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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/  

2026 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/  

2026 Personal Retreats Two Night Specials

Package Dates

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

Pitch Perfect: Finding Your Novel's Theme and Crafting the Pitch

December 2 - 4, 2025

Rodale Institute Consulting Team Retreat

December 9 - 12, 2025

**Retreat Name**   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 […]

Dickinson College Writing Retreat

December 14 - 21, 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 […]

Diving Into Your Novel: An Online Generative Workshop

January 13 - February 3, 2026

Diving Into Picture Books: Format, Structure, and Practice

January 15 - February 5, 2026

Kidlit Self-Publishing 101: Strategies for Indie Publishing Success

January 26 - 28, 2026

Successful Strategies for Submitting Your Manuscript to Agents and Editors

January 27 - 29, 2026

Breaking Into the Educational Market

February 3 - 5, 2026

Strengthen Your Picture Book Writing with Mentor Texts!

February 9 - 11, 2026

Intro to Novels in Verse: Drafting and Deepening Your Story

February 12 - March 5, 2026

Nonfiction Picture Books: Exploring Forms and Creative Approaches

February 17 - 19, 2026

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

March 4 - April 29, 2026

Publicity & Marketing for Storytellers: How to Promote Your Stories in 2026

March 10 - 12, 2026

The Montclair Writing Retreat 2026

March 12 - 15, 2026

Come join us at the Highlights Foundation campus for The Montclair Writing Retreat with author Laurie Lico Albanese. 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. […]

Novel Retreat with Editor Patricia Lee Gauch (2026)

March 15 - 21, 2026

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.     What You'll Learn Patricia Lee Gauch, former editor of Philomel Books and longtime Highlights Foundation faculty leads this unique, immersive experience meant to bring the best out of your […]

WAT Writing Alone Together Retreat

April 9 - 12, 2026

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 […]

Carrot Cake Hype Retreat

April 12 - 16, 2026

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 16 - 19, 2026

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 […]

Embrace Your Inner Intuitive Writer to Fuel Your Writing

April 16 - 23, 2026

Poetic Flow Studio: Generative Writing Sessions for Poets

April 20 - 22, 2026

Pocono & the Three Bears 2026: In Search of Just Right

April 24 - 26, 2026

Pocono & the Three Bears 2026: In Search of Just Right   IMPORTANT REMINDER! You must first register through SCBWI for the event before registering for lodging here.   Take a walk with Goldilocks as we stumble through the woods and into The Barn at the Highlights Foundation. Find just the right chair for working […]

The Motherlode Retreat 2026

April 26 - 30, 2026

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 exercises, and generative prompts designed to unleash […]

Whole Novel Workshop: A Virtual Course for Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers (Spring)

April 30 - June 25, 2026

OVERVIEW: Congratulations on your acceptance into the Whole Novel Workshop: A Virtual Course for Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers (Spring)! This intensive, transformative Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 85,000 words)* of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and a private consultation […]

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 […]

Community Retreat with Grace Lin and Debbi Michiko Florence (May 2026)

May 7 - 10, 2026

Just Do It Alumni Retreat

May 22 - 25, 2026

Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for Just Do It Alumni 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 […]

The Unreliable Narrators Retreat

May 26 - 31, 2026

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 […]

Revise and Rise: A Retreat for Novelists

May 27 - 31, 2026

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 […]

BSFW Goes to Highlights 2026

May 28 - 31, 2026

BSFW Goes to Highlights   Come join us at the 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 […]

Community Retreat with Meg Medina: Celebrating Latinx Stories in Kidlit

May 31 - June 3, 2026

All About Picture Books: A Retreat for Storytellers

June 3 - 6, 2026

The Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing

June 3 - August 5, 2026

Spotlight on the Middle of Your Novel: A Generative Retreat

June 11 - 14, 2026

Community Retreat with Andrea M. Page and Stacy Wells: Celebrating Native and Indigenous Stories

June 15 - 18, 2026

Mad Woman Literary Agency Retreat

June 18 - 21, 2026

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 June 18 - 21. 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 […]

Writing for the Educational Market: A 6-Week Online Program

June 25 - July 30, 2026

Birth a Book Coach Retreat 2026

June 27 - July 1, 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 […]

Summer Camp for Writers and Illustrators: Session One!

July 8 - 12, 2026

Summer Camp For Writers And Illustrators: Session Two!

July 12 - 16, 2026

VCFA Writing for Children and Young Adults Alumnx Retreat

July 16 - 19, 2026

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 2026 Summer Retreat

July 28 - August 2, 2026

Join us for WCSU MFA’s 2026 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, […]

Sera Rivers Client Retreat 2026

August 2 - 5, 2026

Sera Rivers Client 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, […]

Black Women Writers: A Retreat In Gratitude 2026

August 6 - 9, 2026

sis·ter·hood /ˈsistərˌho͝od/ 1: the feeling of kinship with and closeness to a group of women 2: a community of women linked by a common interest Dear Sisters, We are still so moved by the deep connections we made at the inaugural Black Women Writers’ Retreat last year. We are planning something special for 2026 and […]

The Writing Shorter Retreat: Why (and How) Less Can Be More

August 9 - 12, 2026

Welcome to Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (August)

August 15 - 20, 2026

OVERVIEW: Congratulations on your acceptance into the Welcome to Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (August)! This intensive, transformative Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 85,000 words)* of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and two private consultations provided. Attention in […]

Community Retreat with Grace Lin and Debbi Michiko Florence (August 2026)

August 27 - 30, 2026

An Inspired Life Retreat with Be & Breathe Studio

September 10 - 13, 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 […]

Revise and Rise: A Retreat for Novelists

September 11 - 15, 2026

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 […]

Picture Book Authors and Illustrators: A Generative Retreat

September 16 - 19, 2026

The Pub Retreat 2026

September 19 - 25, 2026

The Pub Retreat 2026   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 […]

Women At Woodstock Writer's Retreat

September 20 - 24, 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 […]

Wing Night 2026

September 24 - 26, 2026

Wing Night   Come join us at 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 […]

Splendid Mola Retreat for Writers

September 25 - 28, 2026

We look forward to welcoming you to the Highlights Foundation campus for Splendid Mola Retreat for Writers.  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, […]

Middle Grade Writers: A Generative Retreat

October 1 - 4, 2026

Working Creatively With Conflict 2026

October 6 - 9, 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 […]

Whole Novel Workshop: A Virtual Course for Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers (Fall)

October 6 - December 1, 2026

OVERVIEW: Congratulations on your acceptance into the Whole Novel Workshop: A Virtual Course for Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers (Fall)! This intensive, transformative Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 85,000 words)* of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and a private consultation […]

Prospect Agency Fall Retreat 2026

October 9 - 11, 2026

Prospect Agency Fall Retreat   Come join us at Highlights Foundation campus for our Fall 2026 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, […]

South Asian Storytellers Retreat

October 11 - 14, 2026

  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 […]

Welcome to Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (October)

October 18 - 23, 2026

OVERVIEW: Congratulations on your acceptance into the Whole Novel Workshop: A Fall Retreat for Novelists! This intensive, transformative Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 85,000 words)* of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and two private consultations provided. Attention in an intimate setting […]

Early Readers and Chapter Books: A Creative Retreat

October 23 - 26, 2026

Novels in Verse: A Generative Retreat

October 26 - 29, 2026

Poetry Palooza! A Workshop for Poetry Lovers

November 5 - 8, 2026

Recharge: A Poet's Retreat 2026

November 8 - 12, 2026

JL WITH WORK WITH ROBBIN TO UPDATE**************************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 […]

Muddy Middle Workshop

November 12 - 16, 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 […]