Join Andrea Bartz for an exclusive writing retreat
May 30 – June 2
$1,500

Join New York Times bestseller Andrea Bartz for an intimate weekend of writing, recharging, and creative self-care in the Hudson Valley. Through group activities, one-on-ones, and dedicated writing time, you’ll unleash your creativity and get those words on the page. There will also be time to relax, wander the surrounding four acres of forest, check out nearby towns, enjoy meals from a private chef and local farm-to-table eateries, connect with new friends, bask in the beauty of upstate New York, and escape your everyday life. 

Applications, available here, are due by 11:59 pm ET on March 1, and applicants will hear back by March 8. Attendance is limited to five writers. Meals and activities included as described below; lodging and transportation not included. (We will connect attendees who’d like to commute together and/or share lodging.)

Tentative schedule

Thursday
7 – 9:30 pm: Welcome dinner at the house (with private chef)

Friday
9:30 am: Breakfast at the house
11 am: Optional hike at Minnewaska State Park (or writing time at the house)
1 pm: Lunch from Saunderskill Farm
2 – 5:30 pm: Quiet writing time, with one-one-ones with Andi (snacks and beverages always available)

Saturday
9:30 am: Breakfast at the house
11 am: Optional one-hour sauna/cold plunge session at Starlite Motel (or writing time at the house)
1 pm: Lunch from Westwind Orchard
2 – 5:30 pm: Quiet writing time, with one-one-ones with Andi

Sunday
9:30 am: Breakfast at the house
10 – 12:30 pm: Quiet writing time, with one-on-ones with Andi
12:30 – 1:30 pm: Sendoff lunch (location TBD)

FAQ

Who should attend this retreat?
This retreat is designed for fiction writers (both published and pre-publication), although essayists, memoirists, and narrative non-fiction writers are also welcome. If you’ve ever wanted uninterrupted time to daydream and think and write in a beautiful, inspiring environment around supportive fellow creatives, while someone else keeps you comfy and well fed, this might be the retreat for you.

“A beautiful, inspiring environment,” you say?
Yes! Samson & Cedar is a comfy, light-filled home on the Accord/Kerhonkson border, 90 miles northwest of New York City. We love the cathedral ceilings, copious sunlight, chef’s kitchen, and two cozy lofts. There’s also high-speed wifi, air conditioning, a home gym with an Aeropilates Reformer, and more. Out back, you’ll find a big yard with a fire pit, plus four acres of woods.

Tell me more about the one-on-one with Andi.
Every attendee will get a one-hour one-on-one session. It’s 100% your time! We can discuss a pre-submitted sample (up to 20 pages in standard manuscript formatting), create a sustainable writing plan, talk through creative or plot-level issues, dish about publishing, shoot the shit—this time is yours.

Do I need a car?
Sort of. The Kerhonkson/Accord area isn’t walkable, but we’ll coordinate with attendees to carpool up from the city and/or coordinate pickup from the New Paltz bus station.

Lodging isn’t included?
Making this a day-camp-style retreat makes it accessible for writers already based in the Hudson Valley and gives you the freedom to stay in an Airbnb, a shared quirky-chic motel room, or a luxe resort. Ending workdays early also provides free time to explore the area and check out nearby towns, like Rosendale, New Paltz, Woodstock, and Kingston. We’ll connect attendees well ahead of time so that those who want to lodge together can make plans.

Food is extremely important to me.
Us, too. We’ll break bread together over fresh, delicious meals prepared by an NYC-trained, Kingston-based private chef and local farm-to-table restaurants. Wine and local beer are included in the welcome dinner, and snacks and beverages will always be available during writing time.

How do I apply?
Fill out this form to apply. You’ll answer a few short questions and submit a 500-ish-word writing sample (fiction, memoir, essay, and poetry are all fine!). There’s a $4 application fee (waived for paid Substack subscribers), and applications close on March 1. You’ll hear back by March 8, and to secure their spot, attendees will put down a $750 deposit and fill out a brief waiver and questionnaire about preferences and accommodations by March 22. The remaining $750 is due April 30.

What’s the cancellation policy?
If you cancel in writing before April 30, we’ll endeavor to fill your spot. If we’re able to do so, you’ll receive a full refund within seven days. After April 30, payment is nonrefundable, but of course we’re all human and understand that life happens, and together we’ll try to fill your spot and refund your payment. In the unlikely event that the retreat is cancelled, you will receive a full refund within seven days.

I have nerves/Impostor Syndrome/questions/etc. Should I still apply?
Hell, yeah! Please use the Contact Me form to share any concerns or inquiries—we can’t wait to hear from you.