Avalon Writer’s Retreat – Announcement

The above illustration was created by Valeria Wicker. Thought this elephant playing on the beach might get you in the mood for this post. Valerie is an aspiring author/ illustrator from PA. You can find her portfolio at www.valeriawicker.com

Each year I run a Full Manuscript Critique Writer’s Retreat in Avalon, NJ – an upscale ocean resort town. I rent a nice house for the week by the beach where everyone can stay and work on their manuscripts.

It is always a small group of MG/YA novel writers who want to advance their manuscripts and careers.

I have two retreats are scheduled.

The first session arrives on Sunday September 25th on and departs in the morning (no program) on Wednesday September 28th.

Agent Kurestin Armada from PS Literary is confirmed for the first session. She is actively acquiring Upmarket and Commercial Fiction, Magic Realism, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Alternative History, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ (any genre), select Young Adult and Middle Grade, Graphic Novels, Mystery (including mystery with elements of SF/F), and Romance.

Second Agent – waiting for confirmation – Building list for Picture books, MG and YA.

This year I taking names of picture book writers who would like to attend the first session. If there are four PB writers who want to attend, you could have your own group. Pricing or amount of manuscripts will be adjusted. Contact me if you are interested. The other group in this session will consist of MG and YA writers. If you are writing a novel and are not finished, you can still attend to get your manuscript on the right track to publication.

The second session arrives September 29th and leaves October 2nd. Agent Scott Treimel from the Scott Treimel Agency and Jaida Temperly from New Leaf Literary. This session is full, but you could get on the waiting list.

Scott Treimel has work as a literary agency, a literary scout, two book publishers, a newspaper syndicate, a book club, and a movie studio, either buying, selling, packaging, editing or creating intellectual property—all for children. He represents picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and young adult novels. He has a 98% sales success rate.

Jaida Temperly at New Leaf Literary is actively building both her Children’s and Adult list. She has a particular love for all things Middle Grade, especially those that are a bit quirky, strange, and fantastical. She’s also open to YA submissions (all genres), and picture books by author-illustrators with completed dummies. She has an affinity for magical realism, historical fiction, and literary fiction, as well as stories with a strong mystery and/or religious undertones.

This is how it works: There are ten writers and two agents. One of the agents will read and critique your full manuscript and the other agent will read and critique the first 35 pages of that manuscript or another one that you are working on. There will be ten writers in each retreat – split into two group, so you will receive the four manuscripts from the writers in your group to read and critique before the retreat. Each person in your group will have an hour with the assigned agent and an hour with your group to discuss what works and what could be improved. There will also be a first page session with the group and the agents during the retreat.

Cost is $830.

All meals are planned with the agents and are included in the price of the retreat. We are used to gluten free writers. Evenings are spent socializing and having fun. Usually there is time to walk the beach or swim in the pool that belongs to the house. Everyone helps with the cooking and clean up. The house has Wi-Fi access, so you can use your computers, cell phones, and ipads to work and keep in touch with family and friends.

Send an email if you would like to secure a spot. Put “Avalon Writer’s Retreat” in the subject area and let me know what you have written – Book level – Genre – Word Count – brief description.                        

PLEASE NOTE: YA Novels have a 80,000 word limit.

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy