Ninja Magic!

 Ninja Writing Magic happened this weekend.

For three days, twenty-five writers joined the Ninja Writers for the Total Ninja Experience, a weekend devoted to stories, creativity, community, and helping writers move closer to their publishing dreams.

There were fiction writers. Nonfiction writers. Picture book creators, middle grade authors, novelists, and writers chasing brand-new ideas. Together, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work, helping participants elevate their manuscripts, strengthen their craft, and advance their writing careers.

Through intensive critiques, craft discussions, Ask Me Anything sessions, brainstorming, publishing conversations, games, laughter, and countless cups of coffee, writers gained fresh perspectives on their work and new tools to help them move forward.

The Ninja team is Nancy Churnin, Susie K. Holt, Peggy Thomas, Linda Skeers, Lisa Amstutz, Christine Liu-Perkins, and Stephanie Bearce. Between us, we’ve published more than 6000 books for young readers, but one thing remains true: we love helping writers succeed.

This year’s retreat took place at Prairie Woods Franciscan Spirituality Center in Hiawatha, Iowa.

Surrounded by beautiful prairie views and fueled by wonderful food, writers spent the weekend learning, revising, encouraging one another, and discovering that they weren’t alone on the writing journey.

Ideas flowed. Story problems were solved. New friendships were formed. More than a few lightbulb moments appeared.

By the end of the weekend, notebooks were overflowing with ideas, revision plans were taking shape, and writers were heading home excited to write more.

That’s the Total Ninja Experience.

A weekend where questions are welcomed, creativity is celebrated, and writers leave believing a little more strongly in both their manuscripts and themselves.

Ninja News

While we’re celebrating, we’d love to share a few recent accomplishments and book releases from the Ninja team.

Nancy Churnin received a 2026 Christopher Award for A Teddy Bear for Emily – and President Roosevelt, Too, illustrated by Bethany Stancliffe (Albert Whitman). The award honors works that affirm “the highest values of the human spirit” and reflects the Christopher motto: “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.”

Nancy was also selected as one of the outstanding Texas-based artists for the 2026-2028 Texas Touring Roster through the Texas Commission on the Arts. Schools and organizations throughout Texas can apply for grants to help bring roster artists to their communities.

Nancy’s newest picture book, Purim Baskets, illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford, was released through PJ Library.

Peggy Thomas recently released Writing Toward Justice: The Life and Reporting of Alice A. Dunnigan. The book is illustrated by Tonya Engle.

Susie K. Holt’s newest book, There Once Was a Cowgirl, is now available from TCU Press.

Stephanie Bearce recently released several titles in her new Gross Science series from Creative Media, including Diseases, Fungas and Mold, Parasites, Poop, Blood, and Farts and Burps.

Stephanie also celebrated the release of The Curse of the Lost Cave,

the newest mystery in the Raven Gallows series from Shadow Mountain Publishing.

The first Raven Gallows mystery, The Secret of Moonrise Manor, has been nominated for Maryland’s Black-Eyed Susan Award, Pennsylvania’s Keystone Reading Award, and Indiana’s Read Aloud List.

And there is more exciting news on the horizon from the Ninja team, which we’ll be sharing in future newsletters.

Until then, keep writing, keep dreaming, and keep an eye on this newsletter and our Facebook page for future retreat announcements, Ninja news, book releases, and opportunities to connect with our writing community.