FAQs

This retreat is for women, so only folks who identify as women should apply. (Please stay tuned for more events that will be open to all genders!)

Our workshops are all poetry-focused, but there are no restrictions on experience level, so if you write nonfiction or fiction and are open to giving poetry a shot, you are welcome to join us.

Once you fill out an application (click here to access it!), you will schedule a no-pressure chat with Rebecca to talk about yourself, your history with poetry, and what you want to get out of the retreat. Our top priority is making this a safe space for everyone, and if we feel you won’t get much out of the retreat, we’ll suggest alternative events for you.

The retreat counselor is our second-in-command. They will be expected to help with check in; workshop and craft setup; and be a friendly face for attendees. The retreat counselor also will be required to take a CPR/first aid online course (reimbursed). A detailed outline of these expectations will be provided to the selected retreat counselor prior to the retreat.

Poets of all skill levels are welcome to throw their hat in the ring; there is no publication requirement or mandated skill level. Total compensation is $500 for work completed during the retreat plus reimbursement for the CPR/first aid course, to be paid on the final day of the retreat.

We currently only have the one $500 scholarship for the retreat counselor. We may receive scholarship donations, and if we do, we will reach out to anyone who indicated on their application that they would like to be considered for financial aid. We will also run periodic discounts, so please be on the lookout for them.

Lodging is the largest part of the cost plus food, host/instructor fees, payment for the private chef, workshop supplies, other supplies we need for the location (e.g. additional cooking utensils, soap refills, extra toilet paper), shuttle fees, insurance, marketing, incidentals, and a couple surprises throughout the weekend. You will also have access to monthly virtual write-ins to get to know fellow attendees as well as pre- and during-the-retreat check-ins with Rebecca during which you can discuss your writing goals, work together on editing a poem, or anything else that might be helpful.

If you want to fully or partially sponsor another attendee, you’ll have the opportunity to do so when you pay for the retreat. We appreciate donations of any amount, and rest assured that your entire donation will go directly back to other attendees!

Thank you so much for considering us! We have three sponsorship levels available.

$50: Small businesses from around Northeast Ohio can opt to include exclusive discount cards/leaflets in our welcome bags. Minimum discount required is 10% off. Discount cards/leaflets will need to be mailed by September 1, 2026. Please reach out for the mailing address.

$500+: All $500 donations will receive a scholarship named after them. Your name and/or business logo will be displayed at the bottom of the retreat page and will receive a social media shout-out from Rebecca.

$1,500:Pay for all or most of one woman’s retreat fees and have a scholarship named after you. Any overflow of a $1,500 donation will be given directly to the attendee to help cover travel costs or other expenses. Your name and/or business logo will be displayed on the site in a prominent location. All donations of $1,500 or more will receive three social media shout-outs from Rebecca. Each additional $1,500 donation will sponsor another attendee and will receive three social media shout-outs per sponsorship.

We love supporting small businesses! If you own a small business in Geauga county and want to be included in the local business listing section of our retreat booklet, please reach out with a ~75-word blurb and contact information. We’re always open to discussing other partnership opportunities, so feel free to message us.

We have opted not to share the address for the retreat publicly in order to protect our poets. The address will be shared a month prior to the retreat (on August 25th) to all attendees. We can guarantee that the location is in Geauga county, no more than one hour from the airport, and not on a campground.

We are offering a shuttle from the airport, which will start heading to the retreat location at 5 p.m. You also can drive, carpool, or take a taxi to the retreat location. There is ample parking, and up to two RVs can be accommodated. There’s no public transportation in Geauga county, so if you want to take public transport part of the way, try the Kenmore (Van Aken Blvd.) rapid station or the bus stop at Mayfield Rd. and SOM Center from which you’d need to take a rideshare, taxi, or arrange to be picked up. We may be able to accommodate one additional shuttle stop at Ridge Park Square, but space will be limited.

Geauga county is just far enough off the beaten path to induce relaxation, away from everyday distractions. Autumn is stunning out there. And the location we picked is a big part of it as well! Rebecca is from Geauga county, so she will have plenty of local recommendations and tricks for getting around the area (should you need them).

We have one room available on the first floor. There are a couple steps to get inside and one step down to get into the bedroom. Please reach out if you have any specific questions. We will do everything we can to accommodate you! We also offer commuter/RV tickets and would be more than happy to suggest places to stay outside of the retreat location if the first-floor room is already taken when you apply or if you’d prefer to room elsewhere.

The maximum amount of participants is 22, and the minimum participants required for the retreat to take place is 10.

All attendees will receive a recommended packing list, but in addition to clothes and toiletries, we suggest bringing a refillable water bottle, comfy walking shoes, and cash for purchasing instructor books and/or for the Geauga county & Amish country tour, if you’re coming along! All linens are provided.

We will be able to accommodate most allergies and dietary restrictions. Our professional chef has food allergies of her own and is well-versed in adjusting meals to remove allergens. We’ll have the hardest time with Kosher and Halal as we may not be able to secure Kosher/Halal proteins (but can accommodate vegan meals). We can’t use separate equipment or plates though. If you have any questions or concerns, please check in with us.