“Tom Bird is simply the finest writing instructor in the world.”
– Paul McCarthy, New York Times Best-Selling Author and legendary editor to
nine #1 New York Best-Selling Authors, including Clive Cussler and Stephen Coonts
An Exclusive,
Life/Career-Changing Event
“Tom Bird reminds us that we can do anything through our connection with the Divine, and that writing is a divine way to do it.”
– Nancy Aronie, Author of Writing From the Heart, 1998, Hyperion
Limited to 35 Authors Per Retreat to Guarantee You the One-on-One Attention from Tom You Deserve!
“Thanks for showing me how to get published….half a million copies sold to date.”
– Jan Larkey, Author of Flatter Your Figure
IMAGINE LIVING OUT YOUR LONG-AWAITED WRITING DREAMS RIGHT NOW from the comfort of your own home, favorite getaway lodge, hotel, resort or whatever, without the extra expense of traveling to a live version. But you can recline in the knowledge of the fact that you will have the exclusive attention of myself and my staff to lead you through the life-changing, world-changing, experience of writing your book.
All Virtual retreats are held on Zoom:
Workshop Specifics
All of the phases of the retreat support the loving communion between yourself, your spirit, and your book – with all the other authors at the retreat.
What is the average length of an American book these days? 35,000 words – so you can immediately see where the ability to write your book over the course of a long weekend comes into play.
UPON REGISTRATION:
After your registration is complete, you will receive an email within a day acknowledging that your place at the retreat has been reserved.
APPROXIMATELY SIX WEEKS BEFORE RETREAT:
You’ll receive an itinerary and instruction packet via email. There will also be an invitation to set up an appointment to review your documents and what you should do to prepare.
PRE-RETREAT PREPARATION and EDUCATION
It is our pre-retreat responsibility to help remove the effects of any inappropriate education or training you may have experienced that has kept you from achieving the results you deserve with your writing/publishing endeavors.
If you properly prepare for the retreat, you come ready to release your book. Registered for a retreat close-in and do not have time to do all the prep work? Do your best. We got your back!
The prep-work can take anywhere from 6 to 20 hours and includes:
- Downloading audio files to listen to when you write (you will receive these as part of your registration).
- Reading and completing writing exercises from several of Tom’s books (you will receive these as part of your registration).
- Watching videos.
- Attend complimentary webinars with Tom and other participants to have any remaining questions answered or concerns addressed.
- Gathering supplies (any office supply store will have the items suggested for the writing and editing process).
Information and details for the weekly pre-retreat assignments will be outlined on your Retreat Dashboard which will be sent to you after you complete your registration.
DURING THE WEEKEND RETREAT:
Retreat Schedule (In Arizona/Mountain Standard Time)*:
Thursday: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Friday – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Saturday – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sunday – 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Thursday evening: After a short introduction, the retreat begins, and within 30 minutes you are writing your book.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: Writing/revising continues through the second, third, and fourth day and concludes on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
During Standard Time (November 5, 2023 – March 10, 2024 and November 3, 2024 – March 9, 2025), Arizona Time is the same as Mountain Time and one hour ahead of Pacific Time.
During Daylight Saving Time (March 10 – November 4, 2024), Arizona Time is the same as Pacific Daylight Time and one hour behind Mountain Daylight Time.
You can write your book in long-hand or on your computer (you are not required to use a computer). If you are a speedy typist, you can save the step of having to type your entire manuscript at a later time.
Taking care of yourself when writing for 8 hours a day:
- There are designated breaks for breakfast and lunch
- Dress comfortably
- Have plenty of healthy snacks and water on hand
- We strongly encourage avoiding caffeine before and during the writing sessions
CREATING THE IDEAL WRITING SPACE:
Set up a quiet, undisturbed space free from outside distractions with phone muted and daily tasks handled or assigned to someone else. Set up and plug in your computer, with the ability to save to hard drive, flash drive, or Cloud. Wear comfortable clothing and have a comfortable place to write.
TECHNICAL:
We utilize Zoom (https://zoom.us/), which is a free web conferencing service for you.
Camera on computer?
We can see you and you can see us; you are not required to have your camera on.
What to do if there are technical issues?
Contact your virtual retreat manager via email or chat. In the rare event your technical issue can’t be addressed you will need to contact support at Zoom.us
REVISIONS:
No book is fully completed until it has been revised. Using the momentum and escalated confidence you have gained as a result of having completed your book at the retreat, you will immediately move into the Revision Phase. Some conclude the revision of their book during the weekend; others complete their revisions at home or as part of their individual working arrangement with Tom.
PAYMENT AND TRANSFER OPTIONS:
All monies paid for a retreat are non-refundable and non-transferable, except as specifically set forth herein. Author may transfer Author’s reservation for a retreat to a separate retreat once, provided the retreat to which Author desires to transfer is scheduled to take place within a 12-month period from the originally purchased retreat. Retreat transfer requests must be received by Presenter at least three weeks prior to the start of the retreat for which Author originally registered. In the unlikely event of the cancelation of a retreat for any reason, a makeup retreat will be scheduled in the same area for a date no more than 12-months after the original date of the retreat canceled. At the time of any cancelation by Presenter, registered participants can either transfer, at no extra charge, their registration to the makeup retreat or to any other already scheduled retreat within the 12-month period from the date of the canceled retreat.
In the event Presenter is not able to conduct the retreat or provide a makeup retreat or provide any other services paid for by Author for any reason, Presenter’s liability to Author shall be limited solely to a refund of any monies already paid by the Author to Presenter.
Read the Complete Retreat Terms & Conditions here.
BOOK PROMOTION:
It is essential that you become well-versed in this topic; however, the information you need to know make up a completely separate entity. Students will gain an overview of invaluable resources and varying avenues for promotion and contact information for the top authorities in book promotion in our corner.