2021 Fall Kid-Lit Retreat at Akwaaba

Testimonials

“The Kweli Writing Retreat was a lovely experience! Aside from providing me with a necessary break from the demands of work and life, it also gave me a necessary reset that allowed me to consider my work in progress and myself anew. I loved meeting other writers who are just as passionate about storytelling as I am. The craft talks were really informative and provided practical guidance we could implement in our writing lives. It was particularly a breath of fresh air to hear the personal experiences and tips on the YA verse novel-writing process by Candice Iloh. Being able to see myself and parts of my journey in the experiences of such a talented, award-winning writer was a wonderful reminder of what is possible for me with work and perseverance. My one-on-one session with Candice also helped me to get unstuck and figure out where I would go next with my project. Things now feel less scary and I am better equipped to push past self-doubt as I work to make my book a reality. Lastly, the accommodations at Akwaaba Bed and Breakfast were absolutely amazing. I slept well, ate well, and felt well taken care of overall.”

Nadia Alexis

“The Kweli Writing Retreat was an amazing experience. Having the opportunity to learn from talented authors like Candice Iloh, Graham Akurst and Laura Pegram was invaluable. They met everyone where they were on their own personal writing journey and took the time to give us all thoughtful answers and engage us with questions and writing that helped to push our own writing forward. Even though I attended virtually, I still felt like I was getting the full experience and would love to attend another. This is an amazing opportunity for all writers of all backgrounds.”

Chantel Kelly

“Kweli’s Writing Retreat was a grounding experience. It was a joy to connect with other writers in person at the beautiful Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast and virtually over Zoom. Craft talks from Candice Iloh, Graham Akhurst and Laura Pegram helped us think through so many important aspects of craft like how to tap into our imaginations via memory + the body, how to close read scenes in stories and methods of character presentation. My one-on-one manuscript consultation gave me the courage to begin tackling the parts of my novel in progress that have felt overwhelming. It also helped me think through how to be more intentional in my creative process and by the end I had a list of concrete steps to recalibrate my approach to writing and revising.”

Nadia Misir

“I am still in awe of Kweli Journal's ability to so effectively create an intimately engaging and instructionally sound hybrid model Writers Retreat. The care and attention afforded to virtual participants seamlessly interconnected the community across miles. For those hours Georgia, North Carolina, New York, and Pennsylvania were one collective, committed to expanding their craft. And for that, I will gratefully return to the space that felt like home, Kweli's Writers Retreat.”

Andrea Petifer