Working Retreat: Poetry and Poetry Anthologies

In-Person | Picture Books, Poetry, Working Retreats
Join us for this Working Retreat if you are a poet looking for inspiration and time to work; have a poetry collection in progress and want to get it submission-ready; would like to place your work in poetry anthologies; or want to learn more about opportunities in writing poetry for children.

June 23 - June 26

Highlights Foundation Campus

$1199

Overview

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
Presentations

Diving into the Wreck: How to Bring Forth a Treasure of a Poetry Collection
Best Practices for Creating Work for Poetry Anthologies

with Irene Latham and Charles Waters

“So I am passionate about, about poetry collections and how to, how to arrange them. Charles and I have conversations all the time and we have a lot of discussion about what should be first, what should be last. And what, what should go in between. So, these are actually things that, that can carry over into anthology work as well. There’s a lot of crossover and what we’ll be talking about, but I think it will help the writers, the poets, to be able to have some really concrete tools. Ways to evaluate your own collection and, and some exercises to kind of go through to kind of put your own collection through the paces and see how you can winnow out the stuff that’s not working and how you can develop your message, which is super important and I think often kind of gets pushed by the wayside because we’re so excited about language and we’re so excited to approach a topic. But what are you really communicating through those, through those wonderful poems? So we’re hoping that we can provide some help in understanding your own collection better and that makes you be able to market it better.”—Irene Latham

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.

A Venn Diagram that shows how A Kidlit Conference, A Community, and Writing and Studio Time overlap at a Working Retreat.

Learn.  Get Inspired.

Then put it to work in the company of people who believe in the power of story.

Learn more about Working Retreats at the Highlights Foundation, and see testimonials and a virtual tour.

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…

  • You are a poet (for children and/or adults) that could use some creative inspiration. There will be generative writing activities to spark ideas!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

Morning:

  • Breakfast
  • Presentation: “Diving into the Wreck: How to Bring Forth a Treasure of a Poetry Collection” with Irene Latham and Charles Waters
  • 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

Morning:

  • Breakfast
  • Presentation: “Best Practices for Creating Work for Poetry Anthologies” with Charles Waters and Irene Latham
  • 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

Morning

  • Breakfast
  • Special Guest Presentation
  • Final questions and closing

Afternoon

  • Lunch & farewells
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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.”

Books by Irene Latham

See More

Book cover image: 12 Days of Kindness
Book cover image: Be a Bridge
Book cover image of Dear Wandering Wildebeest
Book cover image of Fresh Delicious

Books by Charles Waters

See More

Book cover of Mascot by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell
Book cover image: African Town
Book cover image: Dictionary for a Better World
Book cover image: Can iITouch Your Hair

Meet the Faculty

Special Guests

DETAILS

June 23 - June 26

$1199

Highlights Foundation Campus

362 Boyds Mills Road
Milanville, PA 18443

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.

LOCATION

All in-person Highlights Foundation workshops and retreats (including this one) are held at our Retreat Center: The Barn at Boyds Mills.  This site was the home of the original founders of Highlights for Children Garry and Caroline Myers, and is located in the Poconos Mountains of Pennsylvania on the traditional and contemporary lands of the Lenape Nation.

All-inclusive registration includes workshop tuition, lodging, meals, beverages, and snacks. Shuttle service is available from select locations for a fee, or you can park on site. You’ll receive more information about logistics after you register.

Our Mission in Action

Share Your Story, Inspire a Child
Scholarships
Equity & Inclusion in Kidlit
Partners & Sponsors

The Highlights Foundation positively impacts children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves.  Learn more about our impact.