Somatic practices for crafting an embodied writing life.
Between Starshine & Clay is a virtual two-day retreat that invites Black queer writers to slow down and cultivate an embodied writing practice. Through guided somatic meditation, Black feminist writing workshops, structured quiet time, and generative community support, we will nurture the writing practices that call and sustain us, spiritually and materially.
Each day, you will create room for a deeper connection to your work, form a community that nourishes your abilities, and leave with grounding creative tools to write your way forward. All career ranges and experience levels are welcome.
This retreat is named after the bridge and prayer in one of Lucille Clifton’s most invitational poems, and is guided by close readings of ancestor poets, including Assata Shakur, Nikki Giovanni, June Jordan, bell hooks, and Essex Hemphill.
To learn more about me, your devoted host, you can read more below.
Retreat Date & Time:
Saturday, February 21, 2026
10:00 am - 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time
Sunday, February 22, 2026:
10:00 am - 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time
Note: There is a break for lunch and quiet writing times throughout this retreat.
Want to bring clarity and intention to their writing practice through somatic practices
Seek creative practices that honor their emotional well-being, spiritual grounding, and sense of social connection.
Value ritual, community building, and Black feminism as a political and creative framework
Are interested in guidance through close readings of ancestor poets, including Lucille Clifton, Assata Shakur, Nikki Giovanni, June Jordan, bell hooks, and Essex Hemphill.
Ciarra Ross is a writer, trained meditation practitioner, and second-generation family historian turned artist living in New York City. As the founder of Querent Studio, Ciarra develops narrative strategies for organizations and emerging artists working toward land justice, immigrant rights, queer and trans liberation, reproductive justice, and advocacy of sexual assault survivors. Over the last decade, she has given talks at Columbia University, Spelman College, University of Michigan, and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on visual culture, media exploitation, and somatic healing.
The first five registrants of this retreat will receive a complimentary 45-minute 1:1 creative development session with Querent Studio. If you are in need of a payment plan or sliding scale option, please send an email here with the subject line, ’Sliding Scale.’
Somatic practices for crafting an embodied writing life.
Between Starshine & Clay is a virtual two-day retreat that invites Black queer writers to slow down and cultivate an embodied writing practice. Through guided somatic meditation, Black feminist writing workshops, structured quiet time, and generative community support, we will nurture the writing practices that call and sustain us, spiritually and materially.
Each day, you will create room for a deeper connection to your work, form a community that nourishes your abilities, and leave with grounding creative tools to write your way forward. All career ranges and experience levels are welcome.
This retreat is named after the bridge and prayer in one of Lucille Clifton’s most invitational poems, and is guided by close readings of ancestor poets, including Assata Shakur, Nikki Giovanni, June Jordan, bell hooks, and Essex Hemphill.
To learn more about me, your devoted host, you can read more below.
Retreat Date & Time:
Saturday, February 21, 2026
10:00 am - 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time
Sunday, February 22, 2026:
10:00 am - 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time
Note: There is a break for lunch and quiet writing times throughout this retreat.
Want to bring clarity and intention to their writing practice through somatic practices
Seek creative practices that honor their emotional well-being, spiritual grounding, and sense of social connection.
Value ritual, community building, and Black feminism as a political and creative framework
Are interested in guidance through close readings of ancestor poets, including Lucille Clifton, Assata Shakur, Nikki Giovanni, June Jordan, bell hooks, and Essex Hemphill.
Ciarra Ross is a writer, trained meditation practitioner, and second-generation family historian turned artist living in New York City. As the founder of Querent Studio, Ciarra develops narrative strategies for organizations and emerging artists working toward land justice, immigrant rights, queer and trans liberation, reproductive justice, and advocacy of sexual assault survivors. Over the last decade, she has given talks at Columbia University, Spelman College, University of Michigan, and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on visual culture, media exploitation, and somatic healing.
The first five registrants of this retreat will receive a complimentary 45-minute 1:1 creative development session with Querent Studio. If you are in need of a payment plan or sliding scale option, please send an email here with the subject line, ’Sliding Scale.’
