Poetry: Frequently Asked Questions
Registration
How do I sign up?
You can sign up by mail, phone or online.
How will my registration be confirmed?
After we process your registration, you will receive an acknowledgment letter by U.S. mail with directions and other important information including a roommate survey if you are lodging at the retreat center and did not specify a roommate.
Is there a deadline to register?
The deadline to register is February 15, 2009. But, it is likely that all the spaces will fill up before then, so don’t procrastinate about registering. Also, remember that lodging at the retreat center is limited and WILL fill up.
Why won’t you tell me the name of the retreat center?
The retreat center has requested that we not mention the name in any of our publications, especially on-line, but of course when you register you’ll get directions, etc. Just know that it’s very beautiful and last year everyone really enjoyed the location.
What is the atmosphere and terrain of the retreat center like?
The setting is very beautiful with lots of trees and attending workshops and seminars through the day requires walking around outdoor at the facility, up and down short stairs and gentle slopes multiple times each day. Most participants can get around just fine, but please take this into consideration if you have trouble walking in those conditions, as it is not at a luxury hotel like our summer conference.
How many people will be there?
We limit the conference to about 75 students.
Who teaches workshops and seminars?
Experienced, practicing writers and teachers, all highly regarded in their respective fields. More specifically, faculty includes Perie Longo, (Santa Barbara’s poet laureate) Christopher Buckley, David Starkey, Ellen Kelley, Marilyn McEntyre, Santa Barbara’s first poet laureate Barry Spacks, Paul Willis, Chryss Yost, Lois Klein and Gary Young). All are accomplished poets and teachers.
What can I expect the weekend to look like?
You will arrive on Friday afternoon to get your registration packets, mingle with other participants and check into your room if you’re staying at the retreat center. There will be a wine & cheese reception, then an orientation and faculty poetry reading. Saturday morning, you will go to workshops in the morning and afternoon, then after dinner, our featured poet will give a reading/presentation. After this there will be a book signing. On Sunday morning, there will be a “master class” taught by featured poet, followed by workshops until our closing at 3:30 p.m.
What can I expect in the workshops and seminars?
The activities in each workshop or seminar are planned by the faculty member leading it. We have however clarified this year that a Workshop will be predominantly focused on reading & critiquing poems written by participants, and Seminars will be more focused on instruction. There will also be the opportunity to meet on-on-one with a faculty member to get feedback on your work. These designations are not strict, but are meant to guide you as you choose how to spend your time based on your own ability or preference as a poet. We do recommend that you try one of each and vary the instructors that you choose so as to get a broad experience at the conference.
So does that mean that a _Seminar_ will be only teaching?
No, it just means that the faculty member will spend more time with planned instruction than workshopping the poems attendees have brought. Instruction, read and critiques, and writing exercises are all important ways to cultivate your craft of writing, and these are certain to overlap in the different classes. However, we have created these categories to give you a better idea of what to expect.
When do I sign up for workshops?
There will be an opportunity to sign up on-line for workshops prior to arriving at the conference and after you register. Check back during January or February to find out more about this. We will also announce it via e-mail if you provided us with an e-mail address when you registered.
Is there a place to make copies?
There is a copier available in the office on-site; however, we recommend that you bring at least 15 copies of anything you would like to share with instructors and other participants in your classes.
Will I be able to buy books at the conference?
There will be a book store provided on-site, which will be open on Saturday afternoon. There will be books by our featured poet as well as all workshop/seminar faculty.
Will there be book signings?
Yes, there will be a book signing for our featured poet after he speaks on Saturday night, and all faculty will be available to sign their books during the bookstore hours.
Meals and Lodging
What can I expect from the lodging at the retreat center?
There are single and double occupancy rooms. Last year we had some participants describe the rooms as “rustic” or “simple” so if you would prefer a room with extensive amenities, we suggest you consider commuting from a nearby hotel in Montecito. But, most participants were very comfortable with the rooms at the facility.
How do I specify who I want to room with?
If you are coming to the conference with a friend with whom you would like to share a room, write her or his name in the “comments” box if signing up on-line, or put it in writing when you contact us to register.
Whom will I room with if I don’t specify a roommate when I register?
We will send you a “roommate survey” with a few basic questions to try to pair you with another conference attendee of the same gender. We will do our best to match you with a person of similar preference; however, we make no guarantees. But remember, at least you’ll have one thing in common: poetry!
If the rooms at the retreat center fill up or I just want to stay somewhere else, what hotels are nearby?
Nearby hotels include:
Coast Village Inn - 1188 Coast Village Rd, (805) 969-3266
Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel - 1260 Channel Dr, (805) 969-2261
Montecito Inn - 1295 Coast Village Rd, (805) 969-7854
San Ysidro Ranch - 900 San Ysidro Ln, (805) 969-5046
Summerland Inn - 2161 Ortega Hill Rd, (805) 969-5225
Inn on Summerhill - 2520 Lillie Ave, (805) 969-9998
Inn at East Beach - 1029 Orilla Del Mar, (805) 965-0546
Motel 6 - 443 Corona Del Mar, (805) 564-1392
What time can I check into my room if I’m staying at the retreat center?
Check-in time is 4 p.m.
Is there food available?
For those lodging at the retreat center, Friday Dinner, Saturday Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, and Sunday Breakfast and Lunch are included in your registration price. For commuter students, Friday Dinner, Saturday Lunch and Dinner and Sunday Lunch are included in conference registration. There are also vegetarian and vegan options, but you must request this in advance.
If I’m a commuter student, can I buy breakfast?
Yes, but breakfasts must be ordered and paid for in advance. Cost is $12 per person for breakfast. Please let us know when you register if you want to buy breakfast on Saturday and/or Sunday mornings.
Preparation
What is the weather like?
Evenings and mornings tend to be cool, but afternoons can get quite sunny. The weather is generally mild, in the 70s.
What should I bring?
It is not required, but we recommend bringing copies of poems that you would like to workshop. This is a great opportunity to get feedback on your writing. So, although you will be creating new work, please consider bringing pieces you would like to share with others. We recommend making 15 copies of any poem you intend to share in a workshop.