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Clockhouse Writers' Conference & Retreat
July 17-21, 2026 | The Creative Campus @ Goddard Every year since 1997, MFA alumni have gathered at the Clockhouse Writers' Conference & Retreat (CWC&R) to practice our art and renew our bonds as a writing community. We've followed this set of principles since the beginning. One of the gifts of CWC&R is that each time we gather, we make our own community, much like the one we experienced as we went through the program at Goddard. Registration is now closed. |
WhatA five-day nurturing and generative writing conference and retreat created for and by graduates of Goddard College's MFA in Creative Writing program.
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WhoAll Goddard MFA-W graduates who attended for any length of time are invited to attend. Attendance is limited to 30 people, with room for 25 in the campus dorm.
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When & WhereFriday through Tuesday,
July 17-21, 2026. The Creative Campus @ Goddard 123 Pitkin Road, Plainfield, VT |
To download a print-ready version of the info on this page, click here.
You can stay on campus in the dorm or make your own arrangements to stay off campus. Please note, we will not be the only people at The Creative Campus @ Goddard. There will be other people in the dorm, dining hall and other shared spaces.
Dorm
Our home base will be Kilpatrick. If you stayed there during a Goddard residency, most of it will be familiar. If not, this is what you can expect:
Staying off campus
Arriving early
Cost
There isn't a discount for shared rooms. The Creative Campus charges us per person, not per room, so even if people doubled up, the cost would be the same.
Dorm
Our home base will be Kilpatrick. If you stayed there during a Goddard residency, most of it will be familiar. If not, this is what you can expect:
- You'll enter a code to get into the dorm. Your room key will be in the room, on the dresser.
- Each dorm room includes an extra-long, twin-size bed with linens, one pillow, blanket, and one towel.
- Most rooms do not have hangers.
- All-gender shared bathrooms.
- No air-conditioning.
- Limited refrigerator space.
- We'll bring our own coffee maker, tea kettle, and fixings.
- Free parking at upper and lower lots.
Staying off campus
- You can make your own arrangements to stay off-campus and pay for meals on campus.
Arriving early
- If you're staying in the dorms, you can arrive early and stay Thursday night, July 17. This can be helpful for those traveling a long distance as the conference begins Friday at 1 p.m.
Cost
There isn't a discount for shared rooms. The Creative Campus charges us per person, not per room, so even if people doubled up, the cost would be the same.
- Single room: $60 per night for 4 nights (linens included) + 9% VT tax + $25 cleaning fee = $286.60
- Optional: Early arrival night in dorm on Thursday, July 16: $60 + 9% VT tax = $65.40
Whether you stay in the dorm or off-campus, we'll eat together in the dining hall.
Our meals will be buffet-style , with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options at every meal. We'll have snacks and beverages available in Kilpatrick. You're welcome to bring your own, but there is limited space for perishable items.
Meal schedule
Cost
Our meals will be buffet-style , with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options at every meal. We'll have snacks and beverages available in Kilpatrick. You're welcome to bring your own, but there is limited space for perishable items.
Meal schedule
- Thursday night (optional)
- For those arriving early, we'll head into Plainfield for pay-on-our-own dinner.
- Friday
- For those arriving early, breakfast and lunch is available in the dining hall.
- Official check-in is 11 am to 1 pm; Conference begins at 1:30 pm.
- Dinner in dining hall.
- Saturday through Monday
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in dining hall.
- Note: Saturday's dinner (optional) will be at participant's house in Plainfield.
- Tuesday
- Breakfast in dining hall.
- Conference officially ends at 11:30 am but lunch is available in the dining hall
Cost
- Prices range from $15 to $23 per meal.
- Plus 9% VT tax.
Every year, CWC&R kicks off with a Plenary Panel. The speakers and theme are chosen at the previous year's Closing Community Meeting. This year's theme is Artifacts.
In addition to the Plenary Panel, the conference includes writing workshops (generative, craft, impromptus, the writing life), works-in-progress sessions, and evening readings. There is also plenty of time for personal writing, reflection, and socializing.
The core of the conference is the workshops hosted by attendees. Topics have included "Reviving Poems We Thought Were Kaput," "Unlocking Creativity," "Reimagining vs. Revising Stories," "A Memoir Roundtable," and more. If you would like to host a workshop, let us know on the registration form.
In addition to the Plenary Panel, the conference includes writing workshops (generative, craft, impromptus, the writing life), works-in-progress sessions, and evening readings. There is also plenty of time for personal writing, reflection, and socializing.
The core of the conference is the workshops hosted by attendees. Topics have included "Reviving Poems We Thought Were Kaput," "Unlocking Creativity," "Reimagining vs. Revising Stories," "A Memoir Roundtable," and more. If you would like to host a workshop, let us know on the registration form.
Limited scholarships are available to help defray registration and/or housing and meal costs.
Many of us in the CWC community have known thin financial times. The scholarship fund is for those times. We work on a community trust basis. We simply divide the scholarship fund between those who let us know they could use support. All scholarship information is kept confidential.
The total amount available varies from year to year, depending on how many people ask, and how much is contributed to the fund. So we're unable to determine the amount of scholarships in advance.
Scholarships are made possible by generous donations from past and current CWC&R attendees.
To apply for assistance, select the option to pay by Zelle/check and complete your registration without paying.
We'll consider you registered and reach out by June 1 with the scholarship amount. Any balance not covered by the scholarship will be due by June 8.
Many of us in the CWC community have known thin financial times. The scholarship fund is for those times. We work on a community trust basis. We simply divide the scholarship fund between those who let us know they could use support. All scholarship information is kept confidential.
The total amount available varies from year to year, depending on how many people ask, and how much is contributed to the fund. So we're unable to determine the amount of scholarships in advance.
Scholarships are made possible by generous donations from past and current CWC&R attendees.
To apply for assistance, select the option to pay by Zelle/check and complete your registration without paying.
We'll consider you registered and reach out by June 1 with the scholarship amount. Any balance not covered by the scholarship will be due by June 8.
The Creative Campus @ Goddard
123 Pitkin Road
Plainfield, VT 05667
Campus map >
Parking: The closest lot to the dorm is the lower lot by "The Center."
Transit: If arriving at the Burlington airport or by train in Montpelier, let us know on the registration form if you need transportation to/from.
123 Pitkin Road
Plainfield, VT 05667
Campus map >
Parking: The closest lot to the dorm is the lower lot by "The Center."
Transit: If arriving at the Burlington airport or by train in Montpelier, let us know on the registration form if you need transportation to/from.
Packing recommendations
Other
We'll have some refrigerator space in the dorm to store communal food but you're welcome to bring non-perishable food, etc. We'll also have a tea kettle and assorted snacks available throughout the day/night.
- Comfortable clothing and layers.
- A fan. Some buildings have air conditioning; Kilpatrick dorm does not. They will provide one fan per room.
- Toiletries (unscented is always appreciated).
- Reusable coffee cup and/or water bottle.
- A journal/notebook, writing implements, and/or computer and earphones.
- A lap desk or other hard surface like a clipboard if writing by hand.
- Sunscreen, rain gear, and bug repellant are also excellent ideas (Vermont does have ticks).
- Additional bedding and towels if that makes you comfortable.
- An outdoor/camping chair if you are driving and have room. We'll take advantage of outdoors spaces as weather permits.
Other
We'll have some refrigerator space in the dorm to store communal food but you're welcome to bring non-perishable food, etc. We'll also have a tea kettle and assorted snacks available throughout the day/night.
To download a print-ready version of all the info on this page, click here.
Questions? Email us at [email protected]