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The Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow

What’s a writers’ colony?

It’s a place where inspiration happens. Sometimes a place to type in solitude, other times a support group for a writing habit. A place where words are born, reborn, and shared.

And in the case of the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow, somewhere with a dollop of Eureka Springs magic.

My book, Welcome to Eureka Springs: The I-Sh*t-You-Not History of America’s Quirkiest Town, includes a chapter about prolific author Crescent Dragonwagon, one of the Colony’s founders.

Like many of its kind, the Writers’ Colony is nonprofit. I’ve served on its board of directors since 2023, except for a five-month stint as interim director.

One of a kind

The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow has eight suites across two historic buildings. One of those suites is unique in the world, as far as we know.

The culinary suite features a commercial-grade kitchen, designed by KitchenAid and Renovation Style magazine, for cookbook authors to test recipes.

It’s no mystery why the Writers’ Colony is a natural fit for it. Crescent Dragonwagon wrote several cookbooks, including a million-seller and a James Beard Award winner.

Punny name, stellar event

The Writers’ Colony also hosts public events, including a monthly potluck and open mic. Despite being called Poetluck, it’s not just for poetry – I’ve read from my book there many times.

You never know what you’ll hear at Poetluck, but you know you’ll hear something that blows you away.

Why it matters

Writing can change the world, and often has.

In ways big and small, the written word can bring people together. Powerful stories can allow us to empathize with people who are far different from us in some way–or make us feel like we are not alone.

Donors fund competitive theme-based fellowships for fully paid residencies at the Colony. One fellowship might be open to veterans, another to parents of young children, another to nonfiction authors. Judges review the entries and select the winners.

Check it out

To book a writing residency, or help raise needed voices, see the Colony’s website.