RETREATS

Waitlist Only

Master Skills Workshop

A week at Caboose Farm with Patti Gauch and Gary Schmidt

Six days of workshops, one-on-one editing, and writing time with Patti Gauch and Gary Schmidt at Caboose Farm in Sabillasville, Maryland.

DATES

November 8 - November 14, 2026

LOCATION

Sabillasville, MD

LEVEL

Advanced

*Limited to X participants.

register now

A Week to go deep into your craft.

Patti Gauch and Gary Schmidt have been teaching this workshop together for years, and every year they bring new lessons, new prompts, and new exercises. Some of the most talented writers we know return year after year. Published books have come out of this event.

This is a week for children's and teen authors who are ready to dive deep into craft and take their writing to the next level. Patti brings decades of editing experience from her time at Philomel Books, where she worked with three Caldecott winners and a National Book Award winner. Gary brings two Newbery Honors and years of teaching at the MFA level. Between them, you’ll get an editor's eye and a novelist's instinct, both focussed  on your manuscript.

The week is built around workshops, talks about craft, one-on-one editing and mentoring sessions, and readings, all at Caboose Farm.

RETREAT OVERVIEW

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Six nights at Caboose Farm

Lodging in small houses on the property. Sunday arrival, Saturday departure.

All meals included

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. Dietary accommodations available with notice.

Daily workshops and craft talks

Sessions with Patti and Gary across the week. New material each year.

One-on-one sessions with each instructor

Individual editing and mentoring time scheduled across the week.

Protected Writing Time

Hours each afternoon to work on your own project, with quiet spaces around the property.

FOR YOU IF

  • You're an experienced writer ready to take your manuscript to the next level.

  • You want concentrated time away from daily life to focus on your work.

  • You value one-on-one time with both an editor and an author.

YOU’LL LEAVE WITH

  • More words on the page and a clearer vision for your project.

  • Editorial and authorial perspectives on your manuscript.

  • A community of writers who'll be in your work for years to come.

MEET YOUR TEACHERS

PATTI GAUCH

Longtime editorial director at Philomel Books, where she edited three Caldecott Medal winners and a National Book Award winner. Author of more than forty books for young readers, including Christina Katerina and the Box. Whale Rock founding faculty.

GARY D. SCHMIDT

Two-time Newbery Honor recipient. Author of The Wednesday Wars, Okay for Now, and many others. Former Hamline MFA faculty.

WEEK AT A GLANCE

What your days look like.

Morning

[Shari/faculty to confirm — e.g., breakfast at the farm, then morning workshop and craft talks with one of the teachers.]

Afternoon

Lunch, then writing time and scheduled one-on-ones.

Evening

Dinner together, nightly readings and conversations.

ACCOMMODATIONS & MEALS

Lodging

Beautiful Caboose Farm

Single Occupancy: WAITLIST ONLY

Meals & Logistics

All meals are included. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served at the farm each day.

Getting there: Caboose Farm is in Sabillasville, MD.

THE FARM

FREQUENTLY ASKED

A few things to know.

  • [Shari to provide — airport distances, driving directions.]

  • [Shari to confirm — available or not, additional cost if so.]

  • The $500 deposit is non-refundable. The full balance is due before the retreat begins. If you withdraw before the retreat starts, $250 of your deposit may be applied toward another Whale Rock program. No refunds once the retreat is underway.

  • Yes. Many writers return year after year. Each year, the faculty bring new material, and writers come back with new projects or further revisions of ongoing ones.

COST & POLICIES

Tuition is [$PRICE] and covers all workshops, instruction, lodging, and meals at Caboose Farm for the full week. You can pay by credit card or use Klarna for payment plans.

Deposit & Balance:A $500 non-refundable deposit reserves your spot. The full balance is due [X days/weeks] before the retreat begins.

Scholarships available for writers with underrepresented stories and voices. Educators and librarians receive a 20% discount.

Reserve your spot at the farm.