Whether you’re interested in our six-day Winter Workshop and Retreat, our Fall Retreat, or our Ossabaw Craft & Seminar Day Trip, you will find inspiration and professional, one-on-one feedback from our nationally recognized faculty and staff. Ossabaw Writers’ Retreat offers a variety of programs to address the needs of writers hoping to expand their craft and improve their work-in-progress. We hope you will join us in this great literary tradition by taking part in one or more of the various programs offered by the Ossabaw Writers’ Retreat. Where loggerhead sea turtles and endangered wood storks nest, and photographers, writers, painters and musicians listen, watch, reflect and create.
NEW: Extended Stay Option: Fall & Spring
We’re always trying to give our writers more of what they want–so beginning this fall, we will offer a three-day, two night extended stay option for those who would like to spend a few more days on the island writing and relaxing after the retreats. Just check the “extended stay” option at the bottom of the online application form, and we’ll reserve your space.
2020 Winter Writers’ Retreat
Applications for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry at the Winter Retreat, March 13-18, 2020, are now open. Application deadline February 15, 2020.
Join us for our 10th Annual Ossabaw Island Writers’ Winter Retreat. Located just twenty minutes from downtown Savannah, GA., the retreat offers lectures, readings, workshops, and manuscript consultations.
The unspoiled beauty of Ossabaw Island has attracted writers, artists, and musicians to live on the island for short periods of reflection, research, and creativity in the mid-to-late 20th century. Ralph Ellison, Annie Dillard, and Alice Walker, are among those who have drawn inspiration from the island. Come join us for six days and five nights of writing, workshops and one-on-manuscript consultations with nationally recognized authors. Space is highly limited, therefore we strongly recommend early application submissions.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Final deadline February 15, 2020. Early applications highly recommended since there are limited openings (five-six per genre) and the retreat tends to fill quickly.
EXCITING NEWS: We’re now offering $250 scholarship discounts for a limited number of university students, military personnel, and teachers. In addition, we’re also offering Sisters in Crime members a $150 discount.
2020 Ossabaw Weekend Writer’s Bash
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 4, 2020

Where shades take us to the past, and shadows forever fall.
Ossabaw Island Writers’ Retreat is happy to announce the opening of applications for our three-day weekend retreat, The 2020 Weekend Writer’s Bash. Held October 30-November 1, 2020, the retreat will feature workshops and seminars led by our nationally recognized faculty, visiting agents and publishers, and evening readings by faculty and participants.
WORKSHOP PARTICIPATION: $1295 tuition covers three days and two nights lodging, meals, manuscript consultations with nationally recognized authors, craft seminars, readings and ferried transportation to the island.
EXCITING NEWS: We’re now offering $250 scholarship discounts for a limited number of university students, military personnel, and teachers. In addition, we’re also offering Sisters in Crime members a $150 discount.
APPLY ONLINE: Fill in and submit convenient online form for easy, quick application.
Ossabaw Writers’ Craft & Seminar Day Trip
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 25, 2019.
Ossabaw Island Writers’ Retreat announces the opening of applications for our 2019 Fall Writers Craft and Seminar Day Trip. Held November 2, 2019, the retreat will feature workshops and seminars led by our nationally recognized faculty (including David Poyer, Lenore Hart, Lee Griffith, Tony Morris, Chad Faries, Christina Olson, Laura Valeri, and more). A great opportunity to recharge the creative energies on one of the most beautiful barrier islands of the Atlantic.
WORKSHOP PARTICIPATION: $275 tuition covers lunch, craft seminars, readings and ferried transportation to the island. One-on-one manuscript consultations with nationally recognized faculty available for additional $75.
University student, military personnel, teacher? Upload a photocopy of your official I.D. in the application form below and receive a $100 discount.
We’re also offering a $75 discount for Sisters in Crime members. Just fill out application below and upload a copy of your membership receipt.
APPLY ONLINE: Fill in and submit convenient online form for easy, quick application.