Writers at the Beach 2024

Sandbridge, Virginia

WW
Wellspring Writing Collective
  • Email address verified
5 reviews
Feb 15 - 18, 2024
Group size: 8 - 15
Writers at the Beach 2024
Sandbridge, Virginia

Wellspring Writing Collective
  • Email address verified
5 reviews

Feb 15 - 18, 2024
Group size: 8 - 15

About this trip

 

Step away from the daily grind, and immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of the ocean breeze at the Second Annual Writers at the Beach retreat. This retreat is designed to ignite your creativity, hone your revision skills, and awaken your inner storyteller. Over three nights and four days, you'll discover a supportive and inclusive environment that nurtures your craft and encourages your imagination to soar.


Led by Cindy Cunningham, a seasoned writer and editor with over 30 years of experience leading workshops, teaching classes, editing, and organizing transformational retreats, each group session offers optional prompts to help you delve deeper into your story. Whether you're revising a work-in-progress or generating new material, you'll receive valuable feedback from Cindy and connect with fellow writers.


Bistro-style lunches (with vegetarian options) will be provided each day, along with dinners on Thursday and Friday nights. Saturday night will be dinner out at a local restaurant. You'll have access to a spacious vacation house with a fully stocked kitchen, and an additional refrigerator on the bottom level, so you can prepare your own breakfasts and snacks throughout the day.


Join us for an immersive and productive retreat by the beach. It's time to break away from the routine and unlock the power of your writing in a nurturing, inclusive environment that fosters your craft and creativity. Get ready to take your writing to the next level. 





Is This Writing Retreat for You?

 

This writing retreat is perfect for any writer, regardless of genre or experience level, who needs time to recharge, relax, connect, and write. It's also ideal if you struggle to focus on your own, crave a community of like-minded writers, feel stuck, or need to rekindle your passion for writing. If you're ready to rediscover your love for writing and embrace the process, this retreat is for you.

Amenities

  • Indoor Pool
     Heated and Available Year Round 
  • Elevator 
  • Non-smoking
  • High Speed WiFi 
  • Fully Equipped Kitchen (Stove/Oven, Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Microwave, Coffee Maker, Toaster)
  • Recreation Room 
  • Media Room 
  • Pool Table 
  • Ping Pong 
  • Horseshoes 
  • Fireplace 
  • 16 TVs 
  • 2 Stereos 
  • 4 CD players 
  • Fax Machine 
  • 3 Wetbars w/Mini-fridge 
  • 1 Gas and 1 Charcoal Grill 
  • Beds Made & Linen Provided  
  • 32 Towel Sets Provided 
  • Iron and Iron Board
  • Washer and Dryer

What Former Attendees are Saying

 🌺 "It was an honor to write with so many women who have the same goal–writing and sharing self. That was a moving, deepening, edifying experience." – Kim, Writers at the Beach 2023


🌺 " Thank you Cindy and Team!! It was just what I needed. I feel like it  lived up to its title “aligning to the authentic self” and everyone worked in their best capacity make that happen.  I loved being able to  share my meditation and sound tools.  I loved the spread of food, the writing prompts, the longer length of writing time.  I also loved the super delicious dinner at Eurasia Cafe.  This is a fantastic retreat for anyone looking to deepen their writing practice. Thank you!" – Lisa, Writers at the Beach 2023


🌺 "This was an amazing opportunity to write, reflect and refresh in a beautiful setting with fantastic people." – Brooke, The Porches


🌺 "This writing retreat took place in a tranquil countryside setting that set the stage for self-reflection and gave me the ability to write with a flow that had been blocked during the last few years." – Susan, The Porches

COVID Safety Precautions

In order to provide a safe environment for all attendees, all retreat attendees should be vaccinated against COVID-19. 


Cancellation Policy & Payment terms

We reserve the right to cancel a retreat due to low enrollment or other circumstances that may compromise the event or safety of others.  If we cancel a retreat, you will be offered a full refund. 


If an event has to be postponed for any reason (this would be VERY unusual), you will have the option to either receive a full refund or transfer your registration to the same event at the new, future date.


A minimum deposit is required to secure your spot. You may choose a monthly payment plan or you may choose to pay the full amount at the time of booking.   


Deposit refund schedule


  • 90% deposit refund for cancellation 60+ days before retreat start date.
  • 50% deposit refund for cancellation 30-59 days before retreat start date.
  • 0% deposit refund for cancellation 0-29 days before retreat start date.

Remaining Balance refund schedule


  • Remaining balance is due 30 days before the retreat start date. (Contact Cindy at cindycunninghamwrites@gmail.com if you need an extension on this.)
  • If paid at the time of booking, a full refund of the remaining balance is available up to 30 days before your retreat start date. 
  • If you cancel 0-29 days before your retreat start date remaining balance is not refundable, but you may transfer it--meaning you can find someone to take your spot and pay you for that slot. Contact Cindy for any questions.  

 

 

What’s included

  • Dinner Thurs & Fri Eve
    Two catered dinners (veg options and non-veg options)
  • Two Lunches
    BIstro-style catered lunch Friday and Saturday (options provided in advance)
  • Three Nights Lodging
    You may arrive early or stay late for additional cost.
  • Four Days of Writing
  • Private Bathroom
  • Group Writing Sessions

What’s not included

  • Breakfast
    There is plenty of room available for storage and cooking needs. A grocery store is 3 miles away.
  • Individual Sessions
    You may add an individual session with Cindy at a reduced fee.
  • Dinner on Saturday Night
    Option to eat at a local restaurant as a group

Available Packages

Bunk w/ Double (full size) bed on bottom

All amenities for 4D/3N Writers at the Beach 2024

Two lunches; two dinners

One double bed with bunk on top--may add an additional roommate for $500 (see additional packages for details.)

Private Bath

Television


$785
Deposit:$185
Queen Master Suite

 All amenities for 4D/3N Writers at the Beach 2024

Two lunches; two dinners

One queen bed  

Private Bath

Television

$803
Deposit:$185
Master Suite King Upper Level

Private Bathroom; Television; Dresser

$907
Deposit:$200
Master King Main Level

 Private Bath 

$907
Deposit:$200
Master Suite King Lower Floor

Private Bath and Deck access

$927
Deposit:$200
Room Add On--Additional Person
$500
Deposit:$250

Available options

Manuscript review and meeting
$50

Up to 20 pages (sent in advance) of any genre reviewed by Cindy; 45 minute meeting at the Retreat. (*normally $100)

Complete Manuscript Review
$450
Deposit: $0


Review of completed memoir, novel, poetry book: $450 and a 45 minute meeting. Attendee must send manuscript by Jan. 10th.  (Reduced rate.) 

Add a Night
$75
Deposit: $0

You may add up to two nights. You may come and go as you like. I will offer writing time and meeting times if desired.

The 14th Arrival
$125
Deposit: $0

Arrive a night early for a Love Thyself evening at the vacation house. Dinner, drinks, & good company provided.

Add a Friend (Share a room)
$500
Deposit: $0

 Sharing a room--either a bunk or the same bed depending; All benefits of any attendee.



Itinerary

2.14.23 Love Thyself
Optional--Spend Feb. 14th with Writers!

Arrive on Wednesday the 14th any time after 5:00 p.m.


Settle in and get comfortable in this expansive vacation home.


At 6:30, we'll share a meal of pasta, salad, desserts and a variety of hot and cold beverages and get to know each other. 


Options for afterwards: watch a movie in the media room; write in a group for an hour--setting intentions for the weekend; chatting. Whatever comes to mind!

Your Organizer


WW
Wellspring Writing Collective
5 reviews
Cindy is a writing coach, retreat leader, and author of memoir and poetry. In her studies of Psychology (BA), creative writing (MFA), and literature (PhD), she explored myriad ways that writing can rejuvenate a person’s core identity. She realized that the only narrative about our life that matters is our own. She loves nothing more than bringing a diverse group together to share stories of joy, sorrow, loss, celebration, and life in all of its glorious chaos.

Reviews

DC
A Writer’s Retreat. I was there to work on my book. It seems that most of the people were writing whatever they wrote while they were there, but Cindy and her excepting attitude made it possible for everybody to do what they wanted even if it was different from the other people. I would’ve liked to participated with Cindy’s activities, but I had a goal in mind and I wanted to stick to it.
By Donna C for Seaside Retreat: Writers at the Beach Fall 2024 on Nov 20, 2024
I got so much writing done at the retreat! Surrounded by the beautiful ocean view, a personal chef, fellow writers, and plenty of writing tables/rooms/nooks, I made tremendous progress toward completing my manuscript!
By Pat M for Seaside Retreat: Writers at the Beach Fall 2024 on Nov 13, 2024
Porches is my favorite place to be and being there for this retreat was wonderful. Good group of writers. Cindy is a fantastic instructor and facilitator.
By Claudia B for Wellspring Fall Literary Escape: The Porches Edition on Oct 08, 2024
We all enjoyed a restorative 4 days in a magnificent beach house whose panoramic view of the ocean was dazzling, especially in the morning. The lack of pressure from Cindy, who offered us our choice of level of involvement, encouraged my desire not only to edit but to rest! I did both, and actually finished four sections of my book. Cindy also offered a number of group sessions, including group writing periods… very helpful and encouraging. I look forward to any other retreats Cindy puts together, and I would gladly return to this site. I do think, however, that the owners should install a proper handrail going into the pool. Without one, i wasn't able to use the pool for fear I’d end up having to yell for rescue in the middle of the night… please correct this!
By Donna C for Writers at the Beach 2024 on Feb 29, 2024
LL
Writers at the Beach 2024 definitely lived up to its name. This was a fabulous literary escape! From the beautiful spacious house, inspiring beach views, and wonderful writing classes – I absolutely loved every minute of my experience. Wellspring certainly knows how to curate truly epic adventures.
By Lisa L for Writers at the Beach 2024 on Feb 27, 2024