September 13 - September 16 2026
Ridgecrest Conference Center
1 Ridgecrest Dr.
Black Mountain, NC
We are combining the Novelist Retreat and the Nonfiction Retreat into a single event—MOUNTAINSIDE BOOK INTENSIVE
Call 1-800-588-7222 to Register Today
Plan to join us September 13 – 16, 2026 for the Mountainside Book Intensive at Ridgecrest!
This intensive retreat has been redesigned to incorporate some of the tools every author (fiction or nonfiction) needs to succeed. There will also be craft specific workshops for fiction and nonfiction.
The only requirement to qualify for this event is that every attendee must be working on a book project. This is not a retreat for freelancing or other disciplines of writing.
There will also be significant time for attendees to write. This event is—what we believe—to be the perfect combination of instruction, encouragement, and writing time!
The Premise
What comes next with your writing? How do you sort through all the options and advice?
We have an answer for that!
It’s already been a busy—wonderful—year. I’ve read so many posts and emails about all the great conferences that have already happened. But another common theme with writers I meet with is their need to prioritized and decide where to focus their efforts.
That’s what Mountainside Book Intensive provides.
We offer a quiet setting—with lots of time for writing, meeting with professionals and especially meeting with God. Yes, there are some super valuable classes—for fiction writers and for nonfiction.
We have faculty who are experts in their fields—including an agent and an acquiring editor. And they are there for YOU.
Our schedule is set up for those who prefer to write in the mornings and also for those who prefer to write in the afternoons.
This is the place to come when you need a respite and some industry professionals to help you apply what you’ve learned.
It’s also an excellent place to come to get ready for the conferences still happening later in the fall.
Details
- Program Fee: $325 (will INCREASE TO $375 on August 17)
- Accommodations: $109 per night
- Meals: $138 (total of 9 meals, Sunday dinner through Wednesday lunch)
The Schedule
Sunday
1:00 – 3:00 Registration
3:15 – 3:30 Opening
3:45 – 4:00 Icebreaker
4:15 – 5:15
Continuing Class Fiction: Lynette – Brainstorm Your Fiction Book – Part 1`
Continuing Class Nonfiction: Edie – Refine Your Nonfiction Idea into a Book People Want to Read – Part 1
5:30 – 6:30 Supper
6:45 – 8:00 Opening Class/Big group session – Kate
Monday
7:15 – 8:15 Breakfast
8:30 – 10:15 Writing Time
10:30 – 10:45 Announcements & Devotion
10:45 – 11:45
Class Fiction: Vincent
Class Non-fiction: Larry
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 2:15
Continuing Class Fiction: Lynette – Brainstorm Your Fiction Book Part 2
Continuing Class Nonfiction: Edie – Refine Your Nonfiction Idea into a Book People Want to Read Part 2
2:30 – Dinner Writing Time
5:30 – 6:30 Dinner
6:45 – 7:30 Class/Big Group session: Vincent Davis
Tuesday
7:15 – 8:15 Breakfast
8:30 – 10:15 Writing Time
10:30 – 10:45 Announcements & Devotion
10:45 – 11:45
Class Fiction: Edwina
Class Nonfiction: Larry
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 2:15
Continuing Class Fiction: Lynette – Brainstorm Your Fiction Book Part 3
Continuing Class Nonfiction: Edie – Refine Your Nonfiction Idea into a Book People Want to Read Part 3
2:30 – Dinner Writing Time
5:30 – 6:30 Dinner
6:45 – 7:30 Class/Big group session: All Things Agenting: Lynette
Wednesday
7:15 – 8:15 Breakfast
8:30 – 8:50 Announcements & Devotional
9:00 – 9:30 Pack Your Car
9:30 – 10:45 Panel Discussion -Ask the faculty anything – Q&A Bring all your questions about craft, publishing, contracts and more.
- Larry Leech
- Edie Melson
- Lynette Eason
- Edwina Perkins
- Vincent Davis
- Kate Huff
11:00 – 11:45 Closing Class/Big group: Upgrade Your Digital Life: Edie
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
