Writing Retreat in Los Angeles
The L.A. Retreat
Say YES!
A word filled with possibilities.
Yes, you can give yourself the support you need as a writer.
Yes, you can unfurl the story living inside you.
Yes, you can present yourself to the world as a writer, pitching your story, pitching yourself.
But you can get stuck in that state of possibility unless you act on your yes.
And this is true for your characters, too. When the story starts, your characters are living with the consequences of "no" -- what they have turned away from, refused to believe or embrace, denied themselves. As a result they are living a too-small life. But their inciting incident gives them an opportunity--challenging, maybe terrifying--to change all of that. And the YES at the end of act one forces them to engage, to thrust themselves into a world full of challenges and growth.
At this retreat we will guide you to create propulsive tension as you force your characters to say yes and take action. In your story arc and on the page, beat by beat, you will create pages that land with maximum impact.
Yes, and! In a session with an improv actor/ film producer, open this rich vein of creativity in yourselves and tap into this fruitful, inspiring pathway for writers.
Propel your characters, your writing and yourself into a bigger world. Step out of the possibility and into the YES. Yes to your work, your voice, your stories, your characters! Yes to joining us in Los Angeles for a life-changing, work-changing, career-changing adventure.
Elizabeth Stark, a novelist (Shy Girl: FSG, Seal Press, finalist for the Ferro-Grumely and Lambda Literary Awards) and award-winning filmmaker (producer of Lost in the Middle: Best Feature at Broad Humor 2019 and a Festival Favorite at Cinema Diverse; co-director and co-writer of FtF: Female to Femme and Little Mutinies, distributed by Frameline), co-hosts the podcast Story Makers Show, and co-directs and teaches at Sonoma County Writers Camp and Book Writing World. She earned her MFA from Columbia University, and her work has appeared in The New York Times and The Rumpus.
Nanou Matteson has produced five feature films and written, directed and produced many short films. Her films have won multiple awards at numerous festivals across the country and around the world. She has consulted on scripts for dozens of screenwriters and taught writing in the States and in Europe. Wether teaching classes, consulting, producing movies or mentoring individuals, she has been helping writers and filmmakers achieve their goals for more than thirty years, including works of fiction, screenplays, films, academic books, memoirs, newsletters, and more. Nanou believes that story is a blueprint for life and loves coaching people to express their story.
When:
Saturday, April 25 – Saturday May 2, 2026
How Much:
$5995 for a single room
$4495 for a double room
includes full tuition for workshops with Nanou and Elizabeth, student readings, individual coaching, agent meetings and optional group writing times throughout the day, plus all meals and final night show
POLICY: $1000 deposit is non-refundable. The remainder of your tuition is due March 1 and is non-refundable after that time.
To sign up or for more information contact nanou.matteson@gmail.com
Diana Densmore
"The retreat was the perfect mix of classes and questions that challenged me to delve deep into my characters and loads of free time to actually make progress and do that deep writing work. It exceeded my expectations."
Lisa Taggart
"I had very high expectations and I have to say that they were completely exceeded. Surrounding myself with such beauty and taking the time to think and talk about my writing, it felt like my creativity rose up. I told a better story than I thought I could. It was exhilarating."
Megan McDonald
This was a life-changing and life-affirming experience, in terms of writing, exploration, and support. The respectful combination of morning writing time, afternoon class, and evening leisure (or more writing) worked wonderfully for me. I was able to be productive, then receive a lesson, and finally apply it. And [the location was] simply gorgeous: Atmospheric. Relaxing. Inspiring. I never felt as if I were wanting for anything.