Northern California Writers’ Retreat

workshopping + publishing insights + community

For more than ten years, Northern California Writers’ Retreat has gathered together aspiring fiction authors, Guest Literary Agents, and Authors-in-Residence to write, workshop, relax, and build community.

We offer two different retreat experiences per year and would love to have you join us!

Poppy: Our publishing retreat, offered every spring, includes in-depth workshopping led by two Guest Literary Agents and an Editor, as well as an Author-in-Residence to act as mentor.

Quail: Our craft retreat, offered every fall, focuses on time and space to create while learning from an Author-in-Residence through craft talks and workshopping groups where work is read aloud for immediate feedback every afternoon.

Depending on what you’re looking for in a retreat, we hope you’ll find the perfect fit in one of our offerings.

No matter which retreat you choose, after our time together, you will have had peace and serenity to make forward progress in your writing, learned more about navigating the publishing industry, deepened your understanding of craft, and become a part of a vibrant community of promising fiction writers with serious publishing ambitions.

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Creative Fiction Writing Workshops & Speaking Sessions

Enjoy daily writing workshops in small groups led by our publishing professionals.

During our lunches at the Poppy Retreats, we’ll talk about the path to publication and how to publish a book, covering all aspects of the business from how to get a book agent, from understanding the role of a literary agent, working with an editor, marketing and publicizing your book, etc. During our Quail Retreat, our lunches will be focused on craft talk, allowing our Author-in-Residence to share their knowledge, as well as tips and inspiration.

People sit around a table with their laptops an notes and chat during a creative writing workshop and speaking session

Majestic wooden building among various bushes, trees and gardens, Northern California Writers Retreat Center at Hidden Valley

Write in a Tranquil, Private Space

Set below the Santa Lucia Mountains, the retreat is held at Hidden Valley, an Institute of the Arts, in peaceful Carmel Valley, California. You may have read about it in the New York Times or the Los Angeles Times. A beautiful and tranquil place, we are the only residents for the four nights and five days. Writers will each have their own room with a bathroom ensuite, and all meals will be prepared for them.

This space provides our writers with plenty of distraction-free, dedicated writing time.

Woman writer sits cross-legged in a comfy chair with her headphones on writing

Find Creative Flow

Every day, an hour of yoga will be taught at the on-site yoga studio by Gemma Peterson (mats and blocks provided!). Enjoy plenty of stretches to revitalize and renew!

A massage therapist will also be available on site for writers to book treatment. (Massage services are not included in the retreat fee.)

On two of our afternoons at the writing retreat, we’ll have live piano music in the theater for you to write to, if you like, or to simply enjoy.

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Author Carinn Jade with her book The Astrology House

“Since my first retreat six years ago, I have relied on the women I met at NCWR for comforts big and small. Make no mistake, this community carries far beyond your days together in nature. They have seen me through losing an agent, getting a new agent, and signing my dream publishing deal. I cannot recommend this retreat – and its fearless Virgo leader, Heather – enough.”

— Carinn Jade, Author of The Astrology House

Zakiya Dalila Harris with her book The Other Black Girl

“Carving out time away from home to focus on your writing is not only useful—it can be essential. As a procrastinator myself, NorCal Writers’ Retreat kept me focused on my writing instead of thinking about trivial Everyday Life Things like what to eat for dinner or breakfast, or how I’m going to get my hands on some coffee. But it also kept me grounded on a wavelength level, too. It’s based in a peaceful, idyllic area rife with natural beauty that feels completely separate from the rest of the world. And it’s filled with other writers who are there for the same reason: they have a passion for writing, and a story they really want to tell…I feel so fortunate to have been an author-in-residence there.”

— Zakiya Dalila Harris, New York Times bestselling author of The Other Black Girl

Author Sarah Chamberlain, alum of Northern California Writers' Retreat, with her book The Slowest Burn

“Northern California Writers’ Retreat was my first-ever writing retreat, and it made all the difference in the world to my practice and to my career. There is nothing better than having the time and space to write, other keen writers to compare notes with, and seasoned industry professionals to demystify the publishing journey and connect with for future prospects. I can say with great confidence that I wouldn’t be about to be published now without all the encouragement I received at that first retreat.”

— Sarah Chamberlain, Author of The Slowest Burn

Author Rufi Thorpe with her published novels

“Being an Author-in-residence, Heather encouraged me to openly discuss topics that had seemed completely verboten to me: money and sales numbers and print runs. Far from feeling invasive, these questions felt freeing and in our discussions I wound up learning a lot about publishing myself, asking questions even I, a published author, had been too scared to ask anyone. What Lazare is doing with the Northern California Writer’s Retreat is rare and invaluable. She has an incredible understanding of the industry and is operating in the most ethical fashion imaginable. She makes an MFA seem like snake oil.”

— Rufi Thorpe, author of Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Author JJ Elliot, alum of Northern California Writers' Retreat, with her book There Are No Rules For this

“I came away from The Northern California Writer’s Retreat with a world of wisdom, friendship, connection, and insight on top of bountiful writing time. I met two writers who would go on to be my years-long writing partners, one who I would hire to copyedit my novel, one who helped me navigate the agent search, and a wonderful group I know I can continue to count on for support and advice. It’s one of the best things I’ve done on my novel writing journey.”

— JJ Elliott, Author of There Are No Rules For This

Author Kirsten Chen with her book Counterfeit, Author in Residence of Northern California Writers Retreat 2023

“What an absolute delight to spend time at Northern California Writers’ Retreat. Heather has built a truly special community—warm, supportive, rigorous, and fun! Any writer would be lucky to be here.”

— Kirstin Chen, New York Times bestselling author of Counterfeit

Author Jaclyn Westlake with her book Dear Dotty

“The Northern California Writer’s Retreat was instrumental in my becoming a published author. The supportive community and expert guidance from founder Heather Lazare, the author and agents in residence, and my fellow writers provided invaluable insights into navigating the publishing world and helped me to get my manuscript in querying shape. I truly don’t know where I’d be without this retreat. If you’re a writer seeking to elevate your craft and career, I highly recommend it!”

— Jaclyn Westlake, Author of Dear Dotty

Author Chloe Benjamin with her books The Immortalists and The Anatomy of Dreams, Author in Residence of Northern California Writers Retreat 2020 and 2024

“Writing is one thing, but publishing is quite another–and Heather Lazare’s Northern California Writers’ Retreat brilliantly joins the two. Participants have the chance to write and workshop in a gorgeous, poppy-strewn landscape while also engaging with a thoughtfully-chosen group of industry professionals. With a Guest Agent (or two), an Author-in-Residence, and Heather herself–an experienced editor–participants have access to peer support and industry expertise. The conversations are candid, and the sense of community extends long beyond the retreat. NCWR is good for both the career and the soul, a truly magical combination.”

— Chloe Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Immortalists and The Anatomy of Dreams

Author Sarah Cypher, alum of Northern California Writers' Retreat, with her book The Skin and Its Girl

“Writing fiction has always been part of my life, and before going to the Northern California Writers Retreat, I’d been to an eye-crossing number of conferences, formal and informal workshops, isolated retreats, pitch fests, and classes. What NCWR does better than anywhere else is balance: between creative, restorative, and social time, and between the craft and the business of writing. And by being small, it creates an inclusive, feminist space for attendees to get to know the guest authors and agents as people. Of course the time was productive and helped my project, but what I really treasure about NCWR is that it helped me get back in touch with the joy of writing in community.”

— Sarah Cypher, Author of The Skin and Its Girl

Author Anna Bliss, alum of Northern California Writers' Retreat, with her book Bonfire Night

“Before attending the Northern California Writers’ Retreat in 2019, I knew nothing about how to get a book published and no one in the industry had ever looked at my work. I left my first retreat with twenty thoroughly workshopped pages, a daunting but clear roadmap to getting published, and a community of smart and generous writers from around the world. At my second retreat, in 2021, I met my agent. I cannot think of a better foundation than the NCWR for a writer who is serious about becoming a professional author.”

— Anna Bliss, Author of Bonfire Night

Previous Authors-in-Residence

Xochitl Gonzalez

2025 Author-in-Residence Xochitl Gonzalez is the New York Times bestselling author of Anita de Monte Laughs Last, a Reese's Book Club Pick, and the award-winning Olga Dies Dreaming, named a Best of 2022 by The New York Times, TIME, Kirkus, Washington Post, and NPR....

Alka Joshi

2025 Author-in-Residence + 2021 Virtual Author-in-Residence Alka Joshi is the internationally bestselling author of the Jaipur Trilogy: The Henna Artist, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur and The Perfumist of Paris. Her debut novel, The Henna Artist, immediately became a...

Janet Skeslien Charles

2025 Author-in-Residence Janet Skeslien Charles is a New York Times and international bestselling author whose work has been translated into 37 languages. Her shorter work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, The Sydney Morning Herald, and Montana Noir. Originally...

View All Past Literary Agents & Authors-in-Residence

Join Us For Our Next Northern California Writers’ Retreat!

Writing time, workshopping, publishing talk, inspiration, connection, and more

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