Writer Mentoring and Novel Development With Only the Best
April 22 - 27, 2024
Three Amazing Best-Selling Authors + One Aspiring
Put in an application and join us in old Lisbon town come April '24 and attend private consult sessions with three of the most renowned, successful, and networked professionals in the world of mystery-thriller novel writing, and while there, take time to marvel at one of Europe's top three most beautiful, historically rich, and culturally spectacular cities (not to mention one of the safest).
Distinguished faculty include the amazing and legendary best-selling authors Hank Phillipi Ryan and Hallie Ephron, best-selling author and renowned literary agent Paula Munier, and last but certainly not least, the indefatigable, famous, and relentlessly meticulous Algonkian CEO: Michael Neff. More about them can be found here.
USA Today bestselling author of 14 psychological thrillers, winning the most prestigious awards in the genre: five Agathas, five Anthonys, and the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award. She is also on-air investigative reporter for Boston's WHDH-TV, with 37 EMMYs and dozens more journalism honors. National book critics call her "a superb and gifted storyteller"; she's the only author to win the Agatha in four categories... [MORE]
New York Times bestselling author Hallie Ephron, Edgar Award finalist and five-time finalist for the Mary Higgins Clark Award, writes books readers can't put down. Her latest suspense novel, CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR, with its echoes of Marie Kondo life-changing decluttering tips, explores the relationships built by professional organizers and their clients, thus showing just how easily the lines between professional and personal can become blurred... [MORE]
The legendary and ever-popular Paula Munier is the Senior Literary Agent & Content Strategist at Talcott Notch Literary. She has created and marketed exceptional content in all formats across all markets for such media giants as WGBH, Fidelity, and Disney. Currently, she has her own three-book deal with St. Martins for the MERCY CARR mystery series, and now on the way to a fourth and fifth book... [MORE]
Michael Neff is an award winning author, Pushcart nominated poet, widely published short fiction writer, literary agent, writer conference organizer, as well as an accomplished developmental editor. His first published book, a literary historical novel about Washington D.C. during the Reagan years entitled ALL THE DARK WE WILL NOT SEE, was published by the distinguished academic press, Serving House Books. A few years later, an urban fantasy, MAGICIANS IMPOSSIBLE, was created and co-edited by him, and later published by Macmillan Books... [MORE]
About This "Finishing School" Retreat
This unique event will also treat with equal respect and interest all forms of suspense, mystery, crime, and thriller. Whether your first or last draft, consider this Lisbon retreat a "finishing school" for both. Our goal is to take you to the next level and nudge you as close to actual publication as possible.
At the retreat and associated workshops, aspiring authors will 1) Receive advanced developmental and narrative critique from track-record faculty; 2) Acquire the "write to market" genre skills they must possess to be competitive; 3) Learn the necessary inside mechanics of the publishing business; 4) Leave the workshop with a detailed plan to work towards major commercial publication; and 5) Become part of the Algonkian network of industry insiders and author professionals.
What Else Makes the Lisbon Event Unique?
First, the fact that it takes place in the wondrous city of Lisbon. Second, the high quality of the faculty who are magnificent authors with lots to share.
Like other Algonkian-focused events, this novel writing and development retreat begins before you arrive and continues after you depart. See "Crucial Prep and Post-Event" below.
Application of a "model and context" genre-inclusive pedagogy that utilizes models of craft, plot, and character taken from successful genre authors, thereby enabling you to pick and choose the most appropriate techniques and approaches for utilization in the context of your work-in-progress.
Unlike other workshop and retreat environments, amateur opinions do not arise to compromise the quality of the event. Critical analysis and discussion of your work is provided exclusively by the faculty professionals in attendance.
Crucial Prep and Post-Event
Writers receive specific pre-event assignments, readings, and even a dedicated eBook, all of which will be found in the novel development forums of Algonkian Author Connect (AAC). At the conclusion of the retreat, you will be provided a follow-up novel editorial and development program, also found at AAC, which includes additional faculty mentoring. Participation is strictly voluntary, but we strongly encourage it, especially if you're serious about writing a novel you wish to see published.
The Counting of Days
Writers meet on Sunday night and go to dinner in Lisbon (time and place to be announced).
Beginning Monday morning, 9 AM, group workshop sessions will be interspersed with agent and author consultations, workshop assignments, as well as consults with workshop leaders. On this first day, writers will meet in alternating groups (AM and PM) with Paula Munier and Michael Neff who will work in tandem on each writer's core novel elements plus any and all developmental issues as they present themselves during the course of discussion and analysis.
Workshops continue into the second day, each session layering in more technique and constructive editorial detail. Writers also have been given evening assignments to present which involve their narrative and story hook, first scenes, and protagonist "sympathy factors." At this juncture, our star authors are present and matriculating, meeting informally with writers as circumstances dictate. Scenic strolls in old Lisbon, informal dinners, and culture soaks bar will be routine.
Day three, Wednesday, is full retreat day. In other words, writers are free to write and walk the streets of Lisbon as needed to clear the mind or generate ideas. Faculty will be mulling about so informal meet ups in local cafes will be highly likely, and as appropriate.
On day four, writers formally meet one-on-one with our star authors, Hallie and Hank, to present and discuss their work, and with ample time to do so. This continues from morning into early evening, as long as it takes. A fabulous gourmet group dinner in Lisbon follows that night.
On the fifth day, Friday, writers meet with faculty, Paula and/or Michael, to accomplish important wrap-up consults that consist of formulating a "finishing school publication plan" going forward, as well as discussion that involves utilization of a customized post-event novel development program.
The sixth day is a retreat day wherein writers can meet with faculty as necessary or tour the area, or both. We'll figure it out and do what feels right! The event officially concludes no later than 2 PM, but all things are possible.
Registration, Meals, Rooms, Etc.
Dates and Event Application
The upcoming event takes place on April 22 - 27 (Monday to Saturday) with arrival in Lisbon on Sunday the 21st. If you have reviewed the mission and location, and found the dates suitable, the next step is to fill out the event application and tell us about yourself, your writing life, and your primary goals for Lisbon.
And btw, if you've never been to this incredibly unique and beautiful city, we strongly recommend you taking an extra couple of days to sightsee. It's totally worth it!
Lodging and Gourmet Food
Lisbon is a marvel when it comes to the sheer number and variety of accommodations that writers can choose from. We'll be holding the finishing school in the heart of the Baixa district, and like other districts, as well as the coast, the quality of choices (inns, hotels, AirBnB apartments) creates a condition that serves as a viable alternative to blocking everyone in a single place. Therefore, writers wisely choose their own lodging.
Prices are excellent as well, ranging from $120 up to $400+ per night, but for only $150+ you can reserve a lovely place right in the center of town.
We will provide a morning continental breakfast, snacks, coffee, etc. at the workshop retreat location. In the evenings, larger meals such as dinner in the heart of Lisbon allow countless choices in a city brimming over with varieties of superb local cuisine.
Therefore, the retreat group will naturally be attending group dinners at fabulous local restaurants, and of course, you're welcome to explore with your fellow retreaters. After all, it's not as if we're located in a distant province or a secluded castle.
Registration for the Lisbon Finishing School
Full registration for the event before March 15, 2024 is $2550.00 and $2950 after that date. In the context of event novel development, it includes our two-editor novel development workshops, all private mentor sessions with faculty, as well as workshops, pre-event assignment forums, and the vital post-event novel editorial program (see "Crucial Prep and Post-Event" on this page). There is no other cost or fee directly associated with full attendance at the event.
Before March 15.
After March 15
Cancellation Policy: 100% refund up to 30 days before retreat start date. 0% refund
0-29 days before start date, however, if the slot can be refilled before the event begins we will refund 100%.
USA Today bestselling author of 14 psychological thrillers, winning the most prestigious awards in the genre: five Agathas, five Anthonys, and the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award. She is also on-air investigative reporter for Boston's WHDH-TV, with 37 EMMYs and dozens more journalism honors. National book critics call her "a superb and gifted storyteller"; she's the only author to win the Agatha in four categories... [MORE]
New York Times bestselling author Hallie Ephron, Edgar Award finalist and five-time finalist for the Mary Higgins Clark Award, writes books readers can't put down. Her latest suspense novel, CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR, with its echoes of Marie Kondo life-changing decluttering tips, explores the relationships built by professional organizers and their clients, thus showing just how easily the lines between professional and personal can become blurred... [MORE]
The legendary and ever-popular Paula Munier is the Senior Literary Agent & Content Strategist at Talcott Notch Literary. She has created and marketed exceptional content in all formats across all markets for such media giants as WGBH, Fidelity, and Disney. Currently, she has her own three-book deal with St. Martins for the MERCY CARR mystery series, and now on the way to a fourth and fifth book... [MORE]
Michael Neff is an award winning author, Pushcart nominated poet, widely published short fiction writer, literary agent, writer conference organizer, as well as an accomplished developmental editor. His first published book, a literary historical novel about Washington D.C. during the Reagan years entitled ALL THE DARK WE WILL NOT SEE, was published by the distinguished academic press, Serving House Books. A few years later, an urban fantasy, MAGICIANS IMPOSSIBLE, was created and co-edited by him, and later published by Macmillan Books... [MORE]
At the retreat and associated workshops, aspiring authors will 1) Receive advanced developmental and narrative critique from track-record faculty; 2) Acquire the "write to market" genre skills they must possess to be competitive; 3) Learn the necessary inside mechanics of the publishing business; 4) Leave the workshop with a detailed plan to work towards major commercial publication; and 5) Become part of the Algonkian network of industry insiders and author professionals.
Dates and Event Application
