Guest Post: Madcap Writing Retreats: Retreat to Advance


Madcap Writing Retreats: Retreat to Advance
by Natalie C. Parker

Nothing has changed my career so much as writing retreats.

In the winter of 2011, I was invited to attend a large retreat in Branson, MO at which there would be 25 established YA authors. I was unagented at the time and though I found the idea of joining such a gathering an intimidating one, I also found it was impossible to pass up.

The experience was a game-changer. Not only did I meet a group of authors who were as encouraging as they were successful, but I sat in a room in which those same authors opened laptops and worked quietly together. There were headphones and tea and snack breaks and chat breaks and there were word documents that looked much like my own, growing one word at a time.

I left the Branson Retreat with a new network of contacts who would guide my career in different ways, determined to repeat the experience as quickly as possible. Only this time I wanted to be the one issuing invites. One year later, that’s exactly what I did: I made my first retreat of 11 authors on the side of a mountain, in a house that also had a turret.

Since that time, I’ve hosted 1 or 2 retreats every year, always with the goal of bringing authors together to create the kind of community we just can’t get in 140 character bites. I’ve hosted authors in turreted mansions in the Blue Ridge Mountains, in French Quarter apartments, in the Texas Hill Country, in historic Savannah townhomes, and in the sleepy Smoky Mountains. And here are the top three lessons I’ve learned from organizing retreats for writers:


  1. Internet. There must be Internet. It does not matter if you write to your group ahead of time and say the words “there is no Internet in this mountain chateau IS THAT OKAY?” It does not matter if they uniform answer is, “Yes, Natalie, we are not so addicted to the Modern Age that going without Wi-Fi for 3 days will kill us.” I promise you, none of that matters because when you get to the house someone will build an antenna out of aluminum foil and desperate tears and stand on the roof searching for a signal.
  2. Bathrooms. Never underestimate the importance of every bedroom having its own bathroom. End of explanation.
  3. Scenery. You may begin the adventure with plans of leaving the house, but trust me, this will not happen. To appease any group of authors, I advise picture windows and something that suggests power and mystery. Mountains are an obvious choice, but lakes work very well as do abandoned sugar plantations, rolling hills, and oceans. This way, even if you get snowed in after throwing out all the perishable food so that all that remains are Oreos and a handle of gin, no one will every complain about the view!


I love retreats. They’re fun and exciting and sometimes lead to creating things like  Sh*t Writers SayBut I started this by saying that retreats have altered the course of my career in significant ways and that is absolutely true.

After Branson in 2011, I had half a dozen authors willing to weigh in on my query and help me cull my agent list.

After the Wi-Fi-less chateau in 2012, there were authors ready to blurb my first book.

After the Hill Country in 2013, I received crucial advice on how to develop a retreat business.

But more than that, I’ve seen anthologies born over the course of a retreat, I’ve seen mentor and critique relationships gain footing, and I’ve seen the direction of manuscripts shift dramatically and to great effect. And I know there’s even more I haven’t seen.

Like so many writers, my writing time is bound and hedged in on all sides. My writing time is also my “down” time, my “free” time, my “in between this and that” time.” It’s a challenge to find hours that flow from one into another with nothing binding them except the promise of words. Madcap is one way I can offer time and opportunity to myself and to others, and I’m truly excited to be able to do that.

Madcap is for writers at any stage in their career – aspiring, agented, and published. My goal is to continue what was done for me at that first Branson retreat and create the kinds of opportunities it’s nearly impossible to create for yourself. Welcome to Madcap Retreats, join us for an adventure.

MADCAP RETREATS: Web | Twitter | Tumblr

And now we come to the giveaway portion of this post!

I’ve asked a few amazing bloggers to help me spread the word of Madcap far and wide via a Blog Hop. Each participating blog will be giving away 2 e-copies of my debut novel Beware the Wild. And each of those winners will be entered to win one of two grand prizes! They are:


  • A $300 discount on the upcoming workshop – The Anatomy of Publishing: Story & Marketing, August 27 – 30. The workshop will be lead by Courtney C. Stevens and will feature a few fancy guest authors who will workshop pages and queries one-on-one! (More info can be found here).
  • A short stack of ARCs including: JUBILEE MANOR by Bethany Hagen, DUMPLIN’ by Julie Murphy, and THE ANATOMY OF CURIOSITY by Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton, & Brenna Yovanoff.


The contest is open to US/Canada ONLY. You may enter via each blogger if that pleases you. Contest closes at midnight on Sunday, June 7th. Winners will be announced by noon on Monday, June 8th.

Additionally! If you’d like to stay up to date on all retreat and workshop offerings by Madcap, you can subscribe to the mailing list by visiting this page. The first 50 subscribers will be offered a free download of either:


  • “Lady Berserk: A Novella of Dragons, Trickster Gods, and Reality TV,” by Tessa Gratton; or
  • “From Words to Brain: A Guided Tour Through the Neuroscience of Reading,” by Livia Blackburne


TO ENTER: Just leave a comment to this blog post telling us where or with whom your dream retreat would be! For an additional entry tweet your dream retreat to @NatalieCParker and @LeagueWriters

Sample tweet: I would love to go to Scotland on a writer's retreat with JK Rowling! @nataliecparker @leaguewriters

Full list of participating blogs:





47 comments:

karyne norton said...

I'd love to go to a French chateau on a writer's retreat with Beth Revis!

Unknown said...

Aw, thanks Karyne! I'm always down for a trip to France!

Brenna said...

Oh man! I can't decide on who I'd like to go with. That's waaaay too hard. But, if you twist my arm, Jackson Pearce. And I'd love to go to Ireland. I think that would be so inspiring.

Shalena @ Writer Quirk said...

I'd love to on a retreat to Ireland with Myra McEntire!

Haley said...

Greece with Lauren DeStefano, Rainbow Rowell, Laurie Halse Anderson, and Ruta Sepetys. I couldn't pick just one author. It would feel a bit like a Stephen King novel to be alone in the woods with my favorite author. I'm sure as soon as I post this I'll think of more I'd love to meet and learn from! ��

Anonymous said...

I'd love to go on a writer's retreat to Hawaii with Diana Peterfreund!

TM Hayes said...

I would go anywhere with Rainbow Rowell!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
aliyaa said...

Thank you for this inspiring blog :) I've just started following this blog! The professional statement of purpose writers is a best site for everyone especially for writers.

Lisa Resnick said...

Ghost Mannequin

https://www.clippingpathquick.com/ghost-mannequin-effect-photoshop.html

Naaz Aniqua said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Play bazaar said...

The tips found here can help teach you to deal with anxiety and get rid of it.satta king

satta king

Play Bazaar said...

play bazaar

Play bazaar
satta king Okay, prefer to discover increasingly about it?

Blogger said...

Do you realize there is a 12 word sentence you can tell your crush... that will trigger intense feelings of love and impulsive attractiveness for you deep inside his heart?

Because hidden in these 12 words is a "secret signal" that triggers a man's impulse to love, worship and look after you with his entire heart...

12 Words Who Trigger A Man's Love Impulse

This impulse is so hardwired into a man's brain that it will drive him to try better than ever before to do his best at looking after your relationship.

Matter-of-fact, fueling this powerful impulse is absolutely essential to having the best possible relationship with your man that as soon as you send your man one of these "Secret Signals"...

...You will soon find him open his mind and soul for you in a way he haven't experienced before and he'll perceive you as the only woman in the universe who has ever truly attracted him.

Roadrunner Support said...

Thank you for your sharing. Thanks to this blog I can learn more things. Expand your knowledge and abilities. Actually the article is very practical. Thank you.If you are the one looking for technical help in Roadrunner Email then call us today at Roadrunner Support Number and get connected with our award-winning team of Roadrunner Email. They are capable of resolving the technical bugs and issues.
Roadrunner Email Not Working
TWC Email Not Working
RR Email Login Problems
RR Email App Not Working
Recover Forgot Spectrum Email Password
Change Spectrum WiFi Password
Forgot Spectrum WiFi Password

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed a lot while reading this amazing article this was very informative & knowledgeable content on this blog thanx for sharing such an amazing article.

Web Designing Services in Mumbai

jobinwason said...

cGMP refers to the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations implemented by the FDA. cGMPs assure proper design, monitoring, and control of manufacturing processes and facilities in food and drug manufacturing industries. cgmp certification

James David said...

This Is Really Great Work. Thank You For Sharing Such A Good And Useful Information Here In The Blog. by Best Embroidery Digitizing

jobinwason said...

Equipment which is used by the individuals as a shield to protect themselves from hazards and other infectious materials is called Personal Protective Equipment. PPE Certification ensures the products are made in line with harmonized standards and met the PPE regulation. The harmonized standard also specifies requirements for manufacturing the products. PPE Certification in UK

satta king said...


Your Site is very nice, and it's very helping us this post is unique and interesting, thank you for sharing this awesome information. and visit our blog site also sattaking


Satta king
Satta king chart
Satta king gali
Satta king Faridabad
Satta king Desawar
satta king Gaziabad
Satta king online
satta king fast
Satta King Results

jobinwason said...

ISO 27001-Schulungen sind auch über die ISO 27001 TRAINING DIVISION verfügbar. Unser Ziel ist es, eine auf die Bedürfnisse und Ziele jedes Schülers zugeschnittene Lernatmosphäre zu schaffen, um den Erfolg jedes Schülers zu erreichen. iso 27001 schulung

Twitch Dark Mode said...

Dining Chairs Melbourne

The dining chairs in Melbourne collection consists of various materials, fabrics, styles and colors. All the chairs have their unique features. But factors like comfortability, durability and fashion are similar for every chair out here.

The budget friendly dining chairs in Melbourne will offer you the trendy and airy look that is best suited for dining spaces that are relatively smaller as it offers the extra breathable space for such dining rooms.

Sophia Grace said...

Global Digital Blood Pressure Monitor Market Report and Forecast 2022-2027’, gives an in-depth analysis of the global Digital Blood Pressure Monitor Market, assessing the market based on its segments like device types, distribution channels, end uses, and major regions. The report tracks the latest trends in the industry and studies their impact on the overall market. It also assesses the market dynamics, covering the key demand and price indicators, along with analysing the market based on the SWOT and Porter’s Five Forces models. A digital blood pressure monitor is a device that enables automatic measurement of blood pressure. It is used by patients suffering from hyperthermia and high blood pressure to track their blood pressure remotely. A digital blood pressure boosts the accuracy and ease of usage of monitoring blood pressure, due to which its demand is surging significantly.




If you wish to see more reports check here : Asia Pacific Vaccine Market, Micro Inverter Market, Albumin Market, Middle East and Africa Cybersecurity Market,Cell Expansion Market, Learning Management System Market, States Flooring Market, Sports and Energy Drinks Market, Brazil Healthcare, Sterilisation Services Market, Media Monitoring Tools Market

Anonymous said...

Great! I was so happy to see a new post from you. thanks for sharing.

Megri Embroidery Digitizing

seo work said...


خرید و فروش آهن آلات

خرید و فروش انواع آهن الات شامل لوله ، نبشی ، ناودانی ، ورق ، پروفیل ، تیر آهن ، استیل ، فولادهای آلیاژی ، میلگردهای صنعتی توسط آهن استقلال

خرید و فروش آهن آلات

mowan said...

such a huge income. Because anything that will allow you to make a career and earn money every day requires good preparation. สล็อตออนไลน์

Onepiece said...

It is a sticky wild symbol. Get unlimited luck and 7 free spins in the free spins feature. ดูทีวีออนไลน์

ตุ๊กตา said...

You can play through the jackergame website 24 hours a day.
Gourd, crab, fish is a game that is not difficult to play. similar to halo pgslot

Noud said...

People have become millionaires all over the place. Give away by yourself, give away for real, pay for real, easy There are not many steps. pgslot

Noud said...

ambsuperslot.net The website offers all online slot games. No minimum deposit starting from 1 baht onwards สล็อต

pgslot said...

It is a mythical bird or bird-like creature in many parts of Asian mythology. Garuda is a sacred animal. pgslot

Noud said...

Must contact the team which the system will automatically add money to the players just by depositing money to play do not need to notify the slip Complete income in a few minutes. ผลบอลสด

HC said...

Enjoy a good gambling game camp like this. There are a variety of interesting games. pgslot

Noud said...

It uses a minimum bet of only 1 baht, so whether you have a lot of money or a small amount of money, you will. ดูทีวีออนไลน์

Veerapat0023 said...

just have internet You can play anywhere, anytime with excitement and excitement that you can create yourself. AMBKING

pgslot said...

Just register with AMBBET.BAR, our slot website. You will receive full profit.welcome pgslot เว็บตรง

ploy said...

jili at present We can't deny that there is a belief in luck involved. very well Although there is a technology that has been developed and advanced a lot because it is the belief สล็อต

king said...

make money online Including promotions for people with small funds and large funds, is a promotion that you can deposit only ten digits and can start playing easily. ผลบอลสด

vivi said...

oga breathing exercises can help improve endurance and stamina. When exerting in sports or exercise pgslot

Onepiece said...

We offer online betting games from all camps.
Able to access and make money 24 hours a day on all mobile phones. pgslot

Noud said...

Playing competitions, organizing various leagues that follow each other is a harrow. by playing games ours Never leave the feeling of fun at any age, at any age. amb

vikas said...

A7 fabulous

Harish Verma said...

fabuloso, esta publicacion es muy buena metal door
fire door
door lock
panic bar
india travel

Noud said...

the experimental play It will help us understand slot games more. when more understood We will choose games to make money pgslot

pp1 said...

Starting with only 1 baht, allowing new players or low-investment players to play online slots games dooballsod

Sultanking Slot Online Deposit Ewallet said...

you can check slot sultanking for best platform

michelmack said...

Ponmankal homes have something that fits your dream and your pocket. If you are looking for Villas in Kottayam then we are providing the best quality residential apartments, villas and flats in Kottayam. Ponmankal homes provide customer satisfied products and services with matches the requirements of the customers and a unique signature of luxury villas and apartments -