Outcomes
Since starting our retreats in 2022 we have hosted over 80 writers and illustrators from around the world who work in the area of literature for young readers. Our goal is to provide five days of guidance, advice, mentoring and experimentation allowing the creatives the opportunity to try new things and expand their artistic vocabulary. We also aim to remain a valuable and positive part of the careers of the participants going forward and do this by continuing to offer professional advice as well as to support the creation of online communities that build bridges with members around the world.
The outcomes of our retreats are numerous. Attendees have gone on to secure book deals for projects, get places on publishing degree courses, get jobs in publishing houses, nurture projects with other members of their cohorts, secure representation by literary agents and so much more. We are goal oriented in terms of our outcomes. We want people to be inspired and encouraged in their publishing journeys and we will continue to be part of getting their stories into the hands of readers.
Testimonials
We asked some of our attendees and this is what they had to say about their time at the Rock Retreat
Going to a writing retreat for the first time can be incredibly intimidating for a shy writer like me, but when I arrived it was like walking into a warm hug. We were in small groups, each day centered around a taught theme in which we had free writing time and group discussions, all the while feeling completely supported and encouraged to share. I loved being able to share a part of myself but also listening to my fellow attendees and their incredible writing voices. It was truly inspiring. It was one hundred percent a positive experience, and one that has changed my outlook on my writing career and the publishingindustry, for the better. My only complaint was that it was over
too fast! I cannot thank Ellie, Sarah, Victoria, and Ken enough for this incredible experience that has forever changed my life moving forward as a writer.
Laura O’Brien
‘To assess the impact of the 2023 Creative Retreat, you have to first understand that it
is rare to find workshops devoted to creators of children’s literature on the continent. This
retreat filled that void and then some.The writing and illustrating exercises we did were as fun as they were intense, and the discussions we had with our mentors and peers were illuminating. I have grown so much as a storyteller, and I now have a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to my craft.
Akumbu Uche, Nigeria/Ghana
This trip was for me what I imagine an electric socket is to my phone after a long day of use.I feel brand new and I have gained a confidence in my writing that I don’t think I could’ve found on my own. I’m ready to face the world as a writer and should I stumble, I have made connections here that can help me back up.
Denyse Bayingana, Rwanda
“I cannot say “thank you” enough to Sarah, Ellie, Chris and Ken for the amazing experience at The Rock Retreat 2022. Everything about it was inspiring and informative. I need to now figure out a way to get back into real life here at home and keep writing. I’m struggling – you all should have warned the group of the real possibility of Rock Retreat Withdrawal!”
Carol Bennett, Cayman Islands
Spending almost a week just doing things related only with literature… being around writers, editors, mentors, poets was simply magical for me. Time to just sit, think and listen to voices from within and write was something I’ve been longing for.
Hiwot Walelign, Ethiopia
“I gained a huge deal from the Retreat. Sarah was an incredible teacher – patient, wise and encouraging. Through the week, I learned so much about the publishing industry and what makes a book work. The week was broken into five essential elements of writing, such as plot and dialogue, and I found these invaluable as a way of breaking down some of the mystery of writing. I learned lots of techniques from the writing exercises we did each day, and created many character and situational sketches.
Iqbal Hussain, UK
I even came away with several ideas for new books, which I hadn’t been expecting! I learnt how to use mind-mapping techniques on a large sheet of paper. How to write to the end of my story before even starting the edits. I learnt from my fellow writers what made their writing tick and also the things that didn’t. The group was so open to giving and receiving feedback – and it felt like an incredibly safe and respectful space in which we could share our words.
Every writer in the room taught me something, and I got to make friends with writers from around the world – something I would never have been able to do without the Retreat. We all learned from each other and encouraged each other. And throughout we had Sarah’s expert guidance in helping us to channel our thoughts down on to the page.”
“Probably the most important lesson I learned is that you need to obviously have an idea for a story but the craft that infuses every book is paramount. I will definitely keep up the writing practice and read everything I can lay my hands on.
Caroline Wright, UK
Thank you for giving me the stepping stones and also for being kind to me. I did at times feel in awe of the writing from other members of the group.”
“The week has been a wonderful piece of creative life, which I am sure will generate many others.
Lou-Josephine Landais, France
Thanks to you and all the people who were there, I am back in France with more confidence and I am all the more motivated to go back to my manuscript.
I don’t think I can begin to tell you how thankful I am for welcoming and guiding us the way you did”
“Thanks for everything that you have done to make the Rock Retreat a reality. It has been a transformative experience for me.
Rochelle Smith, British Virgin Islands
I am now more comfortable embracing the title of writer, and I am committing to doing the hard work that this entails.”
“It really unclogged some of the creative blockages I had been dealing with and I was able to complete two chapters of my WIP quickly when I returned home.
Anne Elicano-Shields, UK
I think it was obvious that I had a good time away because my daughter, who is nearly three, rather resentfully told me to “Go back to Gibraltar!” when she was in a mood. It’s a family joke now.”
“When I was accepted into the Rock Retreat, I was not certain what to expect. I know I had a deep desire to share Caymanian culture with other Caymanians and the world and I also hoped to learn more about the publishing world.
Michelle Bryan, Cayman Islands
My Rock Retreat experience was positively informative, interestingly unique and packed with gems of artist lessons that I did not know I needed. Not only did I learn about the publishing world, but I was also taught the practical side of children’s books and how they are made.
I was inspired by all the sights of the beautiful and culture enriched country of Gib. I was able to fully immerse myself in a culture totally different from my own, meet new and inspiring people who were like-minded, go on walking sketching tours, explore dark cobble stone alleys for the sake of a good sketch, getting face to face with a lemur and monkey, going down tunnels on the Rock – all very exciting experiences.
I discovered new phrases, such as third culture children, that described fittingly exactly what it is very common in my home country, the Cayman Islands. I discovered the importance of sketching and how to sketch well.
As Ken, our very helpful masterclass illustrator instructor says, “A sketch is a picture that tells part of a story.” I discovered how important it is to criticize positively and take criticism well for the improvement of your craft. The Retreat made me privy to one on one’s with renown illustrators and authors who were very concise and helpful with their advice. I will never forget my time there and the people I met.”
“I just want to say a massive thank you to yourself, Ellie and the rest of the team for making the week so memorable. I didn’t really know what to expect from the experience and couldn’t quite believe I was being given that opportunity. It was just great being part of and surrounded by a group of such talented people.
Jonny Kirkwood, Scotland
I tried my best to soak everything up and really listen and learn about what it might take to one day become a children’s book illustrator. In a short space of time I learnt some really valuable lessons and brought home ideas about new ways to work and create stories/ characters.
Spending time with the group and working with Ken really helped to push me outside my comfort zone for the first time in a while.I found the whole experience inspiring and even though I know it all happened I still think it might’ve been some kind of dream!”
THE ROCK RETREAT 