Starting on April 13, the earlier the better, especially as we’ll consider applications on a rolling basis. Our submission period for this inaugural year is a month long—from April 13 to May 11, 2026.

We’ll start to welcome our first cohort not too long after our submission period opens, which means that our available seats may fill before deadline. The earlier you send in your application, the stronger chance you’ll have of securing your place in our inaugural gathering.

So if you’re eager to join us, mark your calendar for April 13, 2026, to send in your application, and we’ll get word back to you just as soon as we can.

While the reading period for applications is a full month long, we prioritize those who apply early by reviewing applications in batches.

This means that if you apply within the first week, your application will be read alongside those who applied in those first seven days and not those who apply in the second week or thereafter. Conversely, if you apply in the second week, your application will be batched with in a second pool of applications, which means that while your application will be read with as much care as those in the first pool, those who applied within that first week ahead of you will have an advantage. This process is then repeated into the third and fourth week, or until seats are filled.

Why we try to be as welcoming as possible, we do have a limited number of workshop seats (48 in total), so there is an advantage to applying as early as you can.

Well, we’ve tried to keep it simple. Starting April 13, a link to submittable will be available, and here’s the list of all you’ll need for that application:

*A short application form providing us with your basic deets.

 *A cover letter of no more than one page (600 words max) that tells us a little about yourself and addresses the question of why you want to attend the Hellbender Gathering.

 *Five pages of poems.

 *A non-refundable application fee of $25. This is to help us cover our administrative costs. Should you end up coming to our gathering, this amount will be credited to your balance.

Workshop seats will be limited in size so that each participant receives individualized attention, feedback, and focused time. Each class will have no more than twelve students.

On the application, we’ll give you the opportunity to rank your preferences for our four poetry faculty. We’ll certainly do everything we can to honor this as we assign individuals to workshop leaders.

Nevertheless, there are a lot of factors at play that will make these determinations (including your cover letter, which we’ll use for class matchmaking). In putting together these workshops, we’ll also consider a range of elements to support a diverse community in each group.

We cannot make any promises, but know this—we’ve selected our mentors very carefully. Each of them shines in their own right as a poet, but just as essential to us is that they’re dedicated teachers, warm and generous and ready to help you find the words you most need. Also, you’ll have ample access to all of our faculty, no matter to whose class you’re assigned. Their craft talks, readings, and book signings are open to everyone, and we’ll all be sharing meals together as well.

If you’re invited to join us, you’ll receive an acceptance letter far before we make workshop designations, so know that we’ll be asking you to trust the process. Only by the end of summer will we let you know which of our four faculty with whom you’ll be working and will provide you with all of the information you’ll need to prepare.

Sure! Again, this should only be about one page long (no more than 400 words) that tells us a little about yourself and addresses the question of why you want to attend the Hellbender Gathering.

This will allow us to get to know you a little better, so be yourself! Feel free to tell us a bit about your background, your interests and hobbies, perhaps a few of your quirks or accolades and achievements.

Most importantly, don’t feel as if you need to alter the description of yourself just to fit our mission. Are you a dedicated eco-poet and naturalist? That’s absolutely fantastic; you might be a great fit as our week together aims to bring environmental science together with poetry. But perhaps you’re a poet with little experience at all outdoors, but you are—like so many of us—trying to navigate the growing crisis of the biosphere and are seeking a way forward. You too, might be just the addition we need. If you’d like an overview of our aim in forming this community, read this statement.

We owe our entire foundation to Miles Coon and the many years that went into forming the lasting community of the annual gathering in Delray. So yes, absolutely, let us know about your experience there, including what year(s) you attended and with whom you worked. There will be a special line within our application for you to make mention of this. It’s relevant experience, and trust us, it will do our hearts some good!

No problem. So, these five pages could consist of five poems that are each one-page long, one poem that’s five-pages long, or anything in between. We’ll leave that up to you. Just make sure not to put more than one poem per page. Also, keep it legible with a one-inch margin and 12-point font.

Send us work you’ve carefully considered and that you think is your strongest. While assessed by more than one reader, these poems will not be read “blind.”

Most importantly, don’t be intimidated—know that we see our gathering as an opportunity for growth. Sharing published work is fine, as is work that no one has seen but you!

Also, there is no expectation about your work’s subject matter other than that it’s representative of your capability and potential as a writer. Again, read this statement about our idea of who might join us. While our gathering is focused on finding the words to protect and repair our climate-changed world, it’s not necessary that you send along eco-poems or work with a focus on nature and the environment. Our week together has a generative focus, so hopefully, you’ll be inspired to write poems that do that work in our time together.

No, applications will not be read blind, so there’s no reason for you to remove identifying information from your poems or application materials.

The Hellbender team collaborates to see that each and every application is read with care. There will be at least two readers for every application, and if those two don’t agree, a third reader will be asked to weigh in their opinion.

The focus at Hellbender will largely be generative. Classes will be a mix of craft discussions, readings, prompts, and opportunities to possibly share your new work (and celebrate the new work of others).

Know that the work you share as part of your application is for our eyes only. But should you be admitted, we’ll ask you to send us two pages of poems by August 15. These pages will be sent to your workshop group to allow them to get a taste of your work and will be used to kickstart your class time together, but no preparation is required for critique.

Hellbender is indeed generative and this is quite intentional—while we hope our participants are already writing poetry that does the work to protect and repair our climate-changed world, this isn’t something that’s expected. We’re hoping that the intense programming throughout the week will nourish and inspire you to write those poems that do this difficult work.

That said, should you be admitted to a poetry workshop, you will be asked to share two poems by August 15. These poems will be sent to your workshop cohort and leader for them to review ahead of time, and depending on your mentor’s approach, that work might be used in a traditional workshop setting in which you’re given feedback. You might also find that there will be opportunities to share work you might generate during the week, but don’t let this intimidate you! While rigorous, Hellbender has every intention of creating a supportive community that inspires creativity.

One thing that makes Hellbender unique is our determination to bring together environmental science with poetry.

As such, in addition to our writing workshops, we’ll offer three sessions with faculty members Laura Boggess and Luke Cannon, and all participants will have the opportunity to spend time with both of these amazing ecologists.

Weather permitting, these classes will be outside as you stroll the grounds at the Blue Ridge Assembly. Our aim is that these encounters—while not physically challenging—will be filled with awe as you come into communication with the plants, mushrooms, lichen, and wildlife of the incredibly biodiverse region of the mountains here. These expert naturalists will help bring you back to your own body as they guide you through this experiential learning, which will hopefully inform your poems that speak for and about our planet and more-than-human kin.

There will also be opportunities during these sessions for generative writing prompts and reflection, and should you prefer to take the time set aside for these classes simply to write, don’t worry—you’re free to do that.

Your letter of acceptance will come as soon as we can send it. If you’re still eager to join us, we’ll ask for a non-refundable deposit of $300 upon acceptance to secure your spot. Full tuition payment is due by July 1.

In early August, we’ll tell you who your workshop leader will be and will ask you for two pages of poetry to share with your workshop cohort and leader. At that time, we’ll also give you all of the details so that you can make your travel arrangements and gear up for joining us.

In September, there will also be opportunities to meet the entire cohort and ask us any questions you might have before you make your way to us in October.

After the gathering in November and again in February of the following year, there will be online opportunities to reconnect with the inaugural cohort and share work you’ve had a chance to refine and revise.

After that, we’re sure to bring you together in other ways as we can! We aim to nurture and build our community for years to come.

Yes! If you’ll take a look at the schedule, you’ll see that our afternoons and evenings are dedicated to craft lectures and readings. Those events (all marked with a double asterisk) are available to those who purchase a week-long pass.

There are a limited number of these passes, and those who have applied will be the first to get news of when these are available in early July.

You bet! There will be ample opportunities for interaction with those in other classes during meals, campfire gatherings, and as part of our outdoor classes with our ecology faculty. In addition, our craft talks, readings, and book signings are open to all, including writers in the area who will join just for those events.

Our guiding formula is poetry + environmental science + community = a joyful rising. And so, yes, we’ve crafted our gathering to be large enough—and small enough—with only 48 core participants—to allow everyone to connect and bond.

No, there are other ways to participate outside of workshop and the “awe” walks with our ecology faculty. Our craft lectures and readings will be available for purchase of a week-long pass. To see these events, visit our schedule; each of them is marked with a double-asterisk.

While you need not apply to attend these events, you would need to purchase a ticket to reserve your spot. We’ll have a link available for these passes in July.

Of course! At the bottom of this page are three ways in which you might touch base with us. We welcome any question or concern you might have.