NEW LOCATION, SAME RETREAT!
With the closing of our cozy hostel in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, our current version of WORDS IN THE WOODS has come to an end.
We are pretty good at copy/pasting/editing, though, so we’re taking all the great parts of these beloved retreats to a new location.
Location announcement coming soon!
Tentative dates: Oct. 1 - 4, 2026.
Find your people
as you find your words.
Witness fellow writers hunker down with increased focus and devotion — whether they are just beginning or finishing a draft of a novel for an agent. Catch the fervor as fingers begin to fly across the page and keyboards. Reach new goals between chef-prepared meals, fire circles, and walks through the only national park within 30 minutes of a major city.
Some writers begin at 5:30 am. Some find their way to a table around noon after working all night. There is story boarding on huge rolls of paper, tiny notes on post-its, highlighting on drafts, and scribbles on scraps of paper.
Everyone’s process is as different as their voice, but we gather at night to share, receive supportive feedback, and inspire each other with what we have accomplished that day. Each person’s time is their own, though every writer can easily find someone to connect with when they need a word of support, coffee, or a friend on the trails.
Want to be part of the next community?
18 - 20 spots are open for each retreat, so reach out if you’d like to reserve yours!
-
You will write. You will be inspired to write more. You will connect — with your story, with your dreams, and with other writers.
This is not a writing workshop where a guru tells you what is right or wrong with your piece. This is time and space for your writing.
Think of it as a commune: use the space and time as best fits your writing goals and be mindful of others who are in attendance.
-
In an effort to keep things as accessible for all, the price is per bed, since each room is so different. I’ll match you with a roomie, or you can choose to purchase all beds in a room to make a single. When we connect by email or phone to make sure this retreat is a great fit for you, you’ll receive a detailed map and listing of the available rooming options (from $425 - $775).
Included in your fee:
three nights lodging in a room with sheets, comforter, and towels
shared bathroom or ensuite bathroom, depending on room choice
Welcome Party with heavy appetizers on Thursday evening
all lunches and dinners (Friday and Saturday)
communal Tips Circle
evening Sharing Circle
final Closing Circle
fires and hikes
access to a chef’s kitchen to make your own breakfast — or to store your cereal and yogurt
coffee, tea, hot cocoa bar
-
There is no need to chat or share food that is made for the group (chef-prepared, delicious, and easy to grab on your self-imposed breaks).
There is no need to sit around the fire and read your work aloud.
There is no need to check in with anyone if you feel the urge to walk, to go get a sandwich, to drive home and walk your dog, or to visit the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.
AND… please know most of the writers are people who highly value shared space and words with other writers. This weekend was created because of the magic that occurs when creative minds sit together.
Melissa will lightly facilitate and organize, but this weekend is dedicated writing time for her, as well.
-
Anywhere you want!
There are big tables and plenty of chairs, as well as a living area with comfy couches. An old wooden ironing board is a favorite spot for those who like to look out a window, and there is a long pew if you enjoy writing while lying down.
If you are in a room that has several bunk beds, use the top for sleeping and the bottom as a hide-a-way writing space!
Bring your lap desk and find a corner upstairs that feels inspirational.
And don’t forget to take advantage of the National Park! Walk, journal, and breathe in the beauty of the CVNP.
-
Welcome dinner provided by Chef Jacob. You will NOT be disappointed.
Take a break from the page on Friday and Saturday and find delicious, hearty soups and bread for self-serve lunches.
Sunday brunch will be a lovely near-end chance to circle up for the final push.
Fully equipped kitchen to prepare all other meals at your leisure, plus easy access to restaurants.
Spacious dining room to enjoy meals with the group if you wish or just grab and head back to your room. All dishes are washed and dried by anyone who uses them.
Coffee, tea, and all the fixings provided, as well as a few other treats throughout the weekend!
-
Located at 6093 Stanford Road, Peninsula, OH 44264, in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Stanford House is the perfect space for fostering creativity, productivity, and relaxation.
This stunning historic farmhouse is located just steps from the iconic Towpath Trail and a short hike from Brandywine Falls. We have access to the private field beside the barn, as well as the fire circle. Parking is available for 10 cars, with overflow parking just a short walk away.
-
The house can hold 30 people, but the group is capped at 18 writers so that as many writers can join as fit comfortably, at prices that make is as accessible as possible.
The rooms have more than one bed in them (sometimes three!), so if you want to purchase all the beds in a room, feel free to spread your writing work on one bed, yourself on another, and use a top bunk for a secret hideaway.
For most of us, we will be sharing a room. I’m happy to help find a good roomie situation for you and will match you based on your sleep schedule and other preferences.
The first floor room is fully accessible. All other rooms are up a flight of stairs. If you have a need for a ground floor room, please let Melissa know.
-
Writers come from 8 hours away or as close as 15 minutes. They are poets, memoirists, fiction writers and CNF-ers. Some are relatively newbies, but most are tackling long-term projects, revising, or query letters. One finishes her novel, and another begins a new one. They range in age, gender, race, and economic background. All are respectful and supportive.
-
Once you have communicated with Melissa Vincel by phone or email (hello@melissavincel.com), you will receive payment details.
Reserve your room for a $100 non-refundable fee, with remaining payment due 60 days prior to the retreat. After 60 days, no refunds, though if you cannot attend and there is another writer on the waiting list, we will happily transfer your space to them and refund your payment minus the $100 deposit.
-
Melissa loves working one-on-one with writers. Reach out to see if your needs and her availability will align during this retreat.
WONDERING IF IT’S A FIT? Check out these notes from past WORDS IN THE WOODS writers:
“Words in the Woods is the best writing retreat I've been to in well over a decade. While it may seem daunting to house with a dozen strangers, there's no better community than creatives; it was very comfortable very quickly even for introverted creatures like writers. Writing in a National Park, with opportunities to share meals and fellowship, is a weekend like none other. Enough organization to feel a solid flow, and enough trust in each attendee that we understand how much solo time (or outdoors time, or music time, or sharing time, or...) we each need as individuals ensured that we each had the power to control how productive and impactful our own experience was.”
“Words in the Woods helped me to feel more confident, comfortable, and connected in my transition from writing poetry to writing fiction. I am so grateful for the experience!”
“Best investment ever of time, money, energy and emotion! Melissa crafted a perfect long weekend complete with wise choices of location, people, food and optional activities. She is a gracious host and an experienced event planner down to details that make the difference between nice and great!”
“Go away, don't join, it's our secret. ;)”