November 7–10, 2024
$1,650
Join New York Times bestseller Andrea Bartz for an intimate weekend of writing, recharging, and creative self-care in the Hudson Valley. Through group activities, one-on-ones, craft presentations, and dedicated writing time, you’ll unleash your creativity and get those words on the page. There will also be time to relax, wander the surrounding four acres of forest, check out nearby towns, enjoy healthy, farm-to-table meals, connect with new friends, bask in the beauty of upstate New York, and escape your everyday life.
Itinerary (subject to change):
Thursday
7 pm: Guests arrive for welcome dinner at the house (beer, wine, cocktails, and other beverages included)
Friday
8:30 am: Breakfast at the house
9 – 9:45 am: Craft presentation/discussion
9:45 – 1 pm: Quiet writing time, with one-on-ones with Andi (snacks and beverages always available)
1 pm: Sandwiches and salads from Saunderskill Farm
2 pm: Leave for optional 60-minute hike/walk at Minnewaska State Park
[Rain plan: Stroll the historic main streets of Rosendale and High Falls, with stops at indie booksellers Postmark Books and Blue Heron Books]
4 – 5:30 pm: Quiet writing time + one-on-ones
Saturday
8:30 am: Breakfast at the house
9 – 9:45 am: Craft presentation/discussion
9:45 – 1 pm: Quiet writing time
1 pm: Pizzas and salads from Westwind Orchard
2-3 pm: Optional one-hour sauna/cold plunge session at Starlite Motel
3:30ish – 5:30 pm: Quiet writing time + one-on-ones
Sunday
8:30 am: Breakfast at the house
9 – 9:45 am: Craft presentation/discussion
9:45 – 12:15 pm: Quiet writing time
12:30 – 2ish pm: Sendoff lunch at Inness
FAQ
Who should attend this retreat?
This retreat (limited to six attendees) is designed for fiction writers (both published and pre-publication), but essayists, memoirists, and narrative non-fiction writers are also welcome. If you’ve ever wanted uninterrupted time to daydream and think and write in a beautiful, inspiring environment around supportive fellow creatives, while someone else keeps you comfy and well fed, this might be the retreat for you. You can see some behind-the-scenes footage of the first retreat in this Story highlight!
“A beautiful, inspiring environment,” you say?
Yes! Samson & Cedar is a comfy, light-filled home on the Accord/Kerhonkson border, 90 miles northwest of New York City. We love the cathedral ceilings, copious sunlight, chef’s kitchen, and two cozy lofts. There’s also high-speed wifi, air conditioning, a home gym with an Aeropilates Reformer, and more. Out back, you’ll find a big yard with a fire pit, plus four acres of woods.
Tell me more about the one-on-ones with Andi.
Every attendee will get two 60-minute one-on-one sessions with Andi: one during the retreat, plus one virtual consulting session in the 30 days after the retreat ends. It’s 100% your time! We can discuss a pre-submitted sample (up to 20 pages in standard manuscript formatting), create a sustainable writing plan, talk through creative or plot-level issues, dish about publishing, shoot the shit—this time is yours.
Is that the only time I’ll see Andi?
Nope! Andi will be there for all meals, activities, and writing periods, geeking out over writing and publishing. She’ll also lead daily craft presentations and discussions. (She may even spill some industry tea…)
Do I need a car?
Sort of. The Kerhonkson/Accord area isn’t walkable, but we’ll connect attendees who’d like to carpool up from the city, rent a car together, and/or take a bus from NYC to New Paltz. Albany (a 90-minute drive) and Newark (2 hours) are the nearest major airports, while tiny Stewart Airport (50 minutes) has flights from Florida and South Carolina.
Lodging isn’t included?
Making this a day-camp-style retreat makes it accessible for writers already based in the Hudson Valley and gives you the freedom to stay in an Airbnb, a shared quirky-chic motel room, or even a luxe resort. Ending workdays early also provides free time to explore the area and check out nearby towns, like Rosendale, New Paltz, Woodstock, and Kingston. We’ll connect attendees well ahead of time so that those who want to lodge together can make plans.
Food is extremely important to me.
Us, too. We’ll break bread together over fresh, delicious meals from local producers and nearby farm-to-table restaurants. Wine, beer, and cocktails are included in the welcome dinner, and snacks and beverages will always be available during writing time.
How do I apply?
Fill out the brief application here! You’ll answer a few short questions and submit a 500-ish-word writing sample (fiction, memoir, essay, and poetry are all fine!). There’s a $4 application fee (waived for paid Substack subscribers), and applications close after 11:59 pm ET on August 5. (Click here to set a calendar reminder so you don’t miss the deadline!) You’ll hear back by August 15, and to secure their spot, attendees will put down an $800 deposit and fill out a brief waiver and questionnaire about preferences and accommodations by September 1. The remaining $850 is due October 15.
What’s the cancellation policy?
If you cancel in writing before October 15, we’ll endeavor to fill your spot. If we’re able to do so, you’ll receive a full refund within seven days. After October 15, payment is nonrefundable, but of course we’re all human and understand that life happens, and together we’ll try to fill your spot and refund your payment. In the unlikely event that the retreat is canceled, you will receive a full refund within seven days.
Will there be more retreats?
Yes! The next one will be held in 2025. Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to hear about it.
I have nerves/Impostor Syndrome/questions/etc. Should I still apply?
Hell, yeah! Please use the Contact Me form to share any concerns or inquiries—we can’t wait to hear from you.
Testimonials
“Samson and Cedar is a must-attend retreat for aspiring thriller writers. Around the dinner table, during a lakeside hike, and in the sauna, Andi generously shared her experiences drafting, revising, and marketing her books. No topic was off limits, and I’ve already implemented many of her recommendations for tools and tricks of the trade. I loved connecting with the other writers throughout the day and during our after-hours brainstorming sessions. My favorite part was my one-on-one with Andi, during which she provided game-changing feedback and ideas for my manuscript.”
– Kym Summers, writer, coach, and host of the Wild Words writing retreat
“Attending Andi’s retreat proved to be exactly the motivating kick in the pants I needed. I came into it feeling a lot of fear and self-doubt, but also overwhelmed by the process of getting my foot in the door in traditional publishing. Several days later, I left SO much more knowledgeable, armed with ideas, connected to a group of incredible fellow writers, and just so dang inspired. The entire vibe was writers supporting and helping writers. Andi is a genuine, lovely person and beyond hospitable. We threw a constant stream of questions at her, yet she responded candidly to every. single. one and gave us answers that had real value. She curated a memorable weekend of community and creativity and I couldn’t be more grateful for the fire this experience lit in me.”
– Katie Fehlinger, reporter, memoirist, and children’s book author
“‘Life-changing’ is truly the best way to describe how it felt to spend a weekend with Andi and the rest of the Samson & Cedar writing cohort! I signed up for Andi’s retreat for many reasons—to discipline my writing practice; to cultivate community; to learn from other writers; and to push myself to the next step: completing my first novel. It was everything I hoped it would be! My path is much clearer and I can see the specific steps I need to take to make this dream a reality. I am so thankful to Andi for welcoming us into her home and being such an amazing host. We peppered her with questions all weekend long, and she was always authentic, thoughtful, and transparent as she shared her experiences as a published author. Connecting with other writers in the gorgeous landscape of Upstate New York was magical. Thank you Andi, for creating such a beautiful and supportive space for us to tap into our writing muse!”
– Elise Estrada, writer