Los Angeles Region Working Writers & Illustrators Retreat 2026

Step Out of Your Daily Life. Step into Your Creative Self.

Imagine an entire weekend dedicated to one thing: your writing or illustrating. 

Come join a small group of supportive people who share your goal of creating excellent books for young readers. Leave behind the cooking, cleaning, and endless emails to gift yourself rare uninterrupted creative time in a peaceful, inspiring setting. Write. Draw. Revise. Brainstorm. Receive thoughtful critiques. Share with fellow creatives who understand the joys and challenges of bringing a book to life. 

A New Approach—and Our Lowest Price Yet! 

We know rising costs are affecting everyone’s budgets—including ours. So this year, we’re trying something new. For the first time ever, we’re lowering our retreat prices. 

Our goal is to make this creative getaway accessible to more people. We're still trying to determine if we'll be able to add speakers to the weekend. If not, we’ll embrace the true spirit of a working retreat: a wonderfully focused “butt-in-chair” event devoted to making real progress on your creative work. Either way, you’ll have creative time, critique time, food and camaraderie to keep your inspiration flowing. 

WHEN 

Friday, October 16 at 1 PM to Sunday, October 18 at 12 PM 

WHAT’S INCLUDED 

--Lots of writing and illustrating time 

--Peer-to-peer critique sessions 

--Opportunities to brainstorm and exchange ideas with fellow creators 

--All meals from Friday dinner to Sunday breakfast 

--Snacks and beverages throughout the weekend 

--Wine and cheese party both Friday and Saturday night 

--Optional activities designed to spark creativity and inspire new ideas 

--Private room and bath for overnight guests 

***(Prefer to share a double? Let us know who is sharing. We can no longer arrange this, but if you have a roommate, sign up for "Staying On-Site" then send an email so we can adjust your registration fee - [email protected].) 

WHERE 

The retreat takes place at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino. Learn more about the facility: 

https://www.hsrcenter.com/new/about-us/facilities.html

PRICING 

Premium Member: $450 (single room) 

Preview Member: $550 (single room) 

Doubles Premium Member: $365 *** see restriction above 

Doubles Preview Member: $465 *** see restriction above 

Premium Member Commuter: $265 

Preview Member Commuter: $365 

SPACE IS LIMITED. This intimate retreat is intentionally small to create a focused atmosphere. Register early to reserve your space and give yourself the weekend to create. 

Registration closes October 2, 2026 at 6 PM. 

REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION 

To view your registration, go to your Member Home and click My Events under the black navigation bar at the top of the page. All events you have registered for will be displayed there. 

REFUND POLICY 

SCBWI is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. SCBWI Regions are managed by unpaid volunteers. Regions do not receive membership fees paid to the organization. Instead, region funds support programs that benefit SCBWI members. 

As part of the event planning process, Regional Advisors must sign contracts with venues and speakers who will provide services during the event. Registration fees collected for an event must cover the cost of these contracts; therefore, refunds are the exception rather than the rule. In the rare case a refund is granted, it will always be less any credit card processing fees and any other expenses that cannot be recouped by the region. Requests for refunds will be decided on a case-by-case basis. 

Questions about this event? Contact Jean Grabow, Assistant Regional Advisor, [email protected].

SCHEDULE 

Retreat schedule is subject to change. 

Friday, October 16 

• 1:00-2:30: Arrival & Check-in 

• Welcome, Announcements & Goal Setting. What do you want to accomplish this weekend? Set your intention and make a plan. 

• Meet Your Fellow Creators. Connect with fellow writers and illustrators, find an accountability buddy, and settle into your creative space. 

• Personal Writing Time. Time to get to work! 

• Dinner 

• Wine and Cheese Social/Get Your Creativity Flowing! Relax, connect, enjoy the company of fellow creators and maybe have a laugh or two! 

Saturday, October 17

• Breakfast 

• Creative Writing Prompts. Start the day with inspiration and see where it takes you 

• Focused Writing & Illustrating Time. Settle in. Turn off distractions. Make progress. 

• Lunch 

• Peer-to-Peer Critique Sessions 

• Dinner 

• Peer-to-Peer Critique Sessions 

• Wine and Cheese Party. Celebrate a productive day! 

Sunday, October 18

• Breakfast 

• Group Creative Activity 

• Final Critiques. Find new partners to share with and mentor text studies.

• Q&A, Reflections and Retreat Wrap Up 

Retreat concludes by noon