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2026 Personal Retreats at Boyds Mills

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Personal Retreats at Boyds Mills Please see more information about personal retreats here: https://thebarnatboydsmills.com/personal-retreats/  

2026 Personal Retreats Two Night Specials

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Personal Retreats at at Boyds Mills Please see more information about personal retreats here: https://thebarnatboydsmills.com/personal-retreats/  

Intro to Novels in Verse: Drafting and Deepening Your Story

February 12 - March 5, 2026

Nonfiction Picture Books: Exploring Forms and Creative Approaches

February 17 - 19, 2026

Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Spring)

March 4 - April 29, 2026

Publicity & Marketing for Storytellers: How to Promote Your Stories in 2026

March 10 - 12, 2026

The Montclair Writing Retreat 2026

March 12 - 15, 2026

Come join us at Boyds Mills for The Montclair Writing Retreat with author Laurie Lico Albanese. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day. This 3-night, 2-day retreat will feature introductory exercises on Thursday evening followed by 3-hour generative workshops on Friday and Saturday mornings beginning 9 am. Afternoons […]

Novel Retreat with Editor Patricia Lee Gauch (2026)

March 15 - 21, 2026

This invitation-based retreat is thoughtfully crafted to help you move your novel to the next level while working one-to-one with editor Patricia Lee Gauch.     What You'll Learn Patricia Lee Gauch, former editor of Philomel Books and longtime Boyds Mills faculty leads this unique, immersive experience meant to bring the best out of your […]

Diving Deeper Into Picture Books: Getting Ready for Submission

March 19 - April 9, 2026

Create Your Inside Outline: Structure That Moves Your Novel Forward

March 24 - 26, 2026

Wayne County Community Foundation Gathering

March 25, 2026

Westport Writers' Workshop

March 26 - 29, 2026

Join Westport Writers’ Workshop instructors and writers for an immersive retreat at Boyds Mills, tucked away in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Designed specifically for writers seeking to refine their craft and elevate their storytelling, you will have daily designated solo writing time, group prompt writing sessions with program director Liz Matthews, craft lectures with […]

Drexel MFA Spring Retreat 2026

March 29 - April 1, 2026

Drexel MFA Program Writer's Retreat Come join us at Boyds Mills for a writing retreat. This long weekend is designed to allow you to focus on your writing and soak up the creativity granted to us through nature. There are no formal classes, but writers may organize a  workshop if desired. You may be as […]

Kidlit Creators Retreat

April 6 - 9, 2026

Come join us at Boyds Mills for Kidlit Creators Retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the campus […]

WAT Writing Alone Together Retreat

April 9 - 12, 2026

WAT Writing Alone Together Retreat Come join us at Boyds Mills for a 3-night retreat. WAT (Writing Alone Together) is a zoom-room weekday morning writing group open to women and non-binary writers. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day. This retreat is low-key and unstructured, with ample time […]

Carrot Cake Hype Retreat

April 12 - 16, 2026

Come join us at Boyds Mills for a four-day writing retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the […]

Writing a Picture Book 101: Get to the Heart of Your Story

April 14 - 16, 2026

Novels in Verse: Creating an Image System

April 15 - May 6, 2026

Theater Camp For Writers

April 16 - 19, 2026

Come join us at Boyds Mills for Theatre Camp for Writers. Link to the full workshop description here: https://sites.google.com/view/theater-camp-for-writers/home?authuser= There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day. This retreat will provide some unstructured time to write, and to connect as a group. Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, […]

Embrace Your Inner Intuitive Writer to Fuel Your Writing

April 16 - 23, 2026

VCFA Allusionists' Spring 2026 Retreat

April 16 - 19, 2026

VCFA Allusionists' Retreat Come join us at Boyds Mills for a writing retreat. This long weekend is designed to allow you to focus on your writing and soak up the creativity granted to us through nature There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day. Boyds Mills has ample opportunities […]

Poetic Flow Studio: Generative Writing Sessions for Poets

April 20 - 22, 2026

Pocono & the Three Bears 2026: In Search of Just Right

April 24 - 26, 2026

Pocono & the Three Bears 2026: In Search of Just Right   IMPORTANT REMINDER! You must first register through SCBWI for the event before registering for lodging here.   Take a walk with Goldilocks as we stumble through the woods and into Boyds Mills. Find just the right chair for working on craft. Enjoy just […]

The Motherlode Retreat 2026

April 26 - 30, 2026

The Motherlode Retreat   Come join us at Boyds Mills for The Motherlode Retreat. We welcome all writers looking to gather in community and deepen our understanding of the Motherlode and how to write about it. We'll gather a few times each day for discussions, writing exercises, and generative prompts designed to unleash our creativity. […]

MGAuthorcade Group Retreat

April 26 - 29, 2026

McAuthorcade Group Retreat Come join us at Boyds Mills for a 3-night retreat (staying one, or two, extra nights is an option when selecting your lodging type when registering). There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect […]

Whole Novel Workshop: A Virtual Course for Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers (Spring)

April 30 - June 25, 2026

OVERVIEW: Congratulations on your acceptance into the Whole Novel Workshop: A Virtual Course for Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers (Spring)! This intensive, transformative Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 85,000 words)* of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and a private consultation […]

CR template / organization paying

May 1 - 4, 2026

**Retreat Name**   Come join us at Boyds Mills for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Boyds Mills campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and […]

CR template / individuals paying

May 1 - 4, 2026

**Retreat Name**   Come join us at Boyds Mills for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Boyds Mills campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and […]

Viable Paradise Board of Directors

May 3 - 6, 2026

**Retreat Name**   Come join us at Boyds Mills for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets […]

Picture Book Plotting from A to Z: A 5-Week Online Course for Writers

May 6 - June 10, 2026

Community Retreat with Grace Lin and Debbi Michiko Florence (May 2026)

May 7 - 10, 2026

Character Design Basics: An Online Course for Illustrators

May 12 - 14, 2026

Writing Nonfiction: Hooking Your Reader and Finding Success

May 19 - 21, 2026

Just Do It Alumni Retreat

May 22 - 25, 2026

Come join us at Boyds Mills for Just Do It Alumni Retreat.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as […]

The Unreliable Narrators Retreat

May 26 - 31, 2026

Come join us at Boyds Mills for a writing retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the campus […]

Revise and Rise: A Retreat for Novelists

May 27 - 31, 2026

Join two seasoned authors and book coaches for an immersive retreat at Boyds Mills designed specifically for novelists seeking to refine their craft and elevate their storytelling. In this retreat, we will help you build a road map to demystify the revision process and sort through conflicting advice to polish your manuscript while remaining true […]

BSFW Goes to Highlights 2026

May 28 - 31, 2026

BSFW Goes to Highlights   Come join us at Boyds Mills for a retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous […]

Community Retreat with Meg Medina: Celebrating Latinx Stories in Kidlit

May 31 - June 3, 2026

All About Picture Books: A Retreat for Storytellers

June 3 - 6, 2026

The Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing

June 3 - August 5, 2026

Celebrating Carolyn Yoder & Calkins Creek Books

June 6 - 8, 2026

Options for joining us in celebrating Carolyn:   Retreat at the Boyds Mills campus Stay overnight anywhere from two to five nights! Celebratory dinner honoring Carolyn & Calkins Creek Books will take place on Sunday, June 7th; otherwise, the time is yours to use as you wish! You can choose to stay two nights and […]

Picture Book Middles: Bridging Beginning and End

June 8 - 10, 2026

Spotlight on the Middle of Your Novel: A Generative Retreat

June 11 - 14, 2026

Community Retreat with Andrea M. Page and Stacy Wells: Celebrating Native and Indigenous Stories

June 15 - 18, 2026

Mad Woman Literary Agency Retreat

June 18 - 21, 2026

Mad Woman Literary Agency Retreat All clients of Mad Woman Literary Agency are welcome to attend a three-day retreat in person at Boyds Mills from June 18 - 21. This will be an opportunity to connect with one another, have quality writing time in a peaceful setting, and learn from each other in workshops specifically […]

Plotters Reunion and Retreat

June 21 - 26, 2026

Plotters Reunion and Retreat   Come join us at Boyds Mils for a writing retreat.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and […]

Crafting Kidlit Community

June 25 - 29, 2026

Crafting Kidlit Community   Come join us at Boyds Mills. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day. This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the campus […]

Writing for the Educational Market: A 6-Week Online Program

June 25 - July 30, 2026

Birth a Book Coach Retreat 2026

June 27 - July 1, 2026

Birth a Book Coach Retreat 2026   Come join us at Boyds Mills for Birth a Book Coach Retreat 2026.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for […]

Jewish KidLit Maven Retreat

July 5 - 8, 2026

The Jewish KidLit Mavens retreat from July 5 to July 8 will be a time for Jewish writers to meet and create. There will be a getting-to-know-you activity on the first night. The mornings will have an optional writing prompt in the Lodge after breakfast. There will also be an optional pomodoro writing session in […]

Summer Camp for Writers and Illustrators: Session One!

July 8 - 12, 2026

Summer Camp For Writers And Illustrators: Session Two!

July 12 - 16, 2026

VCFA Writing for Children and Young Adults Alumnx Retreat

July 16 - 19, 2026

VCFA Writing for Children and Young Adults Alumnx Retreat   Come join us at Boyds Mills for a writing retreat.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for […]

WCSU MFA 2026 Summer Retreat

July 28 - August 2, 2026

Join us for WCSU MFA’s 2026 Summer Residency, located at Boyds Mills, near Honesdale, PA! The residency will feature morning and afternoon workshops, open mics, evening readings, as well as delicious and expertly prepared locally sourced meals. This residency will offer some peaceful time to reunite with friends, connect with new writers, and write, of […]

Neurodiverse Kidlit Retreat

August 2 - 5, 2026

Come join us at Boyds Mills for a Neurodiverse Kidlit Retreat! This retreat will be low-key with a few key semi-structured lectures (topics chosen by attendees), ample writing time, and potential to make valuable connections with other neurodivergent children's writers. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day. Boyds […]

Sera Rivers Client Retreat 2026

August 2 - 5, 2026

Sera Rivers Client Retreat   Come join us at Boyds Mills for a writing retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and […]

Black Women Writers: A Retreat In Gratitude 2026

August 6 - 9, 2026

sis·ter·hood /ˈsistərˌho͝od/ 1: the feeling of kinship with and closeness to a group of women 2: a community of women linked by a common interest Dear Sisters, We are still so moved by the deep connections we made at the inaugural Black Women Writers’ Retreat last year. We are planning something special for 2026 and […]

The Writing Shorter Retreat: Why (and How) Less Can Be More

August 9 - 12, 2026

Welcome to Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (August)

August 15 - 20, 2026

OVERVIEW: Congratulations on your acceptance into the Welcome to Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (August)! This intensive, transformative Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 85,000 words)* of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and two private consultations provided. Attention in […]

Ignite Your Writing in the Educational Market: An In-person Retreat for Children’s Writers

August 20 - 23, 2026

Ignite Your Writing in the Educational Market: An In-person Retreat for Children’s Writers Faculty: Sandra K. Athans, Mike Downs Two Guest Editors: To-be-named-later   Tentative Schedule Thursday, August 20 3:00 – 5:30 pm      Arrival and check-in 5:30  – 7:00 pm     Appetizers & Dinner 7:15 – 7:30 pm      Introductions and welcome 7:30  – 8:00 pm    Your […]

Community Retreat with Grace Lin and Debbi Michiko Florence (August 2026)

August 27 - 30, 2026

From Idea & Sketch to Dummy & Submission: An Author/Illustrator Online Course

September 2 - October 7, 2026

An Inspired Life Retreat with Be & Breathe Studio

September 10 - 13, 2026

An Inspired Life Retreat with Be & Breathe Studio   Come join us at Boyds Mills for An Inspired Life Retreat with Be & Breathe Studio*.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  […]

Revise and Rise: A Retreat for Novelists

September 11 - 15, 2026

Join two seasoned authors and book coaches for an immersive retreat at Boyds Mills designed specifically for novelists seeking to refine their craft and elevate their storytelling. In this retreat, we will help you build a road map to demystify the revision process and sort through conflicting advice to polish your manuscript while remaining true […]

Picture Book Authors and Illustrators: A Generative Retreat

September 16 - 19, 2026

The Pub Retreat 2026

September 19 - 25, 2026

The Pub Retreat 2026   Come join us at Boyds Mills. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day. This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the […]

Women At Woodstock Writer's Retreat

September 20 - 24, 2026

Women At Woodstock Writer's Retreat   Come join us at Boyds Mills for Women At Woodstock Writer's Retreat.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, […]

Wing Night 2026

September 24 - 26, 2026

Wing Night   Come join us at Boyds Mills for Wing Night. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as […]

Splendid Mola Retreat for Writers

September 25 - 28, 2026

We look forward to welcoming you to Boyds Mills for Splendid Mola Retreat for Writers.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and […]

Middle Grade Writers: A Generative Retreat

October 1 - 4, 2026

Working Creatively With Conflict 2026

October 6 - 9, 2026

Working Creatively With Conflict 2026   Come join us at Boyds Mills for Working Creatively With Conflict 2026.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, […]

Whole Novel Workshop: A Virtual Course for Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers (Fall)

October 6 - December 1, 2026

OVERVIEW: Congratulations on your acceptance into the Whole Novel Workshop: A Virtual Course for Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers (Fall)! This intensive, transformative Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 85,000 words)* of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and a private consultation […]

Prospect Agency Fall Retreat 2026

October 9 - 11, 2026

Prospect Agency Fall Retreat   Come join us at Boyds Mills for our Fall 2026 two-night retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day and night.  This retreat will be low-key and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird […]

South Asian Storytellers Retreat

October 11 - 14, 2026

South Asian Storytellers Retreat   Come join us at Boyds Mills for the South Asian Storytellers Retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird […]

Welcome to Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (October)

October 18 - 23, 2026

OVERVIEW: Congratulations on your acceptance into the Whole Novel Workshop: A Fall Retreat for Novelists! This intensive, transformative Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 85,000 words)* of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and two private consultations provided. Attention in an intimate setting […]

Early Readers and Chapter Books: A Creative Retreat

October 23 - 26, 2026

Novels in Verse: A Generative Retreat

October 26 - 29, 2026

Poetry Palooza! A Workshop for Poetry Lovers

November 5 - 8, 2026

Recharge: A Poet's Retreat 2026

November 8 - 12, 2026

  Recharge: A Poet's Retreat 2026 Come join us at Boyds Mills for Recharge: A Poet's Retreat 2026.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, […]

Picture Book Approaches: Concept Books, Biographies and More

November 10 - 12, 2026

Annual Cohort Retreat

November 12 - 16, 2026

Annual Cohort Retreat 2026   Come join us at Boyds Mills. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the […]

Muddy Middle Workshop

November 12 - 16, 2026

Muddy Middle Workshop   Come join us at Boyds Mills for this workshop. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets […]