Generation Women Writers’ Retreat
Catskill, NY (Hudson Valley)
Friday Nov. 15th - Monday Nov. 18th, 2024.
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The Generation Women Writers’ Retreat offers a luxurious long weekend of time and space to create in community. Hosted by founder Georgia Clark, this Catskill-based retreat takes place in a sweeping hill-top estate, with views of the Hudson River from every room. Designed for female and non-binary creatives of all kinds, all you need to bring is a hunger to write (and for delicious meals prepared our private chef).
“The most magical weekend. It both exceeded my expectations and was nothing like what I expected. A space to write, read, walk, write, sit… a space for work that I’ve never thought to have before. I had “aha” moments, I felt creative and relaxed, I met a group of women whose stories moved me and surprised me and made me laugh. The group that was assembled, the safety and peace created, the care and attention to detail… It was perfect. I am still in disbelief that I got to start my year with something so creatively fulfilling. Georgia Clark and Jessica Lore created something so special.”
Samantha Zabell
“In a beautiful house with a gorgeous view, I met eleven fierce women from different generations who came to write. This was just the beginning; the wonderful atmosphere in which to create, dine on delicious food, read our work, laugh and get to know each other was nothing short of magical. Georgia Clark gave me excellent suggestions for improving my work in our one-on-one session. Georgia, Jessica Lore and Chef Emily put together an unforgettable weekend.” Joan Weisblatt
Join us for three unforgettable nights in the Hudson Valley, 11/15/24 - 11/18/24.
Your days are yours to dream and create. At night, a communal cheffed dinner awaits. Each bedroom is comfortably bespoke.
Fiction? Non-fiction? Poetry? A screenplay, lyrics, your next big thing?
All artists are welcome. Work a little or a lot—it’s up to you. We invite you to share your work and let us love on it!
12 residents. 3 nights. Much joy.
Cost is $1250 for shared room; $1600 for private room/shared bath; $1750 private room/private bath. Includes all meals, wine, and snacks.
The unique joy of having your creativity AND your fear welcomed into the most comforting, magical space was truly unforgettable. Gen Women created an experience like nothing I’ve had the privilege to be a part of before. I truly found my groove with my writing in the most gentle form and a community I will take with me always.
Mona Kirschner
“For years I’ve put together my own “writer’s retreats,” week-long stays alone at a rented house on the lake. I don’t think I’ve ever produced more than three pages. I’d had no idea that what I needed was a house full of focused women all working nearby. In the course of two days I exceeded my goal of 10,000 words—more importantly, I enjoyed writing them. It was a truly exceptional experience and I’m grateful to have shared it with an amazingly talented group of writers.”
Mara Mindell
“The gratitude is overflowing. I had the privilege to spend a long weekend swimming in scintillating conversation, sparkling personalities, and beautiful art. I’m floored by the connections we made and the sheer magic that surfaces when we make space for vulnerability, stillness, and each other. Fourteen amazing women helped me come away from this weekend with five new short story ideas, 18K words drafted in my new novel, and what I never knew I always needed: a badass writing community of powerful, brilliant women. Wow. Simply, wow.”
Dinah Susan
“This retreat gave me the opportunity I needed to allow myself to become totally absorbed in a project that's been hard for me to get into at home. I truly can't believe how much I wrote—and even more, how fun it was! Taking the weekend to get lost in my WIP really helped reignite for me how FUN writing fiction is. I loved having the chance to connect with others who share in my writerly quirks, passions, and challenges. I'm looking forward to having them as part of my creative community going forward and to cheering them on as the projects they shared with us at the retreat continue to grow!”
Alli Hoff Kosik
Generation Women Writers’ Retreat
After 6.5 years of monthly live storytelling shows in New York City, Generation Women now hosts writers’ retreat! Twelve creatives are invited to a long weekend in a beautiful estate in Catskill, NY. Spend your days writing, thinking, creating. Come nightfall, and there’s a communal happy hour in the Great Room, followed by a vegetarian feast, prepared by a lauded local chef. Residents will be invited to share their work, if they desire.
All residents are offered optional one-on-one time with host Georgia Clark to discuss their work. The residency cost is all-inclusive, and must be paid in full to secure a spot. There is no fee to apply.
What is a writers’ retreat?
A space for writers to do self-directed work in a quiet, communal setting. There is no homework or assessment. A retreat is designed to be a relaxing, nourishing space for writers to focus exclusively on their work.
Why the Generation Women Writers’ Retreat?
We offer a short but impactful time to dive into a project in gorgeous, perfectly appointed surrounds. Get inspired and go deep as you take in the sweeping view of the Hudson River. Create in quiet, intentional community with eleven other devoted writers. Enjoy chef-cooked food and fun nightly happy hours to meet your fellow writers.
Generation Women is a multigenerational storytelling series that invites a woman or non-binary performer in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s+ to share an original true story on a theme. Founded in New York City in 2017, the mission of Generation Women is to amplify underheard voices, and create space for intergenerational connection and community. You don’t need to have heard of us or seen a show to apply.
What kinds of writers can apply?
Any kind! Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, narrative journalism etc. This retreat is open to all writers but would especially suit new and emerging writers. Past acceptance to a writers’ residency is not required. This is a great environment to kickstart (or restart) a novel/short story/personal essay/pilot/poetry collection etc.
Writers of all ages and backgrounds are encourage to apply.
What is the optional one-on-one with Georgia Clark?
At some point during your weekend, you may book in a one-on-one with host Georgia Clark to discuss your work or career.
Georgia has extensive experience as a storyteller, novelist, creative entrepeneur and is excited to share her wisdom and hear your ideas. Georgia is the author of Most Wonderful (forthcoming Fall 2024), Island Time, It Had To Be You, The Regulars, The Bucket List, and others. A native Australian, she lives in Brooklyn with her wife and baby.
Is the weekend phone-free?
It is! Residents will be invited to check in their cell phones in the morning, and check them out again at the end of each day. This is to encourage an undistracted atmosphere of community, and allow writers to immerse themselves more fully in their artistic practice. This is optional, but encouraged.
Our dinners, salons, and happy hours will be phone-free. Cell phone use is not encouraged in the communal spaces in working hours.
Can men apply?
The retreat is for female and non-binary writers.
Where will I be working?
You’re free to work from anywhere in the house. The day will be quiet time in the house. We ask you join us for dinner, but feel free to skip happy hour and post dinner socializing if you’d like to keep working.
What is the food like?
Delicious! The weekend will offer comforting, nourishing vegetarian food all prepared by Emily, aka Mrs Pleasant. Breakfast (including coffee/tea) and a hot lunch will be offered as “grab and go”. Nightly happy hours with apps will precede a fabulous dinner with mains, sides, and dessert. Wine is unlimited and included. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated.
How do I get there?
The house is a 2.5 hour-drive from New York. If you’re not driving, it’s 10 minutes from Hudson train station, which offers service to NYC. From the station, it's a short taxi, which residents must pre-book prior to arrival. Do not rely on Uber, especially if arriving later.
Please note while can connect all residents prior to the residency, so people can organize to carpool, we cannot organize, oversee or finalize your travel or transfer. Residents are ultimately responsible for getting to and from the retreat.
Can I bring my pet or partner?
Nope, sorry!
Questions? Email hellogenwomen@gmail.com
What’s the itinerary?
Friday: 5pm check-in
6pm: Happy hour
7pm: Dinner
Saturday:
8am: Breakfast served
12pm: Lunch served
6pm: Happy hour
7pm: Dinner
9pm: Salon readings
Sunday:
8am: Breakfast served
12pm: Lunch served
6pm: Happy hour
7pm: Dinner
9pm: Salon readings
Monday:
8am: Breakfast served
10am: Check-out
A winding driveway through a covered bridge over Corlear Creek leads to our immaculate, hill-top home. Built with local stone in the late 1890s, the lodge sits just feet from the Hudson River with views of the water in every room. A vintage sunlit country kitchen, two-story rustic library, dining room with exposed brick, and sprawling light-filled common room allows river views from all three sides. There are three primary bedrooms, with eight smaller rooms originally designed as actors' quarters for Shakespeare on the Hudson productions. Spend your days writing anywhere in the house— even the hot tub—for an unbeatable experience so close to the Hudson River that at times you can hear it.
“Incredible doesn’t even begin to describe this experience. I was blown away by every aspect of it, from the food to the house to the magical synergy of the group of women. This was my first retreat and my nerves surrounding this instantly dissolved once I stepped into the warmth and support of the space that Georgia and Jess so lovingly curated. I felt like I finally had the opportunity to dig into my writing in a whole new way and I am walking away very inspired. I cannot recommend this enough to anyone looking for a weekend of peace, creativity, and an amazing new group of friends!” —Candice Fox
“I'm so grateful for my time with the Generation Women squad! I tend to work best when I'm working on five things at once (insert joke about toxic traits here), but I challenged myself to work on the ONE project that I've been equal parts afraid of and obsessed with for the last few years. The energy and focus of the other incredible writers created a cosmic force field of productivity and somehow: I WROTE. WORDS. A LOT OF THEM. The nightly salon readings were especially wonderful. Ending the evening snuggled on the couch with a glass of wine, hearing the fruits of the house's labors, cheering each other on...what a delicious way to send us off to bed before another day of writing. Thank you Georgia and Jessica!!” —Carly Ciarrocchi
“The incredibly talented women I met during the Generation Women writers’ retreat, all with magic in their mind, body and souls reminded me that I, too, am talented as a writer and performer. This gorgeous weekend reawakened my desire, my need, to revisit my solo show. I'm so grateful for all the support, mantras, encouragement, laughter, vulnerability and yes, love that was shared over such a short period of time.”
—Anthoula Katsimatides
“This retreat weekend was low pressure with a high pay off. The setting is spectacular, the writing environment inspiring and the hospitality unmatched. I have been waiting to step into something like this my whole life. You will not regret it! It really is something so special and unique. The possibilities now seem endless and my practice is revitalized!”
—Kate Schmieding
“Attending the retreat to write and connect with fellow writers was an incredible experience. The Catskill location was stunning and we were spoiled with delicious food and wine. Every aspect of the weekend was organized to inspire creativity. If you want a nurturing place to unlock your creative potential and connect with passionate and like-minded souls, this retreat is for you!”
—Kate Ramsay-Scott
“I'm still buzzing from this retreat! The structure of the experience was so well designed by Georgia Clark and Jessica Lore, that there was so much room for my inspiration and creativity to play. I had also forgotten how critical COMMUNITY can be for your art. The phenomenal group of writers, refueled me with their encouragement, knowledge of the craft, vulnerability and joy. And parlor time? Pure magic!” - Esther Blanchard
“I came with high expectations for writing and zero expectations for socializing during the retreat. While I enjoyed the uninterrupted time to write in a beautiful setting, the most rewarding part of the weekend was building a community of women across generations. I am no stranger to all women's settings (from going to an all women's college to working at women's organizations), but I have never bonded so quickly and so intimately with a group of women. Through inside jokes, shared meals, and late night talks, I developed many friendships that I know will continue to carry me through my creative life and beyond.” —Sarah Batchu
“My long weekend with Generation Women was glorious, nurturing, inspiring. I don't know exactly how the magic was cast but we all created, bonded, shared, grew in confidence and sisterhood. I will forever have the backs of these women, and I'm so grateful to Georgia and Jessica for dreaming this into being!” —Susan Henderson
“Imagine you have all the time in the world to write, share your work in progress, enjoy a great view and the company of brilliant, funny, and insightful people, and of course, eat well. That's what you get when you sign up for the Generation Women writers' retreat. Georgia and Jessica brought a group of strangers together and over only a few days, made them friends and big fans of each other's work.” —Michelle Aboodi
“I’m still buzzing from the magical energy I received from this retreat! I went into the weekend nervous and excited with only the spark of an idea, and I left feeling inspired, encouraged, and incredibly supported. I also forged so many beautiful friendships and I miss everyone already!! Georgia and Jess have created something truly special and I feel honored to have been a part of it!”
—Rebecca Shorstein
“The Hosts - Georgia and Jessica, you made it seem effortless. Your presence brought the structure and the guidance for how to bring our best selves to the allotted time and space without micromanaging or pomp and circumstance.
The Food - Nutritious, filling without heaviness, tasty (Green Goddess sauce fan club was born) to keep the stomach fed, and therefore the mind fueled so we didn’t have to think about it. Wine and snacks get shout outs too.
The Space - Charming, picturesque, large enough to give us all space even in the same room. Nature literally kept reminding me to look at the trees and step back to see the forest.
The Permission - to sit where we wanted, break when we wanted, not have to talk to each other during quiet hours.
The Salon - I never understood the power of hearing someone’s draft work read out loud. We are so used to hearing published work via audiobooks or events. Hearing the beauty of everyone’s self proclaimed new or unfinished work altered my mindsets on how I see drafts and how we sadly all think we suck when that can’t be farthest from the truth.
The Happy Hour / Common Meals - Writers can talk! And loudly. A melodious cacophony if ever I heard one. On our personal lives and fears, our jobs, our celebrity crushes. I have a list of authors, TV shows, podcasts and some Inner Compass cards to hunt down.
My writing progressed. My heart was full. It’s been one of the best experiences as an adult woman I’ve had in long while.”
—Elaine Manios