‘David Gessner’s Writing Cape Cod’ is a week-long creative class with a special emphasis on writing about place, which will include field trips to iconic landmarks like Wing Island. There will also be a visit to the writing studio of John Hay, author of nature classic ‘The Run’, at the former home of the late writer and Museum co-founder, which is maintained by Brewster Conservation Trust.

Participants will explore the role that writing about place can play in personal essay, memoir and nature writing. Lessons and advice will come from David and his sister, memoirist, Heidi G. Gessner, with classes held in the Museum’s first permanent building, constructed in 1960 to replace the temporary tent it was originally housed in. On the final day, writers will have the opportunity to read their work at Sturgis Library in Barnstable.

“We will also discuss many aspects of the writing life, especially the value of daily work and momentum, of getting ourselves in movement and staying in movement,” said David. “There is a kind of magic to daily creative work, something that can’t be matched by occasional inspiration. There is a real joy in knowing that we get to travel daily to a creative place, a place apart from the pinging and prodding of devices and obligations.”

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History’s executive director, Dr. Stephen Uzzo, said: “With John Hay as one of our co-founders, our Museum has a long tradition of supporting, and inspiring, writers from Cape Cod and beyond. The launch of these classes with David Gessner is an extension of that heritage, providing an opportunity to nurture more talent through the unique landscape of our surroundings.”

David Gessner is the multi-award-winning author of fourteen books that blend a love of nature, humor, memoir, and environmentalism, including The Book of Flaco: The World’s Most Famous Bird, the New York Times bestselling All the Wild That Remains, Return of the Osprey, Sick of Nature and Leave It As It Is: A Journey Through Theodore Roosevelt’s American Wilderness. He is married to the novelist Nina de Gramont, whose latest book is The Christie Affair.

Heidi G. Gessner is an author, grief educator, and retreat leader. A former end-of-life hospital chaplain with two decades of experience, she now accompanies people through loss and life transitions via private coaching and workshops. She is the author of Pockets of Grace: Lessons from Darkness, Lessons from Light. Part memoir and part spiritual guidebook, this work invites readers to discover how loss can awaken us to deeper meaning, authentic connection, and healing.