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.
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
Fellowship Dates: July 11, 18, and 25, 2026
Submission Fee: $40
What's The Watering Hole Manuscript Coaching Fellowship?
Launched in 2018, our Manuscript Coaching Fellowship gives up to eight unpublished poets of color an opportunity to polish their manuscripts-in-progress with world-class and broadly published writers. Selected poets for the 2026 Manuscript Coaching Fellowship will focus on the advanced aspects of manuscript preparation in community with each other and under the guidance of the Manuscript Coach. The Fellowship offers three virtual intensives, peer review feedback on manuscripts of 35 to 45 pages, and one individual coaching session with the Manuscript coach.
Past facilitators have included Pulitzer Prize winners Jericho Brown and Tyehimba Jess, LA Times Book Prize winner Remica Bingham-Risher, and critically acclaimed poets Tara Betts and Franny Choi.
Applicants must be either a TWH Fellow or Graduate Fellow.
Location: Virtual
Manuscript Coach: Tyree Daye
This program includes
- 3 days of virtual classes focused on advanced aspects of manuscript preparation.
- Peer Review feedback on a 30 to 45-page manuscript
- An individual coaching session with the Manuscript Coach
What's the Applications Process? Submission Components:
- A Query Letter
- A Manuscript of 30 - 45 pages of poetry here on Submittable.
If you need help with the basic query letter format, click here for a sample query letter. Write the letter addressed to a press that you'd eventually want to publish with.
A Manuscript consists of
- a Title Page
- a Table of Contents
- an Acknowledgment Page (for previously published poems),
- and a Sample Manuscript (30 - 45 pages).
- A poem may be multiple pages, but no more than one poem per page is permitted.
- 12 point Times New Roman font, except in cases where a different font size and type are necessary to the work
Notes:
***We ask for a query letter because once you have one written, you can use it to apply for lots of manuscript publishing opportunities across the industry. Not just for TWH. It's just a great tool to have in your toolbox. Writing it to your ideal press carries some energetic weight, too. You might want to pin it to your wall, so that you can see it every day.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be a TWH Fellow or a TWH Graduate Fellow.
- Applicants cannot have a full-length collection either published or under contract for publication.
- Poetry must be original, not translations.
- AI-generated and AI-assisted work is not eligible.
What's the Review Process?
Applications are reviewed and accepted by The Watering Hole graduate fellows who have published at least one book. They have a vested interest in continuing to build TWH Tribe with a wide variety of talents, backgrounds, and aesthetics.
What if my Application is Accepted?
- Acceptance letters will be emailed by April 1, 2026.
- Turn in your final manuscript of 35 to 45 pages by April 15, 2026.
- A deposit of 50% due May 1, 2026.
- The registration fee must be paid in full by June 1, 2026.
- Each fellow reviews three of their peers’ manuscripts from June 1 to July 1.
- July 11, 18, and 25: Fellows meet for the Manuscript Coaching Fellowship and turn in their peer reviews.
- Tentative Schedule
When the time comes, The Watering Hole will send out information about online payment options and the welcome packet upon acceptance.
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 fee is $299.
Refunds to be requested by June 15th Typical schedule TBA