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.
Spring 2025
Let's Keep Writing
Staff & Faculty Writing Retreat
Friday, March 7 | 9am- Noon
Carpenter Board Room |Rubenstein Library 249 & other library spaces.
The Libraries Assembly Professional Affairs Committee and Mentorship Committee have partnered with the Duke FacultyWrite Program to offer a half-day retreat for faculty and staff. Join fellow writers in a supportive writing environment and make some progress on your work. Additional optional writing time 12-3.
Retreat is full.
Spring Faculty Writing Retreat
Friday, March 21 | 9am- 4pm
Duke Integrative Medicine Center
Set aside time to focus on your writing as we welcome spring. Retreat includes structured writing time in a supportive community, short workshops on strategies to cultivate a sustainable writing practice, and opportunities to connect with other writers. Optional yoga for writers session. Open to faculty in any discipline. The retreat cohort will include writers from different disciplines and career stages. Sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Trinity College and the Thompson Writing Program. Space is limited. Registration closes when the retreat is full.
Retreat is full.
Spring Writing Hunker
Friday, March 28 | 9am- Noon
Breedlove Conference Room (Rubenstein Library 349)
Join fellow writers to set aside time to write, in community. Enjoy some coffee, connect with others, and just write. Includes a short workshop and timed writing sessions. Each session ends with a short break for socializing and movement tips. Space is limited. Registration required.
Summer Scholarly Writing Retreat & Workshop
May 12 & 13 | 9am- 4pm
Duke Integrative Medicine Center
Each day of this multidisciplinary 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. Open to faculty in any discipline. The retreat cohort will include writers from different disciplines and career stages. Sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Trinity College and the Thompson Writing Program. Space is limited.
Register
WAITLIST ONLY
Regularly Offered Retreats
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. Facilitators: Jennifer Ahern-Dodson and Monique Dufour.
*Celebrating 14th annual retreat in Summer 2025
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.
Winter Retreat
Provides a chance to reset after fall semester and write in a supportive community. Retreat includes structured writing time, optional workshops, and opportunities to share progress and challenges with fellow writers.
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.
