DR. KIMBERLY J. HALE · FACULTY SUCCESS COACH

Faculty Writing Retreat

Four days. Real progress. The kind you can't seem to make alone.

Faculty who attend the writing retreat leave with completed drafts, finished proposals, and — more importantly — the confidence that they can actually do this work. 

Upcoming Retreats

My annual writing retreat is in mid-March.

Tentative Dates: March 11 – 14, 2027 

I’m gauging interest for other dates! 

Join my email list to let me know your preferences and be the first to know when registration opens. 

Retreat groups are small by design and are priced to be accessible even without institutional support – all lodging and meals are included.

WHY A WRITING RETREAT?

You know you need to write. You just need the space to do it.

Do you feel like if you had time away from other responsibilities you could finally finish that draft? Do you sit down to write and find yourself doing anything else instead?

There is something genuinely different about writing in community, away from the inbox and the to-do list. This retreat gives you that space — plus strategy, coaching, and support to help you manage your mindset, make real progress, and build momentum that carries you forward long after you leave.

Get Notified About the Next Retreat

THE EXPERIENCE

What's Included

Everything you need to focus on your writing — and nothing that gets in the way.

📝 Multiple Writing Sessions Daily

Structured writing time every single day, with strategically placed breaks so you stay focused without burning out.

🎯 Group Coaching & Strategy

Coaching sessions with a certified coach focused on your needs: techniques, mindset, strategies, and more.

👥 Small Group Community

Write alongside faculty who get it. Daily accountability check-ins keep you moving. We limit enrollment to keep the group small.

🏡 Comfortable Accommodation

3 nights in a comfortable private room in a cozy home-like setting with plenty of space to spread out and write. 

🍽️ 🥨 🧃 All Meals & Snacks

Simple, healthy meals and yummy treats provided. Full breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks from arrival through departure. Vegetarian and gluten-free accommodated.

📋 Farewell Planning Session

Leave with a clear plan for continuing your writing momentum after the retreat. Post-retreat accountability options also available.

WHAT FACULTY SAY

"I can accomplish my goals if I purposefully set aside time."

“The first book proposal I wrote took me almost a month to complete because I wasn’t focused. This time, I completed my proposal in the weekend. I came out with a lot of self-confidence that I can achieve my writing goals.”


— Cheryl, Assistant Professor

“With a dedicated block of time and a supportive community of fellow academics, I was able to make substantial progress on my book — contributing to five chapters. I left not only with tangible progress but also with a deeper connection to my work and to a network of scholars who truly understand the writing journey.”

— E., Associate Professor, University of Texas at Austin

“Dr. Hale created a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment to settle in and get writing. Each day we set goals, co-worked, and debriefed on our progress. It felt great to make space for my work and see significant progress after only a few days.”

— Michelle Taylor, Associate Professor

Here’s what faculty who’ve attended have to say.

THE SCHEDULE

Four Days of Writing Support

Here’s the general flow of our days. The schedule is subject to small adjustments based on each group’s needs.

Day 1Arrive mid-to-late afternoon. Free time to settle in, then group dinner and opening coaching session.
Day 2Full day of writing sessions with coaching, accountability check-ins, strategically placed breaks, and shared meals.
Day 3Full day of writing sessions with coaching, accountability check-ins, strategically placed breaks, and shared meals.
Day 4Morning writing session, then farewell coaching session and lunch. Depart after lunch.

WHERE WE STAY

A Cozy Home Away From Home

Each retreat is hosted in a comfortable, home-like setting with plenty of room to spread out and write — indoors, in cozy common spaces, and (usually) outdoors. Think comfortable furniture, good light, and the kind of relaxed atmosphere where you can actually settle in and focus.

Accommodations include private rooms with semi-private bathrooms, shared living and dining spaces, and writing areas. Specific location details, photos, and amenities are shared on each retreat’s registration page.

Note: Some retreat locations require navigating steps to enter and have unpaved outdoor areas. They are not fully wheelchair accessible. We’re sorry for this limitation and are working toward more accessible options for future retreats.

IS THIS THE RIGHT FIT?

This retreat is for you if…

  • ✔️You know you need to write for your career, and you’re ready to make progress.
  • ✔️You feel overwhelmed by the thought of writing an article or a book
  • ✔️You’ve tried to make progress on a project before, but you got stuck along the way.
  • ✔️You’re ready to try new writing techniques and strategies to help you get your writing done.

You might skip this if…

  • ✕You want to get away from home but aren’t committed to writing. This retreat is built around community writing sessions.
  • ✕You don’t yet have a project to work on. The retreat works best if you are ready to work on a project when you arrive. 
  • ✕You want someone to tell you exactly what to do — we work on strategies together, but implementation is yours.
  • ✕You’re unable to safely navigate stairs or unpaved paths. Current retreat locations are not fully accessible.

YOUR HOST

Dr. Kimberly J. Hale

I’m a trained faculty success coach (ICF: ACC), developmental editor, and book coach. I’ve supported faculty through establishing writing practices and publishing their first articles and beyond.

I know firsthand how hard it is to fit writing into the rhythm of a regular semester.

I’ve experienced the boost and long-term momentum a writing retreat can have on scholarly output. That’s exactly why I host these retreats — I want you to experience it too.

After successfully navigating reappointment, tenure, and promotion myself, I’ve committed to supporting other faculty through the same journey — without sacrificing everything else in the process.

QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Coach Kimberly will provide lots of support to help you get started. You should have a specific project in mind before arriving. If you need help identifying a project, consider scheduling a 1-on-1 coaching session before the retreat.

Sure — and many of us try that. But there’s something genuinely different about writing in community, away from the demands of daily life. The retreat creates conditions that are hard to replicate at home: no inbox, no interruptions, peers who understand, and a coach in the room.

Yes. The schedule is designed to include time to relax — with the group or on your own. There’s always space to rest, explore the surroundings, or simply decompress between writing sessions.

No — this retreat is designed to give you focused time on your writing. It’s just faculty writers and your host.

Yes, when room configuration allows. Select the Bring-a-Friend checkout option to share with another registered participant at a discounted rate. If you’d like to split the payment separately, contact Kimberly for individual coupon codes.

We accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free needs. We’ll do our best with food allergies, but we can guarantee there is no cross contamination. We are not able to accommodate other dietary restrictions, but you’re welcome to bring your own meals and snacks.

When you register, you are committing to attend. There are no refunds for the retreat. If you’re unable to attend, you may gift your spot to another participant who is not already registered. Full terms are shared on the registration page for each retreat.

Plan to arrive by early-to-mid afternoon on Day 1 so you can settle in before the group welcome dinner and coaching session. Depart after lunch on Day 4. Specific timing guidance is shared with registered participants.

My clients manage this in different ways. Some pay with their card, and use their receipt to get reimbursed. Others pay with the department’s pro-card.

Contact Kimberly directly at [email protected] for an invoice your institution can pay directly. 

Email Kimberly: [email protected] — she’s happy to help.

Ready to Make Progress on Your Writing?

Spots are limited for each retreat. Check the registration page for current dates, pricing, and room availability.

📌 Editor note: When a retreat is open for registration, add a Button widget here linking to the ThriveCart checkout page for that specific retreat. Remove or hide this note when the button is live.

Want to be the first to know when spots open?

Join the list and you’ll be the first to hear when new retreat dates are announced — including early access before spots open to the public.