ZigBone Farm Creative Writing Retreats
Facilitated Writing Retreats in a Relaxed and Supportive Atmosphere
January 9-14 & April 12-17, 2026
Join us for our spring and winter Creative Writing Retreats at ZigBone Farm Retreat Center, a sustainably built, light-filled, artistic space in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland. One hour from the D.C./Baltimore area, ZigBone farm is set on 100 acres and surrounded by mountain pastures. All of the buildings at ZigBone were constructed with craft timber framing using salvaged and local natural materials such as re-purposed old barn beams, straw bales for insulation, and clay plaster from the farm’s earth.
Bright rooms and expansive views provide the perfect place for a writer’s retreat where you will spend time with like-minded writers, build community and reconnect with your artistic self.
Winter Creative Writing Retreat
January 9-14, 2026
Spring Creative Writing Retreat
April 12-17, 2026
What to Expect at a Zigbone Retreat
Relax in cozy writing nooks and on comfy sofas.
Gather each day to discuss the craft elements of creative writing such as structure, dialogue and voice.
Join in generative writing exercises and prompts/ to get your creative juices flowing.
Take advantage of hours of silence to work on your creative projects throughout the day.
Enjoy homemade meals served family style, prepared with produce from ZigBone and area farms, and local beer and wine
Gather together at dinner to discuss your day´s work and experience.
Reviews for Zigbone Writing Retreats and Diana Friedman
Fantastic Location, Amazing Instruction
My week at Zigbone was fantastic. Diana and Dena are an amazing pair and do a great job taking care of their writers with great food and phenomenal instruction! (April, 2025)
Safe and Comforting Space
The classes, facilitated by Diana Friedman, were impressive. I admired Diana’s knowledge of craft and her ability to create a captivating space of comfort and safety for everyone. The classes were structured and well-thought-through, down to the last writing prompt. Diana was gracious enough to speak to us about our projects and it was incredibly helpful Another chance to witness her passion and expertise. (January, 2023)
Magic and Joy at Zigbone
Diana and Dena make magic together at Zigbone. It is my joyful place. Diana’s craft teachings, readings, and the way she inspires group interaction creates a safe, warm space. Her one-on-one meeting feels like a therapy session, wrapped in a warm blanket of breathtaking advice. Breakthroughs, newly crystallized awareness, and directions for the next part of my writing journey are the gifts I carried home. (April, 2024)
Warm and Welcoming Retreat
From the very first night of our retreat, Diana Friedman created a warm, welcoming, non-judgmental and non-competitive atmosphere that fostered community and was extremely conducive to maximizing creativity and productivity. The optional craft discussions, generative writing prompts and exercises that Diana presented were enlightening, useful, and fun. In addition, during my one on one discussion with Diana, she suggested strategies that helped me move forward with my novel when, previously, I had been completely stuck. I left the retreat feeling reinvigorated and excited about my writing and about the friendships I made. I cannot recommend Zigbone Farm Retreat and Diana Friedman highly enough. (January, 2025)
Wonderful Teacher and Editor
Diana Friedman is a wonderful teacher, editor and collaborative partner who helps you navigate the mystery that is one’s novel. I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know about my own novel before I started talking to her. She asks insightful and probing questions that get to the heart of what you’re attempting to do. She helps you make sense of plot and story. She’s open, has a keen eye and is a really nice, down-to-earth, well-read person. (April, 2025)
Excellent Instructor and Literary Guide
I loved Zigbone. All of my needs were met so that I could relax and focus on my creative work in an inspiring setting. The food was amazing. The meals were delicious and fresh. The writing sessions, both generative and instructional, were perfect. Diana is an excellent instructor and literary guide. (January, 2024)
What's Included in the Zigbone Farm Creative Writing Retreat?
Morning generative writing sessions
Afternoon craft workshops
Free writing time
One-on-one consults with the writing facilitator
Breakfast and lunch, buffet style, and sit-down dinner, featuring local food.
Access to fruit, snacks, coffee and tea throughout the day.
Full use of the house, including cozy corners and nooks to curl up with your pen and/or laptop
Who is This Retreat For?
Zigbone Creative Writing Retreats are for anyone committed to the act of writing, regardless of publication or submission history. Our goal is to create a nurturing, warm, positive space where creative writers can find solitude and support for their work, regardless of experience. While craft workshops might feel like review for writers who are more experienced and/or published, we also do warm-up exercises and read published works that might help spark something new. All the workshops are optional, so if writers can use the entire time to work independently. The evening gatherings are useful for everyone as we gather over the dinner table to discuss a particular craft problem, process triumphs or setbacks, share brand new material and get to know one another as we build community.
More Questions? Ready to Book?
Email: Dena@zigbonefarmretreat.com