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receive information on our 15th anniversary retreat in 2026
Writing in Peace: A Self-Care Retreat for Writers of All Kinds
Writing in Peace: A Self-Care Retreat for Writers of All Kinds... a fundraiser for Hope Springs where ALL proceeds will be donated to support its operations! We're inviting fiction writers, poets, non-fiction writers, novelists, memoirists, academic writers, professional writers, storytellers and more to come join us for a 4 day/3 night retreat focused on blocks of writing time and workshops focused on self-care.
Thursday, October 8, 2026 through Sunday, October 11, 2026.
What participants from our 2025 Writing in Peace participants had to say:
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100% of participants would participate again given its cost and the benefits received
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100% of participants would recommend this retreat to a fellow writer
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100% loved their stay at Hope Springs Institute
Scroll past Hope Springs Institute pictures for more details!
A Self-Care Retreat for Writers of All Kinds
Writing in Peace: A Self-Care Retreat for Writers of All Kinds
Writing in Peace: A Self-Care Retreat for Writers of All Kinds
A Self-Care Retreat for Writers of All Kinds
Overview of Writing in Peace:
A Self-Care Retreat for Writers of All Kinds
Hope Springs Institute announces a new retreat program designed to support writers-of-all-kinds: October 8, 2026 - October 11, 2026.
Are you
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seeking inspiration and respite while writing?
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craving a change in scenery to simply write?
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needing time away to focus your undivided attention on the project?
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wanting to reignite the creative spark and overcome writer's block?
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feeling burned out on all fronts and want to engage your writing as a form of recovery?
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yearning for self-care while working on a deadline?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, come join us in this unique writing retreat at Hope Springs Institute!
Imagine writing to your heart's content in a gorgeous bucolic Appalachia foothill setting. Living for 4 days/3 nights in an old farmhouse with modern amenities while eating, as you wish, Hope Springs' second-to-none homemade, delicious, and nutritious meals.
A time-tested writing schedule that balances individual and group time structures the long weekend. We'll have plenty of individual writing blocks, some community workshops focused on self-care and the writing process, evening fire reflections, and mid-day offerings of fresh-air activities for those who choose. Night owls, early birds, and those in between are all welcome and we'll have around the clock snacks and refreshments to keep you going.
If you haven't been to Hope Springs before, you're in for a real treat. If you have, you know what's awaiting you up on the hill. Come join us and let's get to the joy of writing!
Sample Schedule
Dates: 5 pm Thursday, October 8, 2026 through 2:00 pm Sunday, October 11, 2026
Schedule subject to change based on the needs of the convened group.
Day 2
7 - 8 am
Self-Care Practices
8 - 9 am
Energizing Breakfast
9 - 10:30 am
Workshop: TBD
10:30 - 12:30 pm
Independent Writing
12:30 - 2 pm
Delicious Lunch
Rest and/or Fresh Air
2 - 5:30 pm
Independent Writing
5:30 - 6 pm
Group Check In and
Set Plan for Evening
6 - 7 pm
Yummy Supper
7 - 8 pm
Evening Fire Circle & Sit
8 pm - sleep
Independent Writing
Day 3
7 - 8 am
Self-Care Practices
8 - 9 am
Energizing Breakfast
9 - 10:30 am
Workshop: TBD
10:30 - 12:30 pm
Independent Writing
12:30 - 2 pm
Delicious Lunch
Rest and/or Fresh Air
2 - 5:30 pm
Independent Writing
5:30 - 6 pm
Group Check In and
Set Plan for Evening
6 - 7 pm
Yummy Supper
7 - 8 pm
Evening Fire Circle & Sit
8 pm - sleep
Independent Writing
Day 4
7 - 8 am
Self-Care Practices
8 - 9 am
Energizing Breakfast
9 - 11 am
Workshop: TBD
11 - 12:30 pm
Independent Writing
12:30 - 2:00 pm
Delicious Lunch
Chatting, and Departure
What sets this offering apart from Writing in Depth?
Important points set this Writing in Peace retreat apart from Writing in Depth: An Academic Writing Retreat
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As a fundraising retreat, a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Hope Springs Institute in service of its mission to hold sacred space and transformative programming for growth, leadership, and healing while honoring mind, body, spirit, and the earth.
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In the place of academic writing focused workshops, we are offering top-of-the-line self-care workshops in order to support a sustainable and healthy writing process and project.
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Writers are engaged in a variety of genres of writing with differing levels of writing experience. This provides for a magical, rich, and diverse context in which to write and discuss one's writing processes and challenges.
Writing in Peace Registration Rates
Dates: 5 pm Thursday, October 8, 2026 through 2:00 pm Sunday, October 11, 2026
Registration covers room and board, retreat supplies, workshops, and on-site activities. Also includes lunch on the day of departure.
Farmhouse Shared Bedroom & Shared Bathroom = $TBD
**6 Rooms Available with 2 single beds in each. 2.5 bathrooms available in Farmhouse, with additional 2 full bathrooms available in the nearby Dining Facility.
Cottage Single Bedroom & Shared Bathroom = $TBD
** 2 Rooms Available, each with single beds and 1 shared bathroom. Great for friends to share!
Studio and Meditation Room Single Bedroom and Single Bathroom = $TBD
** 3 Studio Rooms Available with full bath. Please note that during workshops and other group times in Studio, bathrooms will be available to all writers. During evening and early morning hours, the bathroom is not shared.
WHAT WRITERS SAY...
Kristy Sensenig, Novelist
The Self-Care Retreat for Writers of All Kinds by Michelle Rivera-Clonch was a transcendent experience. Her expertise and guidance helped me propel my novel forward with grace, gentleness and peace. I highly recommend it.
Susan Young, Book Writer
The choice to come to this Self-Care Retreat for Writers of All Kinds was the best one I’ve made regarding my writing project. I am returning home with a passion for my book project, objective steps on how to get it completed and a feeling that I CAN do this!
Cindy S., Novelist, Essayist and PhD Candidate
The self-care and writing process activities facilitated by Michelle Rivera-Clonch sparked my creative process and helped me attain greater clarity for my writing project. I feel like I broke through several barriers that were blocking my ability to finish my writing piece. I will be returning again and again for this retreat!