Windbreak House

Welcome to Windbreak House Writing Retreat

In the center of the nation, deep in the grasslands of western South Dakota, essayist and poet Linda M. Hasselstrom grew up as an only child on a family cattle ranch homesteaded by a Swedish cobbler in 1899.

Today she invites you to benefit from a writing retreat on that same ranch. Come to the house where she discovered the Great Plains outside her windows, where she began to write the poetry and non-fiction books that have established her as one of the strongest voices on behalf of the prairie.

Linda holds a BA in English and Journalism, a MA in American Literature, and has been a teacher of writing for more than 40 years.

Not a writer but a reader? Enjoy Linda's vivid descriptions of her life and work on the ranch, as a writer, and as an advocate for the preservation of the prairies and the people and wildlife who inhabit them.


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What's Here?

What's So Great about This New Website?
What's New with Linda?
Linda's Books
Windbreak House Writing Retreats
Writing Conversations by eMail
Linda's Schedule of Upcoming Events
Information about Linda
Some Fun Stuff
"See What You Read" Photos
Environmental Projects on Linda's Ranch


And much more!


What's So Great about This New Website?
This website, online under the name windbreakhouse.com as of September 2008, is a new and improved version of Linda's previous website.

The information about Linda's Windbreak House Writing Retreats and her Writing Conversations By eMail consulting has been clarified and expanded, making it easier to find what you want to know. We're pleased to announce we've done away with the difficult-to-read brown type on brown pages that so many of you complained about. Those of you familiar with website terminology and function will appreciate that we no longer have the outdated frames setup, so links to other websites work well.

I am working on activating the inactive links and adding the missing content. If you find any typos or mistakes in grammar or content, please let me know. Thanks!

Send e-mail to info@windbreakhouse.com

Keep reading for a brief website tour . . .


What's New with Linda?
Linda is the cover story of the Winter 2009 issue of BLACK HILLS FACES MAGAZINE. Read all about it and see a photo of the magazine cover at "Where in the World is Linda M. Hasselstrom?"

Linda's book Land Circle was republished in the fall of 2008 with some new material. Learn about the 15th Anniversary Edition and see the new cover art by clicking here.

No Place Like Home, Linda's newest book, will be published by the University of Nevada Press in September, 2009. What's it about? What does the cover look like? We'll keep you updated on the progress of this book. Click here.


Linda's Books
If you want information about Linda's books and her thoughts on her own writing, see the Books & More Page and the Ask Linda Page. Want to know more about a particular story or poem? Post a question for Linda on the Ask Linda Page and she'll answer it.


Windbreak House Writing Retreats
Would you like to have Linda help you improve your own writing in a creative environment? See the Retreats Page to learn about Windbreak House, where Linda offers individualized writing retreats. The Ask Linda Page has answers to some additional questions about writing help and the writing retreat experience. Don't find what you want to know? Ask your own question on the Ask Linda Page or send us an e-mail.


Writing Conversations by eMail
Can't take a retreat vacation right now? Want to work with Linda during the winter when driving to a writing retreat is difficult? See the Consulting Page for complete details on how to sign up for a Writing Conversation by eMail.


Linda's Schedule of Upcoming Events
Hoping to meet Linda in your hometown? See "Where in the World is Linda M. Hasselstrom?" on the Books & More Page for a list of Linda's upcoming appearances and other newsworthy events. Sign up for one of her workshops, attend a reading, stop by to chat and get an autograph at one of her booksignings.

Linda's next public appearance will be at the
Wild Burro Bookstore, Hot Springs, South Dakota on April 25th.


Information about Linda
Want to know more about Linda? Read Linda's biography on the Books & More Page and then read her non-fiction books, starting with Windbreak, to learn about her life on the ranch and beyond. Still have more questions? The Ask Linda Page has many more details and you're encouraged to be as nosy as you wish with your own questions.


The Fun Stuff
This website also has some fun stuff. See the Books & More Page for stories and photos of dogs or cows Linda has known, rendezvous camping, prickly things at Windbreak House, food (growing and preparing it), and birding at Linda's ranch. The Ask Linda Page allows you to dig deeper into Linda's thoughts and feelings on her writing and her life.


"See What You Read"
This section lets you see photos of the actual people, places, and animals Linda mentions in her writing. Let us know what you'd like to see!


Environmental Projects on Linda's Ranch
Linda is working with the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory to improve bird and wildlife habitat on her ranch. Read more about this ongoing project on the Books & More Page. A list of wildlife seen on Linda's ranch is posted here, too. Many Windbreak House retreat participants enjoy birdwatching during their retreats.

The Great Plains Native Plant Society is creating a public garden on 350 acres of Linda's ranch. The article about the Claude A. Barr Memorial Great Plains Garden on the Books & More Page has details, including a list of plant species found on the ranch. The garden is an easy walk from Windbreak House; retreat participants are welcome to tour the garden.


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