AZSCBWI - NM&El Paso Fall Retreat Opportunity
Created July 18, 2025 by Karen Chow
While SCBWI AZ is working hard to plan a future conference (for Fall 2026!), our neighbors in NM & El Paso have a Fall Retreat opportunity. The Together Retreat will give you a chance to connect, build new relationships with other writers and illustrators, and reinforce relationships you may have had for years. With in-person agent Laurel Symonds of KT Literary, you will also have a chance to hear from an established industry professional. Written/In-person critiques are available. This retreat will encourage quiet working time with private rooms and baths. You will also have access to the lovely grounds of Pecos Monastery, the gateway to spectacular hiking paths and mountains of the Pecos Wilderness.
SCBWI-NM: Together, Fall Retreat 2025
Date: Sep 26, 2025 - Sep 28, 2025, optional Thursday night and Friday workday
Where: Pecos Monastery, 16 Guadalupe Lane, Pecos, NM
Details here: https://www.scbwi.org/events/together-fall-retreat-2025
Join us to enjoy the lovely grounds of Pecos Monastery, the gateway to spectacular hiking paths and mountains of the Pecos Wilderness. You'll experience crisp, colorful fall days while you connect, build new relationships with other writers and illustrators, and reinforce established relationships. With in-person agent Laurel Symonds of KT Literary, you will also hear from an established industry professional. Written/In-person critiques are available. Thirty minutes east of Santa Fe, the Pecos Monastery is a welcome retreat from the world. This quiet location features private rooms with desks and private baths, ample meeting space, a well-equipped kitchen, walking paths, chapels, a gift shop, and a library. WiFi is also available.
What's Included
- A private room and bath for Friday, September 26, and Saturday, September 27. Linens provided. Please bring toiletries.
- Dinner Friday; breakfast, lunch, and dinner Saturday; light breakfast Sunday.
- One-hour workshop/presentation by Laurel Symonds, literary agent at KT Literary.
- An abundance of time to work, reflect and visit.
Optional Add-ons
- Thursday, September 25 stay with Friday workday.
- Written and verbal critique by Senior Literary Agent Laurel Symonds (KT Literary). Quantity is limited.
- Virtual Pitch Session with Acquiring Editor Adam Blackman (Cardinal Rule Press and Little Press Publishing).
Registration Fees and Add-ons
$395 SCBWI Member
$450 Non-member
$130 Additional Thursday Night
$80 Laurel Symonds Critique with Feedback
$55 Virtual Pitch Session with Adam Blackman
100% refund (minus $15 processing fee) with cancellation through June 27.
50% refund (minus $15 processing fee) with cancellation through August 8.
Registration & details: https://www.scbwi.org/events/together-fall-retreat-2025