Can't see the forest for the trees at large conferences? Join our 10-week intensive and overnight retreat to take your WIP to the next level. Your dummy, manuscript or graphic novel will be placed with either our agent, Laurel Symonds or senior editor, Orlando Dos Reis by the planning committee based on format and genre.
RECEIVE | REVISE | RESUBMIT | REVIEW + RETREAT!
Join our free WELCOME CELEBRATION 4/29
The WORDS IN THE WOODS Team describes all the opportunities of our 10-week intensive and amenities in the retreat to follow. Your questions, answered. Celebrate our Masthead Contest winner, Darcy Day Zoells and Becky Mabry Scholarship winner, Tracie Amirante Padal . LIVE | Recorded | 60 minutes with Q&A
REVISE: Weekly Critique Groups
Each week, meet with your conference critique group to introduce your WIP, share feedback, create a plan for resubmission, and revise your story with fellow professionals who share your goals. Critique groups are arranged by format and genre and serve to create lasting connections long after our retreat ends. Meets Tuesday nights/attend LIVE/not recorded to encourage participation and feedback among conferees.
RECONNECT: Daily Power Hours
Join our WORDS IN THE WOODS team of volunteers weekdays at 7AM CDT for an optional POWER HOUR to reconnect daily with your work, incorporate program resources into your story, and remain on-track for revision + resubmission deadlines.
REVIEW + RETREAT: Retreat at WORDS IN THE WOODS: Allerton
Review revised resubmittal with your editor or agent in a roundtable setting with your critique group at the retreat. Refresh with time to work + play among formal gardens and trails. Reconnect with your critique group and industry insiders over good food celebrating your great work.
SUBMISSION OPPORTUNITIES: Submit with industry insider information
Our agent and editor have agreed to respond to EVERY POST-EVENT ATTENDEE submission per their guidelines. No more wondering if your work was received.
Click below each image for more information
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Any author or author illustrator who is craving community and critique groups and wants plenty of opportunity to revise their current work-in-progress for multiple kinds of feedback!
Attendance is capped at 40 persons for maximum feedback and in-person interaction at our retreat, July 13-14.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Registration opens 3/15 at noon CDT.: $645 USD
01 MARCH: Becky Mabry Scholarship open See BECKY MABRY SCHOLARSHIP for application and details.
15 MARCH: Registration opens here at 12 noon CST. Premium Member fee $645
29 MARCH: Deadline for application to Becky Mabry Scholarship
01 APRIL: Becky Mabry Scholarship Winner Announced.
29 APRIL: 10-WEEK INTENSIVE begins and goes through July 9 (NOTE: Week 11, live presentation will occur Tuesday, 07/09, instead of Monday.) See INTENSIVE
30 APRIL: Weekday POWER HOURS begin 7AM CDT
02 MAY: Registration closes.* Cancellation deadline to get a refund, minus a $100 cancellation fee. After this date there will be no refunds. Fees for Optional Professional Feedback are non-refundable.
03 MAY: Virtual Folder mailed to all registered attendees, complete with WIP upload links, weekly Zoom | Power Hour | Critique Group links and industry insider submission information.
04 MAY: Deadline to upload dummy or manuscript for Initial Industry Insider Feedback from agent or editor. Please see the GUIDELINES page for details.
07 MAY: Weekly CRITIQUE GROUPS begin and go through July 08. (NOTE: Week 11, Critique Group will occur on Monday, 07/08, instead of Tuesday.) See WEEKLY CRITIQUE GROUPS SCHEDULE
25 JUNE: Initial Industry Feedback (SCBWI Gold Form) emailed to attendees.
06 JULY: Resubmit revised work-in-progress (optional) to industry insider for roundtable feedback at retreat.
13 JULY: Retreat check-in at 9AM CDT at Allerton Park & Retreat Center, Monticello. Overnight accommodation check-in 3PM. Double-occupancy included in attendance fee. Additional $60 for private rooms. Register early for first choice. See RETREAT
14 JULY: Farewell Celebration ends at 12 PM / noon CDT. Overnight accommodation check-out 11AM.
20 JULY: Deadline to submit WIP for optional critiques with Practicing Professionals. See OPTIONAL CRITIQUES
31 AUGUST: Optional, additional critique SCBWI Gold Forms returned via email to attendees.
*Please be aware, WORDS IN THE WOODS has traditionally been a sellout event, and may fill before registration closes.
REGISTRATION QUESTIONS: Email Deborah Topolski, Co-RA
ALL-INCLUSIVE FEE: $645
Your Premium Member fee includes:
- Initial Industry Insider Feedback from agent or editor See FACULTY
- 10-Weeks Intensive of Professional Programming See INTENSIVE
- Hosted Weekly Conference Critique Groups See WEEKLY CRITIQUE GROUPS
- Hosted Weekday Power Hours (Optional, included for all attendees.)
- Opportunity to SUBMIT your work-in-progress for Initial Industry Insider Feedback, then REVISE & RESUBMIT your work-in-progress based on that Initial Industry Insider Feedback.
- In-Person Roundtable Review with Industry Insider: review of your initial feedback OR of your revised resubmittal with fellow critique group members at the retreat. See RETREAT ROUNDTABLES
- All-inclusive day & night extravaganza of a retreat at Allerton Park & Retreat Center includes comfortable rooms, private baths, catered meals, group activities and Portfolio Showcase. Enjoy time to mix n' mingle with industry insiders or just relax and refresh walking the trails and formal gardens. See RETREAT
- Guaranteed response to all post-event submissions with industry insider information.
Optional Practicing Professional Feedback: $55 See OPTIONAL PRACTICING PROFESSIONAL FEEDBACK
QUESTIONS? Email Deborah Topolski, Co-RA