Muslim Storyteller Whole Novel Retreat (Spring)

Muslim Storytellers Whole Novel Retreat 2025

Register for the second part of your immersive, in-community Muslim Storytellers Whole Novel program.

This 5-day/4-night immersive experience offers a supportive space for Muslim novelists to revise their stories, with limited programming and ample time to connect with fellow retreaters and find ways to amplify Muslim voices and stories at our retreat and beyond. 

Thanks to funding from the Doris Duke Foundation (DDF), the Highlights Foundation is able to host this and other programming to support Muslim Storytelling through 2025. Through the Building Bridges Program, DDF works to elevate U.S. Muslim storytelling with the goal of increasing mutual understanding and well-being among diverse populations for the benefit of building stronger, inclusive communities.

Tuition and Travel Reimbursement

This retreat provides full tuition, lodging, meals, and full travel reimbursement (economy class).

Please note: We are currently updating our 2025 travel options, and will be in touch soon with additional information.  At that time, you will also receive details about submitting mileage or sending travel receipts to the Highlights Foundation for reimbursement.

If you have any questions or concerns now, please feel free to reach out to support@highlightsfoundation.zendesk.com.

Muslim Storyteller Whole Novel Retreat Tentative Schedule

PRE-WORKSHOP

• In the Virtual Classroom we will post updates to the retreat schedule, including which faculty members to expect in attendance during your stay.
• We encourage you to bring your feedback letter from your faculty reader to the retreat. A majority of the time at the retreat will be dedicated to revision and writing time.
• Prayer times will be added as we get closer to the event.

DAY ONE: Monday, May 5, 2025

• TRAVEL DAY
• 3pm – 5pm Eastern: Arrival and check in
• 5:30pm Eastern: Appetizers & Dinner
• Following dinner: Brief Introductions for those in attendance

DAY TWO: Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Morning:

• 8 – 8:45am Breakfast
• 9 – 10am Welcome to the Muslim Storytellers Whole Novel Retreat
• 10am – 12pm Meetings with faculty readers 1:1 (You’ll be scheduled for a 30 minute session in this time frame)

Afternoon

• 12 – 12:45pm Lunch
• 1 – 3pm  Retreat time: read, write, connect
• 3pm – 5pm Revision Presentation Part One

Evening

• 5:30pm – 7pm Appetizers & Dinner
• 7:30pm Fireside Q & A (weather permitting)

DAY THREE: Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Morning:

• 8 – 8:45am Breakfast
• 9 – 11am Revision Presentation Part Two
• Retreat time: read, write, connect

Afternoon

• 12 – 12:45pm Lunch
• 1pm GROUP PHOTO
• 1:30pm – 5:30pm Retreat time: read, write, connect

Evening

• 5:30pm – 7pm Appetizers & Dinner
• 7:30pm Optional session on query letters

DAY FOUR: Thursday, May 8, 2025

Morning:

• 8 – 8:45am Breakfast
• 9 – 12pm Retreat time: read, write, connect

Afternoon

• 12 – 12:45pm Lunch
• 1pm Publishing Panel and Q & A
• 3:30pm – 5:30pm Meetings with faculty readers 1:1 (You’ll be scheduled for a 30 minute session in this time frame)

Evening

• 5:30pm – 7pm Appetizers & Dinner
• Fireside sharing (up to 500 words from a work in progress) (weather permitting)

Morning:

• 8 – 8:45am Breakfast
• Travel day

Afternoon

• Lunch is included if it aligns with your travel needs

About the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center

Halal meals for this program will be served by our kitchen team with input from our program manager, Zaynah Qutubuddin. The kitchen requests your dietary needs, including allergies and sensitivities, upon registration.

All in-person Highlights Foundation workshops and retreats (including this one) are held at our Retreat Center: The Barn at Boyds Mills.  This site was the home of the original founders of Highlights for Children Garry and Caroline Myers, and is located in the Poconos Mountains of Pennsylvania on the traditional lands of the Lenape Nation.

The Highlights Foundation strives for a safe and inclusive environment. You will have access to our Community Standards prior to the retreat where we ask for your respectful engagement with fellow creatives, including our faculty and staff.