July 7, 2023 - July 11, 2023
Highlights Foundation Campus
$1649Overview
In-person 5-Day/4-Night Workshop and Retreat
Get away for five days at our Summer Camp in Fiction for inspiration, guidance, mentorship, community, fun, creativity, and growth.
At the Highlights Foundation, “summer camp” is different than s’mores by the fire and hiking in the woods. (Though we do that, too.)
Our summer camp is a time to find the kind of encouragement for your writing that only a generous mentor can provide. To find inspiration and support. To be with a community that understands the long process of creating. To work 1:1 and fine-tune your words and pitches while you have some fun.
- This is an in-person workshop at our Retreat Center with keynotes, breakout sessions, mentorship, and ample time for independent writing, meeting informally with fellow creatives, and resting.
- Lodging and meals are included.
- Begins at with dinner 5:30pm Eastern on Friday, July 7
- Ends with lunch at 12:00pm-1:00pm Eastern on Tuesday, July 11
- Pre-retreat Zoom to answer questions about submissions and discuss our summer camp community will be held on Tuesday, June 13 at 5:30pm Eastern (this will be recorded for those who cannot attend live)
- 24 participants max
Why This Workshop?
This five day, in-person summer camp in fiction is centered on support, inspiration, and community with:
- opportunities for learning and interaction
- ample self-paced time to make progress on a project, or play with your creativity
- lots of opportunities for feedback (1:1 with your faculty reader at the beginning and end of the program, facilitated peer discussions, plus informal feedback throughout)
Mornings will be structured around lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities. Afternoons will be for independent writing and revising, as well as meetings with fellow creatives (including your faculty reader and small group).
You will:
- Take in educational and inspirational keynotes. These will refresh your passion for the craft of writing for children and teens, and motivate you to keep going.
- Participate in breakout sessions focused on creating rich characters, developing voice, constructing settings, structuring plot, and more.
- Work one-to-one with faculty on a project of your choice. Faculty reader/attendee pairings will be made thoughtfully according to your work and your goals. (Getting your submission in before the workshop allows us to make this pairing.)
- Participate in small group discussions with a thoughtfully chosen group of fellow attendees. This small group style is designed to help you lead a discussion of your creative needs in community with other writers, assisted by a workshop facilitator. Writers can share the same project they are using with their faculty mentor, or a new project.
- Have ample free writing time built into this course so that you can stretch and work on your own projects. It is meant to be the perfect pairing of “retreat” and guided lectures.
“Disney has nothing on Highlights – it’s the real magical place on earth! It’s an investment in your writing/illustrating career and definitely worth every penny. Even my suitcase was sad to leave.” (Debbie Meyer)
See more testimonials and stories from past attendees about their Summer Camp experiences.
Feedback Expected
Guidance and supportive feedback will be offered in two ways, both through our faculty readers and in your facilitated peer groups. The goal of our feedback sessions is to offer you support, as well as ask questions to help you problem-solve, brainstorm new ideas, and work through challenges. You will receive comprehensive submission details closer to the start of Summer Camp.
- Novelists and those writing longer fiction can submit up to 2,500 words from a current work in progress prior to the start of camp for their faculty reader. This submission should also contain a cover letter (including where you are in the project and specific questions you have for your faculty reader) and one-page synopsis.
- Picture book writers or author/illustrators can submit one full picture book manuscript of up to 1,200 words with a cover letter (including where you are in the project and specific questions you have for your faculty reader).
- In addition to submitting one of the above to your faculty reader, you can submit pages for your peer groups. These submissions can be from the same work-in-progress as given to your faculty reader, or a new project. Your peer group submission will also include a cover letter that speaks to your needs from the group.
- Submissions are due in advance of the workshop to allow ample time for readers to take in your story.
This Workshop is a Great Fit If…
- You are a fiction writer of picture books, chapter books, novels, and/or multi-genre fiction projects. With a large faculty that publishes across genres, there is a little something for everyone at Camp.
- You’ve always wanted to write a children’s book. This workshop provides an immersive start in the world of children’s literature.
- You have an in-progress or finished manuscript and would like feedback. Your faculty reader will give you feedback, answer questions, and support you in setting goals. Your peer group can help you consider your revision goals and plans.
- You need a jolt of creativity or a reminder of purpose. Summer Camp can be about getting work done if you want it to be, but it can also be about renewing your spark and purpose in writing for kids and teens.
- You’d appreciate some retreat time. This course has plenty of built-in time to write, draw, hike, or rest–whatever you need.
Detailed Agenda
All Times are Eastern Standard Time.
Retreat Schedule Overview
Mornings will be structured around lectures/keynotes, workshops, and hands-on activities. Afternoons will be for independent writing and revising, as well as meetings with fellow creatives (including your faculty reader and small group).
Breakout Sessions
There will be 6-8 breakout sessions throughout the week led by our faculty and special guests. Each breakout session is designed to help you grow as a writer through hands-on exercises. You pick the sessions to attend live that most appeal to you. Sessions that you do not attend live will be recorded and placed in your virtual classroom for you to view for up to 30 days following the retreat.
Mentorship and Feedback
Your faculty reader will meet with you at the start of the week and at the end of the week. During each session with your mentor, you should feel free to ask questions and help guide the conversation.
- You will receive written feedback on your submission and you’ll discuss this feedback during your first faculty reader meeting on the first full day of camp.
- Your second meeting on the last morning of camp will be time for you to talk openly about revisions and changes made during the workshop.
- Your faculty reader will support your goals for the week, whether you want to flesh out one piece for submission or identify the strongest concept for your work-in-progress.
You’ll meet with your peer group for workshopping between meetings with your faculty reader, over the course of two afternoons.
- This small group-style is designed to help you lead a discussion of your work and needs in community with other writers, assisted by a workshop facilitator.
- Writers can share the same project they are using with their faculty mentor/reader, or a new project.
During the workshop, there will also be informal moments to meet and discuss your work with attendees and faculty apart from your faculty reader and peer groups. You will have the opportunity to share your work during breakout sessions and during an open mic session. We encourage you to engage in these opportunities.
Pre-Workshop
- You will receive a link to our virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself to fellow writers, engage in Highlights Foundation related resources (including our Community Standards), and view submission details related to this course.
- On Tuesday, June 13 at 5:30pm Eastern: Pre-retreat Zoom to answer questions about submissions and discuss our summer camp community. (This session will be recorded for those who cannot attend live.)
- Submission deadline: In advance of the workshop; preferably by June 16, 2023.
- Novelists and those writing longer fiction can submit up to 2,500 words from a current work in progress prior to the start of camp for their faculty reader. This submission should also contain a cover letter (including where you are in the project and specific questions you have for your faculty reader) and one-page synopsis.
- Picture book writers or author/illustrators can submit one full picture book manuscript of up to 1,200 words with a cover letter (including where you are in the project and specific questions you have for your faculty reader).
- In addition to submitting one of the above to your faculty reader, you can submit pages for your peer groups. These submissions can be from the same work-in-progress as given to your faculty reader, or a new project. Your peer group submission will also include a cover letter that speaks to your needs from the group.
- Comprehensive details about your submissions will come to you approximately one week before June 16th
Day 1: Friday, July 7
- 3pm – 5pm Eastern: Arrival and check in
- 5:30pm: Appetizers & Dinner
- Following dinner: Opening Session & Introductions with Alex Villasante
- Meet with small group facilitators to set up meeting location and sharing schedule throughout the workshop
Day 2: Saturday, July 8
Morning:
- Breakfast
- Keynote: “Writing Is a Revolution: Loving Your Writing Is the Real Revolution” (Inspired by Renée Watson’s Love Is a Revolution) with Valerie Bolling
- Breakout Sessions (Your choice of topic. Select one live with access to a recording of the session you miss.)
- Generating Ideas with Sara Woolley
- Using Research to Deepen Your Fiction with Jennifer Robin Barr
Afternoon:
- Lunch
- Free writing time (optional writing prompt to kick off your afternoon with Alison Green Myers)
- 1:1 Meetings with Faculty Reader
Evening:
- Appetizers & Dinner
- After Dinner: Summer Camp Merriment with Alex Villasante
Day 3: Sunday, July 9
Morning:
- Breakfast
- Keynote: “The Power of Writing Quietly Radical Queer Joy” with Isaac Fitzsimons
- Breakout Sessions (Your choice of topic. Select one live with access to a recording of the session you miss.)
- Let’s Look Again and Again and Again: Revision That Transforms with Valerie Bolling
- Writing Characters You Disagree With with Alex Gino
Afternoon:
- Lunch
- Free writing time (optional writing prompt to kick off your afternoon with Alex Villasante)
- Peer Group Meeting #1
Evening:
- Appetizers & Dinner
- After Dinner: Panel discussion with S’mores by the fire (weather pending)
Day 4: Monday, July 10
Morning:
- Breakfast
- Keynote: “I Finally Understand Theme And It Turns Out It’s Integral To Meaningful Writing” with Alex Gino
- Breakout Sessions (Your choice of topic. Select one live with access to a recording of the session you miss.)
- Follow the Thread: Spinning Webs of Narrative Poetry with Alison Green Myers
- Excavating the Story Ghost: How to Use Backstory to Create Compelling Characters and Plots with Isaac Fitzsimons
Afternoon:
- Lunch
- Free writing time (optional writing prompt to kick off your afternoon with Alex Villasante)
- Peer Group Meeting #2
Evening:
- Appetizers & Dinner
- Open Mic on the patio
Day 5: Tuesday, July 11
Morning
- Breakfast
- Final Mentor Meetings
- Closing remarks and thank yous from Alex Villasante, George Brown, and all!
Afternoon
- Lunch and farewells
Commitment Required for the Best Experience
As an in-person event at our Retreat Center, you’ll have a chance to step away from everyday life to experience the workshop. We try to build in breaks and independent time so you have space for your personal needs. While we encourage participation in all group events, we know that as an adult learner you can decide if you need more time to yourself. Please let someone from our staff or faculty know if you plan to step away from group activities.
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
Writing for children and teens is often referred to as a labor of love. It is rewarding work because your stories can have a big impact on the lives of children, but it is hard work. Get support, motivation, reassurance, and sense of community from fellow creators who share your passion.
Testimonials from Our Community
“I’ve never found a more supportive or knowledgeable faculty at any other workshop or conference.”
“The mentoring staff members were amazing. All were open, honest, and encouraging. They didn’t just tell us what we wanted to hear – they told us things to make our writing sizzle.”
“They were wonderful: available, friendly, encouraging, and FUN!”
“Just about every faculty member made sure to sit with us at each meal and get to know us. Anyone I asked to read made time for me. Everybody seemed knowledgeable and like they truly wanted me to succeed. Definitely feel that most of them went above and beyond.”
“My mentor was a great match for me. She had important suggestions but also was positive about what was working. She hit the nail on the head about where I needed to head with the mss.”
“As always, this Highlights experience was amazing. I met wonderful writers and created new friendships. I loved the open mic, it gave me the courage I needed to make my own voice heard.”
“Everyone…and I mean EVERYONE was so incredibly knowledgeable and inspiring and encouraging and humble and helpful and considerate. It was indeed a pleasure to have been a participant.”
