Retreats
Show Don’t Tell
Making it Real with Sensory Details
July 3rd – 6th 2025
Small Group Retreat
with Linda Epstein & Lisa Burdige
The Highlights Foundation Retreat Center
Milanville, Pennsylvania
Writers are told to “show, don’t tell,” but what does that actually mean? Join author, agent, and freelance editor Linda Epstein and author and creative coach Lisa Burdige at The Barn at Boyds Mills, home of the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center. In a four day/three night retreat you’ll learn how to use rich sensory details and well-placed small actions to create vivid settings, grounded dialogue, and an authentic world for your readers. It’s a weekend of learning and connecting, with writing exercises, experiential activities, and plenty of time to retreat. Be inspired. Write. Take a break to explore the miles of trails that weave through woods, streams and meadows.
Who it’s for
Anyone who’s heard the advice, “show don’t tell” but aren’t sure what that means. This program will help you understand this common piece of feedback.
Writers of fiction or memoir who are looking for the time, tools, and inspiration to take their writing to the next level.
Writers who want to learn how to imbue their work with sensory details in order to hook readers with more dynamic, immersive writing.
Writers at any stage in their writing process can benefit from this program. A completed draft is not necessary.
Note: this workshop is not geared towards writers of early readers, chapter books, and picture books.
What’s included
Learning sessions in the mornings and afternoons, writing exercises, experiential activities, 1:1 coaching sessions, plenty of time to write and connect with other writers, evening get-togethers
Comfortable lodging with private bathrooms, 3 farm-fresh meals per day, and unlimited snacks
Common spaces, both indoors and out, to write, read, retreat
Pricing
$1399 Retreat
$1799 Retreat plus first 10-page manuscript assessment
Get general feedback about big-picture elements of the first 10-pages of your work-in-progress. What’s working? What needs attention? You will receive a 1-page assessment which may include some margin notes in the manuscript, if applicable. Half hour Zoom follow up for Q&A. First 10-pages should be formatted in Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double spaced, with 1” margins (up to 2,500 words) in a Word document. All manuscripts must be received by June 1st.
How to apply
Please note this is a small retreat with only 10 spaces. Applications close May 5th.
To apply, click here.
For additional information or to ask questions, please get in touch.
Sample schedule
Thursday
3:00 – 5:00 Arrival
5:30 Appetizers
6:00 Dinner
7:15: Welcome & Opening remarks
Friday
7:45 Breakfast
9-11 Morning session: Sensory details in novel writing Part One
12-1 Lunch
1-2:30 Sensory writing experience
2:30 Writing/Retreat time
5:30 Appetizers
6-7 Dinner
7:30 Fireside Q&A and hangout
Saturday
7:45 Breakfast
9-11 Morning session: Sensory details in novel writing Part Two
11:00 Writing/Retreat time
12-1 Lunch
1-2:30 Sensory writing experience
2:30 Writing/Retreat time
5:30 Appetizers
6-7 Dinner
7:30 Fireside Open Reading
Sunday
7:45 Breakfast
9-10 Final Session
10:00 Writing/Retreat time
11:30 Closing Comments
12:00 Lunch and departures
Testimonials
“Linda Epstein was fabulous. She really created an inclusive and warm atmosphere, while always also focusing on professionalism. She is eloquent and insightful and open minded.”
“Linda was generous, as well as setting clear boundaries. She expressed her intent for the workshop and had clearly been very thoughtful and deliberate in her design. She was warm, funny, inclusive and prepared. Really excellent.”
“My coaching session with Lisa was incredibly inspiring. I’ve only just realized how much it reignited a passion that had been dormant for quite some time. I truly appreciated her insights and support.”