Writing as Renewal
A Writing and Living Convivencia in
A Writing and Living Convivencia in Guatemala
A 6-night, intimate gathering at El Convento Boutique Hotel in Antigua. designed for those ready to step outside the noise and return to their voice—held in a space that values depth, rest, and real conversation.
A restorative gathering for thoughtful women, queer, nonbinary, and gender-expansive scholars who are craving time away from the noise and closer to their own voice.
January 3-9, 2028
Antigua, Guatemala
Limited to 9 participants
The word convivencia comes from Spanish and loosely translates to living together or shared existence.
But the translation doesn’t quite capture it.
Convivencia is about presence. About being in relationship—with yourself, with others, with place.
It is about conversation that lingers. Time that softens.
And the quiet unfolding that becomes possible when we step out of urgency and into a shared rhythm of living and writing.
There are no productivity hacks.
No rigid schedules.No pressure to produce something “impressive.”
This is a different kind of space.
A space where writing is not separated from living.Where conversation matters as much as craft.Where rest is not something you earn—it’s part of the experience.
This is a convivencia.
A gathering rooted in presence, relationship, and shared experience.
Why this Retreat Exists
- urgency
- evaluation
- comparison
- quiet (or not-so-quiet) self-doubt
Over time, writing can start to feel:
- heavy
- performative
- disconnected from who we actually are
This retreat is an invitation to step outside of that.
To write differently.
To live differently.
Even if just for a week.
What the Experience Includes
What’s included
✔️6 nights at El Convento Boutique Hotel in Antigua
✔️Daily breakfast
✔️Several curated group dinners and outings
✔️Daily writing sessions and facilitation
✔️Reflection prompts and retreat materials
✔️One local day experience at Jardines de Provenza
✔️Group transportation from airport to Antigua
✔️Optional meditation and gentle movement
What’s not included
🚫 Airfare
🚫 Alcohol and personal expenses
🚫 Travel insurance (highly encouraged)
Travel insurance is required for participation in this convivencia.
There is structure—but it is spacious.
Mornings
We begin with quiet writing sessions.Light facilitation.An invitation to enter the day with intention.
Midday
Shared meals.Conversation.Time to pause or wander.
Afternoons
Unstructured space.Writing, resting, exploring Antigua, or doing whatever you need to restore yourself.
Evenings
On select nights, we gather for shared dinners, reflection, or conversation.
Other evenings remain open.
The Rhythm of Our Days
This IS for you if:
You are a woman, queer, nonbinary, and/or gender-expansive writer, scholar, or creative who wants space to think.
You are craving a slower and more intentional relationship with writing.
You are curious about the connection between place, story, and voice.
You want to spend time with thoughtful people who care deeply about language, ideas, and meaning.
This is NOT for you if:
You want a bootcamp-style productivity experience
You need constant programming or external accountability
You are looking for a fast-paced or “optimized” experience
There are plenty of those.
This is not one of them.
This is not something you attend
It is something you enter.
Not a retreat defined by urgency—but a convivencia shaped by presence, relationship, and shared experience.
INVESTMENT
Accepted: all major credit cards, google pay, klarna, afterpay
*institutional payment for all or partial payment also accepted - i will work with your institution accordingly.
The Application Process
Not to create exclusivity—but to ensure alignment. Because the quality of the group shapes the entire experience, care is taken in bringing together a small circle of participants who feel aligned with the spirit of the convivencia.
You will be asked to share:
✓what draws you to this experience
✓what you are hoping for
✓what would support your participation
You will receive a response within a few days.
FAQs
DO I NEED TO BE WORKING ON A SPECIFIC PROJECT TO ATTEND?
No. You are welcome to bring a specific project if you have one, but it is not required. Some participants arrive with a manuscript, while others come with a desire to reconnect with writing more generally.
This retreat is designed to support both.
IS THIS RETREAT ONLY FOR ACADEMICS?
Not exclusively. Many participants may be faculty or scholars, but this space is open to writers, creatives, and thoughtful individuals who feel drawn to a deeper, more intentional relationship with writing.
WHAT IS THE NEAREST AIRPORT AND HOW DO I GET TO ANTIGUA?
The nearest airport is La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City). Group airport transportation will be provided within a designated arrival window. Additional details and coordination will be shared closer to the retreat.
I'VE NEVER BEEN TO GUATEMALA BEFORE. IS IT SAFE?
Antigua is a well-established destination known for its beauty, culture, and walkability. As with any international travel, awareness and care are important, and guidance will be provided to support your experience. Many participants will also be traveling solo, and the group structure offers an added layer of support and connection.
WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY?
Due to the nature of international retreat planning, all payments are non-refundable. However, if you are no longer able to attend, you may request to transfer your spot to another participant or apply your payment toward a future offering (pending approval). Full details will be outlined in the participant agreement.
CAN THIS BE COVERED BY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS?
In many cases, yes. Participants have successfully used institutional or professional development funding to support similar experiences. If needed, documentation can be provided to assist with this process.
WHAT WEATHER CAN I EXPECT?
January in Antigua offers a kind of gentle perfection—sun-warmed days, cool evenings, and air that feels both grounding and alive. It’s the kind of weather that invites you outside… and inward.
WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
Antigua’s January weather is beautifully balanced—but it does ask you to layer thoughtfully.
Here’s what will serve you best:
For daytime (writing, wandering, being):
Lightweight, breathable clothing
Comfortable walking shoes (cobblestone streets are no joke)
A hat and/or sunglasses for the midday sun
For mornings + evenings (the cozy shift):
A light sweater, shawl, or jacket
Something soft and warm you can wrap yourself in during early writing sessions or evening gatherings
For the experience itself:
A journal or notebook you love
Your preferred writing tools
An “artifact” or small object that grounds or inspires you (optional, but meaningful)
Nice-to-have:
Sunscreen
A small day bag
Reusable water bottle
IS THERE WI-FI?
Yes, high-speed WI-FI is available at El Convento Boutique Hotel in common areas and in bedrooms. However, connectivity can be spotty almost anywhere in Guatemala, so plan accordingly.
ARE THE BEDROOMS IDENTICAL OR DIFFERENT? CAN I PICK THE ROOM I WANT?
We offer three room types, each priced accordingly: Premium King Jacuzzi (2 rooms), Deluxe King (2 rooms), and Superior King (5 rooms). Room selection is first come, first served, so earlier acceptance offers more choice.
I'D LIKE TO ATTEND WITH MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER. IS THAT AN OPTION?
This experience is intentionally designed as an individual journey. To preserve the depth, trust, and intimacy of the space, participation is limited to accepted participants only. I’ve found that this allows everyone to show up more fully, honestly, and expansively in their writing and reflection. You’re absolutely welcome to extend your stay before or after the convivencia to travel with loved ones.
IS THIS CONVIVENCIA ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL MOBILITY LEVELS?
Antigua’s cobblestone streets are beautiful—but uneven and not always easy to navigate. Getting around may require balance, steadiness, and comfort with walking on varied terrain. Our home base, El Convento Boutique Hotel, offers a restful and supportive space, but part of the experience includes moving through the city for meals and outings. If you have any concerns about mobility or accessibility, I warmly invite you to reach out so we can talk through whether this experience will feel supportive for you.
CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS?
Yes—Antigua offers a wide range of dining options, and we’ll do our best to accommodate common dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten-free, allergies) with advance notice. You’ll also have flexibility to choose your own meals for the most part, so you can find what feels best for your body.
A Final Note
They are straightforward and productivity-oriented.
This is not one of them.
Because what happens when people gather in the right place, with the right intention, in a space that allows for both honesty and rest—is not entirely predictable.
But it is often meaningful.
If something in you is quietly saying yes—even if you can’t fully explain why—that is often where the most meaningful decisions begin.
You are invited to trust that.
Developmental Editing faqs
Think of a developmental editor as an all-in-one personal mentor, technical editor, and thought partner for your academic project(s) or situation. As a developmental editor, I help guide you in the writing development process and on your academic journey– I will meet you WHEREVER you are, no judgment, only support.
Certainly! I invite you to visit the portfolio of my client’s work here.
I do all of my own editing work - this ensures quality control and assurance that I approach your work with care and integrity. The only exception to this is formatting which my editorial assistant manages.
Yes, and all formatting styles (APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, Turabian, etc.) are welcome.
If you are a doctoral student, post-doc, faculty member, or academic staff person that needs guidance, editing, and/or accountability for a project, dissertation, thesis, manuscript, article, book project, or tenure dossier - a developmental editor is for you.