The Heart of It
Writing Retreat

August 1-5, 2025 in Point Arena, California

The First Year writing retreat gathers 15-18 emerging to mid-career working-class writers at Oz Farms near Point Arena, California during August 1-5, 2025.  Our programming consists of a five-day, four-night combination of 2-3 generative writing workshops, dialogues, craft talks, revision and editing workshops per day, with independent time, and varying group activities included. Each day follows a semi-flexible, emergent agenda that seeks to hold the aspirations and needs of the shared cohort.


Retreat days can look like:

  • Morning: Mornings are spent on your own, with time spent independently reflecting, writing, or engaging in self-directed activities, including breakfast. Our opening morning meeting begins at 10 AM, beginning our day of shared staff-led writing programming.

  • Afternoon: Including a sandwich bar lunch, programming hours host 2-3 generative writing workshops, dialogues, craft talks, and revision sessions. Afterward, the group enjoys an outing, such as a low-tide beach trip or a tour of the little town of Point Arena.

  • Evening: The evening concludes a full day with a collaborative dinner eaten together, a fun evening group activity, and then a closing meeting. Enjoy solitary and communal activities such as hot tub soaks, bonfires, late-night laughter or catching up on some reading. Late evenings are unstructured, offering time for relaxation, deep conversations, star-gazing, or personal pursuits.

Additional details:

  • Meals: Writers receive three meals daily, with everyone contributing to meal preparation, from cooking to setting the table or washing dishes. Breakfast is self-guided, lunch is a self-serve sandwich bar (with dietary restrictions provided for), and dinner is a shared sit-down meal.  All will have access to snacks and beverages throughout the day.

  • Time: Each day includes scheduled quiet time and opportunities for exploring the farm, reading, working on your writing, and self-reflection.  All workshops are elective, but of course, writers are missed when they’re gone. 

  • Generative Writing Workshops: Most workshops culminate in a read-back session to witness and celebrate participants’ work. Workshop programming is led by esteemed Fellows and Faculty.  

Applications are open from February 1-28, 2025, and notifications will be sent by April 1, 2025.

Tuition: $1,500.