Ready to blast off on an out of this world creative journey? Apply now!

Launch Coordinates:

September 25–29, 2026

Trinity Center, Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina

Cost: $1750 for single occupancy; $1550 for double occupancy. Financial aid is available.

See you in outer space 🚀

Thanks for your interest in the Journey to Jupiter Writing Retreat.

This application is not a test, but rather an opportunity to get to know you and your writing better. Seating on our spaceship is limited and we want to make sure you’re the right match for this offering.

And no, we don’t care if you’ve published anything. We care about what you’re working on and what you need help with.

To be considered you must:

Journey to Jupiter Application

Great job! You've completed step one, but you aren't quite done yet! Two more steps to go.  

STEP TWO: Please submit your 5-10 page writing sample that represents what you're working on at info@writingisjoy.com 

Don't fret about the formatting. While we prefer to receive your words in a standard manuscript format (12 point font, double spaced) applications will not be rejected for formatting issues. We'll just ask that you resubmit your handwritten napkins or emoji laden note cards in a format that makes it easy to review and respond. We want to work with you and unique formatting is not a barrier to entry. 

STEP THREE: Please pay the $30 application fee.

If accepted this payment will be applied to your registration fee. The application fee payment is non-refundable.

That's it! Once you've completed all three steps, your application is complete! 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Expect a response in 8 weeks or less. Retreat organizers reserve the right to close applications at any time.

Space travel is better when you bring a friend

Know somebody who’d love an out of this world creative journey?

Scan the QR code to share with a friend.

  • "I LOVED THIS RETREAT. I really appreciated the thought that went into it, the advance communication including personalized emails, the structure and schedule, the skillful facilitation and community building.”

  • "I felt safe. There was a welcoming sense of community from the start and throughout. That allowed me to arrive, rather quickly, to a place of self-actualization about myself as a writer, my writing, and the writing process. In short, it was transcendent."

  • "I was hoping that the retreat would inspire me to keep writing after a summer hiatus. It did!! And I'm excited to be working on my book again. In addition, I feel much clearer about how to proceed because the writing exercises and book discussions served to clarify so many points for me.”