The “Stories & Songs: A Writing Retreat in Yellowstone / Montana” takes place from September 22-26, 2025. The retreat offers workshops in storytelling and songwriting led by Carolyn Flynn, Karen Leslie, and Clay Mills. Participants will enjoy dedicated writing time, immersive Italian cultural experiences, and communal activities, all in the scenic, historic setting of Chico Hot Springs Resort.
Join Our Stories & Songs Writing Retreat in Montana 2025
Stories & Songs: A Writing Retreat in Montana / Yellowstone ~ September 22-26, 2025
An immersive and generative retreat for people who write—or want to write—stories and songs. You can do one, or both!
The Stories & Songs Vision
Carolyn Flynn and Karen Leslie’s long-cherished vision: To host a writing retreat offering generative workshops in the art of Storytelling and Songwriting, and where the setting is exceptional. Stories & Songs Writing Retreat materialized out of that vision with three tracks: Storyteller, Songwriter, and Hybrid, each aimed at producing new writing and new songs.
They wanted a writing retreat with workshops featuring individual feedback and cross-genre study that examines the shared elements between stories and songs: musicality, lyricism, rhyming action, compression, voice, recurring motifs, “flashbulb” images, co-writing, patterns, arc, and repetition. Together with Grammy-nominated hit songwriter Clay Mills (Songwriter Track), they mapped out a dive deep into creativity, craft, and process.
The last part of the puzzle fell into place when thinking about the actual time at the retreat. So, they designed the workshop schedule with dedicated writing blocks built in—all while living and eating in an inspiring place. Carolyn, Karen, and Clay believe the perfect setting brings stardust to the Stories & Songs Writing Retreat.
This year, we will retreat to Montana’s rolling hills at the convergence of two pools fed by natural geothermal hot springs!
Location. Location. Location. Retreat to Chico Hot Springs Resort in 2025!
We wanted to find another slice of heaven closer to home, like Spannocchia in Tuscany (2024), so we searched for somewhere that focused on locally sourced, healthy, delicious food with a history that deeply roots you in place. Through a friend of a friend, we found it in, of all places, Paradise Valley.
CHICO HOT SPRINGS RESORT, on the National Register of Historic Places, offers world-class dining, natural geothermal hot springs soaking, a spa, and opportunities to ride, fish, or relax in your free time. Like Spannocchia, Chico practices environmental sustainability and offers cuisine close to the land. In the Historic Dining Room, DAVE WELLS, a James Beard semifinalist, creates a “scratch-made” menu with “a strong sense of place.” We believe this location offers a quintessential, remote American West experience! And yet, it’s located 30 miles from the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park and 45 minutes from Bozeman, Montana.
In short, we chose this place for its magnificent scenery, generous, comfortable accommodations, world-class dining, and endless amenities. Oh yes, and for the stars! The infinite canopy of stars that fills the night sky. We chose it for that.
We hope you’ll join us this year…
The most amazing week in my life. I’ve learned so much from the three of them. Spannocchia is so magical. It really is a thing to be one able to wear just one hat. To be one with nature, one with yourself, and just dive in. I was able to crack my hard candy-coated shell. I would love, love, love to do this every year and I can’t wait for the next one! ~Carrie Cunningham, Italy 2024
Choose a Track: Storyteller, Songwriter or Hybrid
If you’re a Storyteller, you’ll focus on your writing craft, generating new words on the page, and/or a current writing project in workshop with Carolyn Flynn and Karen Leslie. If you’re a Songwriter, whether beginner or advanced, lyricist and/or composer, you’ll focus on your song craft in daily, generative workshops with Pro songwriter and Master Instructor Clay Mills. As a group, we’ll all gather during the Welcome & Happy Trails Receptions, at meals, and “Open Mic” Nights to share what we’re creating.
So, what if you want to do a little of both the Storyteller and Songwriter tracks? That means you’re a Hybrid! And, yes, you can. You’re welcome. Simply let us know you’d like to choose the Hybrid Track when you register.
The American West Experience
We’ll wine, dine, and commune under an endlessly starry sky. Immerse ourselves in Montana history, mountain ranch culture, and geothermal magnificence. And, we’ll keep the retreat small so everyone has a chance to share and receive individual attention. To top it off, you’ll have the option to write or relax or experience Chico during workshop-free blocks. If your intention is to end the week with lots of pages or songs, you can use your undisturbed free time to write, write, write! We love that. Check out these Chico activities: natural geothermal soaks in open-air mineral pools, horseback riding, disc golf, pond fishing, hiking, and spa treatments.
Chico Hot Springs Resort — Stories & Songs Retreat in Montana 2025
The Stories & Songs takeaway? New friends. New words. New ways of looking at writing—and yourself as a writer.
Our ONE Focus? Your Creative Life.
Prepare for a renewed, refreshed, reinvigorated you after a week in Montana/Yellowstone at the Stories & Songs: A Writing Retreat In Montana. We can’t wait to welcome you into one of our favorite writing places.
STORYTELLER TRACK: FICTION & CREATIVE NONFICTION (Small number of registrants)
Small Group daily workshops on writing craft, creativity, process, and publishing.
Time to write, write, write!
Daily ENTER THE DAY WRITING prompts
1 Cross-genre workshop in Songwriting
Evening Stories & Songs Open Mics to share with the whole group what you’re creating during the week
SONGWRITER TRACK (Small number of registrants)
Small Group daily workshops on songwriting craft, including melody and lyrics, co-writing instruction, process, songwriting prompts, tips on writing for pleasure versus pitching
Clay’s innovative songwriting methods
Daily Songwriting Prompts
Listening sessions with constructive feedback
1 Cross-genre workshop in Creative Writing
Evening Stories & Songs Open Mics to share a song with the whole group what you’re creating from the week
HYBRID TRACK
Choose your workshops by the day! If you feel like songwriting, you can. If you feel like writing, of course, you can!
This track includes all that the Storyteller and Songwriter Tracks offer.
Detailed retreat schedule for the 2025 Storyteller and Songwriter Tracks coming soon! You can take a look at the 2024 Italy schedule for a general idea, though we’ll mix it up a bit to suit our Montana setting.
LODGING & FOOD
“Scratch-made” cuisine with a “strong sense of place” from Chef DAVE WELLS, a James Beard Award semifinalist.
Single Occupancy so you have a dedicated creative space, unless otherwise arranged
4 nights/5 days at Chico Hot Springs in Pray, Montana (Monday – Friday)
Cuisine with a sense of place (local sourcing focus): Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner vouchers to use in any Chico dining
Happy Trails Receptions
Open mics in our meeting room or “the chalet”
(After registration, more information will be provided on optional Chico activities.)
TRANSPORTATION & TICKETS
Your options for transportation to Chico Hot Springs Resort on arrival and departure days:
By car, taxi, or ride share service
We recommend flying into Bozeman, Montana, the nearest airport. Visit Montana has valuable information about getting to and around Montana.
* Airfare to Stories & Songs Montana NOT included.
A little more about our workshop leaders…
Carolyn Flynn features singer-songwriter characters in her work (her novel, Searching for Persephone; her ‘hermit crab’ piece, “Scarlet’s Set List”) and blends song techniques in her prose—plus, she has a “hit” on her hands, her memoir, Boundless, published in December 2024.
Karen Leslie writes novel-length fiction, short stories, AND lyrics. She teaches writing and literature part-time at Western Kentucky University. At ten years old–with a pair of binoculars around her neck–Karen fell head over heels with Yellowstone and the American West.
Clay Mills is a Grammy-nominated, multi-#1 hit songwriter and Co-founder of SongTown USA. If you ask him, he’ll tell you his happy place is on horseback in Wyoming or Montana.
Thanks, Carolyn, for creating such an impactful retreat. Your care, professionalism and kind spirits left me stronger in every way. I made eight extraordinary new friends. Kind of speechless.
Prose storyteller and poet
If it wasn’t for Karen Leslie, I don’t know that I would have finished writing my first novel. Her open, honest editing feed back gave me the confidence to keep writing and make the necessary changes to finish my book. I’ve continued my writing journey with a couple of dozen short stories and a 4-book psychological thriller series. And, yes, you guessed it, Karen is my go-to editor…She wants to help you succeed!
Mersaidee Soules
Fiction writer/Novelist
“Clay’s talent and knowledge of melody is matched only by his desire to teach and help up and coming songwriters.”
Mark Irwin
Multi #1 songwriter
Choose the Registration That Works For You.
Retreat Dates: September 22-26, 2025
(First come, first served. Spots are Limited: 8-10)
Super Early Bird
$3,495
$500 Deposit*
The Super Early Bird Discount available through February 23, 2025.
*DEPOSIT: $500.00. This locks in your rate for the Stories & Songs Retreat.This is NON-REFUNDABLE. See Shop and FAQ for more details. *All rates are based on single occupancy.
Hurry! Retreat spots will fill up fast!
Stay awhile. [Why Chico Hot Springs.]
Chico Hot Springs Resort: An American Treasure on the National Register of Historic Places. Want a more in depth look around our 2025 Stories & Songs setting? Check out Montana’s Best video from 2023.
Contact Form & Sign up for Stories & Songs Interest List
Ask a question, any question. If you want to direct your question to a particular Workshop Leader, just mention Karen, Carolyn, or Clay.
FAQ
WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH REGISTRATION?
When you choose the STORYTELLER TRACK: FICTION & MEMOIR, ESSAYS & SHORT STORIES (Prose)… Small Group daily workshops on writing craft, creativity, and process Time to write, write, write! with mentored support Packet with Enter the Day Writing prompts 1 cross-genre workshop in songwriting Open mics to share with the group what you’re creating
When you choose the SONGWRITER TRACK… Small Group daily workshops on songwriting, including melody and lyric writing, co-writing, and “writing the song in the room” Tips on writing for pleasure versus writing to pitch Time to write, write, write! with mentored support Co-writing 1 cross-genre workshop in story writing Open mics to share a song with the group
When you choose the HYBRID TRACK… You get a mix of both workshops the entire week! A true cross-genre experience.
WHAT ABOUT THE LODGING AND FOOD?
5 days/4 nights lodging at Chico Hot Springs in Pray, Montana, located 30 miles from Yellowstone National Park and less than one hour from the airport in Bozeman, Montana.
All meals included (generous meal vouchers). Breakfast and dinner in the historic dining room. Lunch available at Poolside Grille. Here’s a look at the menus: https://www.chicohotsprings.com/dining
Transportation to or from the airport to Chico Hot Springs Resort is not included. If you are flying in to the retreat, renting a car is recommended. While shuttles are available, they are not affordable.
WHAT KIND OF CUISINE DOES CHICO SERVE?
We’re lucking out. Dave Wells is chef at the Historic Dining Room and a James Beard Award semifinalist. The menu is described as scratch-made and seasonal, including vegetables from Chico’s geothermally heated greenhouse. The cuisine celebrates “the essence of Montana’s robust terroir,” according to the website. This is an opportunity to explore Montana cuisine at its finest.
The menus at the Historic Dining Room and Poolside Grille offer enough variety to guide you around food allergies. Take a peek here so you can make a plan: https://www.chicohotsprings.com/dining We will ask you to work with the restaurant staff for questions about modifications.
WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE?
Plan to arrive at Chico Hot Springs Resort on Monday, Sept. 22. Check-in ranges from 2 to 4:30 p.m., but you may want to arrive early and schedule a spa treatment or another activity. Chico will hold your bags until your room is ready.
Our program begins at 6 p.m. with a toast, dinner, a bit of craft talk and open mic sharing.
MAY I CHECK IN LATE?
We understand flights don’t always land on time. Keep us apprised if you run into a delay. Here is the phone number for Chico so you can let them know, too. (406) 333-4933
WHEN I BOOK MY FLIGHT, WHAT’S MY BEST CITY DESTINATION?
Bozeman, Montana
It’s a super-easy airport (and it’s pristine Montana gorgeous!). Bozeman airport is about 1 hour from Chico.
Know that Billings, Montana, is an option, though it’s farther to drive — 2 hours away.
SHOULD I GET TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Absolutely. This protects your financial investment in the retreat, and travel to and from. AAA is a good resource for travel insurance.
WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
The last week of September in Montana’s Paradise Valley could feel like late summer or early winter — who knows?
Be prepared for early winter and hope for a moderate fall or late summer. In other words: layers. But remember—there’s no such thing as bad weather, says Carolyn’s Montana whisperer, who has lived in Bozeman, Montana, most of her adult life and owns a ranch near Chico—there’s only bad wardrobe planning.
Bring lots of light, warm layers. Think fleece. Yes, bring a serious coat. Yes, pack the gloves, scarves, beanies and warm socks. Sturdy shoes, a bathing suit, and hat are a good idea as well.
WHAT KIND OF PHYSICAL CONDITION DO I NEED TO BE IN?
The grounds around the main lodge, thermal pools, and meeting rooms at Chico are a short walk away from each other, with no major elevation gains.
Some meetings will be held (Wednesday-Thursday) at the large chalet, which is a walk with a slight elevation — nothing too daunting.
WHAT AMENITIES ARE ON THE SITE?
Geothermal soaking pools, spa treatments, yoga, disc golfing, pond fishing, hiking and, of course, horses! Some activities require additional fees and pre-scheduling.
WHAT ARE YOUR COVID POLICIES?
We expect you to understand that we want to provide everyone at the retreat with a safe experience, as do Chico Hot Springs and the state of Montana.
Because we want to protect the integrity of the retreat, the health of all participants, facilitators and essential workers, we reserve the right to ask all retreat participants to present proof of a COVID-free test before participating in the retreat event.
We also expect you to understand that everything about pandemics are rapidly evolving and could change in directions we cannot predict.
We reserve the right to request other good health practices, should a new outbreak occur or new conditions emerge.
We also expect you to observe any policies implemented by Chico Hot Springs or the state of Montana.
To keep up to date on the U.S. guidelines for vaccination, go to the Centers for Disease Control website.
WHAT IS YOUR REFUND POLICY?
While we recognize that life has its disruptions, we have a strict refund policy. We must do this because we commit to a contract for accommodations, food, and other costs once bookings are taken for a retreat. In addition, we incur costs when we are required to re-advertise the retreat when bookings are cancelled.
So here’s the policy, and make sure you read carefully!
All deposits are non-refundable and cannot be held over to future retreats.
If you cancel within three months of the retreat, the remainder of your payment (minus the deposit) will be refunded ONLY if a replacement is found to take your place. Naturally, you probably know that it becomes increasingly difficult and less likely as a retreat approaches to find substitutes who can both pay and travel at short notice.
No refunds are possible if you cancel within two weeks of the retreat.
If you register as an early bird, you do have more options. Though we cannot refund your deposit, you may receive a one-hour consultation with one of the retreat mentors.
If Stories & Songs Retreat has to cancel, all payments will be returned in full.
WILL I HAVE LEISURE TIME? THE SPA, THE MOUNTAINS, THE HORSES — IT’S KIND OF IRRESISTIBLE.
You will. Most importantly, you’ll have writing time. Relaxation, stillness, and solitude are part of sinking into the experience.
We also want you to come with a commitment to your writing. You will receive mentoring and support around how to structure your dedicated writing time.
If your true aim, though, is to see Montana and everything outside of Chico Hot Springs, park that time on the front end or back end of your time here.
This is our invitation to you to invest in yourself, your creativity and your writing.
CAN I BRING MY CHILD OR SIGNIFICANT OTHER?
If we can arrange this with the resort, your Significant Other or child (must be 21 years old) would attend the Open Mics, gatherings, and meals as a “non-workshop attendee.” However, workshops are for registrants only. Request rates through the Contact Form.
We do ask that the extra person in your room doesn’t tempt you away from the retreat. There is much to enjoy at Chico! Remember: Our One Focus: your writing life or project. Please email or to discuss arrangements. If we can accommodate your requests, we will!
