If you have further questions, visit twhpoetry.org or e-mail us at twhtribe@twhpoetry.org.
December 26-30 (McCormick, SC)
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.)
Facilitators:
Interactive Workshop Facilitator:
Keynote:
What's the Application Process?
Submission Components: 1 Cover Letter (with aesthetics statement) + 3 poems (written in 2018). Do not include your name on these materials. Judging will be blind.
The cover letter must be written. The poems may be written or audio. We accept a variety of file types.
Eligibility: You must be 21 years of age by December 25th.
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 art,
- what you seek to accomplish in your poems,
- and what The Watering Hole means to you as 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 art 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.
Additional Note: We ask for a sample of your recent poetry, because we don't want to see "hits from the 80's." We want to get to know you through your current artistic voice.
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
- and members of The Watering Hole Facebook Group
What if my Application is Accepted?
The Watering Hole will send out information packets about carpooling, airport shuttles, housing information, online payment, etc. upon acceptance. The closest airport is in Augusta, G.A. and the last shuttle will likely leave the airport before 2:00 p.m. on Dec. 26.
Payment Information
- The Watering Hole sponsors between 50% and 75% (depending on the year) of every fellow's fees. The remaining cost is listed below.
- Acceptance letters will be sent in August. Within 30 days of acceptance, 50% of the retreat fee is due. Within 60 days of acceptance, the remainder is due.
- All package options below include the cost of tuition, housing, facilitator fees, administrative expenses, and activities listed above.
Where Can I Find More Information and Link with Tribe Members?
- Visit The Watering Hole's website
- Join The Watering Hole Facebook Group
- Follow The Watering Hole Fan Page
Manuscript Coaching Fellowship 2018 December 26-30 (McCormick, SC) What's The Watering Hole Manuscript Coaching Fellowship? This is the 2nd Annual Manuscript Coaching Fellowship. The purpose of this fellowship is to give up to five unpublished poets guidance with their manuscript in progress. The poets will spend Dec. 26-30 in community with each other and under the guidance of one of our former TWH Retreat facilitators. (This is not the application for the Winter Retreat.) Manuscript Coach: This program includes
- Daily living room style classes focused on advanced aspects of manuscript preparation.
- Peer Review feedback on a full length manuscript
- An individual coaching session with the Manuscript Coach
- Access to all Winter Retreat events (including performance workshop, craft talks, readings, keynote, etc.). Fellows may also opt to spend this time revising their manuscript.
What's the Applications Process? Submission Components:
- a Query Letter and
- a Manuscript of 40 to 80 pages here on Submittable.
If you need help with the basic query letter format, click here for sample outline. Do not include your name on this document. Judging will be blind. A Manuscript consists of Title Page + Table of Contents + Acknowledgement Page (for previously published poems) + Full Manuscript (40 - 80 pages). Do not include your name on these materials. Judging will be blind. A poem may be multiple pages, but no more than one poem per page is permitted. Eligibility:
- Applicants must be 21 years of age by December 25th.
- Applicants can not have a full-length collection either published or under contract for publication.
- Poetry must be original, not translations.
- All may apply. Preference is given to TWH Retreat Fellows and Graduate Fellows.
What's the Review Process? 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
- and members of The Watering Hole Facebook Group
What if my Application is Accepted? The Watering Hole will send out information packets about carpooling, airport shuttles, housing information, online payment, etc. upon acceptance. The closest airport is in Augusta, G.A. and the last shuttle will likely leave the airport before 2:00 p.m. on Dec. 26. Pre-Work August: Acceptance Letters go out September 30: Accepted Manuscript Coaching Fellows submit finalized versions of the manuscript:
- a query letter and a 20 page version for the coach to review and
- a query letter and the full version for peer review. Each fellow will review two peer manuscripts.
October: Manuscripts are shared along with preparation materials, pre-work, and peer review instructions. December 15: Peer Reviews are due December 26-30: Fellows meet in McCormick for the Manuscript Coaching Intensives. Payment Information
- The Watering Hole sponsors between 50% and 75% (depending on the year) of every fellow's fees. The remaining cost is listed below.
- Acceptance letters will be sent in August. Within 30 days of acceptance, 50% of the fellowship fee is due. Within 60 days of acceptance, the remainder is due.
- All package options below include the cost of tuition, housing, facilitator fees, administrative expenses, and activities listed above.
Where Can I Find More Information and Link with Tribe Members?
