Join us for a special weekend retreat in beautiful Brown County State Park!
Event Details
Spring Into Story: A Creative Retreat
This spring we’re inviting eight advanced writers to join us for a special weekend retreat in beautiful Brown County State Park! Think blooming trails, bright mornings, gentle breezes, and uninterrupted time to sink deeply into your writing.
You’ll stay in one of two charming, internet-equipped cabins — the Homestead or Aspen Leaf — with just three fellow writers. Our Indiana SCBWI Team will handle all the meals, so you can focus on your pages, your characters, and maybe even a little renewal.
To elevate your craft, two wonderful editors will join us virtually to lead 2-hour workshops full of industry insight and practical guidance.
Bring your work-in-progress and settle in. You’ll have plenty of dedicated, quiet time to write or revise, and if you’d like, we’ll also offer optional manuscript sharing and peer critiques — no pressure, just encouragement!
Need a moment to stretch your legs and spark new ideas? We’ll take a short group hike to enjoy the budding trees and fresh spring air together. Weather permitting, we’ll gather outdoors in the evening for a relaxed storytelling circle.
We’d love to have you with us! Space is limited to 8 writers. Grab your spot and treat yourself to a weekend of momentum, community, and creative clarity!
Critiques
There are limited number of OPTIONAL critiques with Carina or Foyinsi available for purchase!
Submissions will be either:
· A PB manuscript up to 1,000 words with pitch
OR
· A MG/YA first 10 pages with a pitch or one-page, single-spaced synopsis
· $70 for SCBWI members; $80 for non-members
Schedule
RETREAT SCHEDULE
DAY ONE: FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026
- 4:00 pm – Arrival and Check In
- 4:30 pm – Connect with Fellow Writers and Housekeeping
- 5:30 pm – Fast-Write Prompt: Get Your Creativity Flowing!
- 6:00 pm – Dinner
- 7:00 pm – Goal Setting and Exercise
- 8:00 pm – Fire Pit Salon
DAY TWO: SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026
- 7:00 am – Morning Yoga
- 7:30 am – Breakfast
- 8:00 am – Writing Session #1
- 10:00 am – Workshop with Editor Carina Licon
Developing Relationships in PB, MG & YA: Friends, Frenemies & Foes
- 12:00 noon – Lunch
- 1:00 pm – Workshop with Editor Foyinsi Adegbonmire
How to Craft a Compelling Voice and Backstory in PB, MG & YA
- 3:00 pm – Writing Session #2
- 5:00 pm – Short Hike or Kayaking
- 6:00 pm – Dinner
- 7:00 pm – Writing Session #3 or Peer Critiques
DAY THREE: SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2026
- 7:00 am – Morning Creative Meditation
- 7:30 am – Breakfast
- 8:00 am – Writing Session #4 or Challenges and Creative Collaboration
- 10:30 am – Pack Up & Check Out
- 11:00 am – Optional Wrap-Up Chat
- 11:30 am – Safe Travels!
Faculty
Editor Carina Licon
Carina Licon is an Associate Editor at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers/Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. She is interested in middle-grade and YA with a focus on books featuring underrepresented stories and voices. She’s especially reeled in by character-driven stories with whip-smart protagonists; spooky and atmospheric middle-grade speculative fiction; contemporary YA thrillers; friendship breakup stories; romance with lots! of! angst!; and stories rich with diverse cultural traditions and storytelling. Born and raised in El Paso, TX, Carina enjoys discovering local restaurants, movie podcasts, and spending time with her very intimidating 8-pound guard dog.
Editor Foyinsi Adegbonmire
Foyinsi Adegbonmire is an Editor at Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. She acquires Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction, and is open to coming-of-age, mystery, romance, and fantasy, while enjoying lighthearted stories with conversational narrative voices. She was named a PW Star Watch Honoree and her acquisitions include Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, Dear Wendy by Ann Zhao, and The Beanstalk Murder by P.G. Bell. When not reading or thinking about her very large TBR, she can be found watching people react to her favorite media, or on TikTok (@Foyinsi_Pub).
Questions?
For any questions regarding the event, please contact us at [email protected]