The Getaway was founded on 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. By spending the entire weekend in one workshop, participants connect with the others in their group and go deeper with their writing, making more progress than they thought possible.

The Getaway offers plenty to do after hours: choose from tutorials, talks, walking on the wooded paths or relaxing by the pool. Evenings include receptions, open mics, dancing, a bookstore, and more. Of course, you can continue writing in the solitude of your comfortable room.

Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Monday | How You Spend Your Time at the Getaway

Friday

3:30-6:30 pm	Algonquin-style Poetry Workshop (Optional Add-on)
4:00 pm	Hotel check in & informal socializing at the Lobby Bar begin
4:00-7:00 pm	Registration—Pick up your Getaway folder from "Getaway Central". Facility tours will be offered at 6:00 and 6:30pm.
7:00-9:30 pm	Opening Program Welcome Reception, Orientation, & Book Swap
10:00-11:00 pm	Challenges for the Delusional Poetry Reading
9:30-12:00 am	Informal socializing at the Lobby Bar

Return to top

Saturday

7:00 am	Sunrise Yoga and Zumba
7:45-8:45 am	Breakfast
9:00 am-12:00 pm	Workshops
11:30 am-12:30 pm	Bookstore – Consignment Check In
11:45 am-1:00 pm	Lunch & Announcements
1:15-4:15 pm	Workshops
4:15 pm	Late Afternoon Options
4:15 pm	Free Time for writing, relaxing, swimming, & dining. Phew.
4:40-7:00 pm	Tutorials
4:45-6:00 pm	Talk & Signing – Chasing the Vision: A talk with writer/director Ben Hickernell
6:00 pm	Dinner out on the town & optional night out
8:00-10:00 pm	Open Mic
9:30 pm-1:00 am	Dancing at the Getaway Disco

Return to top

Sunday

7:00 am	Sunrise Yoga and Early Morning Walk
7:45-8:45 am	Breakfast
9:00 am-12 pm	Workshops
11:45 am	Lunch & Announcements
1:15-4:15 pm	Workshops
4:15 pm	Late Afternoon Options
4:15 pm	Free Time
4:30-5:15 pm	Bookstore - Cash or checks only!
4:40-6:20 pm	Tutorials
5:30-7:00 pm	Dinner
7:00-10:00 pm	Bookstore - Cash or checks only!
7:45-9:30 pm	Evening Program -- Getaway Scholarship Presentation, Featured Reading & Book Signing Learn more
9:30 pm-1:00 am	Dancing at the Getaway Disco
10:00 pm-12:00 am	Open Mic

Return to top

Monday

7:00 am	Sunrise Yoga
7:45-9:15 am	Breakfast
9:00-12:00 pm	Workshops
11:00 am	Check out of your room if you haven't already
12:15-1:00 pm	Closing Program & Tribute to Dr. King & Race Unity
1:00-1:15 pm	Bookstore – Consignment Returns & Payment Pick Up
1:00-2:15 pm	Lunch -- Head home inspired, exhausted and refreshed!

Return to top

How You Spend Your Time at the Getaway

Workshop Time | Late Afternoons | Evenings | Head Home Refreshed

Workshop Time
The poetry writing workshops will meet for an hour or so each morning before sending you off with an assignment that will encourage and inspire you to produce exciting new work. After lunch you will gather together to share your new piece in feedback sessions led by one of the experienced faculty who will help identify your work's virtues and offer suggestions to strengthen its weaknesses. Because these groups are small, you will receive positive attention to help your work mature.

In the prose and other workshops, you will start something new using brief, structured assignments or bring along a work in progress to polish. Either way, your writing will receive personalized attention.

Return to top

Late Afternoons
Late afternoons at the Winter Getaway offer time for tutorials and special programs. The 2012 program featured a talk and book signing by Nelson Johnson, author of Boardwalk Empire.

Many participants find themselves energized by their workshops and choose to spend this time writing instead. And those ready for a real break can opt to visit the pool, get a massage at the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, or take a walk on the property's hundreds of wooded acres.

Return to top

Evenings
The weekend begins on Friday at 7:00 pm with the Welcome Reception and Orientation. You will start to get to know other participants and faculty while enjoying light refreshments and Peter's bad puns (Sorry, that's redundant).

On Saturday night you can try one of the local restaurants, hide out in your room, play table tennis or pool in the game room, or lounge around the pool. If you are a risk-taker, you can drive 20 minutes into Atlantic City and try your luck at one of the casinos. If you like to dance, the Getaway disco will be buzzing.

Sunday evening will feature a special reading by Dorianne Laux and Thomas Peele as well as the Getaway Bookstore. For participants who like to share their work and enjoy others', there will be open mics on Saturday and Sunday.

Return to top

Head Home Refreshed
On Monday, after your morning workshop and a memorial tribute to Dr. King dedicated to race unity, we will send you home with a box lunch refreshed and excited, with new vision, and new work to revise and keep you busy.

Can you think of a better way to blast through the winter doldrums?

Return to top