Join us for the 2018 Deep Thinker’s Retreat!

February 23-27, 2018

Destin, Florida

Venetian Palace
107 Hollywood St.
Miramar Beach, FL 32550

5 day of intense, one-on-one writing coaching by the best-selling, award-winning novelists of My Book Therapy. Designed to meet the individual needs of every writer and their story,this retreat concentrates on your writing craft, and how to make it stronger. Every day we’ll meet in the morning to concentrate on specific topics from plot to characterization to emotional layering to word painting. In the afternoon, you’ll apply these lessons to your current WIP, with hands-on mentoring to help you apply each lesson in your own voice. In the evening, we’ll dissect great movies, discuss publishing issues, brainstorm book snarls, and do writing exercises designed to assist you to reach a new level in writing. And did we mention that it’s in Florida? In February?

What past participants are saying:

I want to thank you and Rachel for the love you showed each one of us. Being in Clearwater was such a blessing for me. I learned more and experienced more there than at any other writing conference. EVER. ~ Pat Trainum I’m a committed caring college teacher, but the degree of personal attention/help personally invested in each attendee is remarkable and unequalled. It is nurturing and inspiring, and accomplishes a great deal. ~ D. Topliff

I thought I knew how to write. But the My Book Therapy workshops have taught me that writing good fiction requires many more techniques than writing non-fiction. I was amazed at how much I didn’t know. I will also continue to use Susan May Warren’s books on writing for each new novel I write, and I know each one will be better than the last as I continue to learn to be a better novelist. Thank you Suzy, Rachel, and all my wonderful writer friends whom I learned from as well, while we lived in community at the Deep Thinkers Writer’s Retreat. ~ Connie Lounsbury, published author

The Deep Thinkers Retreat gave me concrete ways to include the necessary elements that write a great story from the opening hook to The End. I appreciated not being only told what to do but shown techniques of how to make emotion, interesting dialog, and visuals of story world happen. I took in the brainstorming techniques displayed by the staff to take our stories to more interesting levels. Thanks, My Book Therapy. ~ Zoe M. McCarthy

I’ve attended four My Book Therapy events. I’ve gone to the Storycrafter’s Retreat in Minnesota, the Deep Thinkers Retreat in Florida, the Pitch & Promotion Seminar before the ACFW Conference and the Pizza Party during ACFW – and every one gets better and better! I also own six MBT writing resource workbooks and I’ve read them more than once. Each time I go to an MBT event, buy a workbook, or spend time on the MBT website, I’m making a priceless investment in my writing future. I’m so thankful for My Book Therapy! There’s really nothing else like it in the writing community. ~ Gabrielle Meyer

Some particulars that might help in your planning:

The retreat begins FRIDAY morning, but your housing costs cover Thursday evening for you to arrive before the conference. (Dinner is on your own, but we will have snacks at the house). Also, the retreat ends on TUESDAY evening, but your lodging extends to WEDNESDAY morning to accommodate your travel needs. (A light continental breakfast will be provided. If you require Gluten free, you will be free to prepare breakfast on your own.) However, you only pay for 5 nights of lodging.

In addition, because we are renting a large estate house, Ladies-only in the house. But, yes, we do allow guys to attend–there is offsight lodging at a local hotel. (contact us at retreats@mybooktherapy.com for more information.)

We have a number of sleeping options, from (single) double and twin beds, and single and shared King bed options. (Note: If you want a spouse to join you, you will need to find accommodations elsewhere (and thus, only have to pay the retreat fee.) If you require a meal package for your spouse, then you will need to register him separately and select only the food option.)

Food Package

Standard: $300
Special Dietary Option: $350

Lodging:

- Twin Bed – upper (shared room and bath) – $70/night
- Twin Bed – lower (shared room and bath) – $80/night
- Queen Bed – upper (shared room and bath) – $90/night
- Queen Bed – lower (shared room and bath) – $100/night
- King Bed (shared room and bath) – $190/night*
- (if you want to share a KING room, please reserve it and email us at admin@mybooktherapy.com)
- Off-Site at your own cost

Shuttle Info!

The Shuttle runs ONLY from Ft. Walton Beach. There is only one shuttle time on arrival, and one on departure. As we need to reserve this in advance, if you find other transportation after arriving, there are no refunds on shuttle reservations.

Arrival Shuttles: Feb 22rd, 7 pm. (leaves from the airport)