Q&A for first-time attendees
of Outrageous Voices Writers’ Retreats

What are some customs of O.V.?

This fall, Oct. 16-20, 2024, we are opening the retreat a day early for "pre-conference," free time for relaxing, reading, writing, and socializing. Attendees can check in after 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Scheduled activities will begin on with "Opening Circle" on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m.

At Opening Circle, we share our names, where we live, and something significant that happened this year. There is no pressure to share if you don’t want to. At the spring retreat, we usually have a dance on the last night. We end the retreat with a “Closing Circle,” sometimes with a song. We leave by noon on Sunday. 

What are the accommodations like?

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We do not post our retreat location on social media or share it with others who are not attending. You'll receive the precise location after you register. 

The fall retreat is in a rural area just south of Atlanta, GA, not too far from the Atlanta airport. Accommodations are summer-camp, barracks-style cabins, without air conditioning. A few semi-private rooms are available for those with special sleep needs. Some who find the conditions too rustic choose to stay in air-conditioned hotels nearby, but that's an added expense. Meals are not provided in the fall. We bring our own food, and there are facilities for meal prep. Sometimes people spontaneously plan and create group meals, and often people eat at restaurants in the vicinity. It’s also common for people to bring snacks to share. The suggested payment for the fall retreat is $90, with a sliding scale from $75-150. Pay what you are able, and we do request that, if you can, you pitch in a little extra money to help another person attend. No one will be turned away because of financial issues.

The spring retreat is held at a different location, a retreat center just south of Atlanta, GA, also not too far from the Atlanta airport. Accommodations are accessible and air conditioned. There are several options from a bunk in a cabin to private hotel-style rooms, and costs range from $45-$450, depending on whether you come for one day or stay for the whole retreat, and depending on which type of room/cabin you choose. A day pass for $45 includes lunch, dinner and swimming. The full retreat includes room, 3 meals a day, and swimming. Cost is “sliding scale,” pay what you are able, and we do request that, if you can, you pitch in a little extra money to help another person attend. No one will be turned away because of financial issues.

About how many people attend?

Since the pandemic, OUTrageous voices has been smaller, and for the last two years, we’ve had about 30-45 people at the retreat. In the past, the group has been as big as 150. 

What is the average day like?

The day starts with breakfast and then there are morning workshops, lunch, more workshops, afternoon readings, dinner, and evening readings. Anyone who wants to can lead a workshop. At the spring location, we’ll have time for swimming in the lake on Friday and Saturday. In the main dining area, people chat, network, and play games. Usually there’s a game or two of Scrabble in the evening. The Atlanta feminist bookstore, Charis Books & More, brings a wide selection of books for sale, so it’s like having a mobile bookstore onsite. 

Do you have to attend everything?

You can decide your own schedule. Take a walk, bring your bike and ride on trails, take a nap, find a quiet space in which to write or practice and time your reading. We plan a full day of workshops and readings, but everything is optional. 

Do you have to be a writer to attend?

We welcome writers and those who appreciate writing. In the workshops, everyone is encouraged to write, however, it is up to you whether you share your writing or not. Most workshops include time to write and time to share what we write in response to the prompts. You will not be pressed to share if you choose not to. We also welcome the partners and spouses of writers to attend the retreats as well. Many have found their voices through this experience and now call themselves writers, too, to their surprise. 

Do you have to be a lesbian to attend?

Our roots are in the lesbian community. However, not everyone loves the word “lesbian,” and we don’t try to squeeze everybody into that category. It is not our policy to ask how you identify. OUTrageous Voices welcomes lesbians, bisexual women, trans and nonbinary folks. 

Do you need to be a published writer to attend?

Writers at every level are welcome. 

Is it hard to make friends at O.V.?

We pride ourselves on being a friendly bunch, and we have a program called “Big Sisters” where you can sign up to have a big sister (or to be one).  That person’s role is to help you to feel connected and included.  

Do you have to read your writing out loud?

While we would love to hear your work, there is no pressure to share it in workshops or in the afternoon or evening readings. 

Is the space accessible?

The spring retreat center is accessible. The more rustic fall space is mostly accessible, but ramps for wheelchairs are steep.   

Tell me about the food…

In the fall, we bring our own food, and there are facilities for meal prep. Sometimes people spontaneously plan and create group meals, and often people eat at restaurants in the vicinity. It’s also common for people to bring snacks to share. 

In the spring, a chef prepares our food, your basic fare, and we can easily adjust for vegans, vegetarians, or gluten-free for an additional charge. 

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Are there any expectations for attendees?

We expect everyone to time their readings for the time slot they select so they don’t run over their allotted time. We also expect you to be kind, to be respectful of everyone reading their work, and to provide content warnings if anything you are about to read might disturb another person. We don't have organized workshifts, but in the fall, everyone pitches in with chores like final clean-up. 

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Am I allowed to leave campus during the retreat?

Yes, but you might want to tell someone that you are leaving just so we don’t start a search party.  

Is someone in charge?

We like to share power and to make decisions using consensus, and so there are about 20 people on the planning committees. However, for each retreat, one or two people volunteer to take the lead. We call them the coordinators. At the end of the retreat, we will ask for volunteers to coordinate the following retreat. 

Are drugs and alcohol allowed?

Neither of the venues for our retreats allows drugs or alcohol. 

Is nudity allowed?

Public nudity is also against the rules at these venues.  

Are pets allowed?

No pets are allowed.  

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