Love being a part of the AWA community? Or new to AWA and want to dive into a generative, supportive gathering of writers and workshop leaders? Attend our annual online retreat!
Almost every year, AWA hosts a retreat: initially, to bring our large network of trained writing workshop leaders together, and now to connect our Affiliates and Writer members.
We alternate between offering it online, in-person, and in 2023 even attempted a hybrid offering. Join us if you’ve ever taken an AWA training, whether it was in 1999 or 2019, or if you’re a writer interested in developing your craft without damage to your self-esteem.
Our 2026 retreat will be online, from the evening of Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27.
Save the Date!
Want to share your experience as a writer or workshop leader? Submit a proposal for a retreat session here.
Save the Date!
Participants bring their unique perspectives on this work to a long weekend of panel discussions, facilitated writing sessions, presentations and workshops. We co-create each program based on the interests and assets of each person coming. You will be invited to share your knowledge and questions with fellow workshop leaders and get to know one another on a deep level as each person takes their turn in the spotlight.
If you prefer to relax and let others take charge, we understand. Our retreats can also be a restorative break. No one is required to lead a session. Let go of holding the creative space and AWA practices and sink deeply into your own work as a writer.
When in-person, the location of the retreat changes year to year, rotating around the US and Canada to make it easier for all to attend.
Feedback on Past Retreats
Deep writing, new connections
My fellow leaders and the super-positive vibe of the retreat center facilitated a lot of deep writing, probably the deepest I’ve done in 15+ years. Other highlights included getting to know AWA folks from all over the country; brainstorming what turned into a new mini-workshop (“Playwright for a Day”) at one of the marketing sessions; and setting the wheels in motion for the May 2019 “Write Around the World” gathering of AWA Northeast colleagues in Salem, MA.
— Marian Calabro
I would love to attend again
I enjoyed the different topics, the sharing, and especially the writing. It was wonderful to write in the company of other AWA facilitators. There was an immediate sense of safety and community… The organizers did a great job of scheduling interesting and varied topics, and were quite generous in their time and spirit.
— Ruth Q. Leibowitz, Ph.D.
So much to love
The generous staff, the comfortable large room with smaller areas for writing. Terrific tech folks who made the online portion of the in-person retreat run so smoothly. Excellent attention to details by organizers. Wonderful location so close to Lake Erie for walking, swimming, and the beautiful forest paths adjacent to Jericho House made for lovely meditative walks.
— Anonymous