The French Alps Are Calling.
Your Story is, Too.
A Writing Retreat with Sadeqa Johnson & Julie Cantrell
Sept 5-11, 2027 • Chamonix, France
Escape to a beautiful chalet in the French Alps with Julie and Sadeqa! In this unique opportunity, you’ll join not one, but two, bestselling authors for a creative deep dive near the Swiss border. Every day our group of twelve women writers will gather for a three-hour workshop. Perched in this picturesque mountain community, the workshops will offer a combination of morning meditations, generative writing exercises, and roundtable critiques in a close-knit and nurturing environment. We’ll also be tackling five core craft skills: Emotion and Theme; Plot and Pacing; World Building and Setting; Dialogue and Subtext; Revisions and Editing. We’ll vary the groups each day to keep the energy fresh, and each student will meet with either Julie or Sadeqa for a one-hour private session. With a private chef, a “happiness coordinator,” and a circle of kindhearted writing peers, this retreat is specially designed to offer mind-body-spirit renewal, deep community connections, and relaxing creative flow. All genres are welcome.
Meet Sadeqa Johnson
SADEQA JOHNSON is a New York Times Bestselling author of six novels.
Her previous novel, The House of Eve was an instant New York Times Best Seller, Reese’s Book Club selection, Target Book Club pick, nominated for a NAACP Image Award and a 2023 Goodreads Choice award finalist.
Her previous novel, Yellow Wife, was named by Oprah Magazine as “27 of 2021 Most Anticipated Winter Historical Fiction books.” was also a 2021 Goodreads Choice Award finalist for historical fiction, a 2022 Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy finalist, a BCALA Literary Honoree, the Library of Virginia’s Literary People’s Choice Award winner, and a Barnes & Noble book club pick in paperback.
Her latest novel, Keeper of Lost Children, explores how one American woman’s vision in post WWII Germany will change the course of countless lives. Originally from Philadelphia, Sadeqa currently lives near Richmond, Virginia.
Meet Julie
JULIE CANTRELL is a multiple award-winning, New York Times, USA TODAY, and international bestselling author, editor, creative writing instructor, TEDx speaker, and ghostwriter. Her novels have earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal and have been featured in Top Reads lists by LitHub, Redhook, Southern Living Magazine, REAL SIMPLE, BookBub, HuffPost, USA TODAY (HEA), and more. As a novelist, she’s received two Christy Awards, two Carol Awards, and the Mississippi Library Association Fiction Award. She was named a two-time shortlist finalist for the Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize, and she served as the editor-in-chief of the Southern Literary Review. She currently serves as the Managing Director of Story Summit. For more information, please visit www.juliecantrell.com
On arrival, you'll be whisked away to this luxurious chalet in the heart of the French Alps
Delight in freshly prepared meals that capture the joie de vivre of the Haute-Savoie
To maximize your writing time, breakfasts and our chef-prepared lunches are grab and go. In the evening, our chef prepares exquisite sit-down dinners.
Activities during your retreat include a train ride to the Mer de Glace and optional walk to the ice cave (steep stairs). We’ll also enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
In your spare time, enjoy a dip in the jacuzzi, hone your writing with breathtaking views of the Mont Blanc, or walk into Chamonix just a few minutes away on foot.
Accommodations
The chalet feature a total of ten bedrooms, most with a private, full bathroom. Two rooms can be shared with someone you know at a reduced rate.
Amenities include toiletries, blow dryer, washer/dryer, scent-free detergent, robe and plenty of towels.
YOUR RETREAT INCLUDES:
6 nights in an ensuite private room
freshly prepared French meals
15 hours of workshop instruction
one-hour private critique
scheduled dining out & activities
local transportation
on-site concierge services
Please note that alcohol is not included
“What a lovely experience from start to finish. Everything was so well done for us with such consideration for each of us.”
– Mercilee Jenkins