Graduate Writing Retreats

Each graduate writing retreat takes place over five days, four hours a day. Each session begins with an hour-long workshop that explores writing-related topics, such as overcoming writer's block, building sustainable writing habits, and experimenting with new writing strategies. These presentations help orient participants to positive writing practices and create a supportive community of graduate student writers. 

The majority of each session will be devoted to focused, independent writing time where participants can work on their own writing projects. During this time, participants will have a dedicated space to make progress on a writing project, while in the company and solidarity of other graduate writers.

Participants will also enjoy light snacks and coffee each day.

Graduate students can participate in 3 retreats per academic year (Fall Quarter - Summer). 

Full attendance in your retreat is expected and incentivized. Missing more than one retreat session may result in being removed from the retreat. 

Participants who miss the first retreat session will be removed from the retreat. This is to strengthen and protect the community-building that occurs on the first day, which is a crucial aspect of the program. 

• Retreats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis and limited to around 16 participants.
• You can reserve your spot by filling out an online form, which can be found on our 'Events' page. 
• You will receive an email a few days prior to the start of the retreat as a courtesy reminder. 

Committing to a retreat requires that you intentionally make room for each retreat session in your schedule. We trust your judgment about your time and participation when you make the commitment to register for the retreat. On the first day of the retreat, we will develop a variety of strategies to hold ourselves accountable for the remainder of the retreat. We ask that you respect the retreat and make it a priority in your schedule – typically this would have you be present for 90% of the retreat time.

 *Note: the Dissertation-Focused Writing Retreat is only open to ABD graduate students working on their dissertations. Other retreats are open to any graduate student working on a long-term and/or high stakes writing project. 

To RSVP for one of these retreats, visit our Calendar page and select the retreat you want.