FIFTH BRAIN COLLECTIVE 2027 WRITING RETREAT
NO PERMISSION NEEDED:
WRITING AS A SACRED EXPERIMENT
APRIL 23-26, 2027 | TUCSON, ARIZONA
Spend a weekend on a historic ranch in the Tucson springtime, when the Sonoran Desert starts showing off with cactus blooms and saguaro crowns. Join an intimate group of writers working with the concepts of what is “permitted” and what is “sacred” in a writing life.
We’ll begin with a look at the lineage of permission, focusing on writers who wrote regardless of permission and looking at what gifts they brought us.
We’ll examine old cultural mores that infect us with belief systems that tell us what we are or are not allowed to write, along with breaking down the bias inherent in claims of “good” and “bad” writing.
We’ll move into the “sacred” work, the astounding magic of our own fifth brains, which hold all the places, relationships, memories, feelings and understandings of our human experience.
In the writing workshops and community writing that ensues, we will blow up tiny rules about what we are “allowed,” experiment with structure, character, syntax, point of view, white space, and memory.That ain’t real. I’m telling you, at the Fifth Brain Collective, we have proven that we get to claim our writing again and again (and claiming IS muscular, we won’t deny it) for ourselves.
WOODLAND WATER TOWER RANCH
TUCSON, AZ
A 12-acre ranch located in Tanque Verde Valley on the east side of Tucson. Built in 1882, the ranch is a spacious and unique space, with resort style views and comfy beds. Enjoy Mesquite trees, walking paths, custom pool area with 3 levels, hot tub, outdoor fire pits and sitting areas. With friendly cows and horses, too!
RETREAT GOALS
Write and think and talk about writing for three consecutive days
Identify your critics’ voices and tiny rules and cast out limitations
Experiment with structures or voices or content you’ve never tried before
Know your position in an (expanded) lineage of writers who claim permission
Acknowledge and celebrate your dreams for your writing life
Create sustainable community with fellow writers
Practice reading your work aloud in front of others (optional)
PROGRAMMING
Each conference day will include mini-lectures including writing prompts, writing time, collaborative writing conversation, opportunities to share work and ideas aloud within workshops. All participants will be invited to share their work in an open mic reading on Sunday evening. All meals are freshly made by private chefs using simple, delicious ingredients.
AGENDA
A detailed agenda will be shared with registered participants closer to the retreat. Feel free to reach out with any questions in the meantime.
Friday, April 17th
3:00–6:00pm: Arrival, Marveling at the Ranch, Meet the Cows (optional)
7:30pm: Welcome, Introductions & First Night Writing
Saturday, April 18th
9:30am–3:30pm: Workshops, Writing Time, Sharing Time, Lunch & Discussion
7:30pm–8:30pm: Community Activity
Sunday, April 19th
9:30 am–3:30pm: Workshops, Writing Time, Sharing Time, Lunch & Discussion
7:30pm–9:30pm: Open Mic Reading
Monday, April 20th
9:00am–10:00am: Guided Reflection / Closing
11:00am: Check out
REGISTRATION OPTIONS
There are three registration options: Single Room, Shared Room, or Day Tripper. All registrations include all workshops and an invitation to a Post-Retreat Golden Hour Zoom.
Participants who choose to share a room will have the opportunity to request a specific roommate.
Payment plans are available for each option.
SINGLE ROOM
Total Rate: $2,500
4 Monthly Payments: $625
includes all meals
SHARED ROOM
Total Rate: $2,230
4 Monthly Payments: $557.50
includes all meals
DAY TRIPPER
Total Rate: $1,000
4 Monthly Payments: $250
includes lunches & full retreat
IMPORTANT DATES
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 25, 2026
All participants must register and pay in full or sign up for a payment plan by November 25th, 2026.
PAYMENT DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 15, 2027
All payments must be received in full by February 15, 2027.
REFUNDS & CANCELLATION POLICY
In the event of unforeseen circumstances, Fifth Brain Collective reserves the right to cancel and will issue full refunds.
All registrations include a $200 nonrefundable deposit, regardless of the registration type.
Participants who cancel before January 25, 2027 will receive a full refund.
Participants who cancel before February 25th will receive a 50% refund.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations after February 25th.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT US!
NOT SURE YET?
Hear what last year’s retreat attendees have to say about the experience!
Video by Damian Becerra of Obsidian Lens Media
We didn’t use slides, we didn’t invite hierarchy, we never even thought about gatekeeping. We just invited everyone to the same blank page, pondered one theme (energy!), and a group of people willing to learn, play, experiment, and write were shifted. Poets, memoirists, fiction writers, artists. All genres. All levels. All voices.
I could tell you how it felt, but the writers who were there said it better:
"I'm really leaving with a confidence that I didn't even know I needed."
"You won't feel alone anymore."
"Within two hours of being at the retreat...I thought, I want every writer I know to be able to experience this."
My favorite piece of advice from the weekend, offered by one attendee to anyone thinking about coming next time: get here however you can.
The weekend didn't end when everyone drove away. In the months since, our retreat writers have started new jobs, traveled, launched new projects, found new confidence, and one of them published a book. I'm not claiming the retreat did all that. I'm saying energy moves, and we watched it move.