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Getting Your Middle Grade or Young Adult Novel Unstuck: On-Demand

Open Dates

OVERVIEW: Online, On-Demand Self-Paced Course 7 pre-recorded online sessions you can access on-demand for up to 6 months from the date of your registration. A 20-minute Zoom call with Erin or Chris after you register. Optional monthly office hours on the first Tuesday of each month from 7-8pm EST for up to 6 months from […]

Seize the Reader: Writing for Emotional Impact, An On Demand Online Course

Open Dates

OVERVIEW: Online, On-Demand Self-Paced Course Included are 4 pre-recorded online sessions you can access on-demand for up to 6 months from the date of your registration Imagine your reader cemented in place by your story, unable to move until they reach the end. Imagine your reader racing to place your book into the hands of […]

Day Visits

Open Dates

2025 Personal Retreats at The Barn at Boyds Mills

Flexible Dates

Personal Retreats at The Barn at Boyds Mills Please see more information about personal retreats here: https://thebarnatboydsmills.com/personal-retreats/  

Revising Your Verse Novel 2024 Post-Course Critique Opportunity

With Cordelia Jensen

November 13, 2024 - January 31, 2025

A Critique by Cordelia Jensen Cordelia Jensen invites attendees of the workshop to purchase an optional after-course critique. Writers may submit 10-15 poems (no more than 20 pages). Please make sure the work you submit is in 12 point font, in Times New Roman (or similar) font. Submission period is between January 27th - January 31st.  A private session […]

Revise to Resonate: Your Picture Book Plot, Pacing, and Character

January 27 - 29, 2025

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Black YA Writers Personal Retreat

January 30 - February 2, 2025

Black YA Writers Personal Retreat Come join us at the Highlights Foundation campus for a writing retreat. This long weekend is designed to allow you to focus on your writing and soak up the creativity granted to us through nature There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  The […]

Breaking Into the Educational Market: A Two-Night Mini

February 4 - 6, 2025

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/?p=45104&post_type=tribe_events&preview=1&_ppp=5277fa2338

Diving Into Your New (or Next) Novel: An Online Workshop

February 4 - 25, 2025

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/?p=45386&post_type=tribe_events&preview=1&_ppp=fdcb51a9e9

Diving Into Picture Books: Format, Structure, and Practice

February 4 - 25, 2025

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/?p=45985&post_type=tribe_events&preview=1&_ppp=5839898d52

Turn Up the Volume on Quiet Picture Books: A Two-Night Mini

February 10 - 12, 2025

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/?p=43731&post_type=tribe_events&preview=1&_ppp=bb7fd14b2b

The Power of Historical Novels in Verse: A Two-Part Mini on Using Poetry and History to Inspire

February 18 - 20, 2025

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/?p=44057&post_type=tribe_events&preview=1&_ppp=6a1576eb5b

Mad Woman Literary Agency Retreat

March 6 - 9, 2025

Mad Woman Literary Agency Retreat All clients of Mad Woman Literary Agency are welcome to attend a three-day retreat in person at The Highlights Foundation from March 6 - 9. This will be an opportunity to connect with one another, have quality writing time in a peaceful setting, and learn from each other in workshops […]

Steel Clients Retreat

March 13 - 16, 2025

Steel Clients Retreat   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for a retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous […]

WAT Writing Alone Together Retreat

March 20 - 23, 2025

WAT Writing Alone Together Retreat Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for a 3-night retreat. WAT (Writing Alone Together) is a zoom-room weekday morning writing group open to women and non-binary writers. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day. This retreat is low-key and unstructured, with ample […]

Novel Retreat (Spring) with Editor Patricia Lee Gauch*

March 23 - 29, 2025

This invitation-based retreat is thoughtfully crafted to help you move your novel to the next level while working one-to-one with editor Patricia Lee Gauch.     Agenda (Sunday, March 23 - Saturday, March 29, 2025) Prior to the retreat, you are asked to provide Patti with samples that she has requested to be sent to […]

Carrot Cake Hype Squad

March 27 - 31, 2025

Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for a four-day writing retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as […]

Theater Camp For Writers

April 3 - 6, 2025

Come join us at the Highlights Foundation campus for Theatre Camp for Writers. Link to the full workshop description here: https://sites.google.com/view/theater-camp-for-writers/home?authuser= There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day. This retreat will provide some unstructured time to write, and to connect as a group. The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities […]

Drexel MFA Program Writer's Retreat

April 3 - 6, 2025

Drexel MFA Program Writer's Retreat Come join us at the Highlights Foundation campus for a writing retreat. This long weekend is designed to allow you to focus on your writing and soak up the creativity granted to us through nature. There are no formal classes, but writers may organize a  workshop if desired. You may […]

Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Spring)

April 9 - June 4, 2025

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/?p=46119&post_type=tribe_events&preview=1&_ppp=a8959b2203

Prospect Agency Spring Retreat

April 11 - 13, 2025

Prospect Agency Spring Retreat   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for our April 2025 two-night retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day and night. This retreat will be low-key and a time to connect as a group. The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird […]

Pocono Believe 2025 -- All Aboard!

April 25 - 27, 2025

Pocono Believe 2025 -- All Aboard!   IMPORTANT REMINDER! You must first register through SCBWI for the event before registering for lodging here.   The train to publication is all about onboarding. From industry professionals to gatekeepers, and from our readers to ourselves everyone needs to BELIEVE in our work. Whether you're just getting started […]

The Motherlode Retreat

April 27 - May 1, 2025

The Motherlode Retreat   Come join us at the Highlights Foundation campus for The Motherlode Retreat. . We welcome all writers looking to gather in community and deepen our understanding of the Motherlode and how to write about it. We'll gather a few times each day for discussions, writing excercises, and generative prompts designed to […]

Asian and Asian American Voices: An In-Community Retreat

May 1 - 4, 2025

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/asian-and-american-voices-an-in-community-retreat *please note the add a day option!

Muslim Storyteller Whole Novel Retreat (Spring)

May 5 - 9, 2025

Muslim Storytellers Whole Novel Retreat 2025   Register for the second part of your immersive, in-community Muslim Storytellers Whole Novel program. This 5-day/4-night immersive experience offers a supportive space for Muslim novelists to revise their stories, with limited programming and ample time to connect with fellow retreaters and find ways to amplify Muslim voices and […]

Jersey City Writers Retreat

May 9 - 11, 2025

Jersey City Writers Retreat   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, […]

Revision Retreat: Moving Your Story Ahead

May 15 - 18, 2025

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/revision-retreat-moving-your-story-ahead

The Unreliable Narrators Retreat

May 24 - 29, 2025

Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for a writing retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as […]

Team James Kidlit Retreat

May 29 - June 1, 2025

Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for a retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day. This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the […]

All About Picture Books: A Retreat for Storytellers

June 1 - 4, 2025

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/all-about-picture-books-a-retreat-for-storytellers

Revise and Rise: A Retreat for Novelists

June 6 - 10, 2025

Join two seasoned authors and book coaches for an immersive retreat at the Highlights Foundation campus designed specifically for novelists seeking to refine their craft and elevate their storytelling. In this retreat, we will help you build a road map to demystify the revision process and sort through conflicting advice to polish your manuscript while […]

Birth a Book Coach Retreat

June 7 - 11, 2025

**Retreat Name**   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching […]

BSFW Goes to Highlights

June 19 - 22, 2025

  Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for a writing retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets […]

Crafting Kidlit Community

June 20 - 23, 2025

Crafting Kidlit Community   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day. This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the […]

Working Creatively With Conflict

June 23 - 28, 2025

**Retreat Name**   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching […]

VCFA Guardians of Literary Mischief Retreat

June 28 - July 3, 2025

Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the campus is surrounded […]

Tracking Wonder - Unplugged + Unbound Retreat

June 28 - July 2, 2025

**Retreat Name**   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching […]

Summer Camp in Illustration: Intensive Artistic Inspiration

July 6 - 9, 2025
Book now for early bird pricing. The price goes up to $1,549 on May 1.

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=45298

Braintrust Retreat

July 10 - 13, 2025

There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day. This 3-night, 2-day retreat will feature introductory exercises on Thursday evening followed by 3-hour generative workshops on Friday and Saturday mornings beginning 9 am. Afternoons will be dedicated to individual writer's longer works (up to 50 pages to be submitted at least […]

An Inspired Life Retreat with Be & Breathe Studio

July 10 - 13, 2025

An Inspired Life Retreat By Be & Breathe Studio with Julie Heasley and Don Myer Four days on “pause” in nature practicing yoga. This is an opportunity to cleanse any debris that clouds your own natural way of being. When the waters settle your true, natural state of being is revealed. Untethered, you can create […]

NIAY Collective Residency

July 10 - 13, 2025

This 3-night (or 4-night if desired) retreat will offer ample opportunities for relaxing, walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the campus is surrounded by nature and farms. This setting is sure to ignite your creativity and inspire you well beyond the retreat experience. You may check into your lodging any time after 3pm […]

Summer Camp in Writing: Create and Dream!

July 13 - 17, 2025
Book now for early bird pricing. The price goes up to $1,649 on May 1.

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/?p=45303&post_type=tribe_events&preview=1&_ppp=b66caf9a22

VCFA Writing for Children and Young Adults Alumnx Retreat

July 17 - 20, 2025

VCFA Writing for Children and Young Adults Alumnx Retreat   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for a writing retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Highlights Foundation campus has […]

WCSU MFA 2025 Summer Retreat

July 29 - August 3, 2025

Join us for WCSU MFA’s 2024 Summer Residency, located at the Barn at Boyds Mills, near Honesdale, PA! The residency will feature morning and afternoon workshops, open mics, evening readings, as well as delicious and expertly prepared locally sourced meals. This residency will offer some peaceful time to reunite with friends, connect with new writers, […]

Cartoon Everything!

August 3 - 6, 2025

Cartoon Everything!   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus, where there will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day. There are ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the campus is surrounded by nature and farms. You may check into your lodging (a private cabin […]

Sera Rivers Client Retreat

August 3 - 6, 2025

**Retreat Name**   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching […]

Black Voices: An In-Community Retreat for Storytellers

August 7 - 10, 2025

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/black-voices-an-in-community-retreat-for-storytellers

Novels in Verse: Working Retreat

August 10 - 13, 2025

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/novels-in-verse-working-retreat

Nonfiction Retreat: Science, Nature, Biography, and More

August 13 - 16, 2025

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/nonfiction-retreat-science-nature-biography-and-more

Coming Home to Ourselves and Reclaiming Our Wholeness as Highly Sensitive People - Gathering Retreat

August 29 - September 2, 2025

**Retreat Name**   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching […]

Crafting Kidlit Community II

September 3 - 6, 2025

Crafting Kidlit Community   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day. This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the […]

Middle Grade Writers: A Generative Retreat

September 10 - 13, 2025

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/middle-grade-writers-a-generative-retreat

Picture Book Authors and Illustrators: Working Retreat

September 13 - 16, 2025

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/picture-book-authors-and-illustrators-working-retreat

Jennifer Louden Writing Retreat 2025

September 21 - 27, 2025

**Retreat Name**   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching […]

Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Fall)

October 8 - December 3, 2025

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/?p=46135&post_type=tribe_events&preview=1&_ppp=9fa00fe208

Wing Night

October 9 - 11, 2025

Come join us at the Highlights Foundation campus for Wing Night. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the […]

Viable Paradise Alum Retreat

October 9 - 12, 2025

Come join us at the Highlights Foundation campus for Wing Night. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the […]

The Pub Retreat 2025

October 10 - 17, 2025

The Pub Retreat 2025   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets […]

Prospect Agency Fall Retreat

October 17 - 19, 2025

Prospect Agency Fall Retreat   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for our Fall 2025 two-night retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day and night.  This retreat will be low-key and a time to connect as a group.  The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, […]

Drexel MFA Program Writer's Retreat

October 23 - 26, 2025

Drexel MFA Program Writer's Retreat Come join us at the Highlights Foundation campus for a writing retreat. This long weekend is designed to allow you to focus on your writing and soak up the creativity granted to us through nature. There are no formal classes, but writers may organize a  workshop if desired. You may […]

Poetry Palooza! A Workshop for Poetry Lovers

November 1 - 4, 2025

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/poetry-palooza-a-workshop-for-poetry-lovers

Writing Through Trauma & Grief to Empower Readers: A Retreat for Storytellers

November 6 - 9, 2025

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/writing-through-trauma-and-grief-to-empower-readers-a-retreat-for-storytellers

Plotter Reunion and Retreat

November 9 - 14, 2025

Come join us at the Highlights Foundation campus.There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the campus is […]

CAT Agency Retreat

November 16 - 20, 2025

Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for a CAT Agency Creative Retreat!!   This 4-day retreat is an opportunity to gather with your CAT colleagues, and rest, connect, and create! We will have a loose, attend-if-you’d-like agenda, including presentations given by our Agents (and possibly some of you!), writing critique groups, portfolio reviews, brainstorming […]

CR template / organization paying

May 1 - 4, 2026

**Retreat Name**   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching […]

CR template / individuals paying

May 1 - 4, 2026

**Retreat Name**   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Highlights Foundation campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching […]