Here’s a checklist so you can make a quick and confident decision.

If you answer “Yes” to all (or most) of the following statements, come to this retreat.

• I have a book idea or several ideas.
• I want to write a nonfiction book (not fiction).
• I want to get a traditional publishing deal (not self-publishing).
• I want my book to be not just okay but excellent—a book that’s so good, people text their friends (“You need to read this!”) the instant they finish reading. 
• I want feedback from experts to make my book proposal—and manuscript—the strongest they can be.
• I’m excited to learn all the different ways I can leverage my book to make money, including my book advance, royalties, additional deals (spin-off product line, etc.) paid speaking gigs, and creating an offer that people buy immediately after reading the book. 
• I want my book to put $100,000 to $1,000,000 in my pocket over the next few years.
• I want to use my book as a marketing tool to bring thousands of new leads/clients/customers to my business.
• I have an audience of at least 10,000 people (social media followers, mailing list subscribers, podcast listeners, etc.) who’d be interested in reading my book once it’s out.
• Or, if fewer than 10,000 people, I’m willing to put in the work to grow my audience quickly (and I want to learn how to do this!)
• I want to meet agents, editors, and other decision-makers who are “in the room where it happens” (to quote Hamilton) where publishing deals get made. 

• I recognize that I probably won’t get my book written and published unless I get a push. I need guidance and accountability to make this happen, and I need distraction-free time to actually write. 

• I have the funds to invest in this retreat. Or if I don’t have the funds right now, I’m excited to create the money I need ASAP (raise my rates, sell a package, nudge a client to pay an unpaid invoice...) and make this happen for myself.
• I will feel disappointed if I reach the end of my life and never get around to writing my book. This is part of my legacy and I feel a strong sense of purpose to do this.

This retreat is not for you, if:

• You want to write fiction.
• You want to self-publish your book.
• Your book is intended primarily for family and friends, it’s a personal passion project, and making money is not a priority. (Nothing wrong with that! But this retreat is not the ideal setting for you.)

• Clear concept for your book, including a message and angle that makes your book different from similar titles. 
• A winning book proposal that’s ready to share with agents and publishers, with all the necessary sections filled out, so you can secure a 6 or multi-6 figure publishing deal.
• Invaluable feedback from award-winning editors (and other pros) to make your proposal as strong as it can possibly be.
• Outline for your book manuscript plus a sample chapter or two written, and a plan to finish the rest.
• Priceless connections with agents, editors, and other publishing industry professionals.
• Relationships with bestselling authors and future authors, too—new friends who can endorse your book once it’s out, promote it to their audiences, and help you win. 
• (Possibly) a literary agent who has agreed to represent you, or if not, a plan to get one quickly.
• Stronger writing and storytelling skills to create a book that readers can’t put down. 
• A plan to make $100,000 to $1,000,000 from your book through a combination of your book advance + royalties + paid speaking gigs + creating an offer that readers buy immediately after reading your book. 
• Hope, excitement, and conviction that your book is needed in the world, and that it will change readers’ lives for the better.

We recommend you arrive early on March 2nd to get settled in your accommodations before the retreat begins on the 3rd.

Plan to depart the evening of March 7th, at the earliest.

Please fly into Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

We can’t guarantee that you’ll get a book deal. Nobody can guarantee that. 

However, you’re far more likely to get a deal if…

(a) You have a strong, well-written book proposal that convinces publishers that your book is needed in the world right now, and will be a strong seller.

(b) You have a sample of your book manuscript (around 1-3 chapters) that’s compelling and exciting to read.  

(c) You have personal relationships with literary agents, editors, authors, and other people in the publishing industry who can make introductions and open doors for you.

(d) You have professional guidance (feedback, suggestions, tweaks) on your proposal and manuscript sample to make these materials as strong as they can possibly be. 

(e) You’re educated about the publishing industry, understand what publishers are looking for, and how to position yourself and pitch your book idea successfully. 

(f) You have a tenacious attitude, and you’re willing to be rejected 1, 2, 3, or even 20 times in a row if that’s what it takes to eventually find someone who says, “Yes.” (Many authors fail to get a deal not because their book idea is bad, or their writing is terrible, but simply because they give up too quickly.)

By coming to this retreat, you get all the important ingredients that we just mentioned. Rachel went to a retreat just like this in 2019 and left with crucial insights and relationships that helped her get a book deal. 

This doesn’t mean your publishing deal is “guaranteed.” But, it means you’re significantly increasing the likelihood that you’ll get the book deal of your dreams.