver, British Columbia. Its landscape is dramatically scenic and encompasses remarkably diverse habitats capable of supporting over 5000 known marine and terrestrial species. read more https://www.howesoundbri.org/atlka7tsem-howe-sound
Gambier Island is about 17,049 acres (6,899 hectares) in size and is located about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) north of the Horseshoe Bay community and ferry terminal. read more https://gambierislandconservancy.ca/location
How do I get to the retreat?
The water taxi to Gambier leaves from Horseshoe Bay. You can drive or take public transit (the 257 bus from downtown) to Horseshoe Bay. Weekend parking is sometimes difficult and/or expensive in the summer. We’ll send you more detailed informration about the water taxi booking closer to the event! The water taxi departs from the government dock. The water taxi ride is about 20 minutes. We’ll meet you at our dock to take you to the retreat.
Accommodations
Writing the Sound is hosted at a hand-built solar-powered home located on Gambier Island/Chá7elkwnech, located 20 minutes by water taxi from Horseshoe Bay. Bordering a provincial park with views over Howe Sound/ Átl’ka7tsem, the 7L Cabin is a true labour of love, and was built with the help of over 75 friends and family and many reclaimed and eco-friendly materials. In addition to the main cabin there are a variety of unique outbuildings & camping sites.
Expect comfortable glamping, with three bathrooms with flush toilets, an outdoor shower with hot water and spectacular views and lots of amazing spaces for writing, walks, and hikes.
The Studio
Have you ever slept in a room with a rock jutting out of the floor? This unique space located below the little cabin the studio has mountain and water views and a great cross-breeze on hot summer days. The studio features a queen sized bed and a small private deck.
Book before June 20th and receive a free one hour consult with Johanna or Sonja
Studio
$100 per night
The Bees Knees
Tucked away in the trees and overlooking the garden the Bee’s Knees is a sweet & rustic little space for creativity & contemplation. A single bed with a double memory foam mattress offers a comfortable sleeping and sitting area, and a desk provides a private and serene place to work.
Desk can be adjusted to standing height.
Has a cute but primitive composting toilet facility and a main bathroom with flush toilet is a short walk away.
Book before June 20th and receive a free one hour consult with Johanna or Sonja
Bees Knees
$75 per night
The Bee’s Knees is a sweet & rustic little space for creativity & contemplation 
A single bed with a double memory foam mattress offers a comfortable sleeping and sitting area 
A sit/stand desk provides a private and serene place to work 
The Bee’s Knees gets a visitor 
The Bee’s Knees has a small outdoor sitting area
The Power Tower
Overlooking the garden this second floor guest room with a comfortable double mattress will have you sleeping and working high among the trees. Has a small private balcony. Solar panels on the roof provide power to the main cabin and the out buildings.
Main bathroom with flush toilet is downstairs.
Book before June 20th and receive a free one hour consult with Johanna or Sonja
Power Tower
$75 per night
The Bell Tent
Located near the main cabin, the Bell tent is full of airy inspiration and beautiful views.
A single mattress with a double memory foam mattress offers a comfortable sleeping and sitting area, and a desk provides a private and scenic place to work.
Main bathroom with flush toilet and sink is a short walk away.
Book before June 20th and receive a free one hour consult with Johanna or Sonja
Bell Tent
$60.00 per night
The Bell Tent has views out to Howe Sound 
The Bell Tent is a short walk to the main cabin and washroom 
A desk, chair and electrical access help your creative adventure 
A single mattress with a double memory foam mattress offers a comfortable sleeping and sitting area 
Located a short walk to the main cabin and washroom.
Lots of camping spots
We have a tent platform as well as a variety of suitable camping spots!
Book before June 20th and receive a free one hour consult with Johanna or Sonja
Camping Adventures
$35 a night
ABOUT US | FAQ | ACCOMMODATIONS | REGISTER OR EMAIL FOR MORE INFO
Ready for a weekend of truth-telling and story-making?