The Zakiya Dalila Harris Scholarship

A message from Zakiya Dalila Harris

“One of the most wonderful things about writing is that you can do it anywhere. But that’s also one of the hardest things about it, too. You know how it goes: you tell yourself, ‘I’ll write in between X and Y.’ Or, ‘I’ll write first thing when I wake up.’ Then something comes up, and suddenly, days have gone by since you’ve written a single sentence.

“That’s why carving out time away from home to focus on your writing is not only useful—it can be essential. As a procrastinator myself, NorCal Writers’ Retreat kept me focused on my writing instead of thinking about trivial Everyday Life Things like what to eat for dinner or breakfast, or how I’m going to get my hands on some coffee. But it also kept me grounded on a wavelength level, too. It’s based in a peaceful, idyllic area rife with natural beauty that feels completely separate from the rest of the world. And it’s filled with other writers who are there for the same reason: they have a passion for writing, and a story they really want to tell.

“The moment I left the NorCal Writers Retreat, I knew I wanted to send another Black writer there—not merely because of the wealth of publishing information that was shared among writers and agents, but also because of the community that grew out of it after just a few days. I feel so fortunate to have been an Author-in-Residence there, and even more grateful to be able to help another Black writer hopefully find their own little slice of heaven and community in Carmel Valley, too.”