"Mastering the Bookends" Writers' Retreat (2024)

Join us September 12–15, 2024 and enjoy lake living with a balance of activities and rest, including round table collaboration, blocks of time for writing, free time, fun activities, and writing instruction.

The focus of the retreat will be on crafting compelling beginnings and well-earned endings to your manuscripts—perfect for first-time writers to help get them started and for those who want to master the bookends! Each writer will have the opportunity to schedule private coaching with Cortney Donelson, ghostwriter, coach, and acquisitions editor, during the weekend. 

The retreat house is a 3,600-square-foot waterfront home on Smith Mountain Lake. It boasts three levels, a game room, a hot tub, a two-story dock, and plenty of nooks and deck/porch space to hide away for productive writing time. The address—along with details and room selection information—will be sent to writers upon registration and payment.

What's Included?

• Private bedroom with a king- or queen-sized bed
• Thursday evening reception with cocktails and mocktails
• Meals from Friday breakfast through Sunday breakfast (with the exception of dinner on Saturday evening, which will be out on our own or in small groups at restaurants of your choosing)
• Social Hour/Dessert on Saturday night
• Snacks, coffee, and tea throughout the weekend
• Daily writing instruction and round-tables
• One hour of private coaching
• Special gift for writers
• Parking
• Intimate space and attention for only FIVE writers
• Future discounts on vocem LLC services (including editing)

What's the Cost?

• Early Bird Registration: $999 (Save $150 until December 15, 2023)
• Standard Registration: $1149 (December 16, 2023–July 12, 2024)

What's Not Included?

• Thursday evening dinner before you check-in (please eat before you arrive)
• Alcohol purchased during the Friday night dinner IF off-site (more details later)
• Saturday evening dinner at the restaurant of your choosing
• Travel costs (airfare, car rentals, etc.)
• Transportation to/from the airport
• Additional activities, food, or beverages during your free time

Registration will be open September 15, 2023–July 12, 2024 or until full.

Airport Info:

Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is a 45-minute drive from the lake and has non-stop service to many major cities.

Lynchburg Regional Airport is about a one-hour drive from Smith Mountain Lake. All flights in/out of Lynchburg will involve a connection in Charlotte, NC, which is the airport's ONLY destination.

Cancellation Policy*:

Full cancellation (100% refund) will be available until noon (EST) on July 12, 2024 (with the exception of EventBrite fees); 75% refund is offered from noon on July 12–August 12, 2024, less EventBrite fees; a 25% refund, except for EventBrite fees, will be available after August 12, 2024.

*vocem, LLC reserves the right to cancel the weekend retreat for any reason (severe weather, restrictions due to national or global events, alien invasion, etc.) and will provide a full refund to those already registered, less EventBrite fees. vocem, LLC is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation for any cancelled retreat, such as canceled airline tickets, loss of work, and/or other costs associated with planning for your trip. We recommend all writers purchase trip insurance. Check out www.worldnomads.com as one option (we have not used nor do we endorse them).

Testimonials about vocem LLC, Founder Cortney Donelson, and our 2020 Retreat:

I can't even put into words how amazing Cortney is. I was hesitant to use a ghostwriter/writing coach, and she immediately put me at ease. I was blown away by how our ideas meshed and flowed. My book (which now has a publishing deal . . .) turned out more amazing than I ever thought it could. She is simply the best! —"A," client (fiction)

I was stretched out of my comfort zone during the writing exercises, forcing me to dig deep and grow my writing craft. During the one-on-one session, Cortney came right along side me, helping me brainstorm to find that thread to weave through my story. Besides being a safe place to learn from Cortney and the other writers, the retreat was also a great time to relax and get to know each other. —Becky, retreat-goer

It has been amazing working with Cortney, both professionally and personally. Personally, she is very approachable, caring, and patient. Professionally, she understood the vision of my book and put it together in a fantastic way. I couldn’t have done it without her. —Montse, client (memoir)