May 15 - May 18
Highlights Foundation Campus
$1399Overview
In-person 4-Day/3-Night Retreat + Pre-Workshop Video Presentation
Join celebrated editors Emma Dryden, Eileen Robinson, and Harold Underdown for a deep dive into strategies for revision and a chance to reimagine, enliven, and rebuild your picture books, novels, or nonfiction at the Highlights Foundation retreat center.
- This is an in-person retreat for writers who have at least one draft of a project ready to revise.
- Included in the program are presentations hosted via Zoom prior to the retreat to fill your revision toolbox and prepare for an immersive revision experience. The Zoom sessions will be recorded for those who cannot attend live. See dates in agenda below.
- The retreat runs from May 15 – 18, 2025; beginning with dinner on May 15th.
Why This Workshop?
Many writers say that their favorite part of writing is revision. Whether this opinion matches your feelings, the reality is that revision is part of the writing process and we’ll all need a toolbox full of strategies to meet each book we create.
This workshop combines “filling that toolbox” and time to implement the revision strategies on your work(s)-in-progress.
Included in this program are pre-retreat presentations that you can engage via Zoom or watch as your time allows, a 1:1 consultation to discuss where you are in your current project(s) and what support you need at this stage in the process, opportunities to ask questions of working editors in the field of children’s books, and, importantly, time and space to revise at the Highlights Foundation retreat center.
At the retreat center, days will be spent on individual projects. You choose what that means for you! Maybe you’ll revise on the porch of your cabin, sketch in the Art Coop, research, rebuild, or rest. Emma Dryden and Eileen Robinson will join you at the retreat center, with Harold Underdown supporting you virtually through presentations and 1:1 consultations.
Feedback Expected
- Each writer will meet with one of the editors for a consultation about their work(s)-in-progress. This consultation will not have written feedback or review, and is structured as a discussion for revision and publishing based questions.
- There will be informal feedback opportunities as you connect with fellow attendees, including optional critique groups at the retreat.
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You have completed a draft of a manuscript, and want to move forward with polishing the draft through revision. If you want help with your picture book, novel, graphic novel, or nonfiction work, this retreat will offer you time and space to move into the revision stage of your creative journey.
- You’ve been revising your work, but aren’t sure how to move the work closer to a finished state. Revision isn’t “once and done,” it is a series of rebuilding and reimagining. This retreat will offer you new tools to approach your revision and time to try them out.
- You enjoy discussing stories and your journey with fellow storytellers. You’ll gather ideas and informal feedback about your story in a supportive environment.
- You’d like a retreat where you can get to work. Lectures are included before the retreat itself, so that the time at the retreat center can focus on revision and moving your project forward. There’s the added bonus at the retreat of 1:1 consultations, Q&As, and time to connect with fellow creatives over meals and informal gatherings.
Detailed Agenda
All Times are Eastern. Click on the headings below to explore the agenda in more detail.
Pre-Workshop Zoom Sessions
At least three weeks prior to the retreat, you will receive a link to our virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself to fellow creatives and engage in Highlights Foundation related resources (including our Community Standards). You will find the link (and recordings) for the following sessions:
- April 28, 2025 @ 7:30pm – 9pm Eastern: Introductions & “Reading Like An Editor” with Harold Underdown
- May 5, 2025 @ 7:30pm – 9pm Eastern: “Revision Toolbox” with Emma Dryden
- May 12, 2025 @7:30pm – 9pm Eastern: “Emotion and Tension in Your Manuscript” & Preparing for Your Retreat
- A bonus session from Harold Underdown, “Getting Feedback from Others” will be in your virtual classroom to help you prepare for critique group opportunities at the retreat.
Day One: Thursday, May 15, 2025
- 3pm – 5pm Eastern: Arrival and check in
- 5:30pm Eastern: Appetizers & Dinner
- Following dinner: Welcome & Schedule Review (Including consultations)
Day Two: Friday, May 16, 2025
Morning:
- Breakfast
- Morning mini-presentation with Eileen Robinson
- Working Retreat time: revise, read, write, connect
- Optional: Gather to discuss critique group options
Afternoon
- Lunch
- Afternoon mini-presentation with Emma Dryden
- Working Retreat time: read, write, connect
- Editorial Q&A: An optional virtual session with Harold Underdown
Evening
- Appetizers & Dinner
- Open Mic: Share what you are working on during the retreat
Day Three: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Morning:
- Breakfast
- Morning mini-presentation with Emma Dryden
- 1:1 Consultations (see schedule)
- Working Retreat time: read, write, connect
Afternoon
- Lunch
- Working Retreat time: read, write, connect
- Optional critique group meeting
- Story “Walk” with Eileen Robinson
Evening
- Appetizers & Dinner
- Editor Q & A with Eileen and Emma (fireside, weather permitting)
Day Four: Sunday, May 18, 2025
Morning
- Breakfast
- 1:1 Consultations (see schedule)
- Final critique group meeting
Afternoon
- Lunch & farewells
Commitment Required for the Best Experience
To get the most out of this program you will have a completed first draft of a project that you would like to make at least one significant revision. Please set aside time to attend or watch the pre-retreat lectures to prepare yourself with as many revision strategies as possible.
Upon arrival to the in-person event at our Retreat Center, you’ll have a chance to move away from everyday life to experience the retreat to make significant progress on your revision.
The Highlights Foundation strives for a safe and inclusive environment. You will have access to our Community Standards prior to the workshop where we ask for your respectful engagement with fellow creatives, including our faculty and staff.
How It Impacts Kids
Revision is a key step in the creative process that allows you to bring your very best story to kids. This retreat helps you do so in a supportive environment.
Testimonials from Our Community
“The faculty was friendly, helpful, patient, accessible. I felt as if they were glad to answer any and all questions and to share their knowledge and expertise.”
“It was, hands down, the best writing experience I’ve ever had. Too often educational encounters are competitive in nature. In this workshop I felt totally relaxed.”
“It really gave me the focus I needed, to sort out my stories and make a strategy for submissions.”
“The cottage was perfect, the surroundings peaceful and relaxing. I was able to find a balance of work and play. So much thought and consideration has gone into providing an inspiring, rejuvenating environment.”
“This retreat was wonderful. There was so much positive energy, and it really gave me the momentum to keep working toward my goals.”
Related Resources
- Using a Revision Grid to Break Down Your Story Into Elements
- Top 10 Reasons You Need to Revise Your Manuscript
- As Simple As Possible: Three Ways To Tighten Your Prose
- Tools and Tips on Character Revision
- Listening to Your Manuscript Will Help with Revision
- Who, What, Where, and Usually Why: Revising Scenes
- Use Darcy Pattison’s Shrunken Manuscript Technique to Understand the Structure, Plot and Impact of Your Novel
- How to Start Revising That First Draft
