A Hands-on Experience for Every Christian Author Who is Writing a Book

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!

Meet the Leaders

• 

  Edie Melson

  Director/Author/Social Media Expert

  Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers experiencing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking about faith, writing, or social media, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” Her reputation as an online expert is well-deserved. Her blog reaches thousands and has been on the Writer’s Digest Top 101 Sites for Writers since 2017. In her role as social media coach she’s worked with clients that range from authors and speakers to business and ministry leaders. Her bestselling eBook on this subject, has been updated, expanded and re-released with co-author DiAnn Mills as Social Media for Today’s Writer. She’s the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and author of numerous books. She’s quick to remind those she meets about the practical and personal applications of God’s infinite love. Visit her online at www.EdieMelson.com

   

• 

  Lynette Eason

  Assistant Director/Literary Agent

  Lynette Eason is the best-selling, award-winning author of over sixty-five books. Many have appeared on the USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and Parable bestseller lists. Lynette teaches at writing conferences all over the country, but when she’s not plotting and writing her next story, she’s hard at work as an agent for the Steve Laube Agency.

  Lynette is looking to represent a wide variety of fiction including, but not limited to, romantic suspense, thrillers, mysteries, speculative fiction, historical, women’s contemporary, YA, and writers targeting the Love Inspired suspense lines. I’m also interested in YA non-fiction and may be interested in some adult non-fiction, depending on the topic. For fun, Lynette enjoys hanging out with her family and putting her photography skills to good use. You can find more about Lynette at www.lynetteeason.com and www.stevelaubeagency.com

• 

  Kara Swanson

  Keynote, Best-selling Author

  Kara Swanson writes stories about fairytales and fiery souls. She spent her childhood a little like a Lost Girl, running barefoot through lush green jungles which inspired her award-winning Peter Pan retellings, DUST and SHADOW.

  She is also the co-founder of the Author Conservatory (authorconservatory.com) where she has the honor of teaching young writers to craft sustainable author careers.

  You’ll find Kara with her toes in California sand as a SoCal resident, belting Broadway show tunes on weekend drives to Disneyland with her delightfully-nerdy husband, or chatting about magic and mayhem on Instagram (@karaswansonauthor).

  karaswanson.com

• 

  Kate Huff

  Newsletter and Book Launch Team Expert

  Kate Huff is a storyteller at heart and loves finding Gospel elements in all stories, especially fairytales. She believes fairytales that explain the Gospel in clear and captivating ways have the power to change the world, one person at a time. Her first manuscript is currently with an agent, and she’s working on her second novel along with a few non-fiction projects.

  Kate works as a freelance content writer and newsletter specialist. She has over twenty years of experience crafting content, specifically newsletters, across diverse sectors, including non-profits, sales, and fundraising. She helps authors and entrepreneurs create compelling newsletters that connect with their audiences and offers tailored content creation services, as well as training on how to build newsletters and grow subscriber bases.

  You can find her at www.kateoliviahuff.com or on most socials as @kateoliviahuff. Sign up for Newsletters Made Simple for Authors at https://rebrand.ly/Newsletters-Made-Simple for simple tips to take your newsletter from good to great!

• 

  Vincent B. Davis II

  Author

  Vincent B. Davis II is an author, entrepreneur, speaker, and soldier. His first novel “The Man with Two Names” was published in July 2017, and has since become an Amazon International Best Seller. He is passionate about helping authors improve their brand and platform. He created Warrior Book Marketing Group in 2018 and now works with publishing companies and individual clients to help them sell more books in the modern publishing environment.