A Writing Retreat with
Jessica Berg & Rita Veras
June 6-12, 2027
Chamonix, France
Two Agents, One Goal: Amplify the Author Within
Most writing retreats treat getting a literary agent as the finish line. This one starts there.
Spend a week in the French countryside with Rita Veras and Jessica Berg—two Rosecliff Literary agents who have made it their work to say the things the publishing industry usually keeps quiet.
Rita is a literary agent and member of the AALA’s DEI Committee. Jessica is the founder and director of Rosecliff Literary and the woman behind Your Literary Agent Bestie. Neither are approaching this week as evaluators. Instead, they’re coming in as curious about your pages, about the career you’re building, about the woman behind the work.
Meet Jessica
JESSICA BERG is the founder and agency director of Rosecliff Literary, a boutique agency built on the belief that ambitious writers deserve transparency, strategy, and a seat at the table. She earned her MFA from Spalding University and brings more than a decade of experience to her work with clients.
In addition to her agency role, Jessica is a multi-nominated author. She serves as a contributing editor for Writer’s Digest and teaches globally on query letters, positioning, and sustainable author careers.
She lives online at @jessica_berg, where she talks about querying, writing life, and the realities of publishing.
Meet Rita
RITA VERAS is a literary agent at Rosecliff Literary, specializing in historical fiction, romance, magical realism, horror, and retellings. Before returning to publishing, she spent nearly two decades coaching entrepreneurs to become successful business owners. She now applies that experience as an agent, combining author-as-business-owner strategies with the craft of writing.
Rita is an award-winning, published poet who champions Latinx and BIPOC authors and underrepresented voices. She actively participates in AALA’s DEI committee, advocating for accurate representation and greater accessibility in publishing. She collaborates closely with authors on query strategies, building strong social media platforms, and emphasizing cultural details that make stories feel authentic rather than artificially researched.
You can connect with Rita online at @rita_veras, where she discusses the querying process and shares fun stories about the challenges of writing.
Here’s What the Week
Looks Like:
Rita and Jessica know that your manuscript is art but your career is something you architect.
This retreat treats both of those things as true at the same time.
On the craft track, work on your query letter, first pages, and synopsis. You’ll receive live editing and feedback in real time about what’s working, what can be enhanced, and how to see what else needs to happen so that you’re ready to query. You’ll also build a researched, specific, strategic list of agents who are the right fit for your book and the career you’re you want.
On the author-as-business owner track, you’ll receive a social media audit. We’ll talk through the must-haves for authors, including a website and an email list. We’ll help you figure out what your voice is, how to show up on the screen and in person, and how to ensure you’re working toward the author you want to become.
What You Leave With:
You’ll leave with a query plan that’s specific to your book. Pages that are ready. A query letter in your voice. A platform strategy that fits your actual life. A business owner’s understanding of the industry you’re walking into.
The best things about this retreat shouldn’t be things you have to remember. Instead, they should be things you’re able to return to, in real time.
This retreat is meant to offer you two things: give you the community you need to become the author you know you can be and to ensure you’ve got the right people in your corner.
Having two agents who know you, your pages, and who understand what you’re building will help you amplify the author you know you can become.
Delicious French meals, prepared daily, infuse the regional joie de vivre
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.
Experience Chamonix
Activities during your retreat include a train ride to the Mer de Glace and optional walk to the ice cave (steep stairs).
After, we’ll enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant.
Immerse yourself in alpine grandeur
In your spare time, enjoy a dip in the jacuzzi and sauna, hone your writing with breathtaking views of the Mont Blanc, or walk into Chamonix just a few minutes away on foot.
Accommodations
The chalets feature a total of thirteen bedrooms, each 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
$5950 enjoy a shared room with someone you know
$4500 bring a female guest
“What a lovely experience from start to finish. Everything was so well done for us with such consideration for each of us.”
– Mercilee Jenkins