Kindling Words West 2026 Registration
We are now operating a waitlist. Any registrations received will be waitlisted; please fill out this form, but do not remit payment at this time. This year's cost for Kindling Words (room, board, and retreat tuition) is $2450 for singles and $1900 for doubles. All payments are nonrefundable. Should your plans change, you may send a substitute who meets the KW criteria for attending. After you have completed this form (biographical information, professional information, accommodation preferences, and liability waiver,) you will receive a link to Zeffy, where you'll pay. If you have questions about this form, contact registrar Sunshine Bacon at kww@kindlingwords.org.
Name
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First Name(s)
Last Name We Use to Alphabetize
Name as you'd like it to appear on your nametag
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Please write your name phonetically so we know how to pronounce it
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Pronouns
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Email you use for correspondence
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example@example.com
Email You use for Google Drive and Forms (This may be different than the email above.
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example@example.com
Address
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Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
State / Province
Postal / Zip Code
If you'd like to append additional contact information to your file, add it below:
Eligibility
If you are an author or illustrator, you must have at least one book published or under contract that meets ALL of the criteria below. If you are an editor, you must currently work for a publishing house that meets ALL of these criteria, OR if you are currently an editor whose prior work history matches these criteria, you are also eligible.
Please check the boxes below to confirm your publisher:
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Pays authors and illustrators an advance against royalties
Publishes books in print format
Has editorial, marketing, and distribution staff
Has at least one prior list in print
Has multiple authors/illustrators
Will this be your first Kindling Words West?
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Yes!
No.
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Personal Information
Which professional strand(s) describe you? (Please check all that apply.)
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Author
Editor
Illustrator
What is your most recent or best known book title?
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Who is the publisher of that book?
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What was the publication date of that book?
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Daily Speakers
We had such a great time last year that we’ve decided to again have attendees provide our inspirational 30-minute morning sessions. Your session can be a presentation, workshop, interactive session, or anything you think will inspire others' creative work. If we have more presenters than space, we’ll ask all attendees to vote on speakers this winter. Either way, we'll notify chosen speakers by the end of February, so you'll have plenty of time to prepare. Our speakers will receive a $200 tuition reduction. Last year’s speakers were Crystal Allen, Lisze Bechtold, Mary Boone, Cinda Chima, Dona Barba Higuera, and Laurie Ann Thompson.
If you're interested in pitching an idea for morning inspiration, Director Kristen Kiesling will be in touch to discuss. Are you interested?
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Yes! Please ask me how I can inspire my colleagues!
Not this time.
Demographic Information
Kindling Words plans to apply for some grants to fund our events and scholarships. Because some grantors request organizations' demographics, we are inviting attendees to self-identify. The following two questions are optional.
(optional) Which of these categories would you use to describe yourself? Please select as many as apply to you.
Asian or Pacific Islander
Black or African American
Indigenous, Native American, or Alaskan Native
Latino/a/x or Hispanic
White or Caucasian
Multiracial or Biracial
Other
(optional) Do you identify as an of this historically marginalized identities? Please select as many as apply to you.
Disabled
Female
LGBTQIA2+
Low-income
Neurodivergent
Religious minority
None
Other
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Whidbey Accommodations
Whidbey Institute has many different kinds of accommodations. All include linens, heat, and access to bathrooms and showers. You can read more about Whidbey Institute’s houses and cabins here: https://whidbeyinstitute.org/accommodations/ Because accommodations and desks at Whidbey Institute are limited, your decisions below may affect your acceptance to Kindling Words West (For instance, if you indicate below that only Meadow Row is suitable, and Meadow Row is booked, your registration will be declined.) ALL DESKS ARE NOW TAKEN.
Which accommodations would you find suitable? (Check all that are acceptable)
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A Meadow Row cabin (a five-minute walk from the dining and meeting hall, with a bathroom just outside my door that I’ll share with people in other cabins)
A Hillside or Legacy cabin (a five-minute walk from the dining and meeting hall, with bathrooms 30 steps away that I’ll share with people in other cabins)
A room in the Farmhouse (a three-minute walk from the dining and meeting hall, with my bedroom up a flight of stairs and a shared bathroom just across the hall)
A room at Granny’s (a ten-minute walk through the woods from the dining and meeting hall, with a shared bathroom just across the hall)
If you require wheelchair-accessible accommodations, check this box
I require wheelchair-accessible accommodations
We will not place you in accommodations that don't match your preferences above. Outside of those preferences, we will do our best to accommodate your wishes. If you’d like to further express a preference, please do so here:
Please let us know your rooming preference.
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I want a single only
I will share a room and already have my roommate's name.
I am open to sharing with another participant; please contact me about options.
If you indicated above that you have a roommate, add their name below.
Whidbey Institute would like a rough idea of dietary needs to prepare main dishes. Please select one of the following:
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I will eat only vegan meals.
I will eat only vegetarian meals.
I will eat fish but not land meat.
I will eat land meat but not fish.
I will eat fish and land meat.
If you have food allergies or other specific dietary restrictions, please note those here:
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Release of liability
I hereby freely and voluntarily, without duress, execute this Release under the following terms: (1) General Waiver and Release. I release and forever discharge and hold harmless Kindling Words (KW) and its affiliated organizations, directors, officers, employees, and agents, and their successors and assigns, from any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind or nature, either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from my participating in the Kindling Words Scotland program and related activities whether such liability, claims, or demands results from travel, from disease, consumption of food, or from civil unrest or otherwise.I understand and acknowledge that this Release discharges KW from any liability or claim against it with respect to any bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death, monetary loss or property damage that may result from my participation in the program. I understand that KW assumes no responsibility for or obligation to provide financial assistance or other assistance, including but not limited to medical, health, or disability insurance, in the event of injury, illness, death, accident, monetary loss or property damage. (2) Medical Treatment. I hereby release and forever discharge KW from any claim whatsoever which arises or may hereafter arise on account of any first-aid treatment or other medical services rendered to me or to my dependents/companions in connection with an emergency or health problem during my participation in the program. (3) Assumption of Risk. I understand that my participation in the KW program may include activities and circumstances that may be hazardous to me, including, but not limited to, international travel, and local transportation in the country of my travels. (4) I hereby expressly and specifically assume the risk of injury or harm in these circumstances and release KW from all liability for injury, illness, death, monetary loss or property damage resulting from such circumstances during my participation with the KW program, whether suffered by me personally or by any of my accompanying dependents or companions. (5) Other. I agree that in the event that any clause or provision of this Release shall be held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such clause or provision shall not otherwise affect the remaining provisions of this Release which shall continue to be enforceable. I understand that any dispute concerning this Release or any aspect of my participation in the KW program shall be brought in the state or federal courts of Vermont.
Agreement
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By checking this box, I hereby certify that I have read and agree to the waiver of liability terms set forth in this document, and that all the information I have provided is accurate and complete.
Health and Safety. Bearing in mind covid and other travel bugs, I affirm the following: (1) I will have been vaccinated for Covid-19. (2) I am willing to take a Covid-19 test(s) if asked. (3) I will mask indoors if necessary.
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Yes, I agree to the Covid guidelines above.
Submit
We have a limited number of full or partial scholarships available. Scholarship recipients will be responsible for all transportation costs. Please check all that apply below.
I anticipate being able to attend regardless of scholarship.
I would like to be considered for a partial scholarship (up to $500) as the full cost would significantly impact my ability to attend.
I would like to be considered for a full scholarship (covering tuition, room, and board) but I might be able to attend with a partial scholarship.
I can only attend Kindling Words West with a full scholarship (covering tuition, room, and board).
Deposit
We are operating a waitlist right now. Please do not submit a deposit at this time. When a spot becomes available, we will ask for a deposit. Thank you!
Submit
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