Have you felt tired, uninspired, or depleted lately? Do you know that you NEED to write, but you just don't have the motivation right now?

Join us for the Fall 2026 Wellspring Literary Escape! This 4-day, 3-night immersive retreat is designed to motivate and inspire you and your writing.

Retreat overview

Led by Cindy Cunningham, a seasoned instructor with over three decades of teaching and literary experience, this intimate retreat is crafted to rekindle your creative spark and sustain your writing momentum.

Across four days, you’ll balance structured guidance with spacious, self-directed time so you can draft, revise, and imagine your next steps with confidence.

Location and atmosphere

Set in a majestic equestrian estate, this retreat provides a quiet and restorative backdrop for deep work and reflection.

Within an easy drive of Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA, you’ll arrive at a secluded, inspiring environment that feels like a true getaway without being far from home.

What you’ll experience

• Community Writing Sessions: Guided group sessions with Cindy to explore craft, address common challenges, and guide your work to the next level.

• Individual Writing Time: Generous blocks of uninterrupted time to draft, revise, or think on the page in peaceful surroundings.

• Collaborative Community: Daily opportunities to connect with fellow writers, share ideas, and draw inspiration from others’ processes and projects.

• Flexible Evenings: Optional evening gatherings for reading your work aloud or simply listening, all within a supportive, low-pressure environment.

Retreat details

• Dates: Thursday–Sunday, September 24–27

• Capacity: Limited to a small group for an intimate, focused experience

• Focus: Creating a safe, inclusive space where writers can explore, grow, and connect—at any stage of their writing journey

Invitation

If you are ready to recommit to your writing, nourish your creativity, and build lasting connections with other thoughtful writers, this retreat is for you.

Reserve your spot and give your writing the time, space, and care it deserves.

This inviting manor house is set on a working horse farm and designed to exceed your expectations. En-suite bedrooms feature king-size beds and private baths, and a gourmet kitchen makes shared meals a pleasure.

Spacious common areas offer plenty of room to lounge, connect, and write, while an enormous patio—with outdoor fireplace and festive lighting—creates a magical evening atmosphere. Two walk-up cabana bars and a recreation room with a big-screen TV, pool table, darts, and shuffleboard add to the fun.

This retreat is ideal for comfort, inspiration, and community.

🌺 "This was an amazing opportunity to write, reflect and refresh in a beautiful setting with fantastic people. I loved writing in community and on my own. The informal sharing of pieces on Saturday was fun and new. " – Brooke D.

🌺 "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 M.

🌺 "You create a beautiful, supportive experience. I hope you know how magical you are!" --Becky P.

 🌺 "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 B. 

Seven Oaks Farm

6 King bedrooms  with en-suite bathrooms

Expansive rooms and spaces to write

Breathtaking views and serene atmosphere

• Free wifi

• Wifi speed: 500+ Mbps (good for 6+ people or 10+ devices)

• Towels provided

• Linens provided

• Air conditioning

• Basic soaps

• Iron & board

• Heating

• Fireplace

• Desk

• Desk chair

Outside

• Fire pit

• Outdoor furniture

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible

Notes

• There is a long list of nearby activities including golf, horseback riding, on and off road cycling, rock climbing, zip lines, water sports, hiking, vineyards, brew farms, Camp Caleva, Bretton Woods, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Stronghold, Comus In (Live Music), gourmet dining, Local's (Poolesville), warm water fishing and more.

A large well-equipped communal kitchen is available for writers to prepare snacks or lunch whenever they like. (Complimentary coffee, tea, and cream/sweeteners).  

Elegant and comfortable common rooms.  

• Arrive between 4:00 and 5:30; Settle in and get your bearings (perhaps take a few minutes to reflect on your surroundings in your journal.)

 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Welcome Dinner (provided)

• Meet the other attendees.

• Enjoy a welcome dinner while getting to know one another.

• Participants receive a welcome package, including a schedule and writing resources.

 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Opening Session - Setting Goals and Accountability

• Introduction to the retreat's goals and schedule.

• Set personal intentions for the retreat.

• Setting realistic and attainable writing goals.

9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. a time to socialize or write on your own (or sleep or eat etc.)

Sunrise to 10:00 AM: Breakfast and Time On Your Own

• Eat breakfast on your own (or make a plan to join others.)

• Quiet, uninterrupted time for personal writing, walking by the water, meditation, or whatever wakes you up in the mornings!

• Explore the optional writing prompts in your welcome packet for inspiration.

10:00 AM - NOON: Community Writing 

• Discover new writing strategies/techniques. Depending on the weather, we may choose to write outside. 

• Share any thoughts from the night before or the morning.

• Prompts and Strengths-Based Feedback by Cindy

• Each participant sets daily writing goals.

Noon-6:00 :

Lunch (Provided)  

Individual Time--Write, Read, Walk, Write, Daydream, Nap, Write

3:00 PM - 5:30 PM: One-on-One Coaching/Manuscript Reviews

• Pre-scheduled private sessions with Cindy for personalized writing advice.

• Feedback and guidance on writing challenges.

• Make a plan for moving forward.

6:30     Dinner at local restaurant. (To be determined as we get closer to the date.)

8:30-10:00 PM: Evening Share

• Bring something to read and share.

• Share your original work or a (short) piece of literature that inspires you.

 Sunrise to 10:00 AM: Breakfast and Morning Time On Your Own

• Eat breakfast on your own (or make a plan to join others.)

• Quiet, uninterrupted time for personal writing.

• Write outside or in the home.

• Take an early walk.

• Explore writing prompts in your welcome packet for inspiration.

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM:  Writing for Inspiration

• Writing in community to short prompts intended to focus your day's work.

• Strengths-based feedback by Cindy.

• Set Daily Goals.

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM 

• Break for lunch

• Writing, napping, walking, etc. on your own.

• Prescheduled meeting with Cindy.

5:15 - 7:15 Writing Prompts as a group.

7:30 Dinner (provided)

8:30 PM - 10:00-ish PM: Open Share

• Share your work or favorite, short published pieces during this informal and supportive session.

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast on your own. Pack up for checkout.

8:15-9:30 CLOSING SESSION  -- Final community write.

CHECK OUT IS 10:00 AM