The Very Best Writer’s Retreat
East Coast Edition
You love to write.
And you crave uninterrupted time without any distractions to do it.
Or maybe you used to love to write but then life got in the way and now you wonder: can I even write? And what do I really want to write about?
Or perhaps you need some peace and quiet to settle down and journal & think
Whatever your desire, you know that if you had time filled with inspiration, you would write what’s burning inside you – or finish that project that needs your full attention.
Or simply rediscover your voice.
And your writing self.
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if someone was serving you delicious, healthy food, and there was a crackerjack writing coach on call if you have a question or get stuck?
And a glorious wise circle of women to giggle with.
Why not add liberating morning dance, daily writing circles with my famous trickster prompts, afternoon yoga, strolls through green nature, contemplating the “word garden” savor 3 gourmet meals a day, and evening discussions and even a little yoga nidra?
Sound kinda perfect? Then great!
You are invited to join what has been called the best writing retreat ever
September 21 – 27, 2025
The Barn at Boyd’s Mill
The Foothills of the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania
“As jazzed as I was to come to the retreat, I had no idea how impactful the week would be. I am notorious for bailing on this type of thing or becoming reclusive. The fact that I did not speaks volumes to the quality of the environment you created.
As an introvert, I truly appreciate the gentle but firm boundaries you put in place to protect people’s work and time. While there were many opportunities to socialize, I valued the time for writing, and that personal progress and goals were prioritized. And the same time, one of my goals was to make new writer friends, and I left with so many! A great balance.
All in all, the retreat was a truly magical experience. In the process of reintegration, it occurred to me that one of the most meaningful aspects of the time away was the opportunity to truly be seen, by other creatives. We can spend a lot of time around the people in our worlds, and not be seen much at all. I felt the difference at the retreat.
I can wholeheartedly say that was the very best retreat ever.”
– Meredith Wild, #1 NYT’s bestselling writer
“I’m still feeling energized from my week-long retreat with Jen over a week later! The retreat center is gorgeous – deer, bunnies, birds, butterflies, woods and a rushing creek. So many serene places to write, a sanctuary inviting you to disconnect from ordinary life and immerse yourself in your words. Dancing every morning is the best way to begin the day, to stir up and get out whatever is brewing inside and open up for your project that wants to be brought to life!
We were so well-nourished with gorgeous, delicious farm-to-table meals, and dessert every day for lunch AND dinner! We were supported with writing exercises and prompts, writing craft lessons, and dedicated spacious time to write and share in a safe and supportive way.
At the beginning of the retreat, I identified what would leave me feeling satisfied at the end of our time together and I got all of that and so much more: re-connection with my project and deep clarity about the stronger, deeper, truer message that wants to come out in my book; connection with beautiful humans and inspiration from their stories and writing; time and space to slow down and listen within while repeatedly tuning in to “What do I want?” Over and over again, Jen gently brings us back to this question, trusting that our answer is far more valuable than anything anyone else might suggest.
She is both gentle and reassuring with us while also fierce in her desire for us to see ourselves and affirm ourselves as writers who are writing. Jen creates a safe, inspiring, nurturing, expansive, energizing, and generative container. I cannot wait to go back next year to see what will come to life in this magical energy and space!”
– Barb Klein, Writer, Possibilitator, Founder of Inspired Possibility
“Jen’s retreat delivered the information and inspiration I needed to take my writing to the next level. Packed with educational sessions and prompts that kickstarted our writing time each day, it was the perfect mix of structure and free time. Jen made the experience entertaining and fun, while cultivating a safe and supportive environment. If you’ve been looking for a transformative writing retreat, this is it. I can hardly wait for the next one!”
– Teresa G. Carey, Executive Leadership Coach PERFORMANCEPOINTE, Inc.
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if someone was serving you delicious, healthy food, and there was a crackerjack writing coach on call if you have a question or get stuck?
And a glorious wise circle of women to giggle with.
Why not add liberating morning dance, daily writing circles with my famous trickster prompts, afternoon yoga, strolls through green nature, contemplating the “word garden” savor 3 gourmet meals a day, and evening discussions and even a little yoga nidra?
Sound kinda perfect? Then great!
Who this retreat is for:
- ZAny writer of any genre or level of experience who needs a week to write, rest, laugh, connect, and then write some more.
- ZAny writer who wonders if she can focus her attention for more than 5 minutes.
- ZAny writer who needs more writing friends and to feel less alone.
- ZAny writer who needs to get unstuck and believe in her work again.
It’s the retreat for you if you are ready and willing to discover just how much you can love your writing and love the process of writing.
“All my nerves melted away the second Jen flashed her big smile and laid out the ground rules for creating safety. Thanks to her masterful leadership, my delightful small group, and the gorgeous retreat setting, I slipped into a productive flow state. Yes, I met all of my page goals on the retreat. But more importantly, I walked away feeling energized and supported in my journey as a fiction writer.”
– Lucy Suros, CEO
What will you actually get out of this week?
- ZYou’ll get writing done. My writing prompts are legendary for unblocking your genius.
- ZYou’ll focus -- the morning practices and retreat container will settle your nervous system down.
- ZYou’ll feel joy and laugh so hard, your belly may hurt.
- ZYou’ll feel less alone in your writing desires.
- ZYou’ll recharge and gather inspiration.
- ZYou’ll step away from habits of body and mind that don’t support you.
- ZYou’ll take your writing to a new place, and yourself along with it.
Oh, and you’ll get the pleasure of knowing that you won’t have to cook, clean, or take care of anyone else for one whole week!
This retreat is NOT for you if:
- KYou want to learn about getting published or getting an agent. You can ask me all the questions you want but this is not a writer’s conference.
- KYou’re a literary snob. The Writer’s Retreat draws all kinds of writers so you must like and respect diversity.
- KYou can’t stay offline. I ask you to limit or cut out entirely your internet time.
- KYou want a healing retreat. This is a writing retreat where healing happens. It is not a therapeutic retreat. I am not a trauma informed leader or coach.
- KYou can’t stop yourself from giving advice or talking during silent times.
- KYou don’t know my work at all. Please do not come without knowing my work or my personality at least a little bit!
“Every journalist knows stress, style and accuracy make for good copy, but this mix doesn’t always produce the best writing. Jen Louden’s writing retreat helped me reshape my writing style, own my own worth and baptized me in writing practices that helped me find my voice. The retreat gave me back my life. The quiet time for writing, mindful practices and guided transformative writing sessions taught me to spend more time in joy, celebrate writing in community and faithfully follow habits that are keeping my writing steady, consistent and full of pleasure. Exceptional! If you are looking for a way back into your writing life, you’ve found it! Jen Louden is THE best writing coach!”
– Dr Melanie Harris, Professor of Black Feminist Thought and Environmental Justice, Wake Forest University
What Actually Happens at the Retreat?
Every full day after that we start the morning with optional liberate your creative spirit dance (no steps, great music!) followed by a delicious buffet breakfast.
Then we gather as a group writing prompts and to touch in with your small group. The morning sessions slip you easily into fresh wonderful places in your writing and boost your writing confidence 100000 percent.
We leave the morning session to go directly into silent writing time. You’ll find many lovely spots to write around the property or inside the historic property. Jen is on call during your writing time for quick on-the-spot coaching if you get stuck.
September 21 – 27, 2025
Private Cabin
The Cabins — the romantic ideal many of us think of when we think of a writing retreat. Each cabin is decorated with different book illustrator’s work, includes a small fridge and coffee maker, and sports a porch with rocking chairs. Cabin caveat: You are most likely to get a visit from a spider or other tiny creature in the cabins.
$3560 Pay in Full or 4 Payments of $925
The Lodge
The Lodge – comfy nice motel-style rooms also with unique book artwork and their own bathrooms. There is a coffee station for all the rooms, and a laundry room with all the supplies, and a large living room and porch overlooking a beautiful meadow. This is a great choice if you hate the idea of any bugs or mice saying hi.
$3510 Pay in Full or 4 Payments of $910
There is optional afternoon yoga or time to write, hike, read or nap!
After dinner, we circle up for an evening council, surprises and time for Q&A.
Our last morning prepares you to return to ordinary life with clear ideas what to write next and how to take care of yourself!
IMPORTANT NOTE: To get the full retreat experience, plan to arrive by 5 pm on opening night and to leave no earlier than 11:30 am on closing day.
The nearest airport is Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport and it takes approximately 1 hour to drive from there to the venue. Another option is Newark, which is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes from the venue.
“I see myself differently. I discovered that what I have within me is truly worth sharing – even if no one reads it. The act of writing connected me more with myself – like giving me back to me. I came out of the experience with a greater trust to just set aside the world, protect the time, and let it flow.
I loved the pace – the dance to start, the insightful education, the quiet protected space to write, yoga, quiet times, walks, naps, listening, and laughing or crying with other writers/humans writing.
Being away in nature, no email, no Zoom, no client deadlines. What a gift. With all those no’s came – the gift of solitude, connection, opening up the creative channels, love – much more came in.
Thank you for the retreat and your incredible leadership / stand for us as writers – writing. You Are Awesome!!”
– Suzanne Black, Founder and Coach C3 Results Group
The Place
Your fee includes everything! All lodging and all meals, daily writing prompts and discussion circles, dance and yoga classes, plentiful snacks, and love love love.
THE BARN AT BOYD’S MILL
Do you remember the Highlights Magazine for Kid’s? Complete with Hidden Pictures and How are These Pictures Different and How Are They Same? This retreat takes place at the Highlights Foundation Campus which means there are things hidden in all the trees and Goofus and Gallant will make a daily appearance.
Only kidding! This is their bucolic adult writing retreat campus. It includes three kinds of accommodations, abundant interesting places to write, a beautiful space to meet in (and to dance), and so much glorious late spring nature to relax in.
“Jennifer’s writing retreat was so much more than I expected. As a long time blogger, I knew the retreat would help improve the quality of my writing which helps attract clients to my coaching and consulting business. I also had a sense that honing my writing skills was a creative hobby I wanted to pursue at this phase in my life. I had to admit I always dreamed of writing a book someday when I had the time, (or had developed sufficient talent). So I went in with fairly low expectations – fun summer camp with interesting women in a lovely rural environment and become a little bit better writer. What I got was way more than I bargained for! By the end of day one, I had clarity about the focus of my book. By the end of day two, I felt a level of confidence that I might be able to write said book. By day three I had a completed outline and had written the first 3 chapters. Jennifer was inspiring, fun and light-hearted, as well as driven to pushing us beyond the bounds of our limited view of ourselves. All while having a really good time, eating great and healthy food and dancing and doing yoga every day. She created a safe container to acknowledge our fears, crazy thoughts and feelings of panic at the thought of facing a blank page.
Thank you Jennifer, I could say more, but I need to get back to writing my book!”
– Elaine Morris, Executive coach
Book Now
September 21 – 27, 2025
Each room has a workspace + wifi, linens and towels provided, central heat/air conditioning, hairdryer, soap, and shampoo, access to washing machine, dryer, ironing board, books and board games
Registration Requirements
This writer’s retreat is open to women writers of all levels, from beginner to professional. How do you know if you’re “a writer”? Because you write. You do not need to be published to join us! Or you may have been published multiple times. Every level of writer loves this retreat.
You do not need to be working on a particular project or want to “do” anything with your writing, or you might be getting away to finish something big – there is room for it all.
However, I only want you to come if you yearn to make a loving, creative commitment to yourself and co-create this space together. This is a retreat not a vacation and while I am all about rest and play, I also need each participant to show up fully. In that spirit, you will find a few questions on the registration and deposit page so you and I can both be sure this is the best retreat for you.
“I have repeatedly described Jen Louden’s retreat as “magic.” And, truly, it felt magical to be tucked into my own little book-filled cabin in the Poconos mountains, with bunnies and deer for neighbors, nourished by talented chefs who fed us delicious meals three times a day (and the desserts! Oh, the desserts…), and surrounded by kind, wise, and funny writers. I felt nourished, accepted, and acknowledged like never before. The result? A kind of vitality that seemed to pour out onto the page. I have never written so many words so quickly that I’m so proud of. Even more importantly, I found my people and filled my toolkit with ideas that are helping me carry that magic feeling with me into the real world and into my work. I’m extremely grateful to Jen for this experience!”
– Kate Mangan, Writer and Attorney
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Need to cancel after your spot is confirmed? If you cancel more than 90 days before the retreat begins, we will return your payment minus the non-refundable deposit. The non-refundable deposit amount is equivalent to the first payment of the selected room type’s 4-pay option.
If you cancel within 90 days of the retreat, we will not refund any monies, but you are welcome to sell or give away your spot, contingent upon approval of the guest by Jen.
Who Is Jen?
Jennifer Louden is a personal growth pioneer who helped launch the concept of self-care with her first bestseller, The Woman’s Comfort Book. Since then, she’s written seven additional books on well-being and whole living, including The Woman’ s Retreat Book and The Life Organizer, with close to a million copies of her books in print in nine languages.
Jennifer has spoken around the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and has written a national magazine column for a Martha Stewart magazine. She’s been profiled or quoted in dozens of major magazines; two of Brené Brown’s books, Daring Greatly and Dare to Lead; and appeared on hundreds of TV, radio shows and podcasts—even on Oprah.
Her newest and most personal book Why Bother? Discover the Desire for What’s Next has over 500 5-star reviews and won the Silver Nautilus Award.
Jen is almost done with a first draft of her cozy fantasy novel with a climate twist.
She has been coaching writers for 20+ years.
Jen’s superpower is loving you into doing. She thrives on helping you believe in yourself through taking action on your writing desires. She is a master at creating safe grounded space for real work and lasting breakthroughs to happen.
More Love from Our Retreat Alumni
“Whether you are a seasoned author or a newbie, Jen Louden’s retreats provide a perfect blend of structure and spaciousness to allow for your creative muse to emerge. I felt unfettered by fear of criticism, enriched by the writing exercises and group discussions, and nourished by the emphasis on deep listening to my own voice. This was a true gift in my life, and I would recommend it to all who yearn to inspire the writer within them.”
– Elise Miller
“This retreat with Jen and the community of women who came together was more than a week of writing. Her approach, center in self-love and motivation, reminded me that doing my work is centered in believing in my own capabilities, honoring myself– and in that honoring giving birth to my thoughts and experiences through writing.”
– Walker Thornton | Speaker, Author, Educator | WalkerThornton.com
“The Writers Retreat shifted the lens on not just my writing but also myself. I have finally been given permission to see the writing process through a compassionate and creative lens which gives me more freedom on the page. Jen’s capacity to hold space for us while we understood our inner critic and bravely brought pen to paper is a key piece of the week, and our relationships to ourselves and with each other is stronger because of it. The magic of the location does not remain contained in the mountains but travels with us and through us as we create more magic in our stories. I am forever grateful for this experience.”
– Lara C.C. Pence, PsyD, MBA | Licensed Clinical Psychologist | DrLaraPence.com
“I came away from the Retreat knowing where I was going with my writing project. Prior to that, much frustration! I feel I changed as a writer because I value my voice in my writing now, I learned about Enoughness which really seems to bring more production in my writing than if I hadn’t experienced what it means. So much encouragement from Jen and the other writers. A time of awakening!”
– Cherie Lang
“This was my first writer’s retreat and, while I accomplished my personal goals of writing a certain number of pages and accepting (finally) that I was indeed a writer, there were so many other benefits. The early morning dance sessions and afternoon yoga helped to stimulate creativity and literally shake loose old habits and routines. This enabled me to approach my work from different perspectives. The small and large group sessions provided invaluable support and a safe and nurturing environment for all. Jen Louden is an outstanding facilitator – knowledgeable, kind, enthusiastic and approachable. I cannot recommend Jen Louden and any enterprise she is involved with enough!”
– Dr. Joanna Kafarowski
“If you’re a writer, want to be a writer, are writing but refuse to accept the title: make it your goal to find @jenlouden and start getting her email newsletter today..I did that over 2 years ago and last week it became clear why I felt called to her work, even during the most insane time of my life- tiny babies, tiny apartment, tiny pockets of time to write.
It’s taken me a few days to say anything about Jen’s retreat for writers I attended last week because leaving, it felt like the most valuable things I took with me were intangible and beyond words.
But now that I’m back in life, the tangibles are showing up left and right.
I learned why I write, how to better assess my work,how to stay with the process even when chocolate and Netflix are calling,and how to understand, or even silence, my inner critics.
Jen, a career writer and self-care guru extraordinaire, has the retreat life down to a science- and her science is Safety. I can’t get over how emotionally safe and valued I felt the entire 7 days.
She creates an environment of love and respect (and FUN!) that can’t help but permeate one’s writing and ability to dig deep to discover what’s dying to be said.
I met incredible women from across the country, Canada and Australia; no two were alike and yet we were totally alike.
Writing fiction and nonfiction, memoir and blog posts, the reasons for writing varied little, the themes pointing to the same values, and the act of sharing a safe space for a time created bonds I thought were only found in jokes about women’s retreats.
My favorite line all week: “This is what my husband was afraid would happen!” when we were all sobbing and wishing we could join the JL cult for life and call it good.
It’s hard to get away, especially with small kids. I’m grateful to have a village to raise my children with me,and grateful for a husband who tells my kids that Mom is out doing something she loves a lot so she can come home and do what she loves most.
Investing in myself this way pays dividends to my family; I’m seeing them already.
Just don’t get me started on the food. I took a million photos of the food I didn’t have to cook”
– Katelin Rogers, writer
