Details:

Limited Registration Space for 30-40: 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       

• Syrone Harvey, co-author of the Neecy and Nay Nay children’s book series and acquiring literary agent with Belcastro Agency
• Carter Hasewaga, former Candlewick editor and now acquiring agent at Tugeau 2 Art & Literary
• Jackie Kruize, acquiring literary agent (for retreat attendees) with Focused Artists

Authors

• Dianne White, award-winning picture book author of Green on Green, Blue on Blue, The Sharing Book and more!
• Kim Tomsic (that’s me!)

Bonus Learning: Classroom-Style Presentations: In addition to your workshop, you are also invited to attend 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, Theme, Thesis—Getting to the Heart of What Your Manuscript is Truly About”

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: For those booking a room on property, 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; walking trails, and serene writing spots throughout the grounds. If you don’t use free time for writing, you might also a hike at nearby Camelback Mountain or Piestewa Peak.

Date: April 10-12, 2026: arrive by noonish (exact schedule to come) on Friday and depart at 6:00pm-ish (details to come) on Sunday.

Meals: If you have a room meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you don’t have a room, retreat registration includes dinner Friday, lunch Saturday, dinner Saturday, lunch Sunday. Meals are served at the onsite dining room. We want you to have a chance to connect with one another! Gluten-free & dairy-free and vegan options will be available.

Lodging Details: Stay on-site to deepen your experience. Rooms are simple. There are a limited number of quiet single or double occupancy rooms available (some single rooms might be booked with two beds). You’ll book through me in the registration options, and I will follow up to confirm whether or not a room can be secured.

Retreat Registration: Includes 4 small-group workshops (5 or 6 writers + one faculty); 2 presentations; 1 panel. Group meals & beverages; access to the Writer’s Lounge stocked with beverages; and the full retreat experience. Price variations depending on if you are requesting a room with your reservation or not.

Partnership: This retreat is offered in partnership with the 501c3, Kids Need to Read. “Founded with a passion for improving the lives of disadvantaged children by providing inspiring book collections and engaging literacy programs to underfunded schools, libraries, and organizations across the nation, Kids Need to Read aspires to empower and embolden every last child through a culture of reading. For many of the children it serves, Kids Need to Read represents a crucial link to a strong literacy education, and its programs help build and nurture support systems for the development of literate minds. By immersing children in an integrated world of literary experiences that teaches them, firsthand, the impact of reading on every aspect of life, imagination is ignited and confidence is built for a prosperous future, regardless of race, economic status, or personal capabilities.” Read more about Kids Need to Read here.

Cost:

As mentioned above, this retreat is offered in partnership with the nonprofit organization, Kids Need to Read. This organization provides books to underserved children. Therefore, the cost of registration is comprised of the fee options below plus one book that you’ll donate to Kids Need to Read.

Options:

$1,269.00 includes retreat registration + two nights single-occupancy at Franciscan Renewal Center+ meals

$1,049.00 includes retreat registration + two nights roommate option at Franciscan Renewal Center (price per roommate) + meals

$829.00 no room – includes full retreat experience – registration and meals (*this is for those who live in town or are rooming elsewhere)

*There are no price adjustments available 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.

Ready to join me?
Write. Connect. Grow.
I’ll save your seat by the beautiful blue agave!

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 auto-generated copy of your answers at the e-mail address you provide on this form

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 the invoice upon receipt or contact me.

“This retreat isn’t just about writing. It’s about reigniting your purpose, nurturing your craft, and walking away with clarity and confidence.”  Kim Tomsic