June 23 - June 26
Highlights Foundation Campus
$1199Overview
In-person 4-Day/3-Night Working Retreat
Join celebrated poets Charles Waters, Irene Latham, and their guests for time to create and connect during this Working Retreat. We invite writers with a passion for solo poetry collections, poetry anthologies, stand alone poems, and more for an immersive experience where productivity meets inspiration!
A Working Retreat is lightly structured with one lecture each day, informal conversations, optional consultations with faculty, and plenty of time to create in the comfort and care of the Highlights Foundation retreat center.
- This is an in-person retreat for poets hoping to learn more about poetry, poetry anthologies, and collections.
- This working retreat has light instruction and ample time to work on your individual projects.
- Lodging and meals are included.
- Begins at 5:30pm Eastern on Sunday, June 23
- Ends after lunch on Wednesday, June 26
Presentation
Diving into the Wreck: How to Bring Forth a Treasure of a Poetry Collection
with Irene Latham
Presentation
Best Practices for Creating Work for Poetry Anthologies
with Charles Waters
Connections
- Working Retreat Time
- Generative Writing Exercises
- Mealtimes & Fireside
- Optional 1:1 Consults
Why This Working Retreat?
All creatives need time and space to accomplish their goals. We invite writers with a passion for poetry anthologies, stand alone poems, and more for an immersive experience where productivity meets inspiration!
At the heart of this working retreat is the “work.”
Days will be spent on individual projects. You choose what that means for you! Maybe you’ll draft new words on the porch of your cabin, sketch in the Art Coop, finally get to the revisions that your work-in-progress needs, wander, or rest.
In addition to your personal time, we’ve invited poets Charles Waters and Irene Latham, along with their guests to work alongside you. They’ll offer one presentation and one creative exercise each day of the retreat.
Finally, you can join fellow creatives for informal gatherings by the fire in the evening, at meals, or throughout the retreat as you wish to discuss creativity, favorite poems and poets, share your work, and more!
This working retreat includes:
- Presentations on structuring and ordering poetry collections and best practices for creating poems for anthologies.
- Generative writing exercises with lyrical notes that will inspire stand-alone poems and picture books.
- Shared studio and writing time with informal feedback.
- Independent time to write, revise, and discuss your work.
Your retreat will be well appointed with space to create, as every accommodation option includes a personal workspace. You’ll also find various spaces around the campus to get work done, or explore the grounds if you need a change of pace or some inspiration.
Learn. Get Inspired.
Then put it to work in the company of people who believe in the power of story.
“I loved the routines we had where we got to do individual creative work and then come together during meals and after hours to bond and connect. It was just such a beautifully crafted atmosphere…The faculty was [also] amazing all around. They provided great insight in their presentations, and they were warm and welcome to discuss anything about the craft. I deeply enjoyed their company and their brilliance.”
Feedback Expected
- Optional consultations can be scheduled with one of our faculty mentors. These opportunities are available at an additional cost, and can be added at the time of registration or during your retreat stay. No submissions will be required or accepted for these 1:1 consultation opportunities, but you will fill out a questionnaire in advance (in our virtual classroom) to prepare. Consultations will include time to discuss where you are in your stories, and ideas for moving forward with drafting, revisions, and/or submissions.
- There will be informal feedback opportunities and time to share work during generative creative exercises, and as you connect with fellow attendees.
It’s a Great Fit If…
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You are a poet (for children and/or adults) that could use some creative inspiration. There will be generative writing activities to spark ideas!
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You are a poet with a poetry collection in progress. Irene and Charles will be providing big-picture strategies to strengthen your manuscript and help make it submission-ready.
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You are a poet who’d like to place your work in poetry anthologies. Learn from a team of anthologists about the process behind selecting and editing poems.
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You want to learn more about opportunities in writing poetry for children. This retreat will showcase solo collections, stand-alone poems for placement in anthologies, and more.
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You’d like a retreat where you can get to work. This retreat is not based on lecture. It’s time to work on your own projects, with the added immersive experience of presentations, generative writing exercises, and time to connect with fellow creatives over meals and informal gatherings.
Detailed Agenda
All Times are Eastern Standard Time. Click on the headings below to explore the agenda in more detail.
Pre-Workshop
- You will receive a link to our virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself to fellow creatives and engage in Highlights Foundation related resources (including our Community Standards). You can also fill out a questionnaire if you opt for a 1:1 consultation with a faculty mentor (at an additional cost).
- You will receive a pre-course assignment that Irene and Charles would like you to bring with you to the retreat, in addition to the materials mentioned below.
- We encourage you to bring projects with you to the retreat at various stages in-progress, as you will have time to draft, revise, research, and polish your work during independent time. This retreat is not filled with lecture. At its heart, this retreat is time to work on your project.
Day One: Sunday, June 23, 2024
- 3pm – 5pm Eastern: Arrival and check in
- 5:30pm Eastern: Appetizers & Dinner
- Following dinner: Sharing + Expectations and goals for our time together
Day Two: Monday, June 24, 2024
- Breakfast
- Presentation: “Diving into the Wreck: How to Bring Forth a Treasure of a Poetry Collection” with Irene Latham
- Optional Consultations
- Working Retreat time: read, write, connect
Afternoon
- Lunch
- Working Retreat time: read, write, connect
- Generative poetry prompts for stand-alone poetry
Evening
- Appetizers & Dinner
- Informal gathering fireside (weather permitting)
Day Three: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
- Breakfast
- Presentation: “Best Practices for Creating Work for Poetry Anthologies” with Charles Waters
- Optional 1:1 Consultations
- Working Retreat time: read, write, connect
Afternoon
- Lunch
- Working Retreat time: read, write, connect
- Generative writing prompts
Evening
- Appetizers & Dinner
- Poetry Jamboree!
Day Four: Wednesday, June 26, 2024
- Breakfast
- Special Guest Presentation
- Final questions and closing
Afternoon
- Lunch & farewells
Commitment Required for the Best Experience
As an in-person event at our Retreat Center, you’ll have a chance to step away from everyday life to experience the retreat. It is important to recognize that this is not a “jam-packed” workshop; rather it is a Working Retreat that combines opportunities for learning with ample time to retreat and work on your own projects.
*Charles and Irene will provide one pre-course assignment a week before class begins. They ask you to bring and share this special assignment when we first gather in the barn. If this is a problem, please let us know before your arrival.
The Highlights Foundation strives for a safe and inclusive environment. You will have access to our Community Standards prior to the workshop where we ask for your respectful engagement with fellow creatives, including our faculty and staff.
If you would like additional support from faculty, you can add on a private 1:1 consultation at an additional cost. There is no submission required, though we will ask you to fill out a short questionnaire in the virtual classroom prior to your consultation.
How It Impacts Kids
Poetry brings emotion from page to the heart for kids. This retreat highlights the many ways to bring poetry into children’s lives, giving you time and space to create, in a supportive environment.
Testimonials from Our Community
“The faculty was friendly, helpful, patient, accessible. I felt as if they were glad to answer any and all questions and to share their knowledge and expertise.”
“It was, hands down, the best writing experience I’ve ever had. Too often educational encounters are competitive in nature. In this workshop I felt totally relaxed.”
“It really gave me the focus I needed, to sort out my stories and make a strategy for submissions.”
“The cottage was perfect, the surroundings peaceful and relaxing. I was able to find a balance of work and play. So much thought and consideration has gone into providing an inspiring, rejuvenating environment.”
“This retreat was wonderful. There was so much positive energy, and it really gave me the momentum to keep working toward my goals.”
Related Resources
Poetry Alive: Performing Your Poems for an Audience
How to Revise Poetry: 20 Questions to Ask
Charles Waters: It’s Poetry Time!
From Scholarship to Workshop to Book with Traci Sorell
A Celebration of Poetry with Padma Venkatraman and Margarita Engle
A Poetry Chat with Nikki Grimes and Sarah Aronson
African Town: A Cover Reveal and Interview with Charles Waters and Irene Latham
‘African Town’ traces the history of the last slave ship sent to the U.S.
Tuesday 2-Minute Writing Tip video playlist on Irene Latham’s Youtube channel
Charles Waters’ Poetry Time videos on Youtube
Exploring Race, Mistakes, and Friendship Through Poetry (with Roger Sutton of The Horn Book)
We Knew We Had to Leave it All Out There: Irene Latham & Charles Waters Discuss CAN I TOUCH YOUR HAIR?
