FALL 2025
Quail Writers’ Retreat
September 17th-21st, 2025
Your Retreat Hosts
19 other writers, 1 Author-in-Residence, 1 Developmental Editor, 1 Workshop Leader, and YOU.
Welcome to our first ever Quail Retreat, a peaceful and relaxing five days and four nights of writing, workshopping, yoga, and community! You’ll take part in daily conversations about the craft of writing with New York Times bestselling author, Rachel Khong, and you’ll have the opportunity to workshop your pages aloud for feedback to a group lead by Rachel, editor Heather Lazare, or workshop leader Dauphiene Parks.
On Friday, we’ll enjoy a day of restoration and resetting at Buck Mountain, where we’ll practice yoga, participate in a sage and cacao ceremony, listen to beautiful music by talented artist Ksenia Luki, eat lunch under ancient oak trees, and unwind in the pool, hot tub, and sauna.
If you like, you have the opportunity to book an intuitive and relaxing massage with our on-site massage therapist who practices Esalen® massage.
The Quail Retreat is a new endeavor, gifting you uninterrupted writing time, spiritual connection, and the gift of community. If you’re a fiction writer who wants to write, read, and support others, please apply! We’d love to hear from you!
What’s included in the Retreat?

Daily reading workshops where participants share their work aloud for feedback

Dedicated, distraction-free writing time

Inspiring & informative craft talks over lunch

Private bedroom (with ensuite bathroom) & all meals

Yoga retreat day at Buck Mountain
What’s included in our day at Buck Mountain?

Yoga under the beautiful live oak tree with instructor Hermine Kraft

Performance by singer/songwriter Ksenia Luki

Time for writing, swimming, enjoying a hot tub and sauna

Sage cleansing and Cacao ceremony
What’s the daily schedule like?
Wednesday
Arrive anytime between 4-6PM to check in and get comfortable. We’ll eat dinner at 6PM and have a chance to get to know each other!
Thursday
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast anytime between 7:30-8:30AM, then grab a cup of coffee or tea and head to a table indoors or out with your laptop or notebook. You can also go back to your room and snuggle under the covers and dive into writing your next pages.
We’ll meet for lunch from 12-1:30PM when we’ll hear from Author-in-Residence Rachel Khong who will discuss the craft of writing. Pick up plenty of tips to revisit your writing through the afternoon.
At 2-3PM, live piano music to write to will be offered in the theater on the concert grand piano–a truly calming and inspirational experience!
From 4-6PM you’ll meet with your assigned workshop group and be able to share pages aloud for immediate feedback.
Friday
7:15-8:15 AM: Breakfast
8:15-8:45 AM: Drive and arrive at Buck Mountain
8:45 AM-3 PM: For these hours, we will be at Buck Mountain for a healing and spiritual yoga experience with Hermine Kraft.
Here’s what that day will look like:
9-10 AM: Intention setting and all-levels yoga practice outdoors under the beautiful Live Oak tree
10-10:15 AM: Short break
10:15-10:45 AM Sage cleansing and Cacao Ceremony
10:45-11 AM: Short break
11 AM: Private concert from a musical artist Ksenia Luki
12 PM: Lunch
12:30-3 PM: Free time to write, enjoy the pool, hot tub, and sauna
3-3:15 PM: Return to the retreat center
4-6 PM: Workshopping (with nibbles and beverages)
6-7 PM: Dinner
Saturday
We’ll follow the same schedule as Thursday today, with Rachel again speaking during lunch on craft.
You’ll have afternoon time to write and/or take a yoga class and/or get a massage. We’ll switch up our workshop leaders and partners again so you’ll be able to share with and learn from a new group.
Dinner tonight will be our final evening all together so we’ll have a goodbye toast as some writers will need to leave early Sunday morning!
Sunday
We’ll have breakfast and ask that you check out of your room by 10AM. You’re welcome to stay until 11AM.
What’s the application process & fees?
Application
All interested writers must apply via application and submit a personal statement. The application fee is $20. Participation is limited to twenty writers in order to ensure that everyone receives the individual attention they deserve.
Northern California Writers’ Retreat is only open to fiction writers. You must be 21+ to apply.
Deadlines
Applications close June 3rd.
We will get back to you with our decision on June 25th.
Fees & Fine Print
All rooms are SINGLE rooms with bathroom ensuite. The bathroom includes a toilet, sink, and shower stall. All linens and towels are provided by the retreat center.
$2,797 for 4 nights and 5 days, all meals, snacks, and beverages included.
Upon acceptance, we will require a $1000 non-refundable deposit.
Needs-based financial aid opportunities are only available for our Spring retreats; we will be announcing those retreat dates in August. Aid varies year-to-year and will be determined after application and acceptance. Fees paid to Northern California Writers’ Retreat are not charitable donations. Deposits and fees are not refundable. Travel expenses and transportation to and from NCWR are not included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Application Process & Fees
Can I share more than 400 words for my personal statement?
Because of the number of submissions we receive, we ask that you keep your statement within the word limit.
Do you offer financial aid?
Not for the Quail Retreat. For our Poppy Retreats (Spring 2026), we will offer financial aid. Aid varies year-to-year and will be determined after application and acceptance.
If I apply, am I guaranteed a spot?
Unfortunately we can’t accept every writer who applies as we have limited space. Please be sure to really tell us about yourself and your writing journey in your personal statement, emphasizing why this particular retreat appeals to you.
Why the $20 application fee?
We want to be sure that the writers who apply are serious about their writing and their intent of attending Northern California Writers’ Retreat.
What's the difference between the Quail and Poppy retreats?
Our new fall retreat, the Quail Retreat is focused on craft, generating new pages, and sharing your creations every afternoon by reading aloud with your workshop group. The Quail Retreat is also about connecting with your inner artist, and the time we spend at Buck Mountain will let you tune into the beautiful land and be inspired by moving your body, listening to live music, and having time to soak in the hot tub or pool. The Quail Retreat is perfect for the writer who needs time away from all their obligations and uninterrupted hours to delve into their writing. The yoga practice and day-long retreat at Buck Mountain is an essential part of the experience.
Our Poppy Retreats occur every Spring, with new retreats and dates announced in August. Poppy Retreats are publishing focused, featuring 1 Author-in-Residence, 2 Guest Literary Agents, and 1 Editor, to give you a well-rounded understanding of the publishing industry. We do written workshops of 20 pages submitted prior to the retreat, and workshops are facilitated by each literary agent and editor Heather Lazare. Our goal is to create community and bring together writers with similar publishing ambitions, and give them the tools to understand the next steps in their publishing journey.
Do I need to be working on fiction?
You are welcome to work on what you like while at the retreat, but during the oral workshopping in the afternoons we ask that you share your fiction.
I’m ready to apply!!
Wonderful! We are currently open for submissions, so please use the APPLY link to submit your personal statement.
Make sure to sign up for our newsletter & join the Book Journey Club, plus follow us on Instagram to get more information about future retreats and our Virtual Courses (check our upcoming ones out here!).
Do you offer financial aid?
If I apply, am I guaranteed a spot?
Can I share more than 400 words for my personal statement?
Why the $20 application fee?
Do I need to be working on fiction?
What's the difference between the Quail and Poppy Retreats?
Our new fall retreat, the Quail Retreat is focused on craft, generating new pages, and sharing your creations every afternoon by reading aloud with your workshop group. The Quail Retreat is also about connecting with your inner artist, and the time we spend at Buck Mountain will let you tune into the beautiful land and be inspired by moving your body, listening to live music, and having time to soak in the hot tub or pool. The Quail Retreat is perfect for the writer who needs time away from all their obligations and uninterrupted hours to delve into their writing. The yoga practice and day-long retreat at Buck Mountain is an essential part of the experience.
Our Poppy Retreats occur every Spring, with new retreats and dates announced in August. Poppy Retreats are publishing focused, featuring 1 Author-in-Residence, 2 Guest Literary Agents, and 1 Editor, to give you a well-rounded understanding of the publishing industry. We do written workshops of 20 pages submitted prior to the retreat, and workshops are facilitated by each literary agent and editor Heather Lazare. Our goal is to create community and bring together writers with similar publishing ambitions, and give them the tools to understand the next steps in their publishing journey.
I’m ready to apply!!
Wonderful! We are currently open for submissions, so please use the APPLY link to submit your personal statement.
Make sure to sign up for our newsletter & join the Book Journey Club, plus follow us on Instagram to get more information about future retreats and our Virtual Courses (check our upcoming ones out here!).
Retreat & Location
Can you tell me more about the location?
Northern California Writers’ Retreat takes place at Hidden Valley, an Institute of the Arts, in Carmel Valley, California–you may have seen it featured in the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. The Hidden Valley campus is a rustic, 10-acre site in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. All facilities and rooms are on the ground floor and easily accessible. It is walking distance to the shops and galleries of Carmel Valley Village. Should you have any questions about the property, please contact us.
Can I bring a guest?
I'm local, do I need to stay overnight?
Yes. Our retreat price is all-inclusive and your experience is further enhanced by being amongst community throughout your time here (plus you don’t have to go home and do dishes or cook!).
Can you accommodate special dietary needs?
What are the rooms like?
The vibe is very adult summer camp–rooms are simple, and each has a bathroom ensuite (with shower, toilet, and sink). All linens and towels are provided by the retreat center. Most rooms have two beds, though we’ll only have one writer in each room in order to allow everyone privacy and quiet. Our goal is to provide a peaceful, tranquil experience that both fosters community and respects the space needed to create.
Can you tell me more about the location?
Northern California Writers’ Retreat takes place at Hidden Valley, an Institute of the Arts, in Carmel Valley, California–you may have seen it featured in the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. The Hidden Valley campus is a rustic, 10-acre site in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. All facilities and rooms are on the ground floor and easily accessible. It is walking distance to the shops and galleries of Carmel Valley Village. Should you have any questions about the property, please contact us.
What are the rooms like?
The vibe is very adult summer camp–rooms are simple, and each has a bathroom ensuite (with shower, toilet, and sink). All linens and towels are provided by the retreat center. Most rooms have two beds, though we’ll only have one writer in each room in order to allow everyone privacy and quiet. Our goal is to provide a peaceful, tranquil experience that both fosters community and respects the space needed to create.
Can I bring a guest?
I'm local, do I need to stay overnight?
Yes. Our retreat price is all-inclusive and your experience is further enhanced by being amongst community throughout your time here (plus you don’t have to go home and do dishes or cook!).
Can you accommodate special dietary needs?
Join Us For Our Next Northern California Writers’ Retreat!
Writing time, workshopping, publishing talk, inspiration, connection, and more