Opening remarks (and toast!) from Wade, and class outline/schedule handed out to attendees. Attendee introductions and brief description of what defines you and your passion to write. Welcome from Gary, Wade's partner, including overview of Saugatuck-Douglas, Michigan.

Greeting of Guests
Crudites with dill and ranch
International Cheese platter
Bruschetta
Grilled Shrimp topped with Mango salsa served on Chinese spoons
Mini croissant with chicken salad
Zucchini Cakes
Mini pulled pork sliders

Local Wines
International Teas, Coffee, Water & Soda

3-Course Breakfast - Sample Menu

Eggs Napoleon (eggs on a puffed pastry
topped with house made cheese sauce)
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Strawberry & Blueberry Parfait
International Teas, Coffee, Water & Soda

Facing Your Fear & Finding Your Voice

Fear is what stops most people from pursuing their passion and following their dreams. Fear is also what inhibits most authors from writing what calls to them, and keeps them from finding their voice. Fear is, too often, a writer's worst and final editor. Wade will lead participants through an in-depth discussion on fear, how it is intertwined with writing, and how it nearly stopped him. He will share examples of his early work, and how his overcoming of fear – in his life and in his writing – was the final piece of the puzzle that hanged his work and his voice forever, and led him to become a bestselling author.

Wade will also teach how to unleash your true writer's voice. Whether writing your first novel, mystery, or memoir, " voice" is the key to success, and the one thing every agent, editor and publisher is seeking. Before you write a word, you must first know NOT what you want to say but HOW you want to say it. Voice – not topic – is what sets every writer apart and serves as his or her greatest chance of success.

Wade will lead participants through an intensive, emotional and often life-changing writing exercise that links these two vital elements: How you can overcome your fear and find your own unique voice. Come prepared to write. To share. To laugh. And to cry.

Picnic Style Harvest Lunch

Luncheon: served poolside (weather permitting)

Finish Sharing Exercises From Morning " Fear" Exercise

Agents, Editors & Publishers, Oh, My!
The Wizard's secrets to finding your yellow brick road to the literary world!

You have a manuscript, but it doesn't have a home. Or, at least, you are working on a manuscript, and you dream of being published. Publishing sources report that 99.9 percent of all queries to literary agents are rejected. And you thought writing was the hard part? So what makes the perfect elevator pitch? The perfect query letter? How do you beat the odds, and become part of that elite group?

Wade will teach participants how to craft the perfect query by sharing his original query, which landed seven formal offers, as well as those of some of his bestselling author-friends. Learn how to approach agents, and secure a reputable literary agent who can sell your work to a major publisher.

Wade will also walk participants through life after your book is published:
What to expect when working with a major editor and publisher, how to market yourself, blog and deliver your own publicity. Specifically, Wade will teach what it's like to work with an editor, publishing today (the realities, challenges, and wonders), and how to be your own publicist, a necessity in the world today.

BIG, BIG, BONUS: The highlight of Friday's afternoon session will feature a conference call with Wendy Sherman, Wade's literary agent and head of her own NYC boutique agency, Wendy Sherman Associates, Inc. Wendy will talk about what agents do, why they are the gatekeepers in publishing, how to get their attention (you have only a few seconds), how to be successful, and how to make a career as a full-time author. Wendy will also answer your questions.

Wendy Sherman is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of publishing experience, and her agency represents a select list of New York Times and internationally bestselling authors as well as literary wonders, including PEN/Hemingway winners. Wendy has held senior executive positions at Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, and Henry Holt. During her tenure at these major publishing houses, she served as Director of Subsidiary Rights, Director of Marketing, and Director of Sales, as well as, most recently, Vice President, Associate Publisher, and Executive Director of Publishing at Henry Holt. She became a literary agent when she joined the Aaron Priest Agency. With a desire to work more closely with writers, and have a key role in the development and management of their careers, she founded Wendy Sherman Associates, Inc. in 1999. Wendy is a board member of the Association of Authors Representatives (AAR) and a member of The Women's Media Group.

Free Time to Write, Express, Talk, Wonder & Relax

Join Wade & Gary for Dinner at the Inn Dinner & " Open Mic"
Participants are encouraged to share pieces (2-5 minutes) of their current works in progress.
Wine will make it soooo much easier.

3-Course Breakfast - Sample Menu

Eggs Napoleon (eggs on a puffed pastry
topped with house made cheese sauce)
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Strawberry & Blueberry Parfait
International Teas, Coffee, Water & Soda

Facing Your Fear & Finding Your Voice

We start this day with more writing. Your writing. Please bring a completed manuscript, or a work in progress, and we will focus on it for one hour this morning. The goal: What my author friends on Twitter call " 1k1h". You will spend the first, fresh hour this morning – overlooking the beautiful harbor of Saugatuck – inspired and writing. The goal? One thousand words in one hour. No thinking. Just writing. The oldest advice in the, pardon the pun, book is this: You will never finish if you don' t write. So, find your focus and your rhythm with this special time.

From there, Wade will conduct a joint teaching and open Q&A session, with a prime focus on your work(s) in progress. In essence, now that you've found your voice, you need to find your way to the end. In addition to loads of courage, talent and time, you need structure. What makes a compelling plot? How do you create tension and compelling characters? How do you tackle a memoir? How do successful writers channel that narrative flow?

Wade will share his tips and creative exercises for perfecting your work and completing it, focusing on:

• Characterization
• Dialogue
• Tension
• Plot flow
• Beginning a memorable work (How to create the " first-page pop" … and keep that going)
• Narrative Flow
• Humor

After Wade discusses each point, he will stop and ask you where you are stuck, or in need of help, in your particular work. He will also share – and ask you to share – pieces of his and your work, as examples to the class of compelling characterization, or damn good dialogue. A great class experience, that combines teaching, and group thinking.

Boxed Lunch

After lunch you will take a private shuttle bus tour courtesy of Gary. A fun- filled sightseeing tour of the Lake Michigan Shoreline as well as the boutique villages of Saugatuck & Douglas . After the tour, head back to the Inn for some writing time or hang out with Gary as he takes you to some of his favorite shops!

**Saturday Night Dinner is on your own (not included in Package)
Time for you to venture out and enjoy what Saugatuck/Douglas have to offer.

Our Top Suggestions:

Everyday People Cafe, Douglas
Wild Dog, Douglas
Wicks Park, Saugatuck
Phil's, Saugatuck

Dinner on the town (Not included in Retreat Price)

3-Course Breakfast - Sample Menu

Eggs Napoleon (eggs on a puffed pastry
topped with house made cheese sauce)
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Strawberry & Blueberry Parfait
International Teas, Coffee, Water & Soda