GRAD Writes retreats best suit graduate students who plan to complete theses/dissertations in 2025 or 2026. However, graduate students and postdocs are welcome to attend at any stage of their writing process.
CSU Writes retreats are rooted in research on “writing in social spaces” and “writing containment.” Each day of a retreat includes 5+ hours of writing time, writing-focused conversations, and scheduling support. Select retreats include consultations with the retreat lead.
Behind-the-Scenes at CSU Writes, we are a program run by students and faculty who also write. We appreciate your patience as we work to serve your writing needs. Your retreat registration and access will be confirmed with an Outlook calendar invite and a pre-retreat information email.
PLEASE NOTE: we process your retreat requests manually, which means you will not receive an automated response/calendar invitation. We strive to process registrations within 24-hours.
We appreciate you applying only for retreats you can commit to attending. Your attendance commitment is a win-win for you and our writing community. By honoring your commitment to attend a retreat, you will attend to your goals, contribute to the vibrancy of a retreat experience for everyone, and you help CSU use resources wisely. Thank you!
Fall 2025 marks a decade of CSU Writes supporting research writers across campus. We are deeply grateful to the thousands of writers who have participated in CSU Writes events, supported one another, and helped build a professional research writing community of excellence at CSU.
IN-PERSON 1-Day Intensive Retreats – GRAD Writes
SEPT 13
OCT 4
NOV 15
DEC 6
9am - 4pm | Morgan Library 173
Once a month, these in-person writing retreats will help graduate students and postdoctoral fellows make steady progress on their writing projects. These retreats are held at Morgan Library.
Participants will receive information via Outlook Calendar about ways to make the most of an in-person writing retreat.
Coffee/tea and healthy energy snacks provided. Attendance is limited. Register early.
VIRTUAL 1-Day Intensive Retreats – GRAD Writes
AUG 30
SEPT 27
OCT 11
NOV 8
8:30am - 4pm | ZOOM
Once a month, these ZOOM writing retreats will help graduate students and postdoctoral fellows make steady progress on their writing projects. Virtual writing retreats offer online or remote students enhanced access to our CSU Writes program, providing opportunities for intensive writing, practice, and strategy discussions.
Participants will receive information via Outlook Calendar about ways to arrange their writing space for a virtual retreat.
GRAD Retreats of Years Past
2025
1-Day (in-person): JAN, FEB, MAR, APR
1-Day (virtual): FEB, MAR, APR
Weeklong: MAY + 3-Day Retreats in JUN, AUG
2024
1-Day (in-person): FEB, MAR, APR, AUG, OCT, NOV
1-Day (virtual): JAN, FEB, MAR, APR, SEPT (x2), OCT
Weeklong: MAY + 2-Day Retreat in JUNE + 1-Day Retreat in AUG
2023
1.5-Day: JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL, JULY, AUG,
Weeklong: MAY + 1-Day Retreats in JUNE, JULY, AUGUST
2022
1.5-Day: JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL, AUG, SEPT, OCT, NOV, DEC
Weeklong: MAY + 1-Day Retreats in JUNE, JULY, AUGUST
2021
1.5-Day: JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL, AUG, SEPT, OCT, NOV, DEC
Weeklong: MAY, JUNE
2020
2-Day: FEBRUARY, MARCH (remote) & APRIL (remote) Week-Long: MAY (remote)
2019
2-Day: FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER
Week-Long: MAY & JUNE
2018
2-Day:, MARCH, APRIL, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER
Week-Long: MAY
2017
2-Day: MARCH, APRIL, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER
Week-Long: MAY
2016
2-Day: MARCH, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER
Week-Long: MAY#1, MAY #2
