2026 Winter-on-the-Farm
Creative Writing Retreat 

​Just one hour from DC/Baltimore areas in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains
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With award-winning writer Diana Friedman, Founder of the
Pyrenean Creative Writing Retreat 

January 9-14, 2026

This retreat is for all writers who want help getting started, shaping and refining existing work, as well as ample time to write and bond with other writers

Maryland Resident? Click here to apply for a grant to help cover costs! Process takes 6-8 weeks.
Also, you can ask your employer for professional development support.
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Winter sunrise
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Our cats know how to retreat!
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Fritsel wearing her wool coat.

What to expect:

  •  A five-night writing retreat in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains, Sabillasville, MD
  • Relaxing in cozy writing nooks and on comfy sofas
  • Gathering each morning for generative writing exercises to help you move your project forward
  • Afternoon craft instruction to help further your project​
  • Blessed time to work on your creative projects throughout the day
  • Homemade meals prepared with produce from ZigBone Farm and area farms​
  • Coming together at dinner to discuss your day´s work and share your writing
  • Developing a support community of writers.
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Schedule 

Friday
Arrive between 4pm-5pm
5:30pm Welcome Reception & Dinner: hot cocoa, mulled wine, dinner from the wood-fired oven

Saturday-Tuesday (all sessions optional)
Coffee & breakfast
Generative writing exercises
Lunch 
Free writing time and one-on-one meetings with instructor
Craft writing instruction
Community dinner and evening readings

​Wednesday
Breakfast wrap-up
11am Departure
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About Diana

Diana Friedman has taught creative writing for more than a decade and enjoys working with writers at all stages of their writing  journey.  She has taught writing at the University of Maryland, the Writopia lab, the New Directions program, and facilitated numerous writing workshops in both the US and abroad. As a 'midwife' for emerging artists, she especially enjoys helping those new to the artistic process find their voice. She currently leads creative writing retreats in the Basque Pyrenees of Northern Spain and is delighted to share her expertise with Zigbone Farm Retreat to offer instruction, guidance, and support to new and experienced writers alike.

Diana’s work has appeared in numerous publications including New Letters, Huffington Post, Newsweek, and the Baltimore Sun. She is a current co-editor of the anthology, Ole Blue Claw: Tales from Maryland's Crustier Side, and the recipient of the Alexander Patterson Cappon Fiction Prize and a Pushcart Prize nomination and has received funding from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County and the Maryland State Arts Council. Her work has been selected as a finalist and short-listed at multiple presses. She holds an MA in Writing from Johns Hopkins University.

For an additional fee, Diana will provide feedback on individual manuscripts received before the workshop. Contact Diana.
What past participants say about the winter retreat:
"I loved Zigbone. I'm writing a credit to this lovely retreat in my book's acknowledgments. All of my needs were met so that I could relax and focus on my creative work in an inspiring setting. I got a lot of writing done. I will come back as soon as I can.

The writing sessions, both instructional and generative, were exactly perfect. Diana Freidman is an excellent instructor and literary guide.

The food was amazing. The meals prepared by Dena and Brenda were delicious and fresh--and there was plenty to eat and enjoy. I loved hearing where the ingredients came from, local farms and Maryland wineries. I also appreciated the special attention they gave to my nutrition needs. And I'll say again that everything tasted amazing!" - R. Zimlich
"The Zigbone Writing Retreat was an amazing experience and I couldn’t be more happy that I had the opportunity to go. ...The place itself is nestled in the middle of a beautiful landscape which made for peaceful walks or reflective moments on the porch watching the sunrise. ... Zigbone is clearly a labor of love that shows in its character and charm. It was a wonderful escape that provided plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in your own writer’s bubble if you wanted, or engage with other writers whether in classes, over meals (the food was another bonus-delicious, healthy, fresh and aplenty), or in a nook somewhere while drinking mulled wine or hot chocolate! 

...The classes, taught/facilitated by author Diana Friedman, were impressive.  I admired not only Diana’s knowledge of the craft, but her ability to create a captivating space of comfort & safety for everyone, despite different participant experiences and levels. It was clear that the classes were structured and well thought through (even down to the very last writing prompt) yet flexible enough to allow for deviation when necessary. Diana was also gracious enough  to speak to us alone, if we wanted, about our projects & it was incredibly helpful - yet another chance to witness her passion and expertise. ... Zigbone was a wonderful experience; one that gave me the inspiration, validation and nudge that I truly needed!" - L. Boone
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"Zigbone is heavenly and down-to-earth at the same time. I just revelled in a superlative writing retreat there, where our host and Zigbone co-owner, Dena Leibman, made us all feel at home. The accommodations are perfect and comfy, the setting is splendid, and every detail was attended to. Food was out-of-this-world and Diana Friedman, our brilliant writing instructor/muse, taught us craft and more with kindness and warmth. I can't wait to go back to Zigbone." - P. Steckler
"Think of the most lovely getaway - charming rooms, fabulous meals, gorgeous views - within 90 minutes of DC. That’s Zigbone Farm." - M. Tindall ​

The Dream of ZigBone Farm Retreat & Pricing

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Your Host
Dena Leibman, along with her wife Marijke Torfs, is co-owner/operator of ZigBone Farm Retreat. As a long-time communications professional and former nonprofit executive, Dena has always dreamt of holding retreats for writers (including herself) at ZigBone. The ZigBone Writer’s Retreat series is that dream come to life! Dena, who is writing her first novel, will be working behind the scenes to ensure guests are well cared for. 
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Your Place


​ZigBone Farm Retreat provides naturally built, light-filled, artistic spaces for people to gather, celebrate, teach, and learn. The complex consists of the main ZigBone Eco-Lodge, the Springhouse Cabin and the Event Hall. The 100-acre farm – a series of mountainside pastures bordered by old stone hedgerows – grows sheep, goats, and vegetables sustainably. Learn more at www.zigbonefarmretreat.com. 

Pricing: includes professional instruction, dinner on arrival night, 3 full meals/full day, breakfast on departure day. Participants are required to stay at ZigBone Farm Retreat, and will have a first-come-first-serve choice of accommodations.
$2500 private room/private bathroom (Springhouse, Log Cabin room in lodge, Parlor in lodge)
$2200 private room/shared bathroom
$1900 shared room/shared bathroom

A note about sharing bathrooms at ZigBone: 
All our bedrooms are lovely, with hardwood floors, thick naturally plastered walls, and lots of light and great views of either the valley or fields. As for sharing a bathroom, it's super easy. We have two setups, you'll either have a sink in your bedroom or you'll share a bathroom set up where the toilet and sink are in a separate room from the shower. Plus the Event Hall bathrooms, just behind the lodge, are available. Don't let bathroom sharing stop you! Many people are hesitant about sharing but in the end have found it no problem at all and now request the private room/shared bathroom option to save money.

Springhouse​
Stand-alone cozy cabin to yourself, near Lodge, with king plush bed, coffee bar, large outdoor deck with meadow view,  walk-in shower, writing alcove.  $2500.​

ZIGBONE LODGE
 A three-story, eco-building with hardwood floors throughout and light-filled spaces for gathering and writing. Participants can choose from a variety room options (see photos to right).

Springhouse plush king bed. 

PRIVATE EN SUITE ROOMS (two available): spacious rooms with bathroom. $2500
BED IN VERY LARGE, SEMI-PRIVATE SHARED ROOMS W/ SHARED BATH : shared by 2 people. Privacy screens provided.  $1900

Springhouse view toward writing alcove and walk-in bathroom

PRIVATE ROOMS W/SHARED BATH: with queen or king bed, shared bath.  Five private rooms available. Add a one-time $2200 fee to retreat base price.