Writer Ron Carlson leads a writers retreat Sept. 6 to 8 at Tutka Bay Lodge. Director of the graduate program in fiction at the University of California, Irvine, Carlson is an award winning poet, short story writer and novelist. At the retreat, he will explore questions like “How do writers move from an experience and event in their lives into fiction? How can you use place to find your story?” Sponsored by 49 Writers, the Anchorage based writing center, the fee is $525 for 49 Writers members and $575 for nonmembers and includes instruction, meals, lodging and water taxi. The price increases after May 15. To register, visit 49writingcenter.org.