Application Information

SUBMISSION PERIOD:

Applications opened on April 4, 2024

Applications closed on April 28, 2024 (The application is now closed)

RETREAT DATES:

Monday, September 23 - Sunday, September 29, 2024

RETREAT LOCATION:

Little Switzerland, North Carolina

ELIGIBILITY:

The Retreat is open to storytellers of color.

Storytellers of all levels are welcome to apply.

Storytellers must be at least 21 years old.

Storytellers currently enrolled in graduate or undergraduate programs are also welcome to apply.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applicants are required to select a category into which your submission fits. The categories are:

(1) Fiction

(2) Nonfiction

(3) Poetry

(4) Speculative Fiction

(5) Writing Wellness for Us

(6) Young Adult Fiction

Your writing sample must match the category you apply for. For example, if you are applying for the fiction workshop, you must submit a fiction writing sample. You are allowed only one submission per category. You may apply to more than one category. However, each submission is separate. You must complete separate applications and pay the submission fee for each category you submit to. 

APPLICATION FEE:

Every application must be accompanied by $25 non-refundable application fee.

MANUSCRIPT WORK SAMPLE:

We require a standard format for all fiction, nonfiction, speculative fiction, writing wellness, and young adult fiction submissions. The format is:

  • The manuscript may not exceed 10 pages.

  • 1-inch page margins.

  • Double spaced.

  • Text must be in a 12-point serif font (preferably Times New Roman).

  • Electronic file names must consist of the writer’s last name followed by the manuscript title. For example, Smith__A Day in the Park. Poets and those with a longer manuscript title can simply use something like Smith__manuscript for RootsWoundsWords

  • The manuscript must be submitted as a Word document or PDF

  • The applicant’s name and page number must appear on each sheet of the manuscript; for example, Smith, p.1

  • If you are submitting prose, you must include a brief note regarding whether the piece stands on its own as a short story or essay, or is an excerpt from a longer project.

  • Manuscripts excerpted from a longer project should include a one-page synopsis of the larger project placed at the back of the work sample (the synopsis can be single-spaced and does not count toward the 10-page limit).

We require a standard format for all poetry submissions. The format is:

  • The manuscript may not exceed 10 pages.

  • May include one or more poems as long as the total number of pages is within the 10-page limit.

  • Electronic file names must consist of the writer’s last name followed by the manuscript title. For example, Smith__A Day in the Park. Poets and those with a longer manuscript title can simply use something like Smith__manuscript for RootsWoundsWords

  • The manuscript must be submitted as a Word document or PDF

  • The applicant’s name and page number must appear on each sheet of the manuscript; for example, Smith, p.1

BRIEF BIO

Each applicant must submit a bio of no more than 250 words.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Each applicant must submit a statement describing their literary art and how it pushes liberation for BIPOC forward. Resources: How to Write a Poetry Cover Letter from The Watering Hole, “Ready, Set, Residency” by Brevity Nonfiction Blog, and Artist Statement Guidelines by Getting Your Sh*t Together Ink.

WHY RWW:

Each applicant must describe what they intend to gain from and contribute while at the Writers’ Retreat.

ACCEPTANCES:

RWW will work with our Faculty to notify all accepted Storytellers of their acceptance to the Writers’ Retreat by May 14, 2024.

TUITION:

The Writers' Retreat is in person. All invited Fellows must stay in the Retreat’s accommodations. All accepted Fellows are responsible for tuition and room and board. All invited Fellows will have a double-occupancy room with its own bathroom.

Tuition: $1,500.00

Room & Board: $750.00

Total: $2,250.00

Payment plans, as well as limited partial scholarships, will be available.

All invited Writers-in-Residence (returning Fellows who do not participate in a genre workshop, but who use the week for independent creation/study and to take advantage of all non-workshop Retreat offerings) must stay in the Retreat’s accommodations. All accepted writers-in-residence will have a single-occupancy room and their own bathroom.

Tuition: $1,000.00

Room & Board: $875.00

Total: $1,875.00

Payment plans, as well as limited partial scholarships, will be available.

DEPOSIT:

Accepted Fellows must tender a $750.00 deposit no later than June 7, 2024. RWW’s receipt of your deposit confirms your attendance.

THE PROGRAM:

The Roots. Wounds. Words. Autumn Writers’ Retreat is a weeklong intensive that consists of curated workshops with limited participants (no more than twelve per genre cohort), one-on-one meetings with faculty, daily craft lectures, author fireside chats, generative exercises, fellow/faculty readings, wellness activities (e.g., yoga, meditation, hiking, bird watching, and stargazing), an opening reception, and a closing ceremony.

The Roots. Wounds. Words. Writers’ Retreat is held at Wildacres, a retreat space situated on just over 1200 acres atop Pompey’s Knob, not too far from Mt. Mitchell and just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, in Little Switzerland, North Carolina (approx. 2 hours from Charlotte). Retreat Fellows and Faculty are housed in Wildacres’ dormitories. All rooms are doubles, but some singles are available at an additional fee. Each room has a private bathroom. Wheelchair-accessible rooms are available.

The auditorium, dorms, workshop spaces, dining areas, library, and reception areas are all within 1/4 mile of one another. RWW staff will be available to help Fellows and Faculty get from location to location.

Three family-style meals are served in the dining area daily. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and non-dairy items will be available. All dietary requirements and restrictions will be accommodated.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Full deposit refunds will be issued for Storytellers who cancel their participation in the Writers' Retreat no later than June 14, 2024.

Refunds will not be issued to Storytellers who seek to cancel participation in the Writers' Retreat after June 14, 2024.

PRIVACY:

All application materials and work samples are confidential and retained for use of the RWW Writers’ Retreat programming only.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Please also read the Frequently Asked Questions provided on our website.