• Application requires a $30 fee

• Opens: September 26th, 2025

• Application Closes: November 30th, 2025

• Acceptance Emails will be sent out on a rolling basis. You apply, we review and send you a response within 7 business days.

Upon acceptance you will be required to make a $300 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot.

APPLICATION

The application fee is $30. Applications are due by November 30th, 2025 (11:59 PM EST). To apply CLICK HERE.

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Application Costs for Zona Colonial:

• Deposit: $300 (to be paid upon acceptance, goes towards overall balance)

• Early Bird: $3000 (applicant must sign up for payment plan by December 31st, 2025)

• Late Bird: $3500 (Beginning January 1st, 2026)

Application Costs for Cabarete:

• Deposit: $300 (to be paid upon acceptance, goes towards overall balance)

• Early Bird: $2700 (applicant must sign up for payment plan by December 31st, 2025)

• Late Bird: $3200 (Beginning January 1st, 2026)

Payment Plans Available: The deposit confirms your spot. The deposit counts towards the overall tuition payment. Balance can be paid in one full payment, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly payments. Upon acceptance participants will receive payment plan options via email.

Any questions please email Mariela@dominicanwriters.com

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PARTICIPANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

• Tuition payment

• Participants are responsible for booking their flights as soon as possible for arrival to AILA, STI or POP Airports as they are the nearest to the lodging.

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TUITION CANCELLATION POLICY:

• The $300 deposit is non-refundable under any circumstances.

• 100% Refund: If you cancel 90 days or more prior to the start of the retreat, you will receive a full refund of the tuition payment, excluding the non-refundable deposit. This allows the organization enough time to fill the spot and make adjustments.

• 50% Refund: If you cancel between 60 and 89 days prior to the start of the retreat, you will receive a 50% refund of the tuition payment, excluding the non-refundable deposit. This partial refund reflects the increased difficulty in finding a replacement.

• No Refund: If you cancel 59 days or less prior to the start of the retreat, no refund will be provided.

Exceptions:

• In the event of a medical emergency, a full refund will be issued if a doctor's note is provided.

• If the retreat is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster, all participants will be issued a full refund.

• Please note: All cancellations must be made by email to mariela@dominicanwriters.com. Cancellations made by text or phone will not be accepted.

• Refunds will be issued within 30 days of the cancellation date.

Most retreats focus only on craft or sightseeing. Ours go further:

• Dominican-led: All of our workshops are taught by Dominican authors who understand our culture and community.

• Research at the core: In Santo Domingo especially, we bring writers into archives, genealogy work, and Afro-Dominican history—tools that most writing retreats don’t offer.

• Rooted in identity: Both retreats are built around Dominican experiences, giving participants space to explore heritage and belonging, not just craft.

• Community of peers: We welcome Dominican-American writers, educators, and graduate students, so you’re in a room with people who share similar questions about identity and voice.

• Two unique paths: Cabarete (2025) offers space for craft and community by the beach. Santo Domingo (2026) takes a deep dive into history and research. Together, they give writers two ways to reclaim their narratives.

Cabarete Retreat (2025)

• For writers at any stage (beginner to advanced) who want to focus on craft, community, and generative writing.

• Perfect if you need dedicated time to write, reconnect with your creativity, and be in community with other Dominican writers.

• Great fit for those who want a supportive, immersive experience without heavy research expectations.

Santo Domingo Retreat (2026)

• For writers, educators, and graduate students who want to combine writing with research.

• Ideal if you’re interested in genealogy, archival work, or Afro-Dominican history as part of your storytelling.

• Great fit for those ready to do in-depth research and writing in the heart of the first city of the Americas.

The Dominican diaspora encompasses a rich tapestry of diverse experiences and identities! During the retreat, we create inclusive spaces that honor and celebrate the various connections individuals have to their heritage. Through a range of activities, discussions, and classes, we embrace and accommodate the multifaceted ways people relate to their Dominican roots.

Cabarete Retreat (2025) – Craft & Community

• Daily Writing Workshops led by Dominican authors, focused on craft and generative writing.

• Group Writing Time to draft, share, and get feedback.

• Cultural Immersion Activities such as cooking classes, music and dance sessions, and community visits.

• Beachside Reflection — space to write, rest, and build community in a relaxed setting.

• Evening Gatherings where we come together to share work and reflect as a group.

Santo Domingo Retreat (2026) – Research & History

• Daily Writing Workshops focused on weaving research into creative work.

• Genealogy Sessions with hands-on tools for building family trees, interviewing elders, and tracing roots.

• Archive Visits to the Archivo General de la Nación and other historic collections.

• Afro-Dominican Heritage Tour highlighting music, traditions, and community spaces.

• Cultural Activities such as guided walks, museum visits, and conversations with local historians.

• Evening Author-Led Sessions where facilitators share their own research and writing practices.

In short: Cabarete is about writing, craft, and community in a creative, restorative setting. Santo Domingo is about writing, research, and history in the heart of the first city of the Americas.

The retreat includes generative writing workshops and dedicated individual writing sessions. Additionally, the schedule reserves specific optional times designed intentionally for writing, beyond what you'll create during the workshops.

The classes and various writing activities are conducted in English, Spanish, and Spanglish. During our Summer 2023 retreat, individuals who didn't speak Spanish were still able to participate, engage in class and learn alongside fellow writers. Some basic Spanish skills will be helpful.

Dominican Writers Association, along with its staff, collaborators, faculty, and vendors, prioritize the safety of everyone involved. To ensure this, we strongly emphasize the importance of cooperation and adherence to guidelines and policies, especially when venturing outside the Villa. The selection of the Cabarete/Sosua area was deliberate due to its reputation for safety, and DWA takes extensive measures to maintain a secure environment. Our previous retreat in this location reported zero incidents. Moreover, the Villa is situated within a gated community, where residents and visitors alike adhere to additional security measures. While acknowledging the unpredictability of any location, we are committed to doing everything possible to safeguard everyone from potential harm.

In efforts to document the retreat and provide everyone with photos and videos we do heavily film and photograph activities. To ensure transparency, we provide a photo and media release to all participants. If you prefer not to be photographed, we're more than willing to accommodate your request, ensuring your comfort during the event.

Scholarships are available on a limited basis for those who demonstrate significant financial need. If you are passionate about attending the retreat but are facing financial difficulties, we encourage you to apply for a scholarship. To be considered, please email mariela@dominicanwriters.com with a detailed description of your financial situation and your reasons for wanting to attend the retreat. The program committee will carefully review your request and consider your application.

In addition to scholarships, we offer multiple payment plan options to accommodate different financial situations. These plans are designed to make it easier for approved applicants to manage the cost of attendance over time. If your application is approved, you will receive detailed information about the available payment plans and how to select the one that best suits your needs.

For more information email us at Mariela@dominicanwriters.com

TUITION CANCELLATION POLICY:

• The $300 deposit is non-refundable under any circumstances.

• 100% Refund: If you cancel 90 days or more prior to the start of the retreat, you will receive a full refund of the tuition payment, excluding the non-refundable deposit. This allows the organization enough time to fill the spot and make adjustments.

• 50% Refund: If you cancel between 60 and 89 days prior to the start of the retreat, you will receive a 50% refund of the tuition payment, excluding the non-refundable deposit. This partial refund reflects the increased difficulty in finding a replacement.

• No Refund: If you cancel 59 days or less prior to the start of the retreat, no refund will be provided.

Exceptions:

• In the event of a medical emergency, a full refund will be issued if a doctor's note is provided.

• If the retreat is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster, all participants will be issued a full refund.

• Please note: All cancellations must be made by email to mariela@dominicanwriters.com. Cancellations made by text or phone will not be accepted.

• Refunds will be issued within 30 days of the cancellation date.