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.
Retreat Dates: July 19-21, 2024
Location: Virtual
Submission Fee: $10
Submission Q&A Session: TBA via Zoom
What is The Watering Hole Summer Retreat?
(Note: If you're looking for the Manuscript Coaching Fellowship, this is how we've revamped that program.) We're envisioning a multi-genre, virtual summer retreat that is by poets for poets. We've invited poet-facilitators who also write in another genre to come teach that other genre.
Over a three-day period, Summer Retreat participants will be able to attend two readings, evening community activities, and daily classes/workshops (3 hours each) in three major genres:
- Short Stories (Fiction) with DeLana R.A. Dameron (Redwood Court, How God Ends Us, Weary Kingdom)
- Essays (Creative Non-Fiction) with Julian Randall (The Dead Don't Need Reminding, Refuse, Pilar series, Black Boy Joy)
- Poetry Manuscript with Crystal Simone Smith (Founder and Editor of Backbone Press, Among These Blues, Ebbing Shore)
Our mission is to build Tribe through genuine relationships and help poets reach their best work.
Writing Facilitators: T.B.A.
What's the Application Process?
- A Cover Letter (with aesthetics statement) and
- A writing sample of 3 poems
Eligibility: You must be 21 years of age by July 19th.
Additional 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...
- 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.
Notes:
***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 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 Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
- and members of The Watering Hole Facebook Group
What if my Application is Accepted? When the time comes, The Watering Hole will send out information about online payment options and the welcome packet upon acceptance. We expect this to be by May 15th.
Additional Information
- 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 $299.
- Current Fellows and Graduate Fellows receive a $100 discount.
- Acceptance letters will be e-mailed by May 15th. Deposits of 50% must be made by June 15th and the registration fee must be paid in full by July 15th.
- July 19th-21st: Participants meet for the Summer Retreat.
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
- Instagram @twhpoetry
- Twitter @twhpoetry
Join us as we celebrate Juneteenth with our second 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.
DeLana R.A. Dameron's was originally presented at The Watering Hole Winter Retreat in 2017.
Date: Thursday, June 20, 6:30 p.m. EST
Location: Virtual
Fee: Free for TWH Tribe (Fellows, graduate fellows, and participants of previous workshops and slams)
$35 for all others
Join us as we celebrate with our third 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.
Franny Choi's was originally presented at The Watering Hole Winter Retreat in 2019 and deals with performance, slam, the craft of staging poetry, etc. It was an intellectual exploration of The Stage in her writing.
Date: Thursday, September 5th, 6:30 p.m. EST
Location: Virtual
Fee: Free for TWH Tribe (Fellows, graduate fellows, and participants of previous workshops and slams)
$35 for all others
Join us as we celebrate with our third 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.
Phillip B. Williams's was originally presented at The Watering Hole Winter Retreat in 2018.
Date: Thursday, November 7th, 6:30 p.m. EST
Location: Virtual
Fee: Free for TWH Tribe (Fellows, graduate fellows, and participants of previous workshops and slams)
$35 for all others
Retreat Dates: December 26-30, 2023
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 this year (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?
- A Cover Letter (with aesthetics statement)
- 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...
- 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 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 July 15.
- Deposits of 50% must be made by September 1 and the registration fee must be paid in full by November 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?
- Instagram and Twitter @twhpoetry
- Visit The Watering Hole's website
- Join The Watering Hole Facebook Private Group
- Follow The Watering Hole Business Page
In short, this program consists of poetry slam workshops that use the structure of debate.
Your student will grow a love for poetry, become proficient at debating and public speaking, and have FUN! This program aims to teach students critical thinking methods, rhetorical strategy, poetic writing, and public speaking through the analysis, composition, and performance of slam poetry.
We are looking to partner with more middle and high schools, camps, mentorship programs, etc.