Alexandria Writing Retreat 2024 

October 16-19

The Alexandrian Hotel, Alexandria, Virginia

Welcome to the WFWA writing retreat in beautiful Alexandria, Virginia!

Join fellow women’s fiction writers for three edifying and entertaining days of workshops, writing, networking, and the Rising Star Awards Banquet  in Alexandria, Virginia, October 16-19, 2024.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Workshop Presenter

Schedule

Registration Fee

Hotel/Travel

Cancellations and Policies 

Scholarship Applications

The Director of Literary Development at Nelson Literary Agency, Angie Hodapp is a story geek with an eye for what works and the ability to articulate various ways authors can take their writing and storytelling to the next level. She believes in the power of story to elevate, transform, and heal, and she loves to be anywhere writers are gathered. If she’s not reading, writing, or editing, she’s probably teaching Pilates, traveling with her novelist husband, knitting, or feeding her ever-hungry cat.

During our October 2024 in Virginia, Angie Hodapp of Nelson Literary Agency will help demystify the current publishing landscape. Not only will she dive deep into contracts (including the small print) and royalty statements (how do you read those things anyway?), but she’ll also answer all your burning questions about your rights as an author and how to protect them. In addition, she’ll cover how to write sell copy for your work, from loglines and pitches to query letters and synopses. And let’s not forget the fun, crafty part! Angie will help you look at your writing from the point of view of an agent or editor and give you solid strategies for devising concept-driven ideas in the women’s fiction space and revising your manuscripts to get tension on every page—two features industry folks are always hoping will pop up in their slush piles. Finally, don’t miss You Be the Agent, during which attendees become industry insiders as they read WF submissions in a mock slush pile and discuss which projects they would sign on to represent. Come with questions, leave with a career plan and path forward!

Tentative Schedule

Wednesday October 16

11:00am – 2:00pm Registration Open
1:00 – 2:00pm Orientation
2:00 – 4:00pm Speaker Workshop
5:00 – 7:00pm Welcome Reception

Thursday October 17

7:00am – 9:00am Breakfast
9:00am – 12:00pm Speaker Workshop
12:00 – 2:00pm Lunch on Your Own
2:00 – 4:00pm Speaker Workshop
5:30 – 8:00pm Dinner on Your Own
8:00 – 9:30pm Night Owl Writing Sprint

Friday, October 18

7:00am – 9:00am Breakfast
9:00am – 12:00pm Speaker Workshop
12:00 – 2:00pm Lunch on Your Own
2:00 – 3:00pm Speaker Workshop
4:00 – 7:00pm Free Time
7:00 – 9:00pm Banquet and Rising Star Awards

Saturday, October 19

7:00am – 9:00am Breakfast
9:00am – 12:00pm Speaker Workshop
12:00 – 2:00pm Farewell Lunch
2:00 – 5:00pm Free time and/or check out

We will sell extra awards banquet dinner tickets for $80 each.

Registration Fee

Hotel, airfare, transportation to the hotel, lunches, or other expenses not expressly stated above are not included in the registration fee.

Hotel

The retreat is being held at The Alexandrian Hotel, Alexandria, Virginia. 

Hotel rooms are $239.00 per night. The last day to book your hotel room at the group rate is Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

Reservations will be made directly through the hotel. After you have registered for the retreat, you will be sent a link to our block of rooms to get the group rate. 

All attendees will be required to comply with hotel and state COVID-19 restrictions. WFWA encourages each attendee to review guidelines posted by the hotel and the state.

CANCELLATION AND POLICIES

Cancellation Policy

We understand that sometimes life interferes and things don’t work out the way we’d like them to. Please keep the following dates in mind if you have to cancel your Retreat Registration:

Retreat West (Albuquerque):

Until July 24, 2024: 75% refund, less $50 cancellation fee
July 25, 2024- August 1, 2024: 50% refund, less $50 cancellation fee
No refunds will be issued for cancellations starting  August 2, 2024.

Retreat East (Alexandria):

Albuquerque: [email protected]

Alexandria: [email protected]

Our retreats operate on a cost-recovery basis, with fees intentionally kept at a minimum to cover expenses. Kindly note that refunds will not be issued after the specified 'No Cancellations' date, as cancellations impact our commitments for accommodations, meals, and related services. We urge participants to carefully assess their attendance certainty. Additionally, we highly recommend the acquisition of travel insurance, readily accessible to mitigate unforeseen circumstances.

Cancellation Acknowledgment

By completion and submission of the WFWA Retreat 2024 registration form, I certify I have read, fully understand, and agree to the terms of the Cancellation policy and will email the respective retreat chair BEFORE I CANCEL MY HOTEL ROOM should I choose to cancel my registration.

Photo/Audio/Video Release 

WFWA may be recording audio/video and photographing various meetings, sessions, and casual gatherings during WFWA retreats. The recordings and photographs of such may be used for various purposes, including, but not limited to: publications (print and online) social media posts, future education, promotional and marketing activities. By attending WFWA retreats, meetings and events, you consent to be photographed and recorded on audio/video, and agree that WFWA may use these photographs and/or recordings for any purpose without additional approval or permission and without compensation. All images, videos and recordings shall remain the property of WFWA. WFWA reserves the right to restrict audio and video recording at WFWA retreats, meetings and events based on a speaker or performer’s contractual agreement. Attendees agree to abide by such restrictions.

Indemnification and COVID-19 Policy

I understand participation in the WFWA retreat  is entirely voluntary, and as a retreat attendee, I voluntarily assume all risks that may occur as a result of my participation in the retreat, including, without limitation, the risk of property damage, illness, or personal injury (including death). 

I understand and acknowledge I risk exposure to and contraction of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by attending the WFWA retreat in person, and my related travels to, from, and during the retreat. I understand the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at the WFWA retreat may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of others who may attend the conference or their families, colleagues, or others with whom they may have contact. I acknowledge WFWA makes no representations it has taken any safety precautions that relate to COVID-19 or exposure, and I understand, even if WFWA has taken any proactive measures to reduce potential exposure, WFWA has made no representation that those measures will in any way reduce or prevent the risks associated with exposure.

I hereby agree to release and hold harmless WFWA from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, and all expenses incidental thereto (including attorney's fees), based upon or arising out of any loss (including financial loss), property damage, illness (including COVID-19), or personal injury (including death) caused by or resulting in any way from my participation in the WFWA retreat.

Dietary Restrictions/Requirements/Allergies Policy

WFWA will do its best to communicate clearly with the hotel and catering, any dietary restrictions, requirements, and allergies of registered attendees that are communicated to us through registration, though WFWA cannot guarantee that these will be met by the hotel and catering. It is also the responsibility of any attendee to communicate their needs with any hotels or restaurants associated with this event.

I hereby agree to release and hold harmless WFWA from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, and all expenses incidental thereto (including attorney's fees), based upon or arising out of any loss (including financial loss), property damage, illness, or personal injury (including death) caused by or resulting in any way from my consumption or exposure to food or drink offered during the WFWA retreat.

Accommodations for Disability Policy

WFWA will do its best to communicate clearly with the hotel any and all accommodations for disability needed for registered attendees that are communicated to us through registration, though WFWA cannot guarantee that these will be met by the hotel. It is also the responsibility of any attendee to communicate their needs with any hotels or restaurants or venues associated with this event.

I hereby agree to release and hold harmless WFWA from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, and all expenses incidental thereto (including attorney's fees), based upon or arising out of any loss (including financial loss), property damage, illness, or personal injury (including death) caused by or resulting in any way from a lack of accommodations during the WFWA retreat.

Acknowledgment

By completion and submission of the WFWA Retreat 2024 registration form, I certify I have read, fully understand, and agree to the terms of the Liability Waiver and Assumption of Risk included herein.  

• Photo/Audio/Video Release 

• Indemnification and Covid-19 Policy

• Dietary Restrictions/Requirements/Allergies Policy

• Disability/Special Accommodations Policy