Dog Trot Writers and Artists Residencies-Independent Program
We are excited to now offer an Independent Studies Residency! You choose when to come!
The Dog Trot Residency program at the Nook of the Woods Retreat Center caters to artists and writers of all mediums, walks of life, and scholarly backgrounds.
We host creatives who are playful, insightful, and dedicated to their craft, regardless of their professional background or the length of their resumé. If you are a dedicated artist or writer, you belong at this residency.
This residency series aims to build creative community with artists from around the country. Living together is often as rewarding as the dedicated work time, and communal meals, group activities, and movie nights make for a cozy, wholesome experience.
Our mission is simple. We aim to provide artists and writers with the time to dedicate to their craft in an environment that is peaceful and bucolic, while also connecting artists in a communal setting that is supportive, caring, and above all, fun.
Scenes from Previous Residencies
For those with a wild kindness about them
Two weeks of uninterrupted writing
Dog Trot was such a gift because it gave me two weeks of uninterrupted writing time, in a beautiful location, with a group of supportive and creative minds who were always down to talk about craft. I left this residency with a completed short story, poems, and a new perspective on my novel. Thanks to Zena, Tom, Stella, and the rest of our crew!
-Rebecca Paredes, June 2025
Genuine, invigorating community
Dog Trot is something special. The mix of personal creative time, a beautiful and peaceful environment, and genuine community was incredibly invigorating. Whether I was walking the property, reading by the creek, or having a discussion about a shared essay, there was always something happy and enlivening to do. I loved my time there.
-Chas Gillespie, October 2025
Break free from blocks
A month at Dog Trot was a month spent engaging with myself as a writer in the company of others looking to expand, be critical about writing, and wanting to make community through movie nights, karaoke and warm slices of bread. The casual, unstuffy home Zena beckoned us into let me break free from my own blocks as a writer. So thankful for this experience!
-Rebecca Greubel, October 2025
Residency costs are sliding scale, depending on your room choice.
Monthly Residencies (Room and Board)
$700-$1000
Residencies are open to artists, poets, fiction writers, creative non-fiction writers, and creative folks who cannot be categorized. Independent Residencies are offered in 30 day increments with no limit on length of stay as long as we find ourselves to be mutually compatible.
Some Details About the Residency
About the Application Process
xxxxxxxxxx
At the Residency
The fee for room and board is sliding scale, depending on your choice of lodging.
Three vegetarian (and occasional fish) meals per day will be provided, as well as coffee, tea, and snacks.
For more details, please see our FAQ.
Our Mission
We seek to provide a platform and creative community for those who do not readily possess either.
Our goal is to provide writers and artists with well-deserved time to experiment and create in a space that is inspirational and interesting.
We are not externally funded and work hard to keep pricing low to afford as many folks as possible the chance to attend.
Meet Your Facilitator
Zenaida Smith is a poet from Cleveland, Ohio. She has been involved in many creative community endeavors over the past decade, and has facilitated more poetry open mics than can be accurately counted. She is an editor for Outlandish Press, a small press specializing in printed matter that is unusual and amusing.