TURNING POINTS

Turning Points is a new kind of writing retreat—a mentor-led blend of craft and business instruction that will not only improve your writing, but also help you understand how to navigate the business of publishing and solidify your literary citizenship. We are kicking this series off at the stunning MP Ranch in central New Mexico. This first retreat is open to all genres of fiction and nonfiction writing. (No poetry please.)

To apply for Turning Points / New Mexico, please complete the form below.  

Please note: Once you fill out your application, make sure to go to your cart and pay the submission fee or your application won’t be received. Thank you!

Applications open April 15th and close June 15th, 2023. Though applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, this is not a first-come-first-served retreat. Participants will be chosen using the following criteria:  

  • Participants’ ability and willingness to contribute to a safe, inspirational and healthy experience for everyone involved, including property owners.

  • Diversity +: In addition to striving for a diverse representation of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age and creed among our participants, we’ll also be looking for creative diversity: participants should represent a range of different writing styles and will be in different places with their work.

  • Synchronicity with the other participants.

SORRY, THE APPLICATION PERIOD IS CLOSED

Submission Fee
Charging a $6 submission fee helps us keep trolls at bay and encourages our applicants to take their applications seriously. Thank you for understanding. You will be prompted to make a payment by credit card after you submit the application form. (Visit “my cart” to do so.)

Program Fees:
Turning Points writing retreat/New Mexico is $4,200 for the full week. This includes all meals (prepared by a private chef), lodging in private rooms, all instruction, pre-retreat one-hour phone conversation with Courtney, and all special activities (examples could include hiking, roping, yoga) on the ranch during the retreat. This fee does not include flights/travel to the Albuquerque airport, though one shuttle service will be available from the airport to the retreat and from the retreat to the airport on the beginning and end dates of the retreat.

A note regarding program cost
One of our goals for 2024 and beyond is to establish scholarships to help deserving writers attend our programs. In the meantime, we encourage writers to apply for travel grants and stipends through academic institutions they attended or teach at (ask for “conference travel grants”); their state art councils (Massachusetts has a great one); and other artistic organizations (start with Artists Community Alliance, Poets + Writers, Writers Chronicle, The Authors Guild, Profellow.com) to help them cover the costs of transport and participation in our writing retreat(s). Payment plans are available.