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WE ARE SO SORRY BUT THIS IS NOW SOLD OUT!!
HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE ANOTHER ONE NEXT YEAR!

Are you ready for an intimate, inspiring, relaxing yet incredibly satisfying three days of learning, creativity, and finessing or finishing your children's book writing (or art)?

Our retreat is located in the exquisite Central Coast beach area of Cayucos close to San Luis Obispo and Cambria. You'll be feasting on great food, having nature adventures, having scheduled time to write or draw, receiving both individual and group critiques and so much more. And to make it even more magical,
we'll be having a fabulous in-house breakfast with
one of the top children's literary agents, Karen Grencik of Red Fox Literary, where you'll get to deliver your rehearsed pitches and receive feedback.
Amazing things come out of these rare retreats.

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Mira, Karen, and Cayucos (note the blue, blue skies).
So what is included in this wonderful adventure?
  • 2 nights of really lovely beach accommodations
  • 5 delicious meals plus we'll be going on a fabulous culinary PYO dinner excursion to nearby Cambria on Saturday night. (Don't worry if you have allergies, we'll do our very best to accommodate you.)
  • An intensive critique with Dr. Mira Reisberg (AKA The Picture Book Whisperer)
  • Lessons on what makes a successful picture book publishable
  • Lots of worksheets and handouts to help you
  • Small group critiques
  • Writing and drawing time
  • Beach walks for inspiration
  • An awesome community
  • The opportunity to pitch your story or art to top literary agent Karen Grencik at an intimate breakfast after getting feedback and the opportunity to rehearse your pitch beforehand
Early Bird Special Ends November 6th including everything above for ONLY 397.87
then it goes up to 437.87 (can you tell I like quirky numbers?)

We've priced this ridiculously low for all that you will receive. And don 't worry, we'll help you organize transportation from San Luis Obispo airport if you come in by plane and we can also help you arrange further accommodations if you want to stay longer.

Because this is limited to 12 people, it's a rare opportunity to accomplish a lot and have a great time, so sign up below asap as this will fill up fast.

And just to sweeten the pot, we have a SPECIAL BONUS -
The first six to register will also receive a custom piece of magical art from me and one of my books!
Curious as to what will be happening? Here's our Schedule of Events:
Friday:
  • Arrive either by car or fly into San Luis Obispo (Let us know your arrival time so that we can facilitate you getting here from the airport )
  • Get settled. Relax. Beach walk one block away.
  • Dinner, introductions, overview of weekend, discuss individual projects and set intentions
  • Writing, artmaking, or relaxation time. Individual critiques

Saturday:
  • Learn about about hooks, plots, concepts, page turns, and characters from contemporary picture books
  • Apply these concepts to your own writing or illustration directly or with handy worksheets and templates
    (Mira does individual critiques)
  • Lunch       
  • Small group and individual critiques
  • Writing and Rehearsing Riveting Pitches and Proposals
  • Culinary adventure in Cambria

Sunday:
    • Breakfast with literary agent Karen Grencik followed by a pitch fest with feedback from Karen.
    • Oceanic inspiration - walk to beach for inspirational other possible projects writing or drawing time
    • Delicious Lunch
    • Discuss next steps and other possible projects
    • Leave for home or stay longer in beautiful Cayucos or San Luis Obispo



You deserve this!! If there's any way that you can spring it, just click the graphic on the left and get the fabulous early bird specials!!

Because of the small size, your registration is completely non-refundable, so if you need to cancel for any reason, you'll need to sell your spot to another former student but hopefully you'll be able to join us for this fabulous event while you can.

And now for a little more about Cayucos

Cayucos by-the-Sea is located on California’s scenic Central Coast, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Cayucos sits quietly between the Pacific Ocean and the rolling hillsides of open ranchland and is what some people call "the last of the California beach towns."

Listen to the quiet and stillness that only a small town in an untouched countryside can provide. Cayucos is the perfect remedy for those who suffer from the ills and frustrations of life in the fast lane in our crowded cities. Peaceful, underdeveloped ranchlands with cattle grazing on undulating, oak-crested hills provide a respite for the city weary. There is virtually no city noise, no traffic, no pollution and no crime in Cayucos
Cayucos is a California original.
Born during the days of Spanish land grants, Cayucos grew up with sailing ships and steamers, rum runners and revenuers. Gamblers and seafarers met in the Old Cayucos Tavern, and adventurers and romantics af all kinds still meet there today.
Cayucos, the tiny beach town that sits at the foot of the hills with its toes in the sand, awaits you and your exploration. So relax and come see what Cayucos has to offer you. - http://www.cayucoschamber.com/index.html
Please feel free to contact Mira at mira@childrensbookacademy.com or our host Claire Nolan at claireannette1@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
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  • Home
  • WRITING
    • Craft & Business of Writing Childrens Picture Books
    • The Chapter Book Alchemist
    • New!! Middle Grade Mastery Instant Access
    • Mastering Graphic Novels
    • 2022 Kidlit Palooza >
      • 2022 Palooza Program
      • 2022 Palooza Faculty
  • ILLUSTRATION
    • NEW!! Craft & Business of Illustrating Children's Books Instant Access
    • Never a Dull Moment Workshop
  • TECH
  • About Us
    • Why Us?
    • Meet the Faculty, Lives & GT Judges
    • Testimonials
    • Books by Students
    • Our Bookshop
    • As Seen In
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Blogfish
  • MN Course Access
  • Community
    • Our Bookshop
    • Come Play With Us!
    • Resources
    • Course Scholarships >
      • Yuyi Morales Picture Book Scholarship
      • Andrea Davis Pinkney MG CB Mastery Scholarship
      • Rafael Lopez Illustrating Childrens Books Scholarships
      • Larissa Marantz Merit & Need Scholarship