ABOUT THE RETREAT
March 28 - April 02 | Marrakech, Morocco
Join Glory Edim of Well-Read Black Girl, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Tyehimba Jess, and Senior Editor Yahdon Israel in a series of generative creative writing workshops that explore how we can leverage writing to create strong community bonds. Alongside writing workshops, we'll cover everything that encompasses the editorial and publishing world and we'll delve into the true life of a writer and how to cultivate habits, practices, and mindsets that enable you to produce your best work. This five day retreat will be held on the grounds of the renowned Jnane Tamsna resort in the lush date palm forest of Marrakech. The workshops will be complemented by cultural activities, including private tours of the city’s majestic medina and sojourns to secret gardens and the Atlas Mountains. This will be a space to discover, create, reflect, and develop relationships with people across borders, cultures, and backgrounds.
WHERE
Jnane Tamsna
Douar Abiad, Palmeraie, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco
Douar Abiad, Palmeraie, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco
WHEN
March 28th - April 02
2023
2023
AWARD-WINNING SPEAKERS
Join Glory Edim of Well-Read Black Girl, Senior Editor Yahdon Israel, and Pulitzer Prize winning poet Tyehimba Jess for creative writing workshops, conversations, and dinners. A space to exchange, share stories and dive deep into literature for five days.
Glory Edim
WELL-READ BLACK GIRL
Glory Edim is an author, activist, and the founder of Well-Read Black Girl, a nationwide book club-turned-literacy non-profit that celebrates the life changing power of literature. Well-Read Black Girl’s mission is to use storytelling as a tool for advocacy and collective empowerment. Glory has won numerous awards for her work supporting and sustaining literature, including the 2017 Innovator’s Award from the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes and the Madam C.J. Walker Award from the Hurston/Wright Foundation. She also serves on the board of Baldwin for the Arts. Her best-selling anthology, Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves, was published by Penguin Random House in 2018. She is currently working on a memoir that explores the intimate relationship between reading and self-healing. She resides in Washington D.C. with her son, Zikomo.
Yahdon Israel
Senior Editor, Simon & Schuster
Yahdon Israel is a Senior editor at Simon Schuster and founder of Literaryswag, a cultural movement that intersects literature and fashion to make books accessible. He has written for The New Inquiry, LitHub, Poets and Writers, Vanity Fair, and The Atlantic. He teaches Creative Writing at the MFA Program at City College, previously served on the Board of the National Book Critics Circle, and founded the Literaryswag Book Club, a Brooklyn-based subscription service and book club that meets every last Wednesday of the month.
Tyehimba Jess
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet
Tyehimba Jess is the author of two books of poetry, Leadbelly and Olio. Olio won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, The Midland Society Author’s Award in Poetry, and received an Outstanding Contribution to Publishing Citation from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. It was also nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award, the PEN Jean Stein Book Award, and the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. Leadbelly was a winner of the 2004 National Poetry Series. The Library Journal and Black Issues Book Review both named it one of the “Best Poetry Books of 2005.”
HOW WE'LL SPEND OUR DAYS
- Creative conversation & literary salons
- Exploration of Marrakech - from the Medina to the Palmeraies
- Sunset cocktails and canapés
- Candlelit dinners
- Free time to relax, socialize, write, and explore
- Exploration of Marrakech - from the Medina to the Palmeraies
- Sunset cocktails and canapés
- Candlelit dinners
- Free time to relax, socialize, write, and explore
CHOOSE WHERE TO STAY
Jnane Tamsna's splendid interior design, serene nine-acre garden, and five tranquil pools offer you the calm and peace of the Moroccan Palmeraie just on the outskirts of Marrakech. This unique and award-winning boutique hotel offers the perfect scenery to relax and dive into your creative side.
Pricing includes:
- 5 nights at Jnane Tamsna
- Meals with wine at Jnane Tamsna
- Meals with soft drinks in outside restaurants
- All local transportation and guided tours
- Airport transfers
Pricing includes:
- 5 nights at Jnane Tamsna
- Meals with wine at Jnane Tamsna
- Meals with soft drinks in outside restaurants
- All local transportation and guided tours
- Airport transfers
STANDARD ROOM
- Single Occupancy: $3000
- Double Occupancy: $2400/per person
- Double Occupancy: $2400/per person
DELUXE ROOM
- Single Occupancy: $3400
- Double Occupancy: $2700/per person
- Double Occupancy: $2700/per person
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Are there a limited number of spots?
Yes! We're curating a very intimate experience, so space is limited.
Are the workshop sessions optional?
Yes, you aren't required to join anything you don't want to participate in, but we highly recommend attending!
When will the full itinerary be available?
The full itinerary will be shared to retreat attendees closer to the start date.
What does the rate cover?
Your room, all of your meals, wine at Jnane Tamsna, non-alcoholic beverages in outside restaurants, all tours and activities, and airport transfers.
Are plane tickets included?
No, you'll need to buy your own plane ticket.
Which airport do I fly into?
Arrange your flights into the Marrakech Menara (RAK) airport.
Is the accommodation shared or private?
You can opt for a private single room, or a shared double room.
How do I get to the hotel from the airport?
We will provide airport transfers, included in the retreat rate.
What if I have a specific diet?
Jnane Tamsna can accommodate any dietary restrictions! Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free or any more specific allergies.
Is there internet/wi-fi available at the hotel?
Yes, free wifi is available.
What if I have to cancel?
We understand that things happen. If you need to cancel more than 30 days before the retreat, you will be fully refunded. If you need to cancel closer to the date of the retreat, we will work together to find a solution.
Do I need a visa to enter Morocco?
Visas in Morocco are not required for visits lasting less than 90 days. Please note you must have a valid passport with at least one blank page.
Is Morocco safe?
As with any country, we’d recommend always keeping your bag on you, never carrying your passport or too much cash around, and to remain aware of what’s going on around you. That said, Marrakech is a pretty safe city for travelers thanks to its tight-knit community and night time guardian program (we can tell you all about that when you’re here).
Will we have our own time to explore the medina or other parts of Morocco? What is there to do?
Yes, there will be time for you to explore on your own. We're happy to give you recommendations!
What will the weather be like?
In March and April, the average temperature ranges between 60-75 degrees Farenheit.
Yes! We're curating a very intimate experience, so space is limited.
Are the workshop sessions optional?
Yes, you aren't required to join anything you don't want to participate in, but we highly recommend attending!
When will the full itinerary be available?
The full itinerary will be shared to retreat attendees closer to the start date.
What does the rate cover?
Your room, all of your meals, wine at Jnane Tamsna, non-alcoholic beverages in outside restaurants, all tours and activities, and airport transfers.
Are plane tickets included?
No, you'll need to buy your own plane ticket.
Which airport do I fly into?
Arrange your flights into the Marrakech Menara (RAK) airport.
Is the accommodation shared or private?
You can opt for a private single room, or a shared double room.
How do I get to the hotel from the airport?
We will provide airport transfers, included in the retreat rate.
What if I have a specific diet?
Jnane Tamsna can accommodate any dietary restrictions! Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free or any more specific allergies.
Is there internet/wi-fi available at the hotel?
Yes, free wifi is available.
What if I have to cancel?
We understand that things happen. If you need to cancel more than 30 days before the retreat, you will be fully refunded. If you need to cancel closer to the date of the retreat, we will work together to find a solution.
Do I need a visa to enter Morocco?
Visas in Morocco are not required for visits lasting less than 90 days. Please note you must have a valid passport with at least one blank page.
Is Morocco safe?
As with any country, we’d recommend always keeping your bag on you, never carrying your passport or too much cash around, and to remain aware of what’s going on around you. That said, Marrakech is a pretty safe city for travelers thanks to its tight-knit community and night time guardian program (we can tell you all about that when you’re here).
Will we have our own time to explore the medina or other parts of Morocco? What is there to do?
Yes, there will be time for you to explore on your own. We're happy to give you recommendations!
What will the weather be like?
In March and April, the average temperature ranges between 60-75 degrees Farenheit.
