Adult Lit Retreats

2022 Kweli Fellows Retreat

Every year, Kweli holds retreats for our writing fellows, providing an intimate and relaxing space for them to write and revise their work with the aid of an award winning teaching artist.

Kweli held its 2022 Fellows Retreat at Akwaaba Noble Lane in Bethany, PA! We were joined by Pulitzer Prize winning author Edward P. Jones who spent hours working with each fellow on their manuscript.

“One of Edward's questions had me literally running back to my desk: ‘If writing a page a day could save your life, would you do it?’” ~Heran Abate

Read and see more here!

Fiction Writers Retreat

During the 2022 Kweli International Literary Festival, two writers were gifted a weekend-long writing retreat at Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast in Philadelphia.

“I think the light that has been shed on the work that I have been living with, that fresh perspective, has really helped me dig deep into my own craft and the choices I make on the page.”~ Qursum Qasim

Read and see more here!

Kid-Lit Retreats

2023 Illustration and Writing Retreat

A few writers, who are also illustrators, had the opportunity to work on their craft during a retreat at Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast at Noble Lane.

While there, writers were able to learn from the winner of the Coretta Scott King honor and Caldecott honor for illustration, Cozbi A. Cabrera.

“Cozbi’s guidance and authenticity as an instructor felt refreshing and revitalizing. Being surrounded by passionate, warm, talented people revitalized my urge to create and strengthen my discipline as an artist.”

~Vanessa Quinones

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Picture Book Retreat

After the 2022 Color of Children's Literature Conference, Kweli provided a few raffle winners an all expense paid writing retreat at Akwaaba. Writers had the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful grounds at Akwaaba all while focusing on their craft and learning from acclaimed author and winner of the 2022 Coretta Scott King Award, Carole Boston Weatherford.

The three picture book writers joined us for a Picture Book Writing Retreat at Akwaaba in Philadelphia.

“The one-on-one session with Carole was amazing!… Carole even brought my agent into the conversation, sharing tips over the phone with her on how to support this specific piece of work going forward.” ~Ariel Vanece

Read and see more here!

2022 Illustration and Writing Retreat

This year, a few writers who are also illustrators, were able to work with Caldecott Winner, Juana Martinez-Neal during a retreat at Akwaaba in Brooklyn.

Writers have time to focus on their work while having one-on-one sessions, and group discussions.

See more here!