2026 Writing Retreats for Academic Trainees
If you are a graduate student or post-doc looking for the time, place, and support to write, surrounded by woods in the Driftless region of Wisconsin, please join us. Focus on your writing in shared camaraderie with other trainees, guided by writing workshops provided by Dr. Amy Kalkbrenner.
About Dr. Kalkbrenner
Dr. Amy Kalkbrenner is a Professor and PhD Programs Director at the Zilber College of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Amy is an NIH-funded researcher with over 20 years experience with epidemiologic research and academic writing, published in journals like Epidemiology and Environmental Health Perspectives. Amy has served as a frequent NIH grant reviewer and a study section chair. Amy loves the art of writing and supporting trainees in growing this important skill.
Upcoming sessions
March 9-12 and April 6-9, 2026
Each session is 3 nights, Mon-Thurs, for up to 10 guests. Guests stay in shared spaces – 2 full-amenity cabins in the secluded wooded setting of Driftless Creek. We provide 2 writing workshops, 3 vegetarian dinners, small tables and cushy chairs for workspaces, and speedy commercial grade Wi-Fi , for $315 (private bedroom)/$265 (bed in shared loft).
About Driftless Creek
Driftless Creek is vacation rental cabins and trails on 75 wooded acres with a small prairie, on a ridge surrounded by trout streams, created and owned by Amy Kalkbrenner, a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and her husband, Rodney Cain, primary operator of Driftless Creek. Each cabin is private but walkable from the other cabins.
We are close to the tiny, artsy, foodie town of Viroqua, Wisconsin, within a few hours drive of Milwaukee (3), Chicago (4), Madison (2), Iowa City (3) and the Twin Cities (3).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should attend?
This retreat is designed for master’s and doctoral students, post-docs, and academic trainees who are working on dissertation proposals, dissertations, grant writing, or manuscripts for publication. While all fields/disciplines are welcome, Dr. Kalkbrenner has the most experience in supporting writing that involves data collection and analysis, especially in the biologic/medical/environmental/social sciences.
What is the cost and what is included?
For 3 nights, 3 dinners, 2 writing workshops (and 3% booking fee):
$315 – private bedroom
$265 – bed in shared loft
+ tax
What will happen during the writing workshops?
90-min workshops are provided on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Each workshop is customized by asking guests to fill out a short feedback form before-hand. Past workshops have involved writing productivity strategies, finding and using writing models, when and how to cite prior literature, tone in academic writing, and how to define and articulate a gap in knowledge. The workshops are informal and interactive.
Will you provide editing, review, or individual consultations?
Dr. Kalkbrenner will not provide individual consultations, review, or editing, but will provide resources and guidance for guests to support each other’s writing, should they wish.
What is the dress code?
We encourage you to wear your outdoorsy and comfy “at home” writing clothes.
What should I bring?
Bring shoes that can endure mud, your laptop, and charger. Bring your own coffee/tea and breakfast and lunch food.
Should I bring a towel / linens?
No. We will have ample clean towels and bedding for you.
May I bring a spouse or partner?
No. This time/space is intended only for academic trainees to maximize their focus and camaraderie.
What about coffee and tea?
Each cabin has a coffee maker, coffee grinder, filters, sugar, and a stove-top kettle. Make sure to bring your favorite coffee beans, tea, and dairy/add-ins.
What about breakfast and lunch?
Bring food for your own breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Each cabin has a refrigerator, cooktop, microwave, pots and pans, dishes, and filtered drinking water. (Note that we do not have ovens).
May I request non-vegetarian dinners?
No. We only provide vegetarian dinners.
Can you accommodate vegan or gluten-free dietary requests?
Usually, but we need to consider each situation individually and plan, so please notify us ASAP.
Are there mobility requirements?
You must be able to walk on uneven ground and navigate steps.
Will I get a cabin to myself?
No. This retreat involves sharing space (bathrooms and workspaces) with others.
Dining Together
Dinners will be catered by local chef Allison Sandbeck (allison.crumbbakes@gmail.com) and provided family style in the Vireo cabin. The menu may undergo slight changes due to ingredient availability.
Sample Dinners
- Ginger, mushroom, & wild rice stew. Rhythm bakery sourdough bread, whipped local Westby dairy butter, Buttercase cheese. Winter greens salad. Apple cranberry crisp with vanilla ice cream.
- Stuffed vegetarian lasagna with zucchini, spinach, tomatoes. Vegetarian caesar salad. Garlic sourdough bread. Cheesecake.
- Mushroom carnita corn tortilla tacos (soft shell, toasted), with a creamy verde sauce. Mexican spiced rice, creamy pinto beans, and a chopped light romaine salad. Key Lime pie.
Workspaces
Guests will stay in Vireo, Towhee and Tanager cabins. While Towhee and Tanager are lodging only, Vireo will also be a site of gathering for writing workshops and meals. Workspaces include small tables and cushy chairs. A supplemental cabin (Indigo Bunting) has a large desk.
Questions?
amy@ursid.com