Pineywoods Writer's Retreat
Pineywoods Writer's Residency
Coke Schoolhouse
Coke, Wood County, Texas
WRITE, RELAX, AND REVIVE
Pineywoods writer's residency offers a tranquil space for writers to concentrate on their work. Hosted in a vintage two-room schoolhouse (that also included an auditorium and stage), the space has been renovated with modern amenities while embracing a by-gone era. The environment is designed to inspire and support the writing process, making it ideal for individuals seeking a distraction-free writing space.
The Pineywoods writer's residency is associated with the Winnsboro Center for the Arts.
Pineywoods writer's residency- Application Overview
Pineywoods writer's residency at the Coke Schoolhouse (in the Coke community of Wood County, Texas) provides two weeks of uninterrupted, inspired time. Two people will share 4,700 square feet on an acre of land in a beautifully restored historic schoolhouse - dreaming, writing, creating.
Accepted applicants who commit to a residency term will be expected to pay a one-time, non-refundable $150 administrative fee four weeks prior to the residency to hold their position.
Selection Criteria
Residents are selected by our admission panel, which is comprised of a revolving group of professionals who serve anonymously. Selection is based on the quality of your writing submission, at the sole discretion of our judges.
Benefits for Residents
* Fully-funded, private, furnished accommodations at the Coke Schoolhouse
* Ten large lunches delivered Monday-Friday over the two-week period (or $150 food credit if you opt out of the meal delivery
* Transportation to/from DFW International Airport or Dallas Love Field Airport
* Engagement with Winnsboro Center for the Arts. https://winnsborocenterforthearts.com/
Expectations of Residents
> Self-directed and self-sufficient
> No smoking, vaping, or any tobacco product allowed on premises
> No destruction of property or rearrangement of furniture
> You will be expected to leave the premises neat and tidy - as you found them
> Do not leave food or perishables
Important Dates:
> Applications open: __________
> Applications close: __________
> Applicants will be notified by: __________
> Accepted applicants must confirm by: __________
> Residencies are from __________ to __________
Application Overview
> Texas, United States, or international applicants welcome
> Submit up to 4,000 words of your best work(s) (you may submit as many pieces as you like, as long as the total word count does not exceed 4,000 words). You may submit more than one genre in the same applications.
> Provide two references (no recommendation letters)
>Pay a $20 application fee
FAQs:
Where is the Coke Schoolhouse located?
* 5601 S FM 69, Como, Texas 75431. The schoolhouse is in Wood County, Texas between the small towns of Winnsboro and Quitman, Texas. It is five minutes away from Lake Fork, the bass capital of Texas.
* 100 miles east of Dallas, Texas, an approximately two hour drive from DFW International Airport or Dallas Love Field Airport.
Is the Coke Schoolhouse ADA accessible?
* Yes. There is ADA parking and accessible sidewalk access at the rear of the building. Note, there are steps to the front and side doors. There is a stage with no railing three feet off the ground that necessitates access by stairs. The showers have both rainfall and handheld shower heads, and are accessible by a four inch (4") step-over lip. There are no stools in the showers.
Who is eligible to apply to the Pineywoods writer's residency?
* Pineywoods encourages writers from all walks of life to apply. Emerging or established, local or international, young or "seasoned", writers of literary fiction, genre, poetry, nonfictions, multi-hyphenate... all are welcome. No degree is required, and applicants may be enrolled in a degree-seeking program when they apply or attend.
What is the cost?
* Residents are responsible for the cost of travel to a Dallas airport, where a representative of Pineywoods will pick you up and deliver you to the residency. One (large) meal is provided at lunch on weekdays, but you are responsible for procuring and paying for all your other food needs.
Do I need a vehicle?
* There is no public transportation available. Because of the remote nature of the Coke Schoolhouse, and because it is services by a busy rural road, bicycles are not an option. Food options are limited, but Wal-Mart in Sulphur Springs and Amazon both deliver to the schoolhouse. So, it's your choice: do you want a distraction-free environment, or would you prefer some mobility?
How often may I apply?
* As often as you'd like!
May I bring my partner, child, guest, or pet with me?
* Unfortunately, since you will be sharing a space with another writer, we ask that you respect their privacy and solitude and not bring other people or pets to the residency.
* Apart from the residency, you are welcome to stay at the Coke Schoolhouse utilizing a reservation through either VRBO or AirBnB.
Is there Wi-Fi?
* Yes, there is free Wi-Fi internet service of 40 Mbps.
How much privacy will I have?
* The former two-room schoolhouse has been converted to two private suites. You will have exclusive use of over 500 square feet in each suite, which includes a king bed, a queen bed, and a private sitting room. You will have your own bathroom, but you will have to exit the private suite to access it. You will share a gourmet kitchen, a large living and dining area, and the outdoor space with one other housemate. When you apply, you will be able to specify your preference for gender and/or orientation of your housemate.
Are there wild animals at the Coke Schoolhouse?
* While you may occasionally hear coyotes or owls, there is a secure perimeter fence around the entire facility, and plenty of light. You are in the country, but you are also at the intersection of two roads, so you will not feel isolated.
Additional information will be forthcoming as it is developed. Please check back often.
Pineywoods Writer's Retreat at Coke, TX Schoolhouse
From 1945 to 1965, the Coke Schoolhouse building served as a two-room schoolhouse with an auditorium and a separate cafeteria building for first through eighth graders.
Coke was settled in the 1850s and didn’t develop until later when coal was discovered nearby. The town was named after the byproduct used to make steel. By 1892, Coke had 200 residents and 12 businesses, according to the website texasescapes.com.
But four years later, Coke had just 25 people living there, the post office closed in 1906 and the community made it through the Great Depression with 25 residents.
Entry
The lockers for the student's belongings have been preserved with period-era memorabilia.
Classrooms -
converted to bedrooms
Restaurant Options
Peralta's Mexican
Local Mexican cuisine offering dine-in or take-out. Location choices in Winnsboro or Quitman.
Your Appetites
Casual, trendy eatery with a menu of sandwiches, salads and pot pies, plus a bakery. Daily specials. Take-out.
Address: 213 N Main St, Quitman, TX 75783
Phone: (903) 497-7950
Various Restaurants
Multiple other dining choices within 20 miles in Winnsboro, Quitman, Sulphur Springs.
Choose from restaurants, fast food, food truck/court.
WRITING RETREATS
No events at the moment
NURTURING CREATIVITY IN NATURE
Pineywoods Writer's Retreat is designed as a refuge for artists aiming to refine their writing skills in a serene and supportive environment. This retreat allows you to escape daily distractions and focus on your creative journey.
Here, you can register online for specific retreat dates while enjoying access to a gallery that showcases the breathtaking beauty of our location. Experience the tranquillity that encourages inspiration and growth in your writing.
GET IN TOUCH
For inquiries about our retreats, please feel free to reach out. We’re excited to welcome you to our community of writers.