Squam Lake Writing Retreat 2025 - Day Ticket
Sep 06, 2025 - Sep 08, 2025
Rockywold Deephaven Camps, Squam Lake, Holderness, NH
Write, illustrate, and create with us by the lake! Join us Saturday, September 6th through Monday, September 8th 2025 for a weekend in New Hampshire full of nature, creative sessions, inspiration, good fun, and great company. This year's presentations and critiques will be with editor Alexandra Hinrichs (Islandport Press) and agent Charlotte Wenger (Prospect Agency). Spots are limited to 30 campers, so don’t wait! Register by July 31 to secure a place and submit material for an optional critique. Scroll down to learn more about this event, see the schedule, and meet the faculty. If you have any questions, please email Shawn Anderson at [email protected] This is for campers who have a place to stay or want to seek alternate lodging on their own.
What is 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!
Meet the Faculty:
Charlotte Wenger, Prospect Agency
Charlotte Wenger is a literary agent in the Boston area with Prospect Agency. Prior to joining Prospect in 2019, she was an associate editor at Page Street Kids. She has her Master of Arts in Children’s Literature from Simmons and has since mentored a number of their MFA in Writing for Children students. When she's not working, you can find her occasionally crafting, randomly breaking into song, and most importantly, being a toddler mom. Charlotte represents authors and illustrators of children's books - ranging from board books through YA, but especially picture books. You can find her online at www.charlottewenger.com.
Alexandra Hinrichs, Islandport Press
Alexandra Hinrichs is the Children's Book Editor at Islandport Press where she acquires everything from board books through young adult. She is also an award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction picture books. Alex has wanted to make children's books since she began reading them as a child. Her inner-10-year-old is quite pleased with her career path, which has included working as a librarian, a children's bookseller, and a historical researcher at American Girl. When she isn't buried in books, Alex can be found wrangling one of her three wild sons into playing a game, baking, hiking, or encouraging the growing friendship between her family's cats and tortoise. She lives in Bangor, Maine.
Schedule of Events:
The exact times subject and events to change (other than check-in)
Saturday, September 6
• 3-4pm Arrive and check in after 3pm, light snacks
• 4:30pm: Welcome session with introductions
• 6pm: Dinner
• 7:30pm: Keynote #1: Setting with Alex
• 8:30pm: Game night
Sunday, September 7
• (Optional) 5am: Wake-up Hike or Writing session
• 8am: Breakfast
• 10am: Keynote #2: Characters with Charlotte
• 11am: Batch #1 Critiques
• 12:30pm: Lunch
• 2-5pm: Batches #2 & 3 Critiques and flexible creative sessions
• 6pm: Dinner
• 8pm: Campfire stories & games
Monday, September 6
• 8am: Breakfast
• 10am Checkout and load up cars
• 11am: Q&A with faculty
• 12pm: The trek home (though you can stick around for a last hike or swim until 3pm-ish)
PLEASE NOTE: Free time can be spent hiking, swimming, writing/drawing, and enjoying nature. Canoes and kayaks are available for rental onsite.
Pricing:
Members: $685, includes food, onsite activities, and lodging (double-room occupancy).
Non-members: $785, includes food, onsite activities, and lodging (double-room occupancy).
Single room: $685 extra.
Day ticket: $435, includes food and onsite activities.
*Written critique and 10-minute one-on-one chat: $75, Receive a professional critique of your first five pages (12 point Times Roman font, double spaced) of a novel, a picture-book manuscript, or your query letter.
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).
Images from Past Retreats:
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) [email protected] (@ShawnTWrites on socials)
Kathy Quimby Johnson (@ktquimby on socials)