The Literary Partnership You Didn’t Know You Needed
Bookclubs x Black Travel Maine x Stonecoast Writers Lab
There are partnerships—and then there are movements in the making.
This summer, something special is happening in Maine. A collaboration between Bookclubs.com, Black Travel Maine, and the Stonecoast MFA in Creative Writing program is redefining what it means to experience literature—not just as something you read, but something you live.
Welcome to the Stonecoast Writers Lab, a one-of-a-kind literary retreat where storytelling, place, and community intersect.
From Reading Books to Living Them
If you’re part of the Bookclubs.com community, you already understand the power of gathering around stories. You’ve seen how books spark conversation, connection, and reflection. Now imagine taking that one step further.
Instead of just reading about history, resilience, and identity—you’re walking through it. Instead of discussing themes of refuge, you’re standing in the very places where those stories unfolded.
Through curated experiences led by Black Travel Maine, participants won’t just write—they’ll immerse themselves in Maine’s rich and often untold cultural history, including time spent at the Abyssinian Meeting House, one of the oldest standing African American meeting houses in the United States.
A Writers Retreat Designed for This Moment
The Stonecoast Writers Lab, hosted in collaboration with the University of Southern Maine’s MFA program, isn’t your typical retreat. It’s built around a central theme: Refuge.
Participants will engage in:
- Guided writing workshops with acclaimed faculty
- Cultural storytelling experiences across Maine
- Reflective writing sessions inspired by real historical sites
- Community conversations that deepen both craft and perspective
Why This Partnership Works So Well
Bookclubs.com brings the readers. Black Travel Maine brings the experience. Stonecoast MFA brings the craft. Together, they create a fully immersive literary ecosystem.
During the retreat, Black Travel Maine will also launch its national book club, creating a new space for readers passionate about culture, history, and storytelling.
Why It Matters Right Now
We’re living in a time where people are craving deeper connection—to stories, to place, and to each other.
This partnership invites readers to move beyond passive consumption into active engagement and build community through shared experiences.
Join the Experience
The Stonecoast Writers Lab takes place June 19–22 in Maine, launching on Juneteenth.
If you’re a writer, a reader, or someone who believes in the power of stories to shape the world, this is your invitation.
Because the future of storytelling isn’t just about what we read—it’s about what we experience and create together.
Register today and follow @BLACKTRAVELMAINE for more details
