2024 Writers retreat
june 28-30
2025 WRITERS RETREAT
JUNE 27-29
Greater Albuquerque Association
of REALTORS®️ Event Center
"In June of 2023, fresh and unleashed from America’s covid crisis, a room full of excited poets gathered for the Annual Jimmy Santiago Baca Writer’s Retreat, held at the Albuquerque Museum. Besides the expected daily workshops, we were surprised to receive sessions on ecstatic dancing, hip-hop verses, gardening, native ceremonial movements, and an opportunity to learn a Buddhist chant. In his words, we were invited to ‘loosen up the subconscious enough to allow the ego to step aside for the writer/poet to write’. And loosen up we did."
- Veronica C. Evans
Register
In-Person
Immerse yourself in the vibrant literary culture of Albuquerque. This retreat offers a unique opportunity to connect with fellow writers and engage in transformative workshops led by Jimmy and our instructors. Participants will explore various writing techniques, share their work, and receive personalized feedback in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Online via Zoom
Join us from the comfort of your own home with our engaging online program via Zoom. This virtual retreat provides a flexible and accessible platform for writers to hone their skills and connect with a diverse community of literary enthusiasts. Participants will benefit from interactive workshops, insightful discussions, and valuable critiques from Jimmy, the instructors, and fellow writers.
INSPIRATION
This year’s retreat is structured in a way to open you up, to leave behind the age-old rules and regulations on what good writing is and isn't and break into open fields of your own sensibility and evoke those vignettes of thought and emotion that reflect your inner landscapes-- create new rules that are measured by your sincerity, your compassion, your loves and sadness’s. Don't go for the silly textbook dance where you mimic Charlie Chaplin's walk and mannerisms-- instead, be your own, sing your own, cry and dance your own stories and lyrics--this will be the crux of our craft lessons, to trust yourself enough to open up and welcome in the listener to hear your story, witness your journey.
And who is the greatest Opener of all? The feminine instinct, Mother Earth, She who births life with her fingers, lips, sight, scent, touch, every aspect of Her Being pulsates with life-giving energy and that is what the poet does, the writer does, with every word and sound we round the male edges to lure from inside ourselves our feminine nature to create and open and spread and be vulnerable and evolve.... yes, evolve our beings to nourish not negate, to serve not turn our backs, to feed not hoard, to shelter not exclude, to love not betray....
That's what this writing retreat will be, balancing on the fulcrum of our confidence to bloom ourselves in every fertile word....
— Jimmy Santiago Baca
Schedule
27
6pm - 9pm
6pm – 7pm
Lobby Social Hour
7pm - 9pm
Auditorium Opening Remarks
Q & A w/ Poets:
Jimmy, Zach, Hakim & Garland
28
8:30am - 4:30pm
8:30am – 10am
Doors open/ sign in
Coffee Bar
Land Acknowledgement
Classes:
10 - 11:30am
Lunch 11:30am - 1pm
1pm - 2:30pm
Break
3pm - 4:30pm
Building closes at 5pm
29
12pm - 5pm
Polish Work & Readings
Thank you
for joining us
on this
unforgettable journey!
Workshop Themes
Building Resources • The Importance of Structure in Craft • Lead Yourself in Writing • Learning to be your own Leader • Fearless Pursuit of Authenticity • Self-Critiquing & Building Trust with Yourself • Where does your work stand? • How to improve it? - engaged writing, relying on your sense of self, undertstanding how to critique your work, identifying your strengths and weaknesses.
Meet the Instructors
Poet & Author
Zach Hively
Zach Hively is the author of three poetry collections, including Owl Poems and Desert Apocrypha, which earned the Reading the West Book Award. He has written a humor column for more than a decade, four times claiming the Top of the Rockies award from the Society of Professional Journalists. The book Call Me Zach Hively Because That Is My Name compiles many of these pieces as short essays. Hively is also the founder and publisher of Casa Urraca Press, emphasizing New Mexican and Southwestern authors, and he leads writing workshops throughout the region. You can read new work weekly through Zach Hively and Other Mishaps.
Artist & Poet
Hakim Bellamy
Having served as Deputy Director for the City of Albuquerque Department of Arts & Culture from 2018 to 2022, Hakim Bellamy is a national and regional Poetry Slam Champion. He holds three consecutive collegiate poetry slam titles at UNM. His poetry has been widely published and he has received many awards. His books include the award-winning SWEAR (West End Press/UNM Press) and Commissions Y Corridos: Poems (UNM Press) . He is the co-creator of the multimedia Hip Hop theater production Urban Verbs: Hip-Hop Conservatory & Theater that has been staged throughout the country. He facilitates youth writing workshops for schools, jails, churches, prisons and community organizations in New Mexico and beyond...
Poet
Garland Thompson jr
Garland is a passionate storyteller and poet, weaving narratives that resonate deeply with audiences. With a background in theater, film, and video, he brings a unique blend of creativity and artistry to his work. As a former Poet Laureate of Pacific Grove, California Garland has dedicated his career to celebrating the power of language and the beauty of storytelling. Whether through live performances, poetry slams, podcasts, or written verse, Garland strives to inspire, connect, and provoke thought. With his talent for crafting immersive experiences and his commitment to elevating voices from all walks of life, Garland continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of storytelling and poetry.
WHO IS THIS RETREAT FOR?
Don't think that because you're not a published poet/writer/screenwriter or novelist you can't join us––in fact, those with stories in their heads and desire in their hearts are the best ones to attend this workshop. You'll learn how to get those poems, that story, that memoir written. Guarantee it. You'll learn about structure, tone, metaphor, stream of consciousness, editing, and much, much more. We promise a memorable event for you, to make new friends for life, to become a better writer/poet, to express yourself in your own unique fashion.