White House Inn, Wilimington, Vermont | May 16 – 19, 2014
(SORRY, THIS CONFERENCE IS FILLED.)
Built in 1915 as a summer home for local lumber baron Martin Brown, the inn is steeped in Vermont history.
The inn has 14 working fireplaces, exquisite molding and woodwork, original hand-printed wall-paper, original light fixtures, a hidden staircase, an original servant call system (and a haunted bank vault!). Each of the inn’s 16 guest rooms has a private bath, and, thanks to the its hilltop location, there is a view from every room.
Along with elegant and comfortable surroundings, participants will enjoy delicious, gourmet-style meals.
How it Works
Workshops provide intensive focus on manuscript preparation (selecting, ordering, revising, and swapping out poems), then poets meet with the decision-makers.
Pre-Conference Work
Prior to the conference, and following registration, poets will be given pre-conference assignments. Poets will complete their assignments and bring them to the conference for review with workshop leaders. These assignments are designed to help the poet prepare both the manuscript and its presentation to an editor, by helping them focus on the elements that make their collections unique.
Step by Step Upon Arrival
Arrival at the conference location on Friday between 5 and 6 pm. After the 7 pm dinner there are introductions, an overview of the weekend, and participants will be assigned to their workshop leaders and editors for the weekend.
On Saturday at 9 am, manuscript preparation workshops begin. Focus is on reviewing the pre-conference assignments, ordering, revising, and/or swapping poems out.
Editors arrive around 6 pm and join the participants for dinner at 7 pm. There will be an after-dinner Q&A with the editors.
On Sunday, from 9 an until around 5 pm, poets will meet with the editors in small groups determined by the workshop leaders and have one-on-one consultation within that group. There is an after-dinner reading by participants.
Conclusion
On Monday after breakfast, poets meet with workshop leaders for a final wrap-up session to review editorial input and to help devise goals appropriate to guiding the collection toward publication. The conclusion of the Monday recap session marks the end of the conference. Departure begins at 11 am.
Please note that we will make all reservations and arrangements for lodging and meals for participants and will request any special dietary needs before the conference.
When
Plan to arrive on Friday, May 16 between 5 and 6 pm. Dinner is at 7 pm, after which introductions and preparation for the next day take place. The conference will begin with breakfast at 8 am on Saturday and last till 11 am on Monday.
How to Apply
Before you apply, please visit the Conference Criteria page to make certain this conference is right for you. If so, submit an application. (SORRY, THIS CONFERENCE IS FILLED.)
Conference Fee
Following successful application, the registration fee is $1,375.00. This includes:
- A single room with private bath (a few doubles available).
- All meals (award-winning cuisine) on site.
- Conference fees, workshop tuition and materials.
Participants will receive pre-conference manuscript preparation assignments several weeks before the conference begins.
Location/Directions/Transportation
The White House Inn is located on 178 Route 9 East in Wilmington, Vermont.
If you are driving:
The nearest major intersection is I-91 and Rt. 2 in northwest MA. From north on I-91 to exit 2 in Brattleboro, turn right on to Route 9 West and proceed 18 miles. The Inn is located at the junctions of Routes 9 and 100, 20 minutes west of Brattleboro. The Inn is on the right, just before entering Wilmington. When coming from the West head straight through the traffic light in Wilmington and proceed for 3/4 of a mile and the Inn is on the left.
From New York City, Connecticut, Long Island I-95 to New Haven; I-91 North to Exit #2 in Brattleboro, Right on Vermont Route 9 West and proceed 18 miles. 4.5 hours.
From the Boston area US Route 2 to Greenfield to I-91 North to Exit #2 in Brattleboro. Right on Vermont Route 9 West and proceed 18 miles. 2.5 hours.
From New Jersey, Albany N.Y. Thruway to Albany Exit #23. After toll take I-787 by-pass to N.Y. Route 7 to Vermont Route 9 East to Wilmington. Head straight through the traffic light in Wilmington and proceed for 3/4 of a mile and the Inn is on the left.
If you are flying:
The best airport for arrival is Hartford’s Bradley International Airport which is about an hour and a half away. (Albany Airport is about the same distance.) There is a shuttle service straight from the airport to the White House. It is called Thompson Transportation. (800) 526-8143. You must make arrangements directly with them for the pick up at Bradley, and please do so several days in advance. NOTE: You may share a van with other participants for a substantial discount, so please let us know if you wish to coordinate with other participants who are arriving at Bradley. Make sure and send us your ETA. And don’t forget to arrange for a return shuttle on the final day of the conference, preferably after 11am.
If you are arriving by train:
There is an Amtrak station in Brattleboro, Vermont, 20 minutes from Wilmington. From there, you can take a cab to the inn. See the Amtrak web site for schedules and rates. From NYC it takes about 5 hours by train to Brattleboro.
