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.

Ends on $25.00
$25.00
Apply to 2025 Winter Retreat Writing Fellowship (In-Person)

Retreat Dates: December 26-30, 2025
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 (Santee State Park), 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: Santee State Park, Santee, S.C.
Writing Facilitators: TBD

  • Follow @twhpoetry on Instagram for announcements


    What's the Application Process?
     
  1. A Cover Letter (with aesthetics statement)  
  2. A writing sample of 3 poems 


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 written 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...
 

  1. who influences your writing,
  2. what challenges have you faced on your creative journey,
  3. what you seek to accomplish in your poems,
  4. 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 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...
 

 
What if my Application is Accepted?

 

  • Acceptance letters will be e-mailed by August 1. 
  • Deposits of 50% must be made by October 1 and the registration fee must be paid in full by December 15.
  • The first 10 fellows to pay for the retreat in full will receive a one-on-one meeting with the facilitator of their choice.
  • December 26-30: Fellows meet for the Retreat.

 You can find some basic information at twhpoetry.org, but we are in the process of updating our website. 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. Your portion of this year's registration price comes to approximately $699.
  • Because of the location change this year, there is no option to upgrade to a private cabin, there will be limited private room options, 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?
 


 

The Watering Hole