Re-Vision Retreat

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Way-Word Writers Re-VISION Retreat
April 24-28
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Re-Vision Retreat on April 24-28, 2025 in Branson, Missouri—a transformative experience designed to elevate both your manuscript and your writing career! Expert Guidance from Senior Agent Heather Cashman of Storm Literary Agency and Assistant Editor Leyla Erkan of Christy Ottaviano Books of Little, Brown Books/Hachette!

Each retreat participant will receive verbal critiques from Senior Agent Heather Cashman of Storm Literary Agency and Assistant Editor Leyla Erkan of Christy Ottaviano Books of Little, Brown Books/Hachette. You may choose to have each critique focus on the same project or on two different projects. The project options include a full book synopsis, the first ten pages of a book, or a query letter. Participants will meet with Heather and Leyla in (separate) critique groups and will also receive valuable feedback from their peers. This comprehensive approach ensures that each participant gains diverse and constructive insights to elevate their writing.

Post-Retreat Critique Option
Retreat participants also have the option to purchase a post-retreat critique from Heather and/or Leyla to evaluate the revisions made to their project. This follow-up critique provides additional feedback on the changes made after the retreat, offering invaluable guidance as you prepare your work for submission. Each post-retreat written critique is available for $75, providing continued support and professional insight to help you refine your manuscript and increase your chances of success in the publishing world.

Personalized Career Coaching: In addition to manuscript feedback, you will benefit from a one-on-one career coaching consultation with one of our professional authors and certified life coaches, Stephanie Bearce or Nicki Jacobsmeyer. Stephanie, the author of 37 books, brings her expertise in story editing, story development, and marketing. She also excels in helping authors with career development and elevation. Nicki, with three traditionally published books and more under contract, brings her expertise in assisting authors with time management, goal setting, and marketing with her degree in Business.

A Serene Writing Haven: The location in Branson, MO is a private hideaway mini resort nestled within 200 acres of natural beauty.
Critique Sessions: Heather Cashman, a Senior Literary Agent, and Leyla Erkan, an Assistant Editor, will lead the critique sessions. Each participant can bring either 10 pages of a book, a full book synopsis, or a query letter to the critique. During the sessions, these materials will be read, and participants will receive verbal feedback from both Heather and Leyla, as well as from their peers. This collaborative approach ensures that each participant gains valuable insights and constructive criticism to enhance their work.

Sample Retreat Schedule:
Thursday evening, April 24:
5:00 PM: Arrive and check into your room
6:00 PM: Light supper of salad and pizza (included)
7:00 PM: Gathering and introductions

Friday, April 25:
8:30 AM: Continental Breakfast (included)
12:30 PM: Lunch (included)
2:00 PM: Critique Sessions with Heather and Leyla
6:00 PM: Gather for supper
8:30 PM: Social hour and story time

Saturday, April 26:
8:30 AM: Continental Breakfast (included)
10:00 AM: Critique Sessions with Heather and Leyla
12:30 PM: Lunch (included)
2:00 PM: Critique Sessions with Heather and Leyla
5:00 PM: Ask Me Anything Session with Heather and Leyla
6:00 PM: Gather for supper
8:30 PM: Social hour and story time

Sunday, April 27:
8:30 AM: Continental Breakfast (included)
10:00 AM: Write and Revise and one-on-one career coaching consultations with Stephanie or Nicki
12:30 PM: Lunch (included)
2:00 PM: Write and Revise and one-on-one career coaching consultations with Stephanie or Nicki
6:00 PM: Gather for supper
8:30 PM: Social hour and story time

Monday, April 28:
8:30 AM: Continental Breakfast (included)
9:30 AM: Final Gathering
11:00 AM: Check out

Meals Included:
Thursday supper
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday breakfast and lunch
Monday breakfast
For evening meals, we will make reservations at local restaurants, or you can arrange for your own.

Retreat Overview:
Dates: April 24-28, 2025
Location: Branson, MO

Price: $825 for shared room (one person per bed) We only have shared rooms left!
Includes:

• 5 days with 4-night stay
• 8 meals with Agent, Editor, and Published Authors socialization
• Professional feedback from Senior Agent Heather Cashman of Storm Literary Agency on your choice of a manuscript, query, or synopsis
• Professional feedback from Assistant Editor Leyla Erkan of Christy Ottaviano Books of Little, Brown Books/Hachette.on your choice of a manuscript, query, or synopsis
• Experienced feedback from published authors and retreat attendees on choice of a manuscript, query, or synopsis
• Workshop by Christy Ottaviano Books Assistant Editor Leyla Erkan
• Career Coaching Consultation with Certified Coaches Stephanie Bearce or Nicki Jacobsmeyer
• Time for writing and revising
• Networking with fellow attendees
• Beautiful, serene environment

TO REGISTER – Email us at [email protected] with the following info:
Name:
Address:
Phone #:
Career Consultation Preference: STEPHANIE BEARCE or NICKI JACOBSMEYER **
Payment Method: ZELLE (online credit/debit card) or CHECK. ***
To pay by Zelle: How It Works | Zelle (zellepay.com), use our email
[email protected] as the recipient.

To pay by Check: Checks payable to Way-Word Writers, LLC
Mailing address will be provided when you email registration info.

* Room preferences are available on a first come, first serve basis. You will be notified if your preference is no longer available.
** Career Consultation preferences are available on a first come, first serve basis. Stephanie and Nicki have ten slots each. You will be notified if your preference is no longer available.
*** PLEASE WAIT till you get email confirmation BEFORE you send payment.

Meet Our Experts:
Heather Cashman:
Heather is a Senior Agent at Storm Literary Agency. She works with middle grade, young adult, and adult fiction and non-fiction. Heather is always on the lookout for compelling stories across genres, and she has a particular passion for genre-splicing fiction. She looks for stories where readers can be the heroes and heroines of our own lives.

Working with authors as a collaborative partner is a dream come true for Heather. Her non-fiction interests are broad, spanning any topic that sparks curiosity and learning.

Learn more about Heather at: https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/HeatherCashman/

Leyla Erkan:
Leyla Erkan (she/her) is an Assistant Editor at Christy Ottaviano Books, where she works on a diverse range of titles spanning age categories, formats, and genres. Previously, she was a graphic designer for NYU Press and The Bronx Is Reading; interned at Nike in their Global Internal Communications department; and played Division I tennis as an undergraduate at Florida State University. Leyla is excited by dynamic fiction that hooks her through voice and unforgettable characters, with a particular focus on romantasy; horror with unreliable teen characters; urban sci-fi with a video gaming twist; and contemporary coming-of-age stories, especially centering platonic friendship or queer characters.
Learn more about Leyla on Instagram at: @literallyyleyla

Stephanie Bearce:
Award-winning author Stephanie Bearce holds a master’s degree in Counseling and is a certified life and author coach who is passionate about helping authors elevate their writing careers. With 37 published books and more under contract, her works span genres from children’s literature to science and history. Notable titles include “The Secret of Moonrise Manor, “Mary Anning and Paleontology for Kids,” and the “Top Secret Files of History” series. Stephanie is a frequent speaker at writing and education conferences, where she shares her expertise and enthusiasm for storytelling.
Learn more about Stephanie at: www.stephaniebearce.com

Nicki Jacobsmeyer:
Nicki Jacobsmeyer is a certified life and author coach with a degree in Business who enjoys helping authors manage their time so they can write more. She writes fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. Her forthcoming historical non-fiction book, Images [HC2] of America: Kentucky’s Packhorse Librarians (Arcadia Publishing, 2025), adds to her impressive bibliography, including Surviving the Iditarod, Images of America: Chesterfield, and more under contract. She is a PBParty Annual Contest Honorable Mention winner among 1100 entries (April 2024), the 3rd place winner of the Institute of Children’s Literature Narrative Nonfiction Picture Book Contest (December 2023), and honor recipient of the 2021 SCBWI Works of Outstanding Promise (WOOP) Grant. She served as Co-Regional Advisor of the SCBWI Kansas/Missouri region for several years.
Learn more about Nicki at: Nickijacobsmeyer.com

Testimonials From Past Retreats

“I came this weekend discouraged, frustrated, and unsure whether or not I wanted to continue writing. Several conversations, shared meals, and quiet hours later, my gloomy attitude had completely turned around. There’s nothing like being surrounded by my peers and friends in a beautiful setting to renew the writing spirit.”
– Laura Moore

“Great writer’s retreat. I was able to work out the plot of my work-in-progress and get feedback on my story ideas. Also, I learned publishing and marketing tips.”
– Brad Johnson

“I loved the beautiful location! The setting was so serene and gave me the perfect opportunity to write and to meet my goal. Thank you, Heather, Nicki, and Stephanie! It was very well organized and an amazing weekend!”
– Tamara Grantham