THE 2nd ANNUAL TOTAL NINJA EXPERIENCE REVISION RETREAT & Children’s Writing Workshop
June 12 – 14, 2026
Hiawatha, IA
Let us help you take your writing (Nonfiction and/or Fiction – PB to YA and everything in between!) to the next level with an intensive workshop. You will be working on manuscripts with award-winning authors who are dedicated to helping writers elevate their craft.
This workshop is designed for writers with manuscripts that need critiquing, revisions, editorial help, and guidance. Writers will work with the Ninjas throughout the workshop. The ratio of faculty to critique groups is six to one or better.
The number of participants is limited to maximize learning and provide an intimate feel. Every moment of the weekend is filled with scheduled critique groups, brainstorming, impromptu discussions of craft, and time to revise.
MEET THE NINJAS
The Ninjas are a group of authors who first met at a retreat in Austin, TX. We became fast friends and realized we have a passion for writing that we want to share with you. Together, we are the authors of over 300 books. We have also created NF FEST, a month-long online celebration for children's writers, and the NF Fest Facebook Group.
FACULTY
Lisa Amstutz is a literary agent and the author of more than 150 children's books, including Our Christmas Tree Farm, Plants Fight Back, and Applesauce Day. She specializes in topics related to science and sustainability. Lisa's background includes a B.A. in Biology and an M.S. in Ecology/Environmental Science.
Stephanie Bearce is the award-winning author of 40 books for children including The Secret of Moonrise Manor (2025) and its sequel, The Curse of the Lost Cave (2026). She frequently presents at writing and education conferences and co-hosts the Way-Word Writers Podcast with Storm Literary Agent Heather Cashman and author Nicki Jacobsmeyer. Stephanie is a certified life/author coach and a serious science and history nerd. You can learn more about her at www.stephaniebearce.com.
Nancy Churnin is the author of more than 20 children's books, including Dear Mr. Dickens, The William Hoy Story and Manjhi Moves a Mountain, that inspire kids to make a positive difference and encourage kids to be heroes. Her books have won multiple awards and have earned numerous starred reviews. Visit Nancy at https://www.nancychurnin.com to find resources, teacher guides, and projects.
Susie Holt creates books that spark curiosity and bring joy to the classroom. A former school librarian, she’s the author of numerous fiction and nonfiction titles for young readers. Her bilingual picture book The Book That Jake Borrowed / El libro que Jake tomó prestado earned recognition at the 2021 International Latino Book Awards. This spring, her 20th book, There Once Was a Cowgirl, will be released by TCU Press. Learn more at www.susankholt.com.
Christine Liu-Perkins is the author of The Quest for a Tangram Dragon, an informational fiction picture book that won the 2025 Mathical Book Prize for Young Readers K-2. Her middle-grade nonfiction book, At Home in Her Tomb: Lady Dai and the Ancient Chinese Treasures of Mawangdui, earned starred reviews and appeared on multiple "best books of the year" lists. Her favorite part of writing is doing research! Learn more at www.ChristineLiuPerkins.com
Linda Skeers is the critically acclaimed author of Women Who Dared and its companion, Women Who Dared, Volume 2. Her other books include Dinosaur Lady, Even Better Than Sprinkles, and more—with two new titles set to release in 2027. For over 20 years, Linda has co-taught the Whispering Woods PB Writing Workshop. She especially loves mentoring aspiring writers on their kid-lit journeys.
Peggy Thomas is the author of 30 award-winning books, including The Soil in Jackie’s Garden and A Family of Trees: My First Book of Forests. Her next major work, Writing Toward Justice: The Life and Reporting of Alice A. Dunnigan, will be released in January 2026 and shines a light on the groundbreaking journalist’s remarkable life. She is also the co-author of Anatomy of Nonfiction, a writer’s guide to crafting children’s nonfiction. Learn more at www.peggythomaswrites.com.
LOCATION:
Prairiewoods (prairiewoods.org)
120 East Boysen Road
Hiawatha, IA 52233-1277
(319) 395-6700
Programming and all meals are included in every option.
- Option 1 – A shared room/shared bathroom for $450 per person. Come with your writing buddy or make a new best friend!
- Option 2 – A private room/shared bathroom for $650 per person.
- Option 3 – Stay off site. Meals and programming for $375.
- Option 4 – Want something a bit more rustic and private? There are two hermitages a short walk from the guest house. They’re solar powered so you can’t plug in anything OR charge your phone. See photos at prairiewoods.org. One person occupancy: $400 – all inclusive.
*Want time to relax before the retreat? Come on Thursday! Extra night and 3 meals (Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast and Friday lunch) Add $100 additional cost to your option.
Check-in at 3:00 PM, Friday
Check-out 11:00 AM, Sunday
AIRPORT: Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) about 20 minutes from Prairiewoods
***Register early. Space is limited!***
To REGISTER for
The 2nd Annual Total Ninja Experience Revision Retreat, June 12-14, 2026:
Your registration form and deposit reserve your spot at the retreat. The remainder of your registration fee must be paid by April 10, 2026. If your balance has not been received by that date, your spot will be given to the next person on the waiting list.
2. Your registration will be confirmed via e-mail upon receipt.
3. An information packet will be emailed to registrants at a later date.
Name: _____________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________
City ________________________________ State __________Zip____________
E-mail address ______________________________Phone___________________
OPTION: _______________________________________
DEPOSIT ($75 due now) _________________ TOTAL: ___________________
Mail to Christine Liu Perkins at the address listed in the brochure (see link above).
Questions? Contact Linda at skeerswriter@gmail.com or Susie at skh.susie@gmail.com
Pat Miller Memorial Scholarship Application
The Pat Miller Memorial Scholarship is open to any Total Ninja Experience Revision Retreat participant. Whether you write PBs, MG, YA, fiction, or nonfiction, you are invited to apply for a scholarship to help take your writing to the next level.
One scholarship will be awarded, covering the cost of a shared room/meals ($450) and travel expenses up to $500.
To apply, please submit the following:
1. A short paragraph describing how this scholarship would help you on your writing journey.
2. A children’s writing sample of an unpublished work (fiction or nonfiction) not to exceed 500 words.
3. A brief description of your writing history and/or publishing credits.
Please send as an email attachment to skeerswriter@gmail.com.