The Xochitl gonzalez Scholarship
Submissions are now open!
Thanks to the generosity of our 2025 Author-in-Residence, Xochitl Gonzalez, New York Times bestselling author of Anita de Monte Laughs Last, and the award-winning Olga Dies Dreaming, we are proud to offer The Xochitl Gonzalez Scholarship for Diasporican Voices to one Diasporican fiction writer of any gender to one session of our 2026 retreats.
What’s The Xochitl Gonzalez Scholarship?
Scholarship
All retreat fees covered ($2,897) plus $500 in travel expenses, for a total of $3,397 in aid.
Who is eligible
This scholarship is for one Diasporican writer of any gender. Diasporican refers to people of Puerto Rican descent who live outside of Puerto Rico and identify with the Puerto Rican diaspora. You must be over twenty-one by the retreat’s beginning to apply.
Goal of the scholarship
To support and foster the creative life of one Diasporican writer who would be unable to attend the retreat without aid. We believe writers who want to learn more about the publishing industry, connect with other writers, and improve their craft, should have the ability to do so, despite their financial situation. This scholarship will make attendance possible to one writer, and offers a $500 stipend to offset travel expenses.
What is Northern California Writers’ Retreat?
17 other writers, 2 Guest Literary Agents, 1 Author-in-Residence, 1 Independent Editor, and YOU.
Join us in Northern California among oak trees and poppies to workshop with fellow writers led by our Editor or one of our Guest Literary Agents. Take part in daily conversations about publishing from the perspective of professionals who will give insights into the industry. Enjoy free time and space to write. Participate in a daily yoga practice and/or write to live piano music.
Northern California Writers’ Retreat brings writers together to create a community of individuals who love to write, read, and support each other–if that’s you, please apply!
A message from Xochitl Gonzalez
“It can be difficult, given the economic demands for working people today, to take the time to find both professional guidance on craft and story as well as writing community. Not everyone can commit to an MFA or even a 10-day workshop. I was so impressed with the high-quality opportunity the NorCal Writers’ Retreat offered to writers from many paths and stages of life to clear a long weekend, roll up their sleeves, take out their pens and focus on both their art and the business of publishing, amongst like-minded artists. It seemed both a perfect environment and opportunity to help elevate the voice of an emerging Diasporican writer.”
Choosing your session
We offer three sessions for our 2026 Poppy Retreats and the scholarship recipient will choose which one they would like to attend. Learn more about the upcoming retreat sessions here and the amazing talent we have joining us in 2026, and see below for a quick overview.
Session 1:
March 18th-22nd
Author-in-Residence:
Christine Pride, All the Men I’ve Loved Before
Guest Agent:
Kate McKean, Howard Morhaim Literary Agency
Guest Agent:
Kiana Nguyen, Donald Maass Literary Agency
Session 2:
March 25th-29th
Author-in-Residence:
Cleyvis Natera, Neruda on the Park; The Grand Paloma Resort
Guest Agent:
Natalie Edwards, Trellis Literary Management
Guest Agent:
Jade Wong-Baxter, Frances Goldin Literary Agency
Session 3:
April 8th-12th
Author-in-Residence:
Jo Piazza, Everyone is Lying to You; The Sicilian Inheritance (and many more!)
Guest Agent:
Laura Cameron, Transatlantic Agency
Guest Agent:
Bibi Lewis, Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency
Scholarship application details and timeline
Deadline to apply: October 3rd, 2025
Our scholarship committee will be reading once we receive all applications. The scholarship will be awarded to the writer whose work we feel shows the greatest potential and promise; all genres are encouraged. We will get back to all applicants on November 4th.
Response for scholarship: November 4th, 2025
If you do not receive the scholarship, you may be accepted into the retreat, though application to the scholarship does not guarantee a space at the retreat. If you would like to keep your application on file to be considered for the retreat, you may do so without reapplying–we will be in touch with you after November 4th to find out your preference. We have additional financial aid beyond this scholarship.
Final decision for retreat acceptance: December 3rd, 2025.
We look forward to reading your work!
Thanks again and happy writing,
Heather Lazare, founder + director, Northern California Writers’ Retreat
+
Xochitl Gonzalez, author + scholarship supporter