workshops & retreats
Our workshops & retreats offer a supportive environment to develop your craft, connect with other writers, learn from industry professionals, and tap into your own creative vision.
Whatever your goals, we’ll help you get there.
Stay tuned for more our 2025 offerings. Meanwhile, if you have a group that would like a custom retreat, reach out to set one up.
** SOLD OUT **
Picture Book Metamorphosis
A transformative weekend with SourceBooks Executive Editor
Melissa Manlove &
author Martha Brockenbrough
When: Nov 1-3, 2024 at Seabrook on the Washington Coast
What: Learn how to take a solid picture book manuscript and make it sensational.
How: The weekend will offer three seminars on: audience participation, voice refinement with rhetorical devices, and the emotional engagement of the reader.
There will be two workshops so we can discuss your work with you and a small group of other writers.
Participants may send up to five manuscripts ahead of time; we will read each other’s work beforehand and explore your work during the workshops.
About the faculty:
Melissa Manlove is one of the finest editors in the industry. The longtime executive editor at Chronicle is now at SourceBooks.
Martha Brockenbrough is the author of 10 picture books and the former faculty co-chair at VCFA’s MFA program in writing for children and young adults.
The weekend includes meals from dinner on Friday through brunch on Sunday, and we are able to accommodate most dietary requirements.
Participation is limited to six. One bedroom is shared; the rest are singles.
Rates range from $1050 to $1350 per person. Partial scholarships are available for marginalized creators.
Reserve Your Room
About the Founder
Martha Brockenbrough is an award-winning author of more than two dozen books for young readers (and two nonfiction titles for adults). Her work ranges from picture books to middle grade and young adult nonfiction, as well as young adult fiction. She’s also a former co-chair of faculty in the VCFA MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults.
Her own writing has been transformed by writing workshops and retreats, and she's excited to bring what she's learned to people who are serious about improving their craft. A teacher at heart, she dreamed for years of offering a safe and comfortable space for writers to explore their stories. In 2017, she purchased THE LOOKOUT and began crafting her vision for writer retreats.
PRACTICES & POLICIES
We can't promise anyone publication. What we can guarantee is that we will do our best to help you write your best work.
We will keep your work and ideas in confidence. We will not steal or share your ideas (believe us, we have more than enough of our own, but this is one of those things that must be said up front).
Most of all, we want you to succeed. It can take years and a lot of effort, but we are looking forward to supporting you with everything we've got.
Retreat Policies
REFUNDS & CANCELLATIONS: Refunds up to one month before the retreat are permissible; a $50 cancellation fee applies. For cancellations less than a month before the retreat, we will give a refund less $250 if we're able to fill your spot. Otherwise, we can give you credit toward a future retreat.
ACCESSIBILITY: The house has steps and was not designed with the ADA in mind, but we will make every effort possible to accommodate disabilities. Please contact us with your requirements and we will do our best to ensure your access.
CODE OF CONDUCT & PRIVACY: Our expectation at these retreats is that everyone feels welcome, respected, and accepted. No harassment will be tolerated. This is a professional setting, and professional behavior is expected. This doesn't mean we can't have fun. It does mean we can't be jerks.
Also, please do not identify participants or post their images without permission. It's important that everyone feel safe at our retreats. We do love social media, though! It's all about consent.