WRITING YOUR WAY HOME: A POETRY WEEKEND INTENSIVE

The Retreat House

WRITING YOUR WAY HOME: A POETRY WEEKEND INTENSIVE

April 29 – May 1, 2022 in Mendham, New Jersey

Poets Maria Mazziotti Gillan and Kevin Carey are offering a full weekend of poetry workshops and opportunities to read your work at St Marguerite’s Retreat House.

This poetry weekend intensive is open to all writers over the age of 18.

It is requested by the Retreat House that all participants must present proof of vaccination. (Please send a copy of your vaccination card with your registration form).

Time: Begins 5 p.m. Friday, December 10

Ends 1:30 p.m. Sunday, December 12

Location: English Manor House at the convent of Saint John the Baptist, 82 West Main

Street, Mendham, NJ. 

The Retreat House is situated on 93 acres of wooded land with pathways for exploring the property. This serene, beautiful setting is perfect for contemplating nature and nurturing the creative spirit.

The purpose of this retreat is to give poets the space and time to focus on their

writing away from the pressures and distractions of everyday life. Participants will

draft poems in the workshops and should bring paper or a notebook, pens, and the

willingness to take risks. Please also bring previously-written work for one-on-one

critiquing sessions and for group readings.

At this retreat, poets will find:

• support and encouragement;
• stimulating writing exercises/prompts leading to the creation of new work;
• workshop leaders who are actively engaged in the writing life;
• opportunities to read their work aloud to the group;
• a community of writers and networking opportunities.
• 15 professional development credits can be granted if desired.

Poetry Weekend Intensive Schedule:

Friday: Please arrive by 5 PM and settle into your

rooms. After dinner, we will break into two groups (about 12 to 15 in each),

where we will have the opportunity to write poetry and share the work

we’ve just written.

Saturday: After breakfast, we will break into two groups for morning workshops. Lunch will be served, followed by one afternoon workshop and either free time or a critiquing session with the poet faculty. Interested participants can sign up in advance (at the Retreat House)

and may bring previously written, typed work for feedback. After dinner, there will be an additional workshop.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, the two groups will come together to share work — either something written this weekend or previously.

Sunday:  Breakfast will be followed by a workshop.  A final reading by participants will serve as the “closing ceremony” to what we hope will be an inspiring and productive weekend. Over lunch, there will be another opportunity for socializing and networking.

For full information and registration form, click here.

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Gillan & Carey

Maria Mazziotti Gillan's newest poetry collection is When the Stars Were Still Visible (2021). Other recent publications are the poetry and photography collection, Paterson Light and Shadow, and the poetry collections What Blooms in Winter and The Girls in the Chartreuse Jackets which pairs her poems with her paintings. Maria's artist's website is MariaMazziottiGillan.com and her poetry website is MariaGillan.com.

Kevin Carey is the coordinator of creative writing at Salem State University. He is a poet, filmmaker, fiction writer, and playwright. His latest full-length play, The Stand or Sal Is Dead, premiered at the Actor’s Studio in Newburyport, MA in 2018. In recent years he has co-directed and co-produced two documentary films about poets Maria Mazziotti Gillan, and Malcolm Miller. His books include a chapbook of fiction, The Beach People, and the collections of poetry, The One Fifteen to Penn Station, Set in Stone, and Jesus Was a Homeboy. Kevin’s poems have appeared twice on the National Public Radio show The Writer’s Almanac and on the Academy of American Poets Poem-a-Day.  His website is kevincareywriter.com