Catskill Mountains, NY September 28 - October 1, 2026
Women’s writing workshop and retreat in the Catskill Mountains, led by Meghan Daum. For intermediate and advanced writers in narrative nonfiction, personal essay and memoir.
TO APPLY, submit a work sample of up to 12 double-spaced pages along with a brief note describing your goals for the workshop. Email submission to meghan@theunspeakeasy.com with “writing retreat application” in the subject heading.
This is not your typical writing retreat.
Three days of workshops, brainstorming sessions, and open time for writing. Run by Meghan Daum, who has taught writing at Columbia University and the University of Iowa as well as in private settings for many years, this retreat is designed to help writers refine existing material while also generating new work in the genres of narrative nonfiction, personal essay, and memoir.
With nearly 300 acres of gardens, open pastures, woodlands, and quiet farmland, Uplands Center has been carefully designed to nurture solitude and creative focus while also fostering social connections and group bonding. In addition to teaching workshops, Meghan will offer a private, hour-long meeting with each student. There will also probably be a guest speaker or two.
Note: This is an Unspeakeasy offering and, moreover, a Meghan Daum workshop, which means that intellectual risk-taking and authenticity of voice will be nurtured and encouraged. However, it is a traditional writing workshop and not designed to be a forum for political discussion.
APPLICATION REQUIRED
For intermediate to advanced writers. Application required.
To apply, submit a work sample of up to 12 double-spaced pages. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and will end when all spaces are filled. We encourage you to apply early, especially if you prefer a single-occupancy room.
Refund Policy
Refunds are available within 30 days of purchase. Refunds are unavailable within 30 days of the event start date.
Social Media & Recording Policy
This retreat is off-the-record. No recording, photography or unauthorized social media is permitted. The Unspeakeasy might record or take photographs with participant permission for marketing purposes.
DETAILS
WHEN: Monday Sept. 28 – to Thursday Oct. 1
LOCATION: Uplands Retreat Center
GUEST SPEAKERS: TBA
PRE-SALE: There will be a pre-sale from Oct. 13–20, 2025 for the following people:
Members of our online community
Anyone who has gone on a retreat before
Annual and founding members of Meghan’s Substack
The pre-sale is not a discount—it’s early access for our existing members and past participants before registration opens to the public.
FEE: $2,100 for a double room, $2,800 for a single.
Price includes 3 nights of accommodations and all meals, beginning with dinner on September 28 and ending with breakfast on October 1.