2023 Seabeck Haiku Getaway Invitation

The following was my guest contribution to J. I. Kleinberg’s “The Poetry Department” blog, posted 17 October 2023. 

Haiku Northwest’s Seabeck Haiku Getaway returns for its 16th annual retreat October 26 to 29, 2023, directed by Michael Dylan Welch. We’ll be meeting at the scenic Seabeck Conference Center in Seabeck, Washington with its historic campus of heritage and new buildings (we’ll be meeting in the brand-new Pines building) between the woods and the lagoon, next to the oyster-shell beaches of Hood Canal, with views of the (hopefully snow-capped) Olympics rising above us. And all amid the height of autumn colors.

       Our gathering of haiku poets has attracted participants from across the United States and Canada, as well as Mexico, Japan, and Australia. This year’s theme is “Gifts of Nature,” and our featured guest is Jeff Hoagland, a naturalist and educator from New Jersey. He will lead attendees on haiku-writing nature walks before dawn and at night during the full moon, plus during the day at nearby Scenic Beach State Park. We’ll explore how a deeper awareness of nature can deepen self-awareness and help to generate better haiku poems.

       We’ll also be welcoming David Lasky to give a presentation and workshop on haiku comics. Other speakers include Lucien Zell from Prague, plus John Burgess, Terran Campbell, Terry Ann Carter (former Haiku Canada president), Curtis Manley, Ce Rosenow (former Haiku Society of America president and current editor of the academic haiku studies journal, Juxta), Jacob Salzer (editor of the HSA’s Frogpond), and Michael Dylan Welch (editor of First Frost).

       We’ll enjoy haiku readings by Cheryl Berrong, Aidan Castle, David Berger, P. H. Fischer, Annette Makino, Jacquie Pearce, Jim Rodriguez, Angela Terry, and our featured guest. We’ll also be announcing the winners of the annual Porad Award for haiku, now celebrating its 20th anniversary. We’ll have a panel discussion on “The Nature of Nature,” a workshop on surreal haiku, a session on how haiku techniques can empower any other writing, four “Write Now” instant haiku-writing sessions (led by Lisa Gerlits, Alan Harvey, Connie Hutchison, and Helen Ogden), anonymous workshops, late-night collaborative writing, much socializing, and shared meals in the dining hall (included with registration). We’ll also have a cake to celebrate Haiku Northwest’s 35th anniversary.

       The Puget Sound Sumi Artists will present a display of their haiga and sumi-e artwork, together with haiku comics by David Lasky and John Burgess, plus handmade art books by Terry Ann Carter and Joanna Thomas. We’ll also have a silent auction and an extensive haiku book fair. Attendees can submit to and will also receive a retreat anthology. And if you can join us, look for the Haiku Sputnik, the bouncy bridge, and a not-so-surprise appearance by Captain Haiku.

       Whether you’ve written haiku for years, are new to it, or curious to try it out to see how it might help your other writing, please consider attending. It’s not just about counting syllables—and we’re a warm and welcoming community. We already have about 55 people registered, and it’s still possible to register for all or part of the weekend, or to come as a day visitor. For details, please visit the Seabeck Haiku Getaway overview page, the schedule page, and our registration page. Although these pages say registration closes October 19, we do still have extra rooms for overnight stays, and can always easily accommodate day visitors, so please do inquire even after October 19. If you have questions, you can reach me at WelchM@aol.com.