32nd Annual Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway
January 16-19, 2026
Below is a list of everything you need to arrive safely, happily and ready to enjoy the weekend, including how to book our special rate to extend your stay. Please read this carefully even if you’ve attended before, because some things have changed.
Arrival Logistics for Friday, January 16
- 4:00pm or later: You may check in at Seaview anytime after 4:00pm. When you arrive, you can pull up to the main entrance where the bell service will help you unload. You can then pull around to the free parking area, or leave your car with valet parking for a fee.
- 4:00-7:00pm: Stop by the Eisenhower Room between 4:00 and 7:00 to pick up your Getaway materials. The Eisenhower Room is located to the left of the front desk, through the Coastal Grille.
- 6:00pm options:
- Meet, Greet & Ask (Salon B) – New to the Getaway or haven’t attended in a while? Plan to attend “Meet, Greet & Ask” to meet other writers, take a tour and ask any questions you might have.
- Writers’ Happy Hour – Look for others wearing Getaway name tags at the Lobby Bar and introduce yourself.
- 7:30pm: Opening Program (Salon C – NEW location!) – Reception, book swap and orientation. The menu features cake and coffee/tea only, so be sure to eat dinner beforehand. The formal program will begin around 7:45pm.
- If you arrive between 7:30-9:15pm, ask the front desk to direct you to Salon C, where the opening program will be. You can pick up your Getaway materials at the table near the ballroom entrance.
- If you arrive after 9:15pm, please check in to the hotel and pick up your Getaway materials on Saturday morning between 8:15-8:30am at Getaway Central (located next to Salon A).
- If you have registered for one of the Friday add-on workshops—the Poetry Round Table, New Year, New You or 101 Basics—we will email you by January 14 with suggested arrival times and locations.
Safety
Should you need to, refresh your memory of our Safety page and our Health and Safety Acknowledgement.
We encourage everyone to take a COVID test so you can make sure you’re negative before you arrive on January 16. Remember that faculty may require participants to wear masks in instructional workshop spaces. For all other Winter Getaway activities, masks are optional.
Seaview has long hallways between guest rooms, the dining room and workshop areas. If you have mobility needs, you may want to pay to rent a scooter to assist in getting around. Contact the following local rental company if so: Mobility on Wheels. If you need assistance finding a stair-free route to your workshop or a mealtime, please don’t hesitate to ask Seaview’s front desk for help.
Weather Alert
The Getaway will NOT be cancelled due to the weather! If the forecast looks threatening, consider arriving a day or two early at the special reduced rate mentioned below. If you are delayed for any reason, weather or otherwise, please contact us and plan to arrive Saturday, as you can still benefit from the weekend.
Cancellation policy reminder (as published in The Fine Print):
For cancellations that are COVID-specific or medical-related:
- If you need to cancel due to testing positive for COVID-19 within 10 days of the program start, we can offer a full credit on file. 100% of your Winter Getaway payment will be good towards a future Murphy Writing program through December 2026.
- For those with verifiable medical conditions who cancel by December 30, we can offer a full credit on file. 100% of your Winter Getaway payment will be good towards a future Murphy Writing program through December 2026.
For all other cancellations:
- By Nov. 1 — 100% refund minus a $65 processing fee.
- By Dec. 1 — 100% tuition refund minus a $65 processing fee or 100% tuition credit towards a future program; no refund or credit on room package.
- By Dec. 20 — 50% tuition refund minus a $65 processing fee or 100% tuition credit towards a future program; no refund or credit on room package.
- Dec. 21 or after — Sorry, no refund or credit will be issued.
If you purchased Purchase Protection when registering, you’ll want to see Purchase Protection LLC’s terms.
What to Bring
- Notebook and writing paper.
- Medications, toiletries and personal items.
- Clothing:
- Dressier attire for the Getaway Disco, if you wish, though it’s not required. 🙂
- Casual clothes for the rest of the weekend’s activities.
- A warm coat and extra warm sweaters to layer. NJ is chilly in January and one of the ballrooms requires a quick outdoor walk through a breezeway. (If you smoke, don’t forget your coat—Seaview is completely non-smoking.)
- Appropriate clothing and gear if you plan to swim, participate in yoga, go for a nature walk, work out, play golf, visit AC, etc.
- Cash or credit card for the Bookstore, Seaview’s 24-hour Grab & Go Market, drinks from the bar and Saturday night’s dinner out.
- A credit card to swipe at check-in for incidentals.
- Cash for a housekeeping gratuity.
- Optional:
- A laptop is not necessary, but if you prefer not to write by hand, please do bring your laptop or tablet. Free wi-fi internet access is available in many parts of the hotel.
- A printer is not necessary. If your workshop leader requires that you print work for your workshop, they will provide you with a specific drop-off time so we can print and make copies for you.
- Book(s) to be signed by faculty, and/or your own books to be sold at the Bookstore.
- Item to trade at the Friday night Book Swap: The swap is an informal way to share books and literary magazines. They’ll be placed on a table where you can drop off your items and pick up whatever strikes your fancy. Feel free to bring an item to share, but you won’t get it back, so bring only what you can live without.
- Every guest room has a refrigerator and a Keurig. Bring any snacks and beverages you might want.
- Most Getaway workshops don’t require you to bring any writing with you. However:
- If you have signed up for a Round Table Workshop, you should bring previously-written work. If you signed up for a tutorial, you may bring previously-written work or something you write during the Getaway.
- If you would like to participate in an open mic, bring a short piece of work (or a poem or two), 3 minutes maximum.
- You are also welcome to bring musical instruments to perform at any of the open mics.
Getaway Bookstore
Getaway Bookstore Hours: Sunday, 12:15-1:00pm, 4:30-7:30pm and 8:30-9:15pm. Cash and credit cards accepted.
How to sell your items: If you have books, CDs or crafts you would like to sell at the Getaway Bookstore, bring up to 10 copies of each item. We will sell them on consignment for a 20% fee. Instructions will be in your Getaway materials. Payments and unsold items will be returned on Monday. Please plan to pick up your items before you leave.
Crafts: The bookstore will sell handmade crafts including jewelry, knitted items and more. Bring yours along if you wish to sell your crafts. The same 20% consignment fee will apply.
If you wish to participate in Sign and Unwind: A Book Signing, our Bookstore coordinators can give you details when you check in your books.
Extending your Getaway
- Come early or stay longer. The rate for extra nights for the 2026 Getaway will be $137/night plus taxes and fees (single or double occupancy, no meals included).
- You’ll be able to stay in the same room throughout your whole visit.
If you would like to extend your Getaway, please email Nicole Zacchi, nicole.zacchi@seaviewdolcehotel.com. Identify yourself as a Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway participant who would like to come early or stay longer. Include your name, email, phone number and the date(s) you would like to add. Nicole will then email you a link for payment prior to arrival.
Printing
Seaview has a 24-hour Business Center which will allow you to print for free. You’ll need to use your room key to access it, so commuters will need to team up with those staying over. Your Getaway materials will include instructions on how to print using getawayprinting@gmail.com.
- Most workshops have a 12:00pm deadline for turning in work to print, and the Business Center will be very busy then. Please plan accordingly and be patient.
- To keep things flowing in the Business Center, no writing, typing or browsing will be permitted from 11:15am-1:15pm on Saturday and Sunday—printing only.
If your workshop leader wants you to print work for your workshop, they will provide you with a specific drop-off time so we can print and make copies for you.
Location, Directions, Public Transportation, Etc.
Visit our location page for comprehensive travel recommendations.
If you get to the area before check-in begins, consider stopping by Historic Smithville or driving the loop around the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. Both are just minutes away.
Carpooling to the Winter Getaway
Use our carpool board to connect with others looking to share rides and expenses. Don’t wait until the last minute! The sooner you post, the more likely you are to find someone to share a ride with.
Schedule
You’ll receive a copy of the full schedule as part of the Getaway materials you receive Friday night, but you can view the tentative schedule here.
For “re-PETERs”: Note that our Opening Program will take place in Salon C this year.
Additional Program Information
- Meals:
- Meals will be served buffet style with a variety of choices.
- If you noted dietary restrictions on your registration form and are unsure what to eat, please ask the buffet staff, who will be glad to help.
- Your tuition includes the Friday evening cake reception, lunch Saturday and Sunday, and dinner Sunday.
- Additional meals included for those with room packages: breakfast Saturday-Monday.
- Sunday night’s program will include a special music program.
- The weekend will wrap up on Monday with the Closing Program, and a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Refresh your memory of the schedule.
- We’re offering sunrise yoga mornings at 7:00am. Bring loose-fitting clothes and a yoga mat or towel.
For Poetry Incubator Participants
Workshop Logistics
On Saturday and Sunday mornings, everyone in this workshop will gather to discuss a packet of poems. Then Peter Murphy will give you a prompt and send you off to write. Your new poem will be photocopied over lunch and delivered to your workshop in the afternoon. You will workshop your poem for Monday’s session orally. You will get to work with a different workshop leader each day, and you’ll find the locations of your feedback sessions in the folder you’ll receive on-site. Refresh your memory of how it all works.
Contact Info
- If you have any questions prior to January 15, please email murphywriting@stockton.edu.
- If you have a last-minute question or emergency on January 15 or 16, leave a message for us at 609-626-3594 or email murphywriting@stockton.edu. We’ll be very busy on the ground, but we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
*Please travel safely! The biggest risks you take should be with your imagination.*