All necessary guidelines are included here and on our website. Please, visit twhpoetry.org. If you have further questions, e-mail us at twhtribe@twhpoetry.org.
Join us for another installment of The Watering Hole Craft Talk Series. The purpose of these programs is to revisit memorable craft talks that were given at the Winter Retreat and to relive them with everyone.
Frank X Walker's was originally presented at The Watering Hole Winter Retreat.
Date: Thursday, April 16th, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. EST
Location: Virtual
Fee: Free for TWH Tribe (Fellows, graduate fellows, and participants of previous workshops and slams)
$35 for all others
All times Eastern
Retreat Dates: December 26-30, 2026 Submission Fee: $25
Link to Q&A: Questions about the submission process, judging process, retreat logistics, and more!
We will be at a different location for some of you (Hickory Knob State Park and Resort), so some of the location details you hear about will be different.
What is The Watering Hole Retreat?
The retreat features living room-style daily classes/workshops, daily craft talks, two readings, one performance workshop, a keynote speech, group writing challenges, and a genuine community. Our mission is to build Tribe through genuine relationships and help poets reach their best work. (This is not the application for the Manuscript Coaching Fellowship.)
Location: Hickory Knob State Park and Resort, McCormick, S.C.
Writing Facilitators: Terrance Hayes, Raina J. León, Ed Mabrey
Follow @twhpoetry on Instagram for announcements
What's the Application Process?
- A Cover Letter (with aesthetics statement)
- A writing sample of 3 poems
- Those applying for a scholarship will be able to do so in this application.
Eligibility:
You must be 21 years of age by December 25th.
Application Help:
The poems may be written or audio. We accept a variety of file types. The poems must have been created within the last two years). Do not include your name on these materials. Judging will be blind.
The cover letter must be written (not audio). If you need help with the basic cover letter format, check out our blog post of Cover Letter Advice.
The type of aesthetics statement that we ask for is a paragraph or two that details...
- who influences your writing,
- what challenges have you faced on your creative journey,
- what you seek to accomplish in your poems,
- and what The Watering Hole means to you as a writer of color.
This will contextualize the poems in your submission and help us get to know you as an artist. You may also optionally include how your writing or aesthetic informs what you do, where you work, or any work you do in the arts community or vice versa.
Make certain your submission is your final version. Corrections and new versions will not be accepted.
Explaining Why:
***We ask for a sample of your recent poetry, because we don't want to see "hits from the '80s." We want to get to know you through your current artistic voice.
***We ask for an aesthetics statement, because it also helps us get to know you and once you have one written, you can use it to apply for lots of other writing opportunities across the industry. Not just for TWH. It just a great tool to have in your toolbox.
What's the Review Process?
New applications are reviewed and accepted by The Watering Hole graduate fellows. They have a vested interest in continuing to build TWH Tribe with a wide variety of talents, backgrounds, and aesthetics.
While under review, preference is given to...
- those who follow our social media pages on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
- and members of The Watering Hole Facebook Group
What if my Application is Accepted?
Acceptance letters will be e-mailed by August 1.
- If you want to apply for a work exchange position, you'll be able to apply in the registration form, which you'll receive access to in your acceptance letter.
- You must make a payment by October 1 and the registration fee must be paid in full by November 30.
- December 26-30: Fellows meet for the Retreat.
You can find comprehensive information and FAQs on our website at www.twhpoetry.org. When the time comes, The Watering Hole will send out information about online payment options and the welcome packet upon acceptance.
Additional Information
- What do the cabins look like?
- The Watering Hole sponsors between 50% and 75% (depending on the year) of every fellow's fees. For a Traditional Occupancy Cabin (3-4 person), your portion of this year's registration price comes to approximately $699. For a Double Occupancy Cabin (2 person), your portion will be $899
- Because of the location change this year, there is no option to upgrade to a private cabin and there will be no onsite restaurant. However, you will still have access to your own kitchen and nearby fast food and grocery options.
Where Can I Find More Information and Link with Tribe Members?
- Instagram and Twitter @twhpoetry
- Visit The Watering Hole's website
- Join The Watering Hole Facebook Private Group
- Follow The Watering Hole Business Page
This Submittable form will serve as your registration form and payment of your registration fee.
Registration Fee: For Tribe, this submission fee is your entire registration fee. For non-Tribe, this is 50% of your registration fee. We will send an invoice for the second half. If you cannot attend, e-mail us for a refund before the event starts.
Join us for the first iteration of The Watering Hole's Grant Writing and Proposal Writing Workshop taught by TWH's very own in-house grant writer John Bateman. Over the last few years, John has become a trusted team member and has expanded our resources in impactful and sustainable ways. As a former Executive Director and a poet/writer himself, John has a unique perspective that he will be sharing with Tribe.
Come prepared for some lecture, some peer-to-peer review, and some take home assignments. The goal is to make you a more effective grant/proposal researcher and writer to help fund your own writing dreams. This course will be taught in two 90-minute segments.
Date: Saturday, June 13 and 27, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 EST
Location: Virtual
Fee: $99 (Open to all)
50% discount for TWH Tribe (Fellows, graduate fellows, and participants of previous workshops and slams)
Join us for another installment of The Watering Hole Craft Talk Series. The purpose of these programs is to revisit memorable craft talks that were given at the Winter Retreat and to relive them with everyone.
Tara Bett's was originally presented at The Watering Hole Winter Retreat in 2015.
Date: Thursday, June 18th, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. EST
Location: Virtual
Fee: Free for TWH Tribe (Fellows, graduate fellows, and participants of previous workshops and slams)
$35 for all others