If you’re looking for a women’s writing retreat then keep reading. We’ve curated this list of options just for you.
Many people who identify as women feel their writing lives can be made all the more challenging due to their lives as women.
Perhaps they are largely responsible for childcare or housework, putting their creativity on the backburner; perhaps they were not encouraged to follow their dreams and skills in the same way their male counterparts were.
Whether or not that sounds like you, there’s no doubt many women writers crave the idea of retreating from their everyday lives to focus on their creative work with groups of like-minded women. Enter the writing retreat, made sweeter when you’re surrounded by other writers who are women who also get you.
Whatever your motivations for seeking out a writing retreat, you will likely find one that suits your needs.
Retreats are an investment worth taking from time to time—you’ll get a chance to reset your creativity, be newly inspired and meet good friends.
Is a women’s writing retreat just what you need?
These women’s writing retreats happen annually (or many times a year), in a variety of North American and international locations.
There are itineraries to suit all kinds of interests, plus budget-friendly (or free!) retreats as well as more luxurious options.
Our team at The Write Life has not personally attended these retreats, so please consider this list as a starting point and do your own due diligence before attending.
Here are some women’s writing retreat options to consider
1. Pink Pangea Travel Writing Retreats
Pink Pangea is a community for women who love to travel, and in addition to holding online writing workshops, they run international writing retreats.
While travel writing is the primary focus, writers interested in a broader range of genres are encouraged to attend.
What’s special about Pink Pangea’s Travel Writing Retreats is several are held throughout the year, in different locations all around the world: Iceland, Switzerland, Spain, Israel, Greece, Portugal, France and Italy.
The prices are a bargain and include many accommodations, which definitely make Pink Pangea retreats an affordable option for non-funded retreats.
Pricing: Varies.
2. Sacred Expression Women’s Retreat
The Sacred Expression Women’s Retreat is held at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala a couple of times per year.
In a peaceful and inspiring setting, the calming lake spread out below the resort plus the pointed volcanic peaks rising behind are just some things that will make it easy to engage in the retreat’s intimate and honest gatherings.
The retreats incorporate yoga, meditation, and spiritual and creative expression. And the best part is participants don’t need to formally consider themselves writers—just be interested in a “self-exploratory creative and spiritual journey of the pen and heart.”
Before you register for one of the multiple retreat opportunities available, know the organizer admits this isn’t the best retreat for those who have a single project they want to focus on.
Pricing: Starting at $2,650 USD.
3. Page Lambert Retreats
Nature writer Page Lambert has led some unusual and adventurous writing retreats for women for more than 20 years.
Each retreat provides a secluded place to work on a novel, memoir or work of poetry. In addition to the unique kind of writing and artistic focus found here, adventures like hiking and snowshoeing will no doubt inspire participants in new ways.
Writers can enjoy a retreat in the Grand Canyon, or one in Lambert’s renovated cabin in the mountains of Colorado, making it the perfect retreat for any writer who wants to be surrounded by thousands of acres of open space meadows
Pricing: Starting at $2,472. USD
4. The Taos Writer’s Retreat
Led by writer and personal growth pioneer Jennifer Louden, these writers’ retreats for women are mainly held in Taos, New Mexico, but she’s also hosted them in Mexico, California and other parts of the U.S.
Unlike many writers’ retreats for women that include daily yoga/meditation or activities designed to be therapeutic, the Taos Writer’s Retreat was created specifically to help women writers hone their craft and work on a project.
Jennifer’s retreats are for writers of all levels who work in various genres and have a story they intend to deepen, clarify and shape.
Pricing: Starting at $3,510 USD.
5. Creative Revolution Retreats
These retreats are held in Salta, Argentina, with Nicaragua and Costa Rica destinations in the past. The Argentina retreat is held in a three-bedroom private space in the heart of the city, so you know the only distraction you’ll have is resisting the urge to endlessly explore all the picturesque attractions.
The philosophy behind the Creative Revolution Retreats is that all women have an amazing story inside of them.
“I want to help more women feel confident with their writing, finish their masterpieces and build professional careers.” —host Leigh Shulman
No writing sample required, just a short questionnaire.
Pricing: Starting at $2,500.
6. Hedgebrook
Hedgebrook is technically a writing residency, as successful applicants are given a fully-funded stay on a 48-acre peaceful country property for a period of two to four weeks, throughout the year.
The beautiful handcrafted cabins that house the residents are tucked away on Whidbey Island in Washington State. While there, writers of all backgrounds and experience levels explore their work, share their processes and stories with other writers—not to mention tour beaches to see cliff top views.
Fair warning: The application process is competitive!
Pricing: Free for all women.
7. The Kentucky Foundation for Women Retreats and Residencies
The catch with the Kentucky Foundation for Women Retreats and Residencies is you have to be a resident of Kentucky to be eligible to attend.
However, if you meet the criteria, know the retreats and residencies are open to women artists of all genres who are committed to feminism and activism. If you also want to advance artistic expression and social justice for women and girls in Kentucky, even better.
Participants of all stages in their artistic and social change development are hosted in Hopscotch House, a renovated old farmhouse on the 10-acre property of a classic Kentucky ranch.
Pricing: Free.
8. Storyknife Writers Retreat
These two- to four-week residencies in mountainous Homer, Alaska are all about celebrating vital stories by women, whether they’re in the form of plays, novels, essays or memoirs.
Since these stories aren’t promoted as often as those authored by men, Storyknife Writers Retreat provides this time for woman-identified or nonbinary people to explore their craft in a distraction-free, supportive environment where each writer knows their work is valuable.
Pricing: Food and lodging is included so all you need to pay for is the application fee and travel to and from Homer, Alaska.
9. A Writer Within’s Writing Retreats for Women
Writer and editor Kathryn Kay hosts week-long writers’ retreats in a villa in Tuscany, Italy, where she invites women to use this time to expand the boundaries of their imaginations.
Here, all writers have to do is relax, attend workshops to learn how to master writing elements, generate new ideas and break through writing blocks. With the stunning views and mouthwatering cuisine to boot, Kay hopes participants can reconnect with their creative flow and write like they never have before.
To create a stress-free environment, all accommodations are taken care of, including meals, transportation, plus a robust schedule of outings and excursions.
Pricing: Starting at $3,900 USD.
10. Unplug and Write All-Inclusive Writers’ Retreat
At author Jess Lourey’s Creative Writing Retreat in St. Paul, Minnesota, your focus will be on four objectives: Claiming your voice, nourishing your body, honoring your courage, connecting with your creativity.
And as a tenured writing professor who has authored 20 books (and counting!), she has the skills and experience to help you accomplish those things through group workshops plus a private coaching session.
While your mornings at the beautifully-restored Summit Avenue mansion will feature meditation, yoga and writing, you’ll be free to read or relax in the afternoons. This retreat is open to female writers of all stripes and stages.
Pricing: Starting at $1,150 USD.
11. Find Your Story: The Life Writing Conference for Older Women
If you’re an older writer looking for a writing coach to help you start (or get unstuck with) your memoir, Jennifer Westrom’s conference in Dallas, Texas is where you need to be.
As an author, writing coach and licensed professional counselor, Westrom focuses on telling and shaping the stories of older women. That’s why she hosts these guided writing events, where she assists writers with therapeutic writing exercises and instruction about story structure organization. At this retreat, Westrom aims to find and feel your story, so you can have more confidence writing it.
Plus, proceeds from Westrom’s event help women even more: all profits pay for long term, individual trauma counseling for women who want to exit work in the sex industry.
Pricing: Starting at $899 USD for the six week online version of this retreat.
12. Poets on the Coast: A Weekend Writing Retreat for Women
Authors Kelli Russell Agodon and Susan Rich bring poets together in La Conner, Washington to write, read, share work and be a part of a creative community.
Their main goal for Poets on the Coast is to support and encourage writers, so participants are welcome to spend this time however they choose. (Even if you only want to write to yourself and walk along the riverfront.)
Since sessions are designed so writers can find something valuable to take away, there’s plenty of opportunities to nudge writers of all levels out of their comfort zones.
While Agodon and Rich give each writer personal attention to help them along individual goals, everything from the sessions, workshops, one-on-one’s with the authors, writing prompts and more are all optional.
Pricing: Starting at $559 USD (does not include lodging).
13. The Salty Quill Writers Retreat
Imagine this: A week-long retreat on a 110-acre private island filled with rocky coves and beaches, fields, forest, and wildlife; days of uninterrupted writing time in rooms with ocean views; catered meals; and after-dinner readings and critiques.
That’s just some of what awaits you at The Salty Quill Writing Retreat for Women at McGee Island in Maine. In the real world, writing time is a luxury most can’t afford. That’s why this women’s writing retreat aims to help writers dedicate themselves to their craft.
After kayaking, hiking, boating, and enjoying relaxing (or adventure-filled) afternoons, you won’t want to leave this retreat. But when you do, you’ll leave with a renewed sense of purpose and value in your work—not to mention a brand new supportive community of writers.
Pricing: Starting at $2,100 USD. Scholarships available.
14. Edgewalkers Women’s Writing & Walking Weekend
Dr. Erika Jacobson is a creativity specialist who has spent the last 15 years helping people connect with their self-expression and creative source—when you attend this Edgewalkers creativity and walking retreat in Australia, she can do the same for you.
Whether you need inspiration to start or revive a writing project, or if you just need time in nature to explore ideas and write, this is just the three-day retreat you need to discover how creative you truly are.
Set in the beautiful town of Margaret River, this retreat invites you to go on exciting walks and dive into storytelling and techniques as you learn from a dedicated team of artists. Most of all, go to celebrate your strength and how sensational you are.
Pricing: Starting at $2,880 AUD.
Want more options? We have another post on writing retreat getaways for all.
This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.
