The Minnesota Winter Retreat for Writers

Pilot Edition

The Minnesota Winter Retreat for Writers is a 7-day exclusive retreat open to 7 serious writers—poets, prose fictionists, memoirist and essayists—who are looking for space to do deep work in the stillness of winter and receive gentle, focused guidance in the process.

Each writer will receive full room and board in one of two historic houses in Richfield, a suburb of Minneapolis: The Nightingale (built in 1925) and the Skylark (built in 1957).

Throughout the residency, MWR writers will have access to consultations with Richard Katrovas, founder of the Prague Summer Program.

Each day will close with a communal meal, spirited discussion, and perhaps a spontaneous reading or two. We will also offer a day trip to places around the Twin Cities, with a focus on literary sites.

The MWR is a sister project of the Prague Summer Program for Writers.

  • January 27th to February 3rd, 2026

    (Arrivals on Monday at 4pm; departures the following Monday before 11am.)

    Deadline for applications: January 5th, 2026

    •  private room with shared bathroom

    • snacks, coffee, tea throughout day and dinner every evening

    • consultations with Richard Katrovas, founder of the PSP (who will be on site)

    • optional lockbox access for phone

    • several optional daytrips and shared activities

  • Costs vary from $647 to $797 depending on room. Contact us for details about each room; otherwise you’ll be asked to choose a room upon acceptance.

    Room sharing: If you want to share a room, the cost is reduced for each by 25%. Please come to us as a duo; we will not find you a room-sharing partner. Note that the only room that includes separate beds (bunkbed) is the children’s room in the Skylark. 

    Every MWR participant gets 30% off participation in the Prague Summer Program for Writers.

    Prague Summer Program alumni receive a 15% discount.

  • Please send a short bio, writing sample (any length), and cover letter to katrovas@aol.com, telling him what you would like to bring to fruition during the retreat. Please copy the coordinator Ema Katrovas (ema.katrovas@gmail.com) in your application.

    Upon acceptance, you will be invited to choose your room, from those remaining, and indicate food preferences and needs.

    Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis by Richard Katrovas.

    Deadline: January 5th, 2026

  • Director: Richard Katrovas (katrovas@aol.com)

    Coordinator: Ema Katrovas (ema.katrovas@gmail.com)

    Please note that practical questions about the Minnesota Winter Retreat for Writers should be directed to Ema Katrovas (contact above), not Ella Katrovas who coordinates the Prague Summer Program for Writers :)