Retreats

woman on couch

Retreats are offered throughout the year and provide faculty an opportunity to set aside time for their writing, and write in the company of others in a comfortable, relaxed space. 

Academic year retreats are typically offered in August, December, and February, and focus on dedicated writing time and strategies for sustaining writing momentum.

The summer retreat and workshop is a multi-day immersive writing retreat and includes writing time, workshops, strategic planning, and feedback on works in progress. It is the signature event of the Faculty Write Program.

Learn more about faculty experiences in the summer retreat in the Duke News article At summer retreat, faculty brush up on their writing and academic year retreats in For weary scholars: A moment to regroup, reconnect, and write. 

Upcoming Retreats

Fall Semester Writers Kickoff 

Friday, September 1 | 9am-4pm.  

Set aside time to focus on your writing in a supportive community as we begin fall semester. Retreat includes structured writing time and opportunities to share progress and challenges with fellow writers. Open to faculty in any discipline.  Space is limited. Registration ends 8/25 or when retreat is full. Facilitator: Jennifer Ahern-Dodson. 

NOTE: RETREAT IS FULL. Add your name to the waitlist here. 

man at desk

Regularly Offered Retreats

Retreats During Breaks 

Provide a chance to reset and are designed to help you keep (or get) your writing moving during break.

Summer Scholarly Writing Retreat & Workshop - Signature Event* 

Each day of this multi-disciplinary retreat includes hands-on workshops and time to write independently in a comfortable, relaxed space. Learn practical skills about productive writing habits, make progress on a writing project, and participate in a writing community. If you want to spend some time with your writing in the summer, the retreat can help you to figure out the best way forward for you.  

*Celebrating 11th annual retreat in Summer 2023

Scholarly Writing Retreat: ALUMNI EDITION

Advanced writing retreat designed for writers who've participated in at least one summer retreat.

Pre-Tenure Women Writers  

This retreat provides a supportive environment for writers working toward tenure and promotion. Includes individual writer consultations and discussions on writing practices, strategic planning, and building and sustaining momentum. 

Writing, Mindfulness, and Movement

In this retreat, writers dedicate time to writing, quietly but also in community. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in activities designed to awaken awareness of physical habits and renew commitment to their writing as a fundamentally embodied practice.

participants in retreat
Summer 2019 Scholarly Writing Retreat

Participant Feedback

Barnes

“The retreat energized me for the final push of revisions on my book manuscript. I am extremely grateful for the experience, and think it is every bit as important as the FHI Faculty Book Manuscript Completion Fellowship in supporting Duke faculty to achieve their best in scholarly writing.”
— Nicole Barnes, Assistant Professor of History, 2017 Scholarly Writing Retreat participant

“Having experienced faculty writing retreats and faculty advice before, I think what’s most valuable about this program is that it doesn’t have the attitude that faculty should be research machines and if you apply X productivity technique, you will be able to produce research like a machine. Instead, this retreat has the idea that you should learn to work efficiently, within a community of support, and with joy for your research.”
— 2018 Scholarly Writing Retreat participant

“I cannot describe how important this retreat and others are for my writing. Moreover, through my continued participation in Faculty Write activities over the years, I have become not only a better writer, but, through that, a better teacher and mentor.”
— 2019 participant

“I always love getting to know people from all over campus.  I feel that I am a part of an academic community beyond my own department/school.”
— 2017 participant

“The time and effort the facilitators put into organizing the workshops and into listening to the needs, concerns, and challenges of each participant—as well as creating a space for participants to learn from and support each other—makes this a transformative experience.”
— 2018 participant

“Thank you for providing a safe, thoughtful, respectful, and nurturing environment this week for the group to grow as writers.”
— 2018 participant