Skip to content
Giving artists time and space to create within a natural, rustic environment
Giving artists time and space to create within a natural, rustic environment
Kate Moses established Birds & Muses in 2017 to share her expertise with other aspiring women-identified, femme, trans and nonbinary literary artists through ongoing mentorship and hands-on, collaborative editorial guidance.
Created by an internationally acclaimed novelist, beloved writing teacher, and seasoned professional editor, Birds & Muses provides women writers the practical and moral support they need to complete their literary fiction and creative nonfiction book projects.
Birds & Muses is the culmination of author and mentor Kate Moses’ thirty-plus years of experience in the literary field and as an advocate for women and their creative work. Through Birds & Muses, Kate shares all the publishing-professional savvy, technical craft expertise, and creative wisdom that she learned as a self-taught writer feeling her way alone toward the completion of her first four award-winning books, and subsequently as a respected member of the national literary community.
Building on the tremendous success of its 2024 pilot year, Hewnoaks Artist Residency and Birds & Muses are evolving their partnership, providing writers with even more opportunities to immerse themselves in their craft.
Hewnoaks, a historic artist residency in western Maine, provides time, space, and a supportive environment for artists and writers to focus on their creative practice. Nestled in a serene natural setting, Hewnoaks fosters interdisciplinary exchange and artistic growth, making it an ideal place for deep, uninterrupted work.
Through this collaboration, writers will not only benefit from Kate’s mentorship but also experience the retreat-like atmosphere of Hewnoaks—where inspiration, solitude, and artistic community come together to nurture meaningful creative work.
Check out our upcoming Birds & Muses residencies below.
This first of two, week-long collaborative residencies between Hewnoaks and Birds & Muses invites women-identified, femme, trans and nonbinary artists of literary projects in early stages of development to take part in daily group sessions to inspire their writing, individualized conferences to further identify and advance their nascent projects, and protected time to write.
This second of two, week-long collaborative residencies between Hewnoaks and Birds & Muses invites women-identified, femm, trans and nonbinary artists of literary projects at later stages of development to take part in daily group sessions focused on revising, troubleshooting, and polishing late drafts of projects as well as the business of being a writer, individualized conferences, and protected time to write.
Program schedules vary based on the residency. Here’s a quick glimpse of what you might expect.
Due to the unwinterized accommodations at Hewnoaks, Birds & Muses residencies only operate July – September. Please click here to see all active residencies.
Enrollment operates on a first-come, first-served rolling basis. The application period will close on a pre-set date, or when we have reached capacity, whichever comes first.
Accepted applicants will have one week from acceptance to submit full payment. This fee includes a 25% nonrefundable deposit.
.
Birds & Muses is for women-identified, femme, trans and nonbinary literary artists who:
• Are dedicated to their artistic growth and ready for advanced instruction.
• Seek mentorship for creative and professional development.
• Crave a supportive community of serious, like-minded peers.
• Aim for traditional publication and plan to submit to literary agents.
• Want expert editorial guidance, accountability, and a rigorous yet supportive writing environment.
Interested writers submit an application, which includes a brief statement about their project and creative background. The $20 application fee, which will be credited toward the residency fee upon acceptance, helps cover Kate’s time reviewing applications as well as software costs. Applications are reviewed with the goal of forming a dynamic, supportive cohort of writers. Accepted applicants will be notified and given next steps, including securing their spot with a deposit. Prior to the residency, participants will receive program details and, if applicable, suggested readings to prepare for the experience.
Because space is limited and we strive to create an engaged and supportive community, we are unable to accept all applications. Each application is carefully reviewed, considering factors such as the stage of each writer’s project, their creative approach, and their potential to benefit from and contribute to the group. Writers who are not accepted are encouraged to apply for future sessions.
The residency fee covers accommodations, meals, daily group sessions, individual meetings with Kate, and structured independent writing time. Fees vary based on lodging options selected. Optional manuscript assessments may be available for an additional fee. Specific pricing details, including deposit requirements and potential financial aid options, can be found on the application page. .
Attendee Cancellations
Cancellations made up to one month before the residency start date will receive a 75% refund. Cancellations made after this date are non-refundable, unless we are able to fill the spot from the waitlist, in which case a refund will be issued, less the 25% deposit.
If the retreat is canceled by the organizers for any reason, all residency fees, including deposits, will be fully refunded (excluding any travel expenses).
Organizer Cancellations
We reserve the right to cancel the residency up to 72 hours before its scheduled start due to low enrollment, inclement weather, force majeure, facility issues, or other unforeseen circumstances. If cancellation is necessary, all residency fees (including deposits) will be fully refunded, but we cannot reimburse travel expenses.
Given the uncertainties that can arise, we strongly recommend that participants secure travel insurance, especially if booking airline tickets, to protect against any potential cancellations.
Learn more about our active Birds & Muses residencies below.
This first of two, week-long collaborative residencies between Hewnoaks and Birds & Muses invites women-identified, femme, trans and nonbinary artists of literary projects in early stages of development to take part in daily group sessions to inspire their writing, individualized conferences to further identify and advance their nascent projects, and protected time to write.
This second of two, week-long collaborative residencies between Hewnoaks and Birds & Muses invites women-identified, femm, trans and nonbinary artists of literary projects at later stages of development to take part in daily group sessions focused on revising, troubleshooting, and polishing late drafts of projects as well as the business of being a writer, individualized conferences, and protected time to write.
