Submit Your Work to Apply for the StoryHouse Juried Writers’ Retreat

Writing your book baby doesn’t have to be a solitary process. Join a community of similarly motivated authors, as you spend a long weekend focusing on your craft.

 
 

Join us for our upcoming retreat, a 4-night, 5-day intimate experience, where we’ll gather an intimate group of writers in a Napa Valley sanctuary to write, edit, workshop, relax and connect.

After 5 days and 4 nights in a quiet, creatively inspiring locale, you’ll be amazed at the exponential forward progress your writing will make.

Upcoming Retreat:

February 2026, Napa Valley, California

Lead by:

  • Founder and Developmental Editor, Felice Laverne

  • Guest Agent-In-Residence - Noelle Falcis Math of Transatlantic Literary Agency

We are accepting 6-10 writers for this retreat to keep the communal atmosphere intimate. If you are not accepted to this retreat, you may be waitlisted for either this retreat or the next retreat. Writers who’ve attended a StoryHouse Writers’ Retreat within the past 12 months do not have to go through the juried selection process again. Simply apply and book your room within 30 days. (The prompt may still ask you to submit 20 pages.)

Important Dates:

Oct 29 – Full announcement of upcoming retreat dates & the application process opens.

Nov 30 – Application window closes.

Dec 4 – Acceptance & waitlist emails go out.

Jan 4 - Deadline to book your room + Writers turn in their 20 pages for workshopping.

Feb 4 – Arrive at the retreat!

Feb 8 – Retreat departure.

Fees:

Non-refundable application fee - $25

Retreat Pricing:

All retreat packages are all-inclusive of accommodation, meals, beverages, and retreat activities.

  • Premium suite, with gorgeous 180-degree views of the vineyard, deluxe bath and walk-in closet - $5950

  • Private bedroom with bath and furnished balcony for lounging- $5500

  • Shared room package (you + 1 roommate) - $3400-3600

  • Shared room package (you + 3 roommates) - $3100

You will book your travel to the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) separate and independent of booking your retreat package. You can also fly into SFO or OAK to avoid layovers, but the ride from that airport to the retreat venue will be longer.

Reminder: If attendees have not booked their room by January 4, their spot will be given to a waitlist applicant.

Thank you so much for your interest in StoryHouse Writers’ Retreats.

Writing at home is wonderful, but a writers’ retreat is a different kind of marvelous…

Join us at our next retreat. We can’t wait to meet you.

Felice Laverne

 

FAQ

  • To honor the intimacy of our retreats, we ask that applicants submit a small fee—this helps ensure that those applying are truly ready to invest in their creative growth and join us in community.

  • StoryHouse retreats are designed as sacred spaces for writers to commune, reflect, and create alongside other like-minded women. To preserve that experience, we’re unable to accommodate additional guests or pets.

  • You’re welcome to submit any 20-page writing sample for the juried selection process. We recommend unpublished work so we can see your voice before editorial polish.

    Once accepted, you’ll have 30 days to submit the 20 pages you’d like workshopped at the retreat. You’ll be placed in a 3-5-person workshop group, and you’ll receive your peers’ submissions 30 days before arrival so you can read and prepare thoughtful feedback.

  • To make sure you receive the most resonant and informed feedback, we’ll thoughtfully group all attendees into two workshop circles—based on genre and style. You’ll receive your group assignment and peer submissions 30 days before the retreat, giving you time to read, reflect, and prepare

  • The jury will only consider 20 pages of your work for this juried selection process. If you submit less than 20 pages, then we may not be able to consider enough of your work to offer you acceptance to the retreat.

  • Yes, the beauty of this retreat is in the communing that you will be able to do with your fellow writers, uninterrupted by travel. This retreat is designed as a fully immersive experience—five days of uninterrupted creative communion. We will have several planned activities throughout the day and evening that will enhance the experience of your stay and deepen the bonds you forge with other writers while here.

  • We’ve got you covered! Upon acceptance, we will send out a short survey to gather our attendees’ dietary needs, so that everyone can enjoy the delicious food while they’re here.

  • Because our attendees will be arriving from all over—and flying into different airports—everyone will be responsible for arranging their own transportation to the retreat.
    The exact address of our estate will be shared in your acceptance email, so you’ll have everything you need to plan with ease. As always, I’m here if you need help coordinating or have questions about travel logistics.

  • Once you’ve selected your preferred room type—private ensuite or shared room—assignments will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. As room types fill, they’ll be removed from the booking page. We recommend booking early to secure your ideal setup.

Submit Your Application

 

IMPORTANT: By selecting the button above, you will be redirected to an Application Fee Payment Page. You must submit the $25 fee in order for your application and writing sample to be considered for the Story House Juried Writers’ Retreat.