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Fredericksburg 2024 Writing Retreat FAQs
Retreat Logistics
What is included with my ticket?
The following is included with all tickets:
- Admission to the 2024 Author’s Grove Writing Retreat learning sessions, writing sessions, workshops, and other writing activities
- Meals as specified on the agenda (to include breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Admission to Enchanted Rock
- Reservation with Wildseed Farms wine tasting
- Reservation with Velvet Lounge
- One massage per attendee
- Downloadable workbook writing activities
- Ability to join special Discord channel for your writing retreat cohort
- Room and board
The Private Queen Room ticket option includes:
- All of the bullets above
- Access to one private queen hotel room
Do you provide transportation to the retreat?
No, you will need to provide your own transportation to get to the retreat. We do provide transportation to and from activities during the retreat.
Do you provide transportation during the retreat?
Yes, we do provide transportation to and from activities during the retreat.
Where will we be staying?
We will be staying with Peach Tree Inn. We have reserved House A where we will conduct the writing portions of the retreat. This is also where our communal registrants will be staying.
We have reserved some private queen rooms if you want to have your own sleeping space at an additional cost. Select the “Private Queen Room” option when purchasing your ticket.
You can view the hotel website here.
When should I arrive?
You are welcome to arrive between 8-11 A.M. on Monday, October 7. Our welcome lunch begins at noon so please arrive at least an hour beforehand to get situated and meet your fellow writers.
What should I bring?
You should bring anything you think you’ll need to work on your novel as well as enough clothes and toiletries for 4 nights and 5 days. Here is a quick packing list to help you get started:
- Clothes for a 4 night stay
- Toiletries / Medications
- Walking shoes
- Laptop
- Notebooks and writing utensils
- Swimsuit
Meals and Accommodations
Do you accommodate vegetarian, vegan, or other special dietary requirements?
Yes! With your ticket, we will send you a welcome packet where you can let us know what your dietary needs are. Our host, Meagan, is a vegetarian as well, so there will be guaranteed vegetarian options.
What meals are provided?
We will be providing all meals – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Any other snacks, meals, or alcohol will be up to you to purchase.
Will you provide alcohol?
This is a 21+ event, however we are not providing alcohol outside of designated activities. Those activities include the wine tasting at Wildseed Farms and the bottle of wine included with our reservation at Velvet Lounge. All other alcohol will be up to you to provide.
Can I bring alcohol?
Yes, however, we ask that you drink responsibly. We reserve the right to remove those whose conduct is inappropriate from the retreat.
What is the communal-style room and board like?
The house has one bedroom with a full bed and a bunk bed. In the foyer, there are two additional twin beds with a sliding door for privacy. You will be sharing one of these two rooms with other registrants who choose the communal-style room and board option.
We will do our best to pair boys with boys and girls with girls, but we cannot make any promises. If this option doesn’t work for you, we recommend choosing the private queen room ticket option at an additional cost.
You can view pictures of the inside of the house on the Peach Tree Inn website. House A is the one we have reserved.
Workshop
What should I submit for workshop?
You can submit a chapter of your novel, a short story, or poetry. Pieces must be kept under 5000 words. If you are submitting a chapter other than the first, please also provide a brief synopsis of relevant, prior events.
Can I submit my piece for workshop early?
Yes! Navigate to the Google folder (in your welcome packet) and submit your piece in your designated folder. Make sure to review the workshop instructions document (in your welcome packet) to ensure everything is formatted appropriately.
I’m nervous about submitting my piece for workshop. Do I have to submit something?
We completely understand feeling nervous. We have all been there! Our workshops are structured to leave writers feeling empowered and takes into consideration that we are all at different skill levels. We understand your work is not the end product. Your welcome packet will include workshop instructions that dives further into how we structure the workshop.
We strongly encourage you to submit your work for workshop. Workshops are a great way to grow as a writer and connect with your peers. If you’re still feeling uncertain, we recommend speaking to your hosts, Meagan and/or Brittany, to alleviate any nerves you may have. However, we won’t require you to submit if you are uncomfortable doing so. We do ask that you still participate in critiquing others’ pieces as you will have valuable feedback for them.