Escape the cold to write in Florida. Spend an inspiring week working on your memoir or poetry. Enjoy plentiful writing time, insightful feedback, homemade meals and time to relax.
“I’ve never done an overnight writing retreat before and was amazed at how much writing happened just being away from home. The atmosphere was perfect: open, honest, sincere and so encouraging. Definitely worth the money and the time!”
~ Anne, Belmont, MA
WORKSHOPs
March 19-24, 2024
New Smyrna Beach, FL
Our retreats revolve around the belief that when writers leave behind the distractions of their busy lives to gather in an encouraging community, they are able to make important breakthroughs in their writing. Each workshop will offer craft discussion, writing prompts, writing time, feedback, motivation and inspiration. By spending the entire week in one workshop, you will venture deeper into your writing, making more progress than you thought possible.
You may choose to spend the week working on your memoir or poetry.
Writing About Place: A Memoir Workshop
Spend a week writing among lush Floridian greenery as you appraise the emotional real estate of the settings of your life. As you return to the places you’ve lived and visited, you will awaken pivotal memories that will enhance your memoir. Workshop sessions will include inspiring readings, freewriting, craft discussions, generative prompts and sharing new drafts. Guided feedback will encourage you to continue writing long after the workshop concludes. You will also receive suggestions on how and where to submit your writing for publication. If you have a memoir-in-progress, bring it along, or come with a beginner’s mind to start something new.
Limited to 12 participants — Led by Peter E. Murphy
The Gift of Constraint: A Poetry Workshop
Sometimes the muse speaks to you, but what do you do when you’re running low on inspiration? Though it may seem counterintuitive, writing poems to fit the rules of forms can free your creative brain to make new leaps. Form can also be freeing when you’re working with difficult material—functioning, as poet Maggie Smith has written, like oven mitts to help us handle experiences still emotionally hot to the touch. In this inspiring workshop, we’ll draft in received forms like the sonnet and the pantoum, create nonce or invented forms, and shake poems from form back into free verse. Whether you’re new to poetry or already have a deck of sestinas and villanelles up your sleeve, this workshop will provide you with opportunities to experiment with lots of new forms and develop strategies for finding the right shape for each piece.
Limited to 12 participants — Led by Nancy Reddy
“From the moment we arrived, the tone you set established an extremely supportive environment—enough structure and focus to keep us invested in our work, yet flexible enough to foster creativity and enjoyment. Thank you.”
~ Susan, River Edge, NJ
One-on-one Tutorials (Optional)
If you are looking for more feedback on your writing, you will have the option to add a one-on-one tutorial which will offer a constructive critique on a work in progress. These one-on-one sessions will last 40 minutes, and you may request general feedback or seek assistance on a specific question or problem you are having. Led by Peter E. Murphy for prose (memoir, nonfiction and fiction) and Nancy Reddy for poetry. Limited quantity of one-on-ones available.
- No need to send your writing ahead of time; the tutors are experienced at providing constructive and supportive feedback in the time allotted.
- You may choose to bring something you wrote before the retreat or something you write during the week.
- Prepare for your tutorial by bringing two copies of a printed sample of your writing that is representative of a larger problem you are facing. For example, your challenge might have to do with plotting, point of view, tone or writing dialogue. The piece of work (or excerpt) you bring should be no more than 1,000 words so your tutor can offer you constructive advice within the time period. In lieu of a writing sample, you may bring questions and concerns about your work or broader questions about writing and publishing.
Schedule
The program starts with dinner on March 19 and concludes March 24 before lunch.
Tuesday
| 3:00 p.m. | Check in between 3:00 and 4:00 and settle in |
| 6:45 | Dinner |
| 8:00 | Welcome, orientation and craft discussion |
Wednesday – Saturday
| 8:15 | Breakfast |
| 9:15 | Workshop (Refreshment break at 11:00) |
| 1:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 2:30 | Writing and free time |
| 4:45 | Afternoon refreshments |
| 6:45 | Dinner |
| 8:00 | Free time for writing, relaxing and socializing |
Sunday
| 8:15 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9:15 | Workshop and closing |
| 11:00 | Refreshments / depart |
FACULTY
Memoir workshop leader
Peter E. Murphy was born in Wales and grew up in New York City where he operated heavy equipment, managed a nightclub and drove a taxi. He is the author of eleven books and chapbooks of poetry and prose including two books of writing prompts. More than a dozen excerpts of his forthcoming memoir, Once Upon a Time You Lived in a Castle, have been published as standalone pieces in journals, including “Looking for Thelma,” winner of the 2018 Wilt Nonfiction Chapbook Prize and “Storming the Castle,” winner of the 2019 First Chapter Memoir Prize sponsored by Arch Street Press. The founder of Murphy Writing of Stockton University, Peter has received dozens of awards and fellowships and has led hundreds of workshops for writers and teachers. Listen to an interview with Peter and a piece from his memoir in Litro.
Poetry WORKSHOP LEADER
Nancy Reddy is the author of the poetry collections Pocket Universe and Double Jinx and co-editor of The Long Devotion: Poets Writing Motherhood. Her first book of narrative nonfiction, The Good Mother Myth, is forthcoming with St. Martin’s Press. Her essays have appeared in Slate, Poets & Writers, Romper, The Millions and elsewhere. The recipient of grants from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Sustainable Arts Foundation, she teaches writing at Stockton University and writes the newsletter Write More, Be Less Careful. Visit her website and read a poem by Nancy.
“There was a wonderful sense of community and I felt that we all inspired each other to write. The content and structure of the workshops was a major factor in creating this atmosphere. The readings were a rewarding experience and a chance to showcase one’s work. Thank you for a wonderful and enlightening few days! I hope to be back.”
~Rosalind, Sufat, Kuwait
Accommodations
Venue
The Atlantic Center for the Arts
1414 Art Center Avenue
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
Get Away to Write – Florida will take place at the Atlantic Center for the Arts (ACA), an encouraging home to writers, poets and other artists for over 30 years. Situated in New Smyrna Beach, a coastal town with 17-miles of sandy white beaches and a vibrant arts scene, ACA’s 67 lush acres on the edge of Turnbull Bay provide a private, peaceful setting away from the distractions of the outside world.
Secluded guest rooms are connected by a winding boardwalk and nestled into the “jungle” of the campus. Each is equipped with a comfortable full size bed, desk, radio alarm clock, small refrigerator and private bath with a shower.
The ACA’s chef serves up delicious homemade meals, buffet style with vegetarian and gluten-free choices. If you have dietary restrictions, you’ll be able to note them during the registration process.
On-site amenities of the ACA include:
- Art galleries and an outdoor sculpture garden
- Boardwalk and nature trails
- Indoor dining and lounge space
- Free wifi access
- Bicycles available
In your free time, you may wish to enjoy the ACA’s grounds, or drive or Uber to downtown New Smyrna Beach. See the Travel section below for directions and other travel information.
Safety
By participating in this program, you are agreeing to abide by our Health and Safety Acknowledgement.
Pricing + RegistratioN
If you have trouble registering online, or if you don’t receive an email confirming your online registration within 24 hours, call us at 609-626-3594 or email us at murphywriting@stockton.edu.
all-inclusive Fee: Sliding Scale
Your all-inclusive fee, which includes tuition and your room package, is based on a sliding scale. If you are able to pay at the higher end of the scale, you will help Murphy Writing offer affordable programming and scholarships for writers.
Your all-inclusive fee includes:
- 6-day writing workshop
- 6 days/5 nights accommodation with private bathroom
- Homemade meals: 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
- Morning and afternoon snack breaks
- Use of wi-fi, bicycles, boardwalk and nature trails
Tuition + Room Package Options
- Sliding Scale Tuition with Single Room Package: $1,895-$2,195
- Sliding Scale Tuition with Shared Room Package (double bed shared with non-participating guest) – $2,295-$2,495
- If you are bringing a guest, they may join us for meals and all non-workshop activities. You and your guest will share a double bed.
Fees do not include transportation, college credit, one-on-one tutorials, gratuities or personal expenses.
One-on-one Tutorials (Optional)
To get even more out of your Get Away to Write – Florida experience, you can add on the following tutorials.
- Tutorial in Prose with Peter E. Murphy — 40 minutes — $110
- Tutorial in Poetry with Nancy Reddy — 40 minutes — $110
How to Register
If you have trouble registering online, or if you don’t receive an email confirming your online registration within 24 hours, call us at 609-626-3594 or email us at murphywriting@stockton.edu.
The Fine Print
- By registering for this program, you are agreeing to uphold our Code of Conduct.
- By registering for this program, you are agreeing to abide by our Health and Safety Acknowledgement.
- To receive the “Early Bard” Discount ($50), you must register by Jan. 31
- 50% deposit due upon registration
- Balance due by Feb. 15
- Change fee ($25) will be charged to make changes to your registration after Jan. 31
Cancellation Policy
For cancellations that are COVID-specific or medical-related:
- If you need to cancel due to testing positive for COVID-19 within 11 days of the program start, we can offer a 100% credit towards a future Murphy Writing program through 2024.
- For those with verifiable medical conditions who cancel by Feb. 20, we can offer a 100% credit towards a future Murphy Writing program through 2024.
For all other cancellations:
- By Jan. 1 — 100% refund minus a $75 processing fee, exclusive of any Purchase Protection you may have purchased
- By Feb. 1 — 50% credit on file toward one of our upcoming programs, exclusive of any Purchase Protection you may have purchased
- After Feb. 1 — Sorry, no refund or credit will be issued
If using a credit/debit card, you may want to consider “Purchase Protection,” an independent refund service provided by Purchase Protection LLC. You can add this on during the registration process, but make sure you read their terms first. Murphy Writing’s Cancellation Policy applies regardless of whether or not you purchase this service.
Scholarships
We are offering a $500 scholarship to attend for a first-time participant of Get Away to Write – Florida. A panel of judges will review the submissions and make their selection based on a combination of merit and need. Deadline to apply for a scholarship: January 21, 2024.
Thanks to all who applied! The recipient will be announced here.
“The best few days of writing I’ve had in years.”
~ Christine, Linwood, NJ
TRAVEL
Venue Address
Atlantic Center for the Arts
1414 Art Center Avenue
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
The Atlantic Center for the Arts (ACA) main campus is located at the northern end of New Smyrna Beach, approximately 15 miles south of Daytona Beach and 55 miles northeast of Orlando. ACA is easily accessible via rental car from either of those airports, but if you plan to use a shuttle service, we suggest that you fly in and out of Orlando. Contact Ocean Ride Taxi + Shuttle at 386-853-4000. Call ahead and ask for someone to try to match you with our other travelers to lower your cost.
Arrival
Tuesday, March 19. Aim to arrive at the ACA campus between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. to settle in. Dinner will be served promptly at 6:45 p.m.
Departure
Sunday, March 24. Plan to depart from the ACA after the program ends at 11:00 a.m.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I’m new to writing workshops. Will I fit in?
Absolutely. Our experienced workshop leaders plan their sessions to benefit both beginning and experienced writers. We pride ourselves on building an encouraging community of writers where all feel welcome.
I’ve been to dozens of workshops. What will I get out of this one?
Our faculty challenge experienced writers to push beyond their usual limits. If you have been writing for decades, they will compel you to go deeper, take more risks and experiment with form and content. We know that experienced writers benefit from our programs based on the fact that hundreds of “re-PETERs” have attended three or more of our writing getaways. Try one of Peter Murphy’s prompts from Challenges for the Delusional.
Photo Gallery
Take a look at the photos from one of our previous Get Away to Write – Florida programs or view our full collection of Writing Getaway photos.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDITS
Participants will receive a professional development certificate of participation. Stockton University is recognized by the New Jersey Department of Education to provide Professional Development credit hours, which many other states are willing to accept. You may check with your employer to see if it will work for you.
Questions?
Call 609-626-3594 or email murphywriting@stockton.edu.
Book your slice of inspiration.
