Squam Lake Retreat - Day Ticket 2024
Sep 06, 2024 - Sep 08, 2024
Rockywold Deephaven Camps, Squam Lake, Holderness, NH
Hello Campers! Have your own lodging nearby or can't join us for the whole weekend? Register for a day ticket and enjoy the nature, creative sessions, and presentations with editor Ariel Richardson and agent Sera Rivers. This year, spots are limited and you must register by July 31 to secure a place and submit material for a critique. Press SCHEDULE to see some add on options for this event. Scroll down to learn more about this event and to see the schedule for the weekend. If you have any questions, please email Shawn Anderson at newengland-ra2@scbwi.org
What Is the Squam Lake Retreat?
This is an opportunity for children’s book writers and illustrators to connect, improve their craft, and network with industry professionals. Rejuvenate your creativity in this idyllic, rustic setting, enjoy presentations, have fun with staff and peers, and delight in the ambiance and delicious food.
This retreat is open to children’s book authors and author-illustrators of all levels and genres, both published and trying hard to be published — creators of board books, picture books, chapter books, middle-grade novels, young-adult novels, and graphic novels, etc.
Grab your hiking boots, swimsuit, a flashlight, and your laptop and join us.
And yes, there will be campfires!
If you register for a day ticket, please let us know as soon as possible which days and meals you intend to join us.
Use the registration link above to register for a DAY TICKET (no lodging provided) OR
Return to Full Weekend Registration
Meet the Faculty:
Ariel Richardson, Chronicle Books
Ariel Richardson is a Senior Editor in Children's at Chronicle Books in San Francisco. She is a versatile bookmaker, working at the intersection of art and impact, and comfortable with everything from creating large publishing programs and ideating in-house ‘homegrown’ ideas, to participating in high-profile auctions. Her successes include INVISIBLE THINGS landing on the New York Times bestseller list its first week on sale and THIS IS HOW WE DO IT being the most reprinted book in the company the year it released. She helped make THERE IS A RAINBOW, a picture book about the pandemic, in under 6 months from acquisition to publication. And SEEN AND UNSEEN: WHAT DOROTHEA LANGE, TOKYO MIYATAKE, AND ANSEL ADAMS'S PHOTOGRAPHS REVEAL ABOUT THE JAPANESE AMERICAN INCARCERATION won the Robert F. Sibert Medal and Bologna Ragazzi Award. She has worked at three independent bookstores on two coasts, and has a masters degree in Children’s Literature from Simmons University.
Sera Rivers, Speilburg Literary Agency
Sera Rivers is a Literary Agent at Speilburg Literary, an AALA member, and a writer. She holds an MFA in writing for children from Simmons University. Prior to agenting, Sera worked as an editor in educational publishing for seven years. Sera lives in Western Massachusetts with her partner and their puppy Jett. When she’s not reading or writing, she can be found running all over New England training for her next marathon. Check out her website at SeraRivers.com for her MSWL, events, and updates. She tweets at @writeloudly.
Schedule of Events:
The exact times subject to change (other than check-in)
Friday, September 6
• 3-4pm Arrive and check in after 3pm, light snacks
• 4:30pm: Welcome session with introductions
• 6pm: Dinner
• 7:30pm: Keynote with Ariel Richardson
• 8:30pm: Game night
Saturday, September 7
• (Optional) 5am: Writing session with Shawn Anderson
• 8am: Breakfast
• 10am: Keynote with Sera Rivers
• 11am: Batch #1 Critiques
• 12:30pm: Lunch
• 2-5pm: Batches #2 & 3 Critiques and flexible creative sessions
• 6pm: Dinner
• 8pm: Campfire stories & games
PLEASE NOTE: Free time can be spent hiking, swimming, writing/drawing, and enjoying nature. Canoes and kayaks are available for rental onsite.
Sunday, September 8
• (Optional) 5am writing session with Shawn Anderson
• (Optional) 5am Peak Poetry hike with Alex Hinrichs
• 8am: Breakfast
• 10am: Q&A with Ariel Richardson, Sera Rivers, Shawn Anderson, and Alex Hinrichs
• 11am: Closing remarks
• Checkout of rooms prior to lunch
• 12:30pm: Lunch
• Depart at your leisure
PLEASE NOTE: Feel free to stay for a hike, dip, or one more writing session on your own before heading home.
Cancellation Policy:
Given the limited spaces available for this event, no refunds can be provided for cancellations unless a replacement can be secured. If the spot can be filled, the initial registrant will receive a refund (minus a $50.00 processing fee).
From the Co-Directors:
As co-directors, we look forward to seeing you by the lake!
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Shawn Anderson (Co-Regional Advisor) newengland-ra2@scbwi.org (@ShawnTWrites on socials)
Alexandra Hinrichs (Co-Assistant Regional Advisor) newengland-ara3@scbwi.org (@PuddleReader on socials)
Kathy Quimby Johnson (@ktquimby on socials)