Welcome to

GILDED

A craft & career Writing Mastery retreat set at the historic biltmore hotel in

Hollywood, California

September 16-20th, 2024

Highlights:

  • 4 days in Old Hollywood glamour!

  • Exclusive group access to Annika Patton, Director of Development at Temple Hill, a movie, TV, & book-to-movie production company for The Twilight series, The Fault in Our Stars, The Maze Runner, Love, Simon, The Hate U Give, & more!

  • Exclusive group access to ROOT LITERARY AGENTS Holly Root & Melanie Figueroa!

  • A 1920's Murder Mystery Party! (Dress up for a night of fun!)

  • 6 teaching intensives!

  • On-the-spot 1st Page Feedback!

What's in it forYou?

Gilded is more than just a retreat; it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience designed to propel your writing career to new heights. Here's what you can expect:

  • Depth of Teaching: A mastery retreat is all about going deep to learn the essentials needed to elevate your writing craft and transform your publishing career. Learn from industry veterans in both Hollywood and publishing who have decades of experience and track records of success!

  • Incredible Credentials: Our guest speakers include 

    • Sought-after literary agents Holly Root and Melanie Figueroa of Root Literary, who each have a roster of highly successful authors whose careers they’ve helped shape, including V.E. Schwab, Christina Lauren, Becky Albertalli, Alan Gratz, Rachel Hawkins, and Sarah MacLean!

    • Annika Patton, the Director of Development at Temple Hill, the production company behind the book-to-movie adaptations of the Twilight series, The Fault in Our Stars, The Hate U Give, Love, Simon, and many more! 

    • Award-winning, best selling authors and entrepreneurs Mary Weber and C.J. Redwine who together have over 20 years experience with publishing, marketing, and teaching.

  • Fabulous Fun in Hollywood: Immerse yourself in the creative ambiance of Hollywood, surrounded by fellow writers and creatives, while enjoying the luxurious setting of the Biltmore Hotel!

Step into the glamor of old Hollywood at Gilded, an exclusive mastery retreat hosted by The Writer’s Sanctuary! Join us at the historic Biltmore Hotel, nestled in the heart of Los Angeles and dripping with Hollywood glamor. Perfect for writers at every stage of their career, Gilded offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain insider knowledge on positioning your work to get noticed by production companies as well as how to strategically use today’s publishing options to your best advantage. Network with top-tier Hollywood and publishing professionals, all while honing your writing skills in a setting steeped in vintage charm and creativity.

~ Connect with Top Tier Industry Talent

~ Elevate Your Craft

~ Transform Your Career

Schedule

September 16-20th, 2024

Monday, September 16

  • Opening Night: Welcome, appetizers, ice breaker game

Tuesday, September 17

  • 9am-10am: Continental breakfast

  • 10am-11:30am: Golden Age of Publishing Opportunities: Literary agents Holly Root & Melanie Figueroa of Root Literary will join us in conversation as they focus on diverse publishing options and discuss the current market and the best strategies to use in building a career today. With nearly 40 decades of cumulative experience in publishing, a roster of incredibly successful writers, and a host of contacts in film, audio books, and international publishing, Holly and Melanie bring a strong foundation of expertise and a sharp instinct for helping authors turn their writing into a viable, exciting career.

  • 11:30am-2pm: Lunch*

  • 2pm-3pm: Red Carpet Book Launch: Teach attendees how to launch their books successfully.

  • 3pm-5pm: Writing Session (Go off on your own or participate in our Vintage Glamour Writing Prompts: Use vintage photographs, film posters, or snippets of old Hollywood gossip columns as inspiration for a short story or novel idea!)

  • 5pm-9pm: Dinner*

  • 9pm-10pm: Coffee, tea, and dessert in the retreat suite

Wednesday, September 18

  • 9am-10am: Continental breakfast

  • 10am-11:30am: Studio Spotlight: In conversation with Annika Patton who will be answering YOUR questions about the current book-to-screen adaptation market, how to pitch your material and get noticed, how to work with Temple Hill and other production companies, and other Hollywood-related questions you may have! Annika is the Director of Development at Temple Hill, a production company that produces a wide range of emotionally-driven movies, TV shows, and books, and is responsible for the following book-to-movie adaptations:

    • The Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer, John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and Paper Towns, The Maze Runner series by James Dashner, Becky Albertalli’s Love, Simon, and Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give and On the Come Up

  • 11:30am-2pm: Lunch*

  • 2pm-3pm: Set the Scene Workshop: Learn the secrets behind creating lush and evocative settings that transport your readers into your story world and leave them excited to tell their friends about the book they just have to read!

  • 3pm-5pm: Writing Session (Go off on your own or participate in our Hollywood Remake Writing Prompts: Take two popular movies in different genres and combine them into a new short story or novel idea!)

  • 5pm-9pm: Dinner*

  • 9pm-10pm: Coffee, tea, and dessert in the retreat suite 

Thursday, September 19

  • 9am-10am: Continental breakfast

  • 10am-11:30am: Cinematic Plot Twists: Dive into the art of crafting unexpected plot twists. Analyze famous novels and films known for their surprising turns and learn how to incorporate similar elements into your own writing. This session will help you keep readers on the edge of their seats and add depth to your storytelling.

  • 11:30am-2pm: Lunch*

  • 2pm-3pm: Write Like a Star: Group mentorship mastermind--get on-the-spot feedback on your first page by Mary and C.J. and learn from the critiques of your fellow writers as well!

  • 3pm-4pm: Writing Session (Go off on your own or participate in our Kill Your Darlings Writing Prompts: Draw three famous movie characters out of a hat and write a story where one is the killer, one is the detective, and one is the dead body!)

  • 4pm-7pm: Dinner*

  • 7pm-10pm: Murder Mystery Party (Come as your assigned character and enjoy some special treats as you try to solve the mystery!)

Friday, September 20

  • Optional Play Day (Universal $129) “Movie studios! Famous Film Sets!”

    *Attendees are welcome to explore local restaurants or bring their food to eat in their rooms for all lunches and dinners.

Featured Workshops & Guest Speaker Talks:

Golden Age of Publishing Opportunities: Literary agents Holly Root and Melanie Figueroa of Root Literary will delve into diverse publishing options and the current market. With nearly 40 years of combined experience, they’ll guide you through the best strategies to build a successful career today. Their extensive network of contacts in film, audiobooks, and international publishing provides a strong foundation for turning your writing into a viable, exciting career. This session is essential for understanding the current market and how to navigate it effectively.

Red Carpet Book Launch: Learn how to successfully launch your book and make a lasting impression. This workshop will cover the key elements of a standout book launch, from planning and promotion to engaging your audience. By the end, you’ll have the tools and knowledge to ensure your book release is a grand event that captures attention and drives sales!

Studio Spotlight: Annika Patton, Director of Development at production company Temple Hill, will answer your questions about the book-to-screen adaptation market. Gain insights into pitching your material, getting noticed by production companies, and working with industry giants like Temple Hill. Annika’s experience with adaptations like The Twilight series, The Fault in Our Stars, and The Maze Runner series makes this an invaluable session for writers looking to break into film and TV.

Set the Scene Workshop: Discover the secrets behind creating lush and evocative settings that transport your readers into your story world. Learn techniques to craft immersive environments that captivate your audience and leave them eager to read more of your work. This workshop will elevate your descriptive skills and enhance the overall impact of your writing!

Cinematic Plot Twists: Dive into the art of crafting unexpected plot twists. Analyze famous novels and films known for their surprising turns and learn how to incorporate similar elements into your own writing. This session will help you keep readers on the edge of their seats and add depth to your storytelling!

Write Like a Star: Participate in a group mentorship mastermind where you’ll receive on-the-spot feedback on your first page from industry experts C.J. Redwine and Mary Weber. Learn from the critiques of your fellow writers and gain valuable insights to refine your craft. This collaborative session fosters growth and improvement, helping you polish your work to professional standards!

Network with Industry Leaders

Gilded provides a unique platform to network with top-tier literary agents, Hollywood professionals, bestselling authors, and a community of talented, savvy writers who are ready to grow their careers. The intimate setting and focused sessions allow for meaningful interactions, helping you build valuable connections and relationships. 

Whether you’re looking to publish your book, adapt it for the screen, or simply improve your craft, the relationships you build at Gilded will be transformative!

Join us at Gilded for an unforgettable retreat that combines top-tier professional development, valuable networking opportunities, and the enchantment of Hollywood. This is your golden opportunity to learn from the best, immerse yourself in the world of film and publishing, and see a world of possibilities open up for you.

Spots are extremely limited, and once they’re gone, we won’t be opening more.

(We also will nOT have day passes for this retreat.)

PLEASE NOTE:

Retreat Cost is $600 and includes all teachings, mentorship, continental breakfast, & dessert.

Not Included: Attendees are responsible for the purchase of their own hotel rooms, lunches, & dinners.

To rent your hotel at the Biltmore, you can visit HERE or HERE.

We can’t wait to see you in Hollywood!


Please note - all spots have been filled at this time. If you’d like to be added to the wait list, please Out This Form.

* Due to policy, all Writer’s Sanctuary events are non-refundable

~Ani’a Dutton, fantasy author

“The Writer’s Sanctuary is a rare gift. Mary & C.J. have cultivated a caring community that eradicates what can be a very lonely career. With humor and kindness they share their vast experience, guide you in the grittier aspects of publishing, and approach everything with 100% authenticity. After every conference and online workshop, I have walked away with new knowledge and friends. Mary & C.J. hold up candles to light the way for the rest of us, and I am so grateful for everything they have poured into the lives of those involved in the TWS group!”

~Becky Gaines, author of The Soul Crier

“What I love most about TWS is how much information Mary and C.J. pack into their events. Even as an author who is no longer interested in pursuing a traditional publishing career, there's still great info I can apply to my indie path when it comes to writing, editing, and marketing a book. I also appreciate how they take a longterm view of things. They really want you to build a successful writing career.”

“TWS events are amazing, and I always learn something new. I love that they teach things many conferences do not and that the presenters are open and honest in their teachings and discussions. There’s plenty of humor and everyone is accepting and friendly. Ten out of ten. Will attend events again!”

~Joan Stradling, writer of magical things

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Code of Conduct

The Writer’s Sanctuary is dedicated to an experience that is free from discrimination and harassment for every person. We have a zero-tolerance policy regarding discrimination and harassment in any form toward any of our participants, at our retreats and in the online and in-person forums. This includes unwelcome and inappropriate sexual, racist, bigoted, or threatening comments or attention, touching, stalking, photographs, intimidation, or coercion – or discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, political affiliation, sex, gender, sexual orientation, nation of origin, disability, or age. Any retreat participants who violate this code may be sanctioned or expelled immediately without refund. If you are the victim of harassment or should a complaint arise at this event, please contact our staff here .