Limited Space for 35: Nestled at the serene Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Ink & Agave Writing Retreat is an intimate writing and critique-workshop weekend designed exclusively for aspiring and/or published picture book authors who are ready to stretch and polish their prose with professional agents, editors, and authors.

What you'll receive: Over three soul-nourishing days, you'll participate in four small-group workshops, each led by a seasoned editor, agent, or author. You'll receive focused, personalized feedback on your manuscript(s) and have dedicated time to revise, reflect, and elevate your work in a truly creative setting.

Faculty: You’ll be guided by a powerhouse team of children’s publishing professionals:

Editors

·       Sylvie Frank, Senior Executive Editor, Flamingo Books an imprint of Penguin Random House's Penguin Young Readers division

·       Melissa Manlove, Senior Executive Editor, Sourcebooks

Agents

·       Carter Hasegawa, former Candlewick editor and Acquiring Literary Agent, Tugeau 2 Art & Literary Agency

·       Syrone Harvey, Author of the Neecy and NayNay chapter book series and Acquiring Literary Agent, Belcastro Agency

·       Jackie Kruize, Acquiring Literary Agent, Focused Artists

Authors

·       Dianne White (author of Green on Green, Blue on Blue, Finding Grateful, and more)

·       Kim Tomsic (that’s me! Author of The Elephants Come Home, The Truth About 5th Grade, Guitar Genius, and more)

Bonus Learning: Classroom-Style Presentations: In addition to your workshop, you are also invited to attend each of these specially curated 50-minute lectures:

Sylvie Frank:
"I Wanted to Love Your Manuscript: Five Reasons I Had to Say No (and What You Can Do About It)"


Melissa Manlove:
"Topic vs. Theme vs. Thesis—Getting to the Heart of What Your Manuscript is Truly About"

Industry Panel: Ask the panel of agents and editors your burning questions.


Location: The Franciscan Renewal Center, 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253

Surrounded by breathtaking desert landscape and mountain views, the Center offers walking gardens, fire pits, and quiet spaces that invite reflection and creativity.

This writing retreat at the Franciscan Renewal Center is open to all—no religious affiliation is required. Between workshops, you are welcome to pray, meditate, reflect, connect, hike, walk, or simply rest.

What you won't find: There are no TVs, clocks, or radios in rooms—just peace, nature, and time to write.

What you will find at the Center: Writers lounge stocked with tea, coffee, and inspiration; a pool, walking trails, and serene writing spots throughout the grounds. You might also enjoy a free-time hikes at nearby Camelback Mountain or Piestewa Peak.

Date: April 10-12, 2026: arrive by Noon on Friday and depart at 6:00pm on Sunday

Meals: Meals are included with retreat registration and served at the onsite dining room. We want you have a chance to connect with one another! Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options will be available.

Lodging Details: *Update*The lodging options are currently sold out. We are keeping a waiting list for rooms, and we can provide a list of nearby hotels.   Stay on-site to deepen your experience. A limited number of single or double simple and quiet rooms are available. You’ll book this option through the registration process here if rooms are still available.

Retreat Registration: Includes 4 small-group workshops. You will belong to two groups that meet two times for a total of four workshops. Each time, you'll bring a manuscript to workshop, and each time you'll receive 20 minutes of focused attention on your manuscript. You may bring one manuscript to each group meeting; and you may bring to the retreat a total of one, two, three or four manuscripts - your choice. For example, if you bring two manuscripts (one for group A and one for group B, you could bring one manuscript for the first meeting and then bring a revised version of it for the second meeting of group A. And you might bring a different manuscript to group B, and revise it and bring it to the second group B meeting. Or you might shuffle a different way. Strategize as you see fit). Each small group will include 5 or 6 writers + one faculty member. Additionally, retreat registration also includes at least 2 presentations and 1 industry panel. Group meals & beverages; access to the Writer's Lounge stocked with beverages; and the full retreat experience. Price varies depending on if you are requesting a room with your reservation or not.

Cost:

This retreat is offered in partnership with the nonprofit organization, Kids Need to Read, a 501 c3 nonprofit that provides books to underserved children. Therefore, your cost will be the registration fee and one book that you’ll donate to Kids Need to Read upon arrival.

Options:

Friday Night Lodging Sold Out
(Retreat experience -  available for two slots with no lodging; lodging for two nights sold out; lodging for one night availabe for one person or one double). Details below:

Although retreat registration is still open, sleeping rooms at the Franciscan Renewal Center are fully booked for a two-night stay. I can add you to a wait list. 

If you would like a single night stay (Saturday night only), there is one room left at this option. Once you complete this form, I will confirm availability. If you would like this option, please indicate when you click the room option that you are open to Saturday night only. I will automatically add you to the Friday night wait list.

Please note: the Franciscan Renewal Center requires all room reservations to be made directly through me at Ink & Agave.

TWO-NIGHT OPTION SOLD OUT (you can be added to the waiting list)$1,269.00 includes retreat registration + two nights single-occupancy at Franciscan Renewal Center+ meals

$1,049.00 includes retreat registration + Saturday night only at Franciscan Renewal Center (price per roommate) + meals (*I will add you to a wait list for Friday night room)

$829.00 no room - includes full retreat experience and meals Friday night, Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner, and Sunday lunch (*for those who live in town or are rooming elsewhere)

*There are no price adjustments for those unable to partake in meals.


🧡 Come for the feedback. Stay for the friendships. Leave with a stronger manuscript — and a renewed belief in your path. Register soon! This retreat will fill up quickly.


Cancellation Policy:

Because faculty, flights, event space, and meals are pre-booked and paid for; and because proper planning is a beast, the cancellation policy is as follows:

If canceled by or before December 12th, a refund will be given minus a $25 cancellation fee.

If canceled between December 13 and January 9th, a refund will be given minus a $100 cancellation fee.

If canceled between January 10 and February 10, a $300 cancellation fee

If canceled anytime after February 10, there is no refund unless the spot is filled from a person on the waiting list at which point a $300 cancel fee will be deducted from the refund.

Anti-Harassment Policy: Attendees come to this retreat to fill their cups with joy, community, growth, opportunities, and connections. Ink and Agave prohibits harassment of all kinds, including but not limited to: deliberate intimidation, stalking (or following), inappropriateness including belittling jokes, unwanted physical contact, unwelcome attention, sustained disruption of talks, etc. If an individual is asked to leave the retreat, no refund will be awarded. If at any point during attendance you feel uncomfortable about a situation, please inform retreat organizers and we will remedy the situation immediately.

How will I know that my registration materials have been submitted to you?

Once you complete the registration, you will receive an autogenerated copy of your answers at the e-mail address you provide on this form.

Invoice - How and when to pay:

Once you register, you will receive an invoice (usually within a day or so). To keep your spot reserved, please pay invoice upon receipt or contact me.

Ready to join me?

*****This form has seven sections. You'll know you've completed and sent the form if you receive an email copy of your answers. If you do not receive an email, it means the form was not received by me either.