Join Us for the Ninja Total Experience Retreat!

By Stephanie Bearce

I love Nonfiction Fest. A whole month of learning from the best authors in the business. What could be better?

How about spending a whole weekend hanging out with some of those authors in person? That’s exactly what you can do if you join us for the Ninja Total Experience Retreat this May!

Every year, the Ninja team gathers for a retreat to revise projects, brainstorm new ideas, and share insider information about publishers and editors. We might also play silly games, eat chocolate-drizzled popcorn, and watch Linda Skeers do interpretive dance moves. We’re not all business all the time!

Over the years, so many people have asked if they could join our retreat. And, selfishly, we’ve always said no. After all, there’s only so much chocolate-drizzled popcorn to go around! But this year, we decided to share the fun with all of you.

We’re inviting kidlit authors—of all genres—to join us in Hiawatha, Iowa (home of the interpretive dance studio of Linda Skeers). And yes, we mean all genres. You may know us as nonfiction experts, but the truth is, we Ninjas write fiction, too—award-winning fiction!

What You Can Expect

At the retreat, you can bring up to four manuscripts for critique. You’ll meet in small groups led by a Ninja team member, receiving professional feedback to help refine your work.

But that’s just the beginning. Throughout the weekend, we’ll cover key topics to help you strengthen your craft, including:

• The dreaded query letter—how to make yours stand out (in a good way).
• Interpreting feedback from editors and agents—because sometimes it feels like a foreign language.
• Brainstorming new ideas—for when your creative well needs a refill.

And for those burning publishing questions, Storm Literary agent Lisa Amstutz (who also happens to be a Ninja) will lead an Ask-Me-Anything session, giving you the inside scoop on agents, editors, and the publishing world.

Learning, Laughter, and Yes—Prizes!

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Ninja retreat without some goofy games and equally goofy prizes. You might walk away with a year’s supply of interpretive dance lessons. Or a coveted bag of chocolate-drizzled popcorn. Either way, you’ll leave with new friends, fresh insights, and an extra boost of motivation for your writing journey.

And here’s the biggest bonus—after the retreat, all participants will have the opportunity to submit to Lisa Amstutz. She’s officially closed to submissions, but she’s making an exception for retreat attendees. That alone is worth the price of admission!

Affordable Pricing

We’ve worked hard to keep the retreat affordable because we want as many of you as possible to join us. Every registration option includes all programming and meals:

• Option 1 – A shared room for $350 per person. Bring a writing buddy or make a new best friend!
• Option 2 – A private room for $550 per person.
• Option 3 – Stay off-site but enjoy meals and programming for $275.

That’s a deal that can’t be beat!

 

Ready to Join Us?

So what are you waiting for?

Still need more details? Check out all the nitty-gritty at Ninja Retreat.

We hope to see you in May! But if you can’t make it, stay tuned to our blog. We’ll be sharing more great content throughout the year, and of course, we’ll see you next February for Nonfiction Fest 2026!

 

Join Us For a Ninja Retreat!

 

 THE TOTAL NINJA EXPERIENCE

REVISION RETREAT &

Children’s Writing Workshop

 May 9–11, 2025

 Hiawatha, IA

 

 

 

Let us help you take your writing 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 Mammal Mania, Plants Fight Back, Applesauce Day, Finding a Dove for Gramps, and Amazing Amphibians. 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 37 books for children including The Secret of Moonrise Manor, and Mary Anning and Paleontology for Kids. 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 Kralovansky loves writing things teachers can use in the classroom. Her first book, There Was a Tall Texan, was written for her first graders. Since then, she has written both fiction and nonfiction books. The Book That Jake Borrowed - El libro que Jake tomo prestado is Susie’s 19^th picture book, her fifth to illustrate, and an award winner for the 2021 International Latino Book Awards. Learn more at www.susankralovansky.com. 

Christine Liu-Perkins is the author of The Quest for a Tangram Dragon, an informational fiction picture book. 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 the research! Visit her website www.ChristineLiuPerkins.com   

Linda Skeers loves searching for amazing people and fascinating tidbits in history for her nonfiction projects and writing a line that makes her snort out loud for her fiction projects. Her most recent books are Even Better Than Sprinkles, Dinosaur Lady and Women Who Dared--with the sequel coming out in 2025. She's co-taught the Whispering Woods PB Writing Workshop for 20+ years and loves to mentor other writers on their publishing journey.

Peggy Thomas is the author of 30 award-winning books including The Soil in Jackie’s Garden, a Moonbeam medalist, and A Family of Trees: My First Book of Forests. 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

120 East Boysen Road

Hiawatha, IA  52233-1277

(319) 395-6700

 

PRICING

 There are three registration options. Programming and all meals are included in every option.

 • Option 1 – A shared room for $350 per person. Come with your writing buddy or make a new best friend!

• Option 2 – A private room for $550 per person.

• Option 3 – Stay off site. Meals and programming only for $275.

* These hotels are in Cedar Rapids but within a 10–15-minute drive from Prairiewoods.

    ▪ Comfort Inn & Suites 

    ▪ Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham 

    ▪ Hampton Inn & Suites 

    ▪ Hilton Garden Inn

 

Check-in at 3:00 PM, Friday.

AIRPORT:  Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) about 20 minutes from Prairiewoods

 

 ___________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

***Register early.  Space is limited!***

 

 _________________________________________________________________________

Total Ninja Experience Revision Retreat

Children’s Writing Workshop

 

 

To register for The Total Ninja Experience Revision Retreat, May 9-11, 2025:

1.  * Complete the registration form below and mail it, along with a (nonrefundable) $75 deposit (Check, please, made out to Linda Skeers)

2.  * Please email Linda to receive her snail mail address: skeerswriter@gmail.com

Your registration form and deposit reserve your spot at the retreat. The remainder of your registration fee must be paid by April 4. Check or money order, please, also sent to Linda at the above address. If your balance has not been received by that date, your spot will be given to the next person on the waiting list.

3.   Your registration will be confirmed via e-mail upon receipt.

4.   An information packet will be emailed to registrants one month prior to the retreat.

 

Name: __________________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________

City ____________________________________  State ___________Zip____________ 

E-mail address _____________________________________Phone_____________________ 

 

______Option 1 – A shared room for $350 per person.

(If you're staying with a friend, put that person's name here____________________________)

 

______Option 2 - A private room for $550 per person.­­­­­­­­­­­

 

______Option 3 – Stay offsite. Meals and programming only for $275.

 

$ ___­­­­_____ TOTAL

 

Questions? Contact Linda at skeerswriter@gmail.com or Susie at susankralovansky@gmail.com. 

 

We look forward to seeing you soon!

The Ninjas

 

Congratulations 

to our Scholarship Winners! 

Gayleen Rabakukk 

and 

Laura Perdew