GoodLit Writers Retreat
Wedgwood’s primary initiative in the literature sector, GoodLit, supports up-and-coming, faith-driven fiction writers with mentorship, resources, and creative writing retreats to help them flourish as future published authors in the mainstream media.
Applications for GoodLit 2025 will open on January 1st, 2025
Where: Stanford, KY
When: Aug 3rd, 2025 - Aug 8th, 2024
Learn More About GoodLit
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Established in 2015, GoodLit was created to provide essential support, community and mentorship for fiction writers who seek to create good, true, and beautifully authored books for the common good.
The annual GoodLit Retreat is a week-long gathering that brings together award-winning authors and industry leaders to mentor a new generation of aspiring writers.
Hosted in Stanford, Kentucky, GoodLit writers take part in a series of workshops, enjoy personal writing time to develop their craft, receive one-on-one mentorship, and gain renewed creative energy from intentional rest in the beautiful Kentucky countryside.
GoodLit was created for writers of fiction who are seeking to make a meaningful impact on the culture at-large. They are driven by their faith and aspire to write books for a mainstream audience.
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Who is GoodLit for?
Aspiring authors with a committed Christian faith who are actively working on a mainstream fiction novel and would like support and community in the process.
What genres is GoodLit for?
GoodLit is designed for aspiring authors of fiction novels.
What genres is GoodLit *not* for?
While we love all genres, GoodLit is not designed for writers of non-fiction, YA, fantasy, science fiction, poetry, children’s books, screenplays and explicitly faith-forward books.
How far along should I be in the novel I apply with?
You should have made good progress on the novel you submit to GoodLit with – ideally at least 50 pages written. If you are still in the idea phase, we recommend waiting until you’re further along in your writing before applying.
Is GoodLit designed for non-fiction authors?
We love non-fiction, but GoodLit is currently only for aspiring authors of fiction.
I’ve been published before. Can I still apply?
Yes! We welcome authors who’ve published before if they feel they need the support provided by GoodLit.
I’m planning to self-publish. Can I still apply?
Yes! We welcome authors who plan to traditionally publish, hybrid publish, and self-publish.
What should I expect when I arrive?
Every day at GoodLit consists of inspiring instruction, meaningful writing time, community support, and incredible hospitality to encourage you in your author journey. You will enjoy beautiful lodging in historic downtown Stanford, Kentucky, farm-to-table meals, memorable experiences, and the friendship of other aspiring authors seeking to deepen both their writing craft and their faith.
Are there any costs to attend GoodLit?
All expenses associated with the retreat, including travel and lodging, are covered by the generosity of our amazing hosts, the Corrells.
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Bret Lott is the New York Times bestselling author of fourteen books, most recently the essay collection Letters and Life: On Being a Writer, On Being a Christian (Crossway) and the novel Dead Low Tide (Random House).
His novel Jewel was an Oprah Book Club pick, and his work has been translated into eight languages. He received his MFA in fiction from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 1984, studying under James Baldwin, and since 1986 has served as writer-in-residence and professor of English at The College of Charleston.
He has spoken on Flannery O'Connor at the White House, was Fulbright Senior American Scholar and writer-in residence to Bar-llan University in Tel Aviv, Israel, and from 2006 to 2013 served as a member of the National Council on the Arts.
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Guests stay at the beautiful ‘Wilderness Road Guest House & Rooms” in Stanford Kentucky. Learn More Here
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After the Retreat, writers become part of the larger Wedgwood community, and are connected with alumni from previous GoodLit classes via virtual seminars, writers groups and mentoring to help them towards the goal of getting their work published.
Apply Here for the 2025 Retreat
APPLICATIONS + SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS ARE DUE BY MARCH 31ST, 2025