2026 MILKWOOD SCHEDULE
Registration CLOSES February 23, 2026
(Register for as many Retreats, Residencies, and Workshops for which you are eligible.)
ACCEPTANCES WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MARCH 9, 2026
JUNE 8-14
RESIDENCY FOR WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
Open to published and unpublished writers and illustrators in all children’s literature genres – early readers, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, YA, and graphic novels.
Apply as an individual artist or as a group of 10.
For more information about Residencies, click here.
JUNE 15-21
RESIDENCY FOR BIPOC WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
Open to published and unpublished BIPOC writers and illustrators in all children’s literature genres – early readers, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, YA, and graphic novels.
Please do not apply if you don’t identify as BIPOC.
For more information about Residencies, click here.
JULY 9-12
IMAGE MAKING WORKSHOP
Open to visual artists, in or outside the children’s book community.
Workshop: “Unearthing Pictures: Exploring analog materials and tools to create unexpected images.”
Faculty: Sophie Blackall, Deborah Stein
For more information about this Workshop, click here.
JULY 16-19
retreat for LIBRARIANS AND EDUCATORS
Open to children’s literature librarians and educators.
Presentation/workshop with Sophie Blackall.
This retreat is a Peer Retreat. For more information about Peer Retreats, click here.
JULY 23-26
PICTURE BOOK EDITING AND DESIGN WORKSHOP
Open to Assistant Editors and Editorial Assistants, Assistant Designers and Design Assistants, and aspiring editors and designers.
Workshop: “The Art of Collaboration: Editing and designing picture books.”
Faculty: Sophie Blackall, Martha Rago, Anne Schwartz
This Workshop is endowed by Anne Schwartz and there is no cost to attend. Accommodations and all meals are included.
For more information about this Workshop, click here.
July 30 - AUGUST 2
WORKSHOP FOR ILLUSTRATORS
Open to published and unpublished illustrators in all children’s literature genres – early readers, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, YA, and graphic novels.
Workshop: “Points of Departure: How to get out of your head and onto the page.”
Faculty: Cecilia Ruiz, Doug Salati
For more information about this Workshop, click here.
AUGUST 10-16
RESIDENCY FOR WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
Open to published and unpublished writers and illustrators in all children’s literature genres – early readers, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, YA, and graphic novels.
Apply as an individual artist or as a group of 10.
For more information about Residencies, click here.
AUGUST 17-23
RESIDENCY FOR WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
Open to published and unpublished writers and illustrators in all children’s literature genres – early readers, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, YA, and graphic novels.
Apply as an individual artist or as a group of 10.
For more information about Residencies, click here.
AUGUST 24-30
RESIDENCY FOR WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
Open to published and unpublished writers and illustrators in all children’s literature genres – early readers, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, YA, and graphic novels.
Apply as an individual artist or as a group of 10.
For more information about Residencies, click here.
RESIDENCY FOR WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
Open to published and unpublished writers and illustrators in all children’s literature genres – early readers, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, YA, and graphic novels.
Apply as an individual artist or as a group of 10.
For more information about Residencies, click here.
SEPTEMBER 7-13
SEPTEMBER 14-20
RESIDENCY FOR LGBTQ+ WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
Open to published and unpublished LGBTQ+ writers and illustrators in all children’s literature genres – early readers, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, YA, and graphic novels.
Please do not apply if you don’t identify as LGBTQ+.
For more information about Residencies, click here.
SEPTEMBER 24-27
“LUNAR WOMEN” RETREAT
A gathering of women writers, artists, and scientists.
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
prices
PEER RETREATS
Prices for Peer Retreats include accommodations and all meals from Thursday dinner to Sunday lunch.
Single room: $1,350
Shared double room: $1,000 per person
RESIDENCIES
Prices for Residencies include accommodations, a welcome dinner on Monday, and breakfast on Tuesday. All other meals are self-catered.
Single room: $1,200
Shared double room: $850 per person
Group of 10: $10,000
WORKSHOPS
Prices for Workshops include accommodations and all meals from Thursday dinner to Sunday lunch.
Single room: $1,800
Shared double room: $1,450 per person
This Picture Book Editing and Design Workshop is endowed by Anne Schwartz and there is no cost to attend. Tuition is free.
Application Process
All retreats involve a 2-step process.
1) REGISTRATION
Register for any and all programs for which you are eligible. (Registration runs from February 2-23, 2026. Acceptances will be announced on March 9.)
2) SELECTION
LOTTERY for Peer Retreats
Attendees are chosen by lottery, with the additional factors below taken into consideration.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE for Workshops and Residencies
An advisory committee will select attendees, based on artistic merit or potential, with the additional factors below taken into consideration.
Additional Factors: For all Peer Retreats, Workshops, and Residencies, 1) Preference may be given to pairs who indicate on their registration form that they would prefer to share a room; and 2) In accordance with our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we reserve spots for BIPOC and members of other traditionally marginalized communities.
CancelLations
Attendees who cancel their booking more than four weeks before the start of their retreat will receive a full refund, minus a $40 processing fee. Attendees who cancel their booking between four and two weeks before the start of their retreat will receive a 50% refund. Attendees who cancel their booking less than two weeks before the start of their retreat will not receive a refund.
If one of two guests in a double-occupancy room cancels, the other guest will have three options: to find a replacement, to share the room with a guest on the waiting list, or to cancel their own booking.
If, for any reason, Milkwood cancels a retreat, attendees will receive a full refund.
Financial assistance
We want Milkwood to be accessible to all members of the children’s book community, regardless of financial means. To that end, we have set aside limited funds to assist those who are unable to afford the full cost of a retreat. If you have been selected to attend a Peer Retreat, Workshop, or Residency, you will have the opportunity to apply for financial assistance.
We welcome and appreciate contributions to the Milkwood Financial Assistance Program through our fiscal sponsor, Boyds Mills, formerly the Highlights Foundation!