Writing is an art and a craft that needs constant practice; however, finding the hours to sit down and write isn’t easy if you are like me. Life and responsibilities get in the way and make it impossible to do it stress-free. Writers need a supportive community, the proper writing environment, and time. These ten incredible writing retreats will give you all of that and more! With week-long retreats, housing, meals, and fellow writers, these will provide you with the perfect time to write and connect with others. Though they can be pretty pricey, scholarships and financial aid are available. Let’s get into it!
Hedgebrook Writer-In-Residence Program in Washington
The Hedgebrook Writer-In-Residence Program is located on Whidbey Island, Washington. It is the perfect residency for writers looking to spend all their time writing and getting their stories done. It lasts two to three weeks, and each writer gets their own cottage and meals that are paid for, and at the end of each day, there is social time for all the other artists to get together and share what they have been working on. Located in the woods, it is the perfect area to take a break from a busy and stressful life, enjoy nature, and write. There is no cost, despite the application fee.
MacDowell Fellowship in New Hampshire
The MacDowell Fellowship is a highly competitive fellowship located in St. Peterborough, New Hampshire, with only an application fee. It is an intense course that mainly focuses on transforming the way you already write and includes a plan for what is essential to work on for this fellowship. It lasts for about two to eight weeks of intensive writing, with housing and meals paid for and provided. Unlike the last program, it is more of a college/university-like program, where you learn more about yourself, your writing, and English in general, rather than just straight-up writing for weeks. It is perfect for the learners out there.
Fine Arts Work Center in Massachusetts
The Fine Arts Work Center, based in Provincetown, Massachusetts, is another highly competitive fellowship. It is a seven-month program that costs around $1,000 and includes programs that aim to work on stories or art that is just being started. It is a camp for those in the early creative stages, looking to learn how to go about that process. Some participants in the program have won major awards, making it much more competitive. It includes both writers and poets, so everyone of every form has a place here.
Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing in Massachusetts
Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing, located in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, is the perfect retreat for writers looking to write in a large community and build those connections and improve their writing. It is a two-to-four-week program, but it can be as long as you want. It has built a foundation of a compassionate community rather than a competitive field. With multiple writing activities, group work, and classes, there is always something to do, but it is a bit pricer, costing about $2,000.
Writing by Writers Residencies in Various Locations
Writing by Writers is a series of multiple online retreats, so easily accessible to those who don’t want to spend money to travel somewhere to write. Usually held on Zoom at night, there is still much small group work and one-on-one work with the faculty. It welcomes writers of all ages and experiences and will work with you appropriately based on that. The cost ranges depending on which virtual retreat you do, but it is all from the comfort of your home, so it isn’t as expensive as others on this list.
Poetry Camp in New York
Poetry Camp, hosted by The Poetry Society in New York, is the perfect getaway for those who focus on poetry prose rather than fiction prose. It is a week-long summer program for poets of all levels and ages. There is more to it than just straight writing; they include mediation times, campfire nights, and logging, which has more of a camping vibe than cottages, dorms, or apartments, like the other retreats here. It is full of community-building and inspirational activities to help the creative juices flow. The cost ranges depending on the year, so watch for that on their website.
Writing in the Dark in Wisconsin
Writing in the Dark is another extremely engaging writing program based in Wisconsin’s wilderness. It is a camp that includes all of the regular camp activities, like games, campfires, dinners, and meditations, but it also contains small groups for writing and songwriting. It focuses on pushing residents out of their comfort zone regarding writing, and has people lean into their doubts to write and express rather than keep them comfortable. It is pricier, costing up to $2,000 for a week-long trip. Even if it is expensive, it has been rated highly worthwhile, educational, and fun.
The Writer’s Sanctuary Available Virtually
The Writer’s Sanctuary is a virtual writing retreat that focuses more on the professional and goal-oriented side of writing. It works with writers to accomplish unique goals and even helps finish stories. The program faculty works with you on your story, but also helps you professionally and financially, getting you connected with big people in the industry and helping you towards being published, while supporting you where you need it. The days and price depend heavily on what program you decide to do, and how long you choose to continue to work with it. This is for you if you are looking for a professional writing camp.
Yaddo in New York
Yaddo is a nonprofit writing camp in Saratoga Springs, New York, that has been around for a long time. It is a sanctuary for slightly older writers to form connections and have time to write, and it is focused on fostering a positive, creative environment. It is a free-to-attend program, with only an application fee, and lasts between two weeks and two months. They also include arts such as film, photography, and drawing, so it is not only limited to writers. Yaddo is perfect for those looking for a cheap but helpful retreat.
Suggested Reading
Sometimes these writing retreats are not accessible to everyone. Whether due to cost or location, such barriers shouldn’t hinder you from being able to workshop as a writer or practice the craft more. These suggested readings will offer equally great writing tips, workshops, and prompts, so you can host your own writing activities or retreats at home!
The One Week Writing Workshop: 7 Days to Spark, Boost or Revive Your Novel by Karin Adams
Writing a novel, even developing an idea, can be difficult. The One Week Writing Workshop by Karin Adams is the perfect book to help you overcome the daunting task of turning your fantastic idea into an actual story. With many workshops and activities, this book takes each step of the process and breaks it down into smaller steps that feel more manageable. No matter where you are stuck in the writing process, this book is here to help you flesh everything out without the overwhelming sensations.
Write, Edit, Publish: What Every Writer Needs to Know but Only an Editor Will Tell You by Michael J. Totten
Write, Edit, Publish by Michael J. Totten is the perfect book if you are stuck in the technical and business parts of writing. Everyone makes mistakes, but in this industry, publishers don’t take mistakes, and readers can be even more brutal. Totten offers many insights on what to avoid going into the publishing industry, how to reach your writers and publishers, and even tips on self-publishing. This book is perfect for those who are finally ready to release their fantastic story.
The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond by Marissa Meyer
The Happy Writer by Marissa Meyer is the ultimate writing guide. Using both workshop activities, as well as publishing tips, to show that writing and creating don’t have to be difficult, painful, or worth procrastinating. It is full of advice and encouragement, and looks at writing more optimistically. Not only that, but it has advice for writers of all kinds, from authors to journalists to screenwriters.
Writing is such a hard hobby to be able to make time for, especially in a world of bills, politics, jobs, schools, and responsibilities. No one really wants those things; we all want to be able to write, and these retreats and camps are the perfect options for those who need to take a break from the world and focus on what matters to them most!
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