Rosemont College’s MFA in Creative Writing Program concluded another inspiring Writer’s Retreat season with the 2026 Summer Writer’s Retreat & Publishing Seminar. Writers from a range of backgrounds gathered on campus for workshops, craft discussions, readings, and community—immersing themselves in the writing life in a focused and supportive setting.
The retreat once again demonstrated why Rosemont remains a meaningful home for serious creative work.
A Rich Range of Workshops
The 2026 Summer Writer’s Retreat offered participants the chance to study across genres with accomplished faculty. Workshops included poetry with Bethany White, short fiction with Elise Juska, creative nonfiction with Jennifer Rieger, novel writing with Charles Holdefer, flash fiction with Trish Rodriguez, and journaling with Margo Rabb, among other craft focused sessions.
Small workshop sizes allowed for substantial critique time, while craft lectures, publishing related panels, faculty readings, and an open mic created additional opportunities for learning and engagement.
Community, Readings & Celebration
Beyond the workshop table, the retreat fostered a strong sense of community. Nightly readings and receptions gave writers the chance to share work and hear from faculty and peers. Former attendees also returned for the open mic, adding to the energy of the final days.
Director Carla Spataro captured the spirit of the week when she reflected on the close of the retreat: “Every year I think it can’t get any better, and every year it’s so wonderful.” Her words echoed the gratitude shared by many participants as final workshops concluded and the group gathered for a farewell dinner before departing.
Learning Across Disciplines
One of the strengths of the Summer Writer’s Retreat is the opportunity to learn from writers working across forms. Moving between poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and novel craft expanded participants’ tools and perspectives. That cross genre exchange—paired with practical conversation about the writing life—helped make this Writer’s Retreat Recap especially meaningful.
