Thanks so much for your interest in Northern California Writers' Retreat! 

We are currently CLOSED for submissions, but since you're here, read below to learn more about what we're up to in 2025, and sign up for our newsletter to learn more about upcoming retreats, virtual courses, and our monthly free Book Journey Club!

What is Northern California Writers' Retreat? Writing can be a very solitary process. We understand. That’s why we created the Northern California Writers’ Retreat. By the time you leave our sanctuary in Carmel Valley, you will feel as though you are a part of a vibrant community of promising fiction writers with serious publishing ambitions. Want to know a bit more about us? NorCalWritersRetreat.com is the best place to dig deeper!

Each retreat includes:

• 18 writers accepted per session
• 1 Author-in-Residence, who acts as a mentor to our writers and provides insights about their publishing journey.
• 2 Guest Literary Agents, who run workshops and speak about their industry experience to help demystify the black box that publishing can be.
• 1 Editor--it's me, Heather Lazare, your host and founder. 

WHEN and WHO:

Session 1: March 12th-16th, 2025

Author-in-Residence: Alka Joshi, The Henna Artist, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, The Perfumist of Paris

Guest Literary Agent: Margaret Sutherland Brown, Folio Literary Management

Guest Literary Agent: Amy Bishop-Wycisk, Trellis Literary Management 

Session 2: March 26th-30th, 2025

Author-in-Residence:: Xochitl Gonzalez, Olga Dies Dreaming, Anita de Monte Laughs Last

Guest Literary Agent: Mollie Glick, Creative Artists Agency

Guest Literary Agent: Iwalani Kim, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates

Session 3: April 9th-13th, 2025

Author-in-Residence: Janet Skeslien Charles, The Paris Library, Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade

Guest Literary Agent: Heather Jackson, Heather Jackson Literary Agency

Guest Literary Agent and Editor: Leticia Gomez, Editorial Director, Dafina Imprint, Kensington Publishing Corp., and Savvy Literary services

And your host for all three sessions, former "Big Five" editor and current Independent Editor, Heather Lazare

You are able to apply for all three retreats at the same time, but you will only be accepted into one of them. 

Deadline: Submissions closed Monday, November 4th.

Response: Friday, December 6th.

Fees: $2,797 for four nights and five days with all meals, snacks, and beverages included. All rooms are SINGLE rooms with bathroom ensuite. The bathroom includes a toilet, sink, and shower stall. All linens and towels are provided by the retreat center. Upon acceptance, we will require a $900 non-refundable deposit.

Needs-based financial aid opportunities are possible. Aid varies year-to-year and will be determined after application and acceptance. Fees paid to Northern California Writers’ Retreat are not charitable donations. Deposits and fees are not refundable. Travel expenses and transportation to and from NCWR are not included.

Our Zakiya Dalila Harris Scholarship for a Black fiction writer is currently closed for submissions. Our Scholarship Committee has chosen the Scholarship winner!

Happy writing and editing,

Heather Lazare, founder and director, Northern California Writers' Retreat, LLC

For full details, please visit norcalwritersretreat.com.

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To sign up for our monthly Book Journey Club, click here.

Thanks so much for your interest in Northern California Writers' Retreat!