Ignite Your Writing in the Educational Market: An In-person Retreat for Children’s Writers

August 20 - 23, 2026

Address: 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA 18443, USA

Horseshoe Cabins – $1,299.00
Private Back Cabins – $1,359.00
The Lodge – $1,299.00

Ignite Your Writing in the Educational Market: An In-person Retreat for Children’s Writers

Faculty: Sandra K. Athans, Mike Downs

Two Guest Editors: To-be-named-later

Tentative Schedule

Thursday, August 20

3:00 – 5:30 pm Arrival and check-in

5:30 – 7:00 pm Appetizers & Dinner

7:15 – 7:30 pm Introductions and welcome

7:30 – 8:00 pm Your Gateway to INCREDIBLE opportunity!

8:00 – 9:00 pm Socializing

Friday, August 21

8 – 9:00 am Breakfast

9 –9:30 am What is the Educational Market?

9:30 – 11:00 am Starting from Scratch: Resumes & Cover Letters

11:15 – 11:45 am Activity – Book Walk

12 – 1:00 pm Lunch

1 – 2:30 pm Composing a Captivating Writing Sample

2:45 – 3:30 pm A Deeper Dive into Teacher-Related-Materials

3:45 – 4:15 pm Activity – Leveling

4:15 – 5:00 pm Teacher-Related-Materials editor- Zoom presentation

5:15 – 6:15 pm Appetizers & Dinner

6:15 – 8:30 pm Free time for personal writing, socializing, informal small groups

Saturday, August 22

8 – 9:00 am Breakfast

9:00 – 10:15 am The Curious Process of Writing Nonfiction

10:30 –11:15 am The Importance of Using Mentor Texts

11:15 – 11:45 pm Activity – Noting observations to use from a mentor text

12 – 1:00 pm Lunch

1:00 – 2:30 pm The Secrets of Pitching and Writing Fiction

2:45 – 4:00 pm Individual Consultations & Writing Time (10 min)

4:15 – 5:15 pm *Live Guest Editor* (in-person socializing through the evening)

5:30 – 7:00 pm Appetizers & Dinner

7:00 – 9:00 pm Individual Consultations & Writing Time (editor avail)

Sunday, Aug 23

8 – 9:00 am Breakfast

9 – 10:00 am Poetry and Verse

10 – 10:30 am Making Connections and Building Relationships

10:45 – 11:30 Wrap-up and Q & A

11:30 – noon Break

12 – 1:00 pm Lunch and Farewells

In-person 4-Day/3-Night Custom Working Retreat

The Educational Market is your GATEWAY to INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY! How would you like to write biographies, career books, or nonfiction STEM? Perhaps you’d prefer a fictional series, a novel in verse, or humorous poetry. And for those with some background in education, the market for teacher-related-materials (lesson plans, test passages, etc) is immense! But to break in, you must know the nuances and rules of this rapidly changing educational market! That’s what you’ll learn from authors Sandra K. Athans and Mike Downs, who will show you how to catapult your writing career forward. They’ll share up-to-the-minute presentations explaining exactly how to break into this complex, expanding market. Enjoy lively presentations, targeted activities, and a personal 1:1 consultation. You’ll also have time to start your own submission packages and enjoy the camaraderie and community of fellow educational writers. This session includes a fantastic bonus – TWO EDITORS! One in-person and one via Zoom. Enjoy two live sessions with educational editors who can share their perspectives and are open to submissions!

This is an in-person retreat for writers from novice to advanced who want to break into the educational market.
This retreat is designed to jumpstart writing careers or reignite careers that have slowed over the years.
Personal 1:1 consultations will concentrate on the actual submission packages you’ll send to publishers.
Time for writing and socializing is built in, with faculty available for assistance and conversation.
Two current editors at educational publishing houses will give presentations and be available for Q & A. One in-person and one via Zoom.
No pre-submission required. Bring your computer and get ready to learn!
Lodging and meals are included.
Begins at 5:30pm Eastern on Thursday, August 20,
Ends after lunch on Sunday, August 23, 2026

Why This Workshop?

Discover a multitude of amazing opportunities in the Educational Market for children. Attendees will learn how to pitch and sell books of fiction, nonfiction, verse and poetry as well as a vast array of teacher-related-materials such as lesson plans and test passages. This 4 Day/3 Night custom retreat is hosted by Sandra K. Athans and Mike Downs – writing professionals who have sold into every facet of this marketplace. They will explain the current, up-to-date nuances and secrets of this complex and rapidly changing market.

Dig into:

Educational vs. Trade Markets
Types of manuscripts: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, verse, reader’s theater
Teacher-Related-Materials – a great fit for current and retired educators and librarians
Preparing your submission packets, résumés, and query letters
Pitching Fictional Series
Much More!

You’ll engage in faculty lectures, and Q&A sessions, explore resources, and complete writing activities.

This workshop includes a 10 minute 1:1 consultation, where you’ll ask individual questions about your journey into the educational market, and share materials that you’ve crafted for your submission packet.

It’s a Great Fit If:

You are seeking ways to break into publishing and want to learn more about the incredible opportunities that educational markets have to offer.
You’re an educator with any type of background working with Current and retired teachers, assistants, and librarians are perfect candidates for entering this market.
You are a writer who wants to begin or reignite your writing career. Educational publishing companies need you!
You want to interact with current editors in the educational market. You desire the opportunity to learn a publisher’s perspective and the have the ability to submit your work.
You’re searching for other writers like you! Enjoy the camaraderie and support of fellow writers and instructors who are all on the same journey.

Categories : Custom Retreat, Donations