Local authors host upcoming events for South Dakota women writers 

Local authors will host an upcoming writer’s retreat and clean fiction event in August and September.

Myja Miller and Paula Miller will host a writer’s retreat for female authors and writers to find communities across the state and the Midwest and to have quiet spaces where their ideas can flow freely into their work.

Writer’s retreats can be held at places like a resort, and can feel like a vacation. They can also be just a designated place where writers can improve their skills. Some can also offer them a place to stay and classes or workshops.

“The main focus is for writers to come together, stay together, network and develop their craft of writing better,” said Myja Miller.

With their retreat seeming to be the only ongoing one in South Dakota at the moment, the two have organized smaller retreats in the past, with close friends, but decided to expand one, open to 12 female writers.

With hosting, they hope to be able to work on their writing, but also to meet and make new friends.

The retreat will run Aug. 6 to 9, in Chamberlain.

Attendees will receive meals, quiet spaces to work, optional roundtable discussions and conversations around campfires, a free bag of self-care goodies, an option to purchase sessions from an on-site personal massage therapist and a guest speaker via Zoom.

When choosing a location, they decided on Chamberlain for a few reasons. One being that the city is in the central part of the state, allowing for South Dakotans to “meet in the middle.”

“We wanted something that was kind of in the middle, because we know writers that are West River, they live in Deadwood and Rapid City and even further West than that,” Myja said. “We stumbled upon this Airbnb cabin that we found just outside of Chamberlain, and it was perfect.”

Another reason Chamberlain was the chosen location was that it was a relaxing setting for writers since it is near the Missouri River.

Then, on Sept. 5 and 6, the duo has their second annual South Dakota Literature & Lattes clean fiction event.

Over 50 authors from across the country will meet readers at the Sioux Falls Sheraton Hotel on the first day and then at the Denny Sanford Premier Center on the second.

There will be a book signing from authors, writing workshops and food and coffee vendors.

“We’ve grown about two and a half times since last year,” Paula said. “I think we had like 29 booths, and this year we got 76. So, we’re just excited because the response has been great both from the public and from the authors who are coming and the vendors who are coming.”

Each year, Myja and Paula choose a nonprofit to support. A silent auction is held, and proceeds go to the nonprofit and the event itself.

Last year, it was Bread Break, a local nonprofit that donated food to Sioux Falls area shelters.

They chose TeenPact for the 2025 event, which teaches youth about the political process.

This event is free and open to the public.

“[We’re] just grateful, and God has really blessed us for giving us this dream and this vision, and then helping it grow and be as big as it is,” Myja said. “Not only is it something we’re excited that’s part of the community now, but we’re just excited just for ourselves.”

For more information about the retreat and to sign up to land a remaining spot for the retreat, visit https://www.sdwritersretreat.com/ and fill out the pre-registration form at the bottom of the website. Note: Signing up does not guarantee a spot.

To learn more about the Literature & Lattes clean fiction event, visit www.SDLiteratureandLattes.com .