Into the Underworld: A Writers Gathering
A four-night writing retreat at an Appalachian manor · January 7–11, 2027

The mythic descent into the underworld is present in many old stories. Inanna passes through seven gates and leaves something behind at each one. Persephone eats the pomegranate seeds, returning to the earth only partially the same. Orpheus sings his way into the dark and turns around too soon. The descent is where a story breaks open, and where a writer finds out what it's truly about.

In the first days of the new year, while the mountains are bare and the nights are long, five writers will gather at my home, a historic manor in Hendersonville, North Carolina, to descend into their work and come back up with pages.

Appalachian folklore says the first twelve days of January rule the twelve months ahead, with each day's weather forecasting its month. We'll arrive in the middle of those ruling days, lean into the lore, and descend into the dark months together.

Before you arrive, you'll read one another's pages. Over the weekend, each writer receives a full 60-minute session of feedback and support from the group. Each morning I lead a craft hour on the underworld: the shape of the descent, the underworld as a place (cellars, caves, graves, the ground beneath a story), the toll and the return. The rest of the day is yours to write, in a room of your own, in a house with plenty of stories of its own.

Every day brings home-cooked meals at the manor table, and the kitchen stays stocked all day for grazing between writing sessions. Hot tea, coffee, beer, wine, and cocktails are always on hand.

In the evenings, we will gather in the dining room for a meal, wine, and conversation. Thursday is arrival night, and we will spend it together, getting to know one another. Friday through Sunday, a guest writer, industry expert, or storyteller joins us for dinner. On Monday, we will share one last breakfast before we say farewell.

This offering is an all-inclusive retreat for five writers, four nights, and a descent into the underworld.

The details:

• Dates: Arrive Thursday, January 7 at 3 PM; depart Monday, January 11 after breakfast, by 11 AM.

• Group size: Five writers plus Shelby Bundy, the hostess.

• Included: Four nights' lodging, all meals and drinks, three craft hours, a group feedback session on your pages, and three guest dinners

• Your pages: Up to 15 pages of any work in progress, due December 14

• Dinner guests: [To be announced]

• King Room, En-Suite (2 available): $2,900

• Attic Room (1 king, 2 queen in a shared suite), Private Hall Bath: $2,500

Because you'll be staying in my family's home, every guest completes a short application and a brief video call before booking. You can learn more about me, your hostess and writing companion by clicking here, or visiting ShelbyBundy.com.

Tending the Fire: An Imbolc Gathering
A four-night creative retreat at an Appalachian manor · January 28 – February 1, 2027

Imbolc arrives at the hinge of the year, halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. By the end of January, the mountains have been dark a long time. The garden sleeps, the woodpile runs low, and the light has just begun to linger toward six o'clock. Our Celtic ancestors watched for the first signs of the land waking and honored Brigid, goddess of the forge, poetry, and healing, and later a beloved saint.

At the end of January, five guests will gather at my home, a historic manor in Hendersonville, North Carolina, to slow down, make things by hand, and welcome the first light of the year together.

Folklore says Brigid walks the land on Imbolc Eve. Households left a cloth on the doorstep for her to bless as she passed and wove crosses of rushes to hang above the door. The Scots-Irish carried their own winter lore into these mountains, watching the sky on Candlemas: if the day dawned fair and bright, winter would take another flight. That old rhyme became Groundhog Day.

This is a slow weekend, made for lingering. Each day we'll gather to make something together: weaving Brigid's crosses, dipping candles for Candlemas, painting, and hand-stitching by the fire. We'll build a seasonal altar and share the lore of hearth and threshold, along with the long history of this house. The rest of the time is yours to read, write, rest, and settle into the season, in a room of your own, in a house with plenty of stories of its own.

Every day brings home-cooked meals at the manor table, and the kitchen stays stocked all day for grazing between gatherings. Hot tea, coffee, beer, wine, and cocktails are always on hand.

In the evenings, we will gather in the dining room for a meal, wine, and conversation. Thursday is arrival night, and we will spend it together, getting to know one another. Friday through Sunday, a guest artist, maker, or storyteller joins us for dinner. On Sunday, Imbolc Eve, we'll lay our cloths on the manor steps for Brigid, and on Monday, Imbolc morning, we'll gather them at first light before breakfast and farewells.

This offering is an all-inclusive retreat for five guests, four nights, and the first light of the year.

The details:

• Dates: Arrive Thursday, January 28 at 3 PM; depart Monday, February 1 (Imbolc) after breakfast, by 11 AM.

• Group size: Five guests plus Shelby Bundy, the hostess.

• Included: Four nights' lodging, all meals and drinks, all art and craft supplies, daily making and lore gatherings, and three guest dinners

• Dinner guests: [To be announced]

• King Room, En-Suite (2 available): $2,900

• Attic Room (1 king, 2 queen in a shared suite), Private Hall Bath: $2,500

Because you'll be staying in my family's home, every guest completes a short application and a brief video call before booking.