The Cleyvis Natera Scholarship
Submissions are now OPEN!
About the Scholarship: Thanks to the generosity of our 2026 Author-in-Residence, Cleyvis Natera, award-winning author of Neruda on the Park and The Grand Paloma Resort, we are proud to offer The Cleyvis Natera Scholarship for BIPOC Mothers to one female-identifying fiction writer to one session of our 2027 retreats.
What’s The Cleyvis Natera Scholarship?
Scholarship
All retreat fees covered ($2,997) plus $500 in travel expenses, for a total of $3,497 in aid.
Who is eligible
Thanks to the generosity of our 2026 Author-in-Residence, Cleyvis Natera, award-winning author of Neruda on the Park and The Grand Paloma Resort, we are proud to offer The Cleyvis Natera Scholarship for BIPOC Mothers to one female-identifying fiction writer to one session of our 2027 retreats.
Goal of the scholarship
To support and foster the creative life of one BIPOC female-identifying writer and parent of an underaged child or children 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 Cleyvis Natera
“After facing many years of rejection, it is unsurprising that the life event that finally aided my breakthrough in publication was becoming a parent. Motherhood, with all of its joys and difficulties, clarified my passions as a writer, and instilled the grit needed to push myself past obstacles that had paralyzed me in the past. Because a key element of creating great novels has been finding time away from home and the obligations of my family to focus solely on writing, I know how valuable it is for mothers of school-age children to find financial support to enable that escape. It is my hope that this scholarship for BIPOC moms like me will help lift the financial burdens mothers face and enable them to focus solely on the critical role of being an artist.
“I was fortunate to be invited to be an Author-in-Residence at Northern California Writers’ Retreat during the final stretch for my third novel, when I was under a fast approaching deadline. The setting, nestled among the beautiful mountains of Northern California, provided such peace and contentment that I was able to create an astonishing amount of work during the residency and finish my book. It was also wonderful to convene with other writers for meals, to participate in conversations that were nourishing and soul-affirming. It is no small feat to find the time to do this work but doing so at Northern California Writers’ Retreat was a transformational experience. I’m confident it will prove likewise for another BIPOC writing mom!”
Choosing your session
We offer three sessions for our 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, and see below for a quick overview.
Session 1:
March 17th-21st
Author-in-Residence:
Katy Hays, The Cloisters and Salt Water
Guest Agent:
Allison Hunter, Trellis Literary Management
Guest Agent:
Mina Hamedi, Janklow & Nesbit Associates
Session 2:
March 31st-April 4th
Author-in-Residence:
Natalie Baszile, Queen Sugar; Friends and Family
Guest Agent:
Kristyn Keene Benton, Empire Literary
Guest Agent:
Ariele Fredman, United Talent Agency
Session 3:
April 14th-18th
Author-in-Residence:
Shirin Yim Leos, Of Wind and Dust
Guest Agent:
Heather Jackson, Heather Jackson Literary Agency
Guest Agent:
Annie Hwang, Renegade Literary
Scholarship application details and timeline
Deadline to apply: October 2nd, 2026.
The scholarship will be awarded to the writer whose work we feel shows the greatest potential and promise; all genres are encouraged.
There will be one winner and two runners up–the runners up will be offered acceptance into any session of the retreat they choose, though they will not recieve the scholarship. We have additional financial aid available!
Response for scholarship: November 3rd, 2026.
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 3rd to find out your preference. As stated above, we have additional financial aid beyond this scholarship, because of the ongoing generosity of our alumni!
Final decision for retreat acceptance: December 2nd, 2026.
We look forward to reading your work!
Thanks again and happy writing,
Heather Lazare, founder + director, Northern California Writers’ Retreat
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Cleyvis Natera, author + scholarship supporter