Includes: 2 gourmet dinners / 2 breakfasts and 1 lunch / Plus snacks and beverages
Price per person: $ 800.00 if staying; $900.00 if not staying
* Room price not included
Spend three days honing your craft with Village Editorial president, Anna Hartzog. Retreat from the distractions of everyday life in the beautiful mountains of Mentone, Alabama at Andiamo Lodge. Take time to renew your zest for writing, learn more about the publishing industry, and work on your own novel, non-fiction book, or short story. Now in its third edition, the retreat is expanding to include branding and visual storytelling from acclaimed photographer and branding expert, Colleen Duffley.
About Colleen – For more than 30 years, Colleen Duffley has built a career around the art of storytelling—as an international photographer, creative director, brand manager, and longtime contributor to the publishing and advertising world. Whether interpreting an editorial assignment, photographing a destination, or helping shape the identity of a brand, Colleen has always approached her work with the same question: What is the story, and how do i make someone feel it?
In her session at Andiamo Lodge, Colleen will explore how storytelling goes far beyond the written word. A photograph, a color palette, a tagline, a typeface—even the smallest visual detail—can become part of a larger narrative. Drawing from decades of creating imagery and developing brands, she’ll share how to find a unique voice and then carry that voice consistently through visuals, words, and the details that make a story unmistakably your own.
Highlights:
Creative Writing Workshops – Delve into your creativity through directed, theme-specific prompts that focus on improving your writing skills. As we work together on creating compelling opening lines, meaningful dialogue, believable characters, and dynamic settings, you’ll strengthen your writing skills and spark new story ideas.
Professional Direction – Anna will share knowledge gained through years of writing and editing for national magazines and ghostwriting for best-selling books. She now works with authors as an editor and coach to help them through their writing and publishing journeys. Colleen will share how to tell your story as an author through personal branding and photography leading to a more robust digital presence and increased opportunities within the creative communities.
Hands-on Editing and Coaching – Anna will meet with each writer to review pages, outlines, etc. and discuss next steps for writing, editing, and publishing.
Devoted Writing Time – Writers will have dedicated time to focus on furthering their work while relaxing in the inspirational setting of Andiamo Lodge in north Alabama.
Publishing Seminars – Are you curious about your publishing options? Anna will outline the pros and cons of traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing options. She will share tips about finding agents, planning a book launch, using social media for marketing, and more!
What past attendees are saying…
“Getting to collaborate with other writers and meet one on one with Anna was just what I needed to renew my craft and have some clear next steps. The writing activities pushed me beyond my own creative boundaries. Learning about the different publishing options was insightful. I loved the opportunity to be a part of the retreat! My only regret is that I didn't stay at the lodge longer! The setting was perfect.” – Brittany
“What a fun and rejuvenating experience! I loved being an overnight guest at Andiamo and experiencing all it had to offer, including the incredibly comfortable beds. Colleen’s elaborate European-style breakfasts and gourmet meals were just the fuel we needed to make real progress in our writing. I was encouraged by the conversations had around the table that sparked creativity and pushed my craft to the next level. I look forward to coming back.” – Laura
“The writing retreat was collaborative, creative, and what I needed to improve my writing skills. I love the group and personal exercises, as well as sharing and getting feedback. It not only renewed my confidence but also made space for more creativity. The lodge was the perfect calming space. I can’t wait for the next experience!” – Jackie
Village Editorial Writing Retreat Schedule
Tuesday, November 3
3:00 – Check-in
3:45 – Gathering and introductions
4:00 – Discussion – What’s your story/passion?
4:15 – Storytelling Workshop 1 – Nonfiction writing: Telling Your Own Story
5:15 – Storytelling Workshop 2 – Branding: Presenting Your Story to an Audience
6:15 – Head back to rooms to settle in
6:30 – Cocktails on the back porch
7:00 – Dinner – Storytelling through song with special musical guest, Corey Curtis
Wednesday, November 4
8:30 – Breakfast and coffee
9:30 – Storytelling Workshop 3 – Fiction writing: Telling a story through dialogue, character development, and point of view
10:30 – Storytelling Workshop 4 – Crafting the Story: Plot and Outline, plus the steps to writing a novel or nonfiction book
11:30 – Independent Writing Time / Individual Meetings with Anna
1:00 – Lunch
2:00 – Storytelling Workshop 5 – Visual Storytelling: A lesson in iPhonography
3:00 – Storytelling Workshop 6 – Setting the Story: The importance of place and time
4:00 – Independent Writing Time / Individual Meetings with Anna
6:30 – Cocktails on the back porch
7:00 – Dinner
Thursday, November 6
8:30 – Breakfast and coffee
9:30 – Storytelling Workshop 7 – It’s in the Details: Learning what it means to “show not tell.”
10:30 – Publishing Seminar – Understanding the Publishing Industry in 2026
11:30 – Closing reflections
12:00 – Check-out
Includes: 2 gourmet dinners / 2 breakfasts and 1 lunch / Plus snacks and beverages
Price per person: $ 800.00 if staying; $900.00 if not staying
* Room price not included
Spend three days honing your craft with Village Editorial president, Anna Hartzog. Retreat from the distractions of everyday life in the beautiful mountains of Mentone, Alabama at Andiamo Lodge. Take time to renew your zest for writing, learn more about the publishing industry, and work on your own novel, non-fiction book, or short story. Now in its third edition, the retreat is expanding to include branding and visual storytelling from acclaimed photographer and branding expert, Colleen Duffley.
About Colleen – For more than 30 years, Colleen Duffley has built a career around the art of storytelling—as an international photographer, creative director, brand manager, and longtime contributor to the publishing and advertising world. Whether interpreting an editorial assignment, photographing a destination, or helping shape the identity of a brand, Colleen has always approached her work with the same question: What is the story, and how do i make someone feel it?
In her session at Andiamo Lodge, Colleen will explore how storytelling goes far beyond the written word. A photograph, a color palette, a tagline, a typeface—even the smallest visual detail—can become part of a larger narrative. Drawing from decades of creating imagery and developing brands, she’ll share how to find a unique voice and then carry that voice consistently through visuals, words, and the details that make a story unmistakably your own.
Highlights:
Creative Writing Workshops – Delve into your creativity through directed, theme-specific prompts that focus on improving your writing skills. As we work together on creating compelling opening lines, meaningful dialogue, believable characters, and dynamic settings, you’ll strengthen your writing skills and spark new story ideas.
Professional Direction – Anna will share knowledge gained through years of writing and editing for national magazines and ghostwriting for best-selling books. She now works with authors as an editor and coach to help them through their writing and publishing journeys. Colleen will share how to tell your story as an author through personal branding and photography leading to a more robust digital presence and increased opportunities within the creative communities.
Hands-on Editing and Coaching – Anna will meet with each writer to review pages, outlines, etc. and discuss next steps for writing, editing, and publishing.
Devoted Writing Time – Writers will have dedicated time to focus on furthering their work while relaxing in the inspirational setting of Andiamo Lodge in north Alabama.
Publishing Seminars – Are you curious about your publishing options? Anna will outline the pros and cons of traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing options. She will share tips about finding agents, planning a book launch, using social media for marketing, and more!
What past attendees are saying…
“Getting to collaborate with other writers and meet one on one with Anna was just what I needed to renew my craft and have some clear next steps. The writing activities pushed me beyond my own creative boundaries. Learning about the different publishing options was insightful. I loved the opportunity to be a part of the retreat! My only regret is that I didn't stay at the lodge longer! The setting was perfect.” – Brittany
“What a fun and rejuvenating experience! I loved being an overnight guest at Andiamo and experiencing all it had to offer, including the incredibly comfortable beds. Colleen’s elaborate European-style breakfasts and gourmet meals were just the fuel we needed to make real progress in our writing. I was encouraged by the conversations had around the table that sparked creativity and pushed my craft to the next level. I look forward to coming back.” – Laura
“The writing retreat was collaborative, creative, and what I needed to improve my writing skills. I love the group and personal exercises, as well as sharing and getting feedback. It not only renewed my confidence but also made space for more creativity. The lodge was the perfect calming space. I can’t wait for the next experience!” – Jackie
Village Editorial Writing Retreat Schedule
Tuesday, November 3
3:00 – Check-in
3:45 – Gathering and introductions
4:00 – Discussion – What’s your story/passion?
4:15 – Storytelling Workshop 1 – Nonfiction writing: Telling Your Own Story
5:15 – Storytelling Workshop 2 – Branding: Presenting Your Story to an Audience
6:15 – Head back to rooms to settle in
6:30 – Cocktails on the back porch
7:00 – Dinner – Storytelling through song with special musical guest, Corey Curtis
Wednesday, November 4
8:30 – Breakfast and coffee
9:30 – Storytelling Workshop 3 – Fiction writing: Telling a story through dialogue, character development, and point of view
10:30 – Storytelling Workshop 4 – Crafting the Story: Plot and Outline, plus the steps to writing a novel or nonfiction book
11:30 – Independent Writing Time / Individual Meetings with Anna
1:00 – Lunch
2:00 – Storytelling Workshop 5 – Visual Storytelling: A lesson in iPhonography
3:00 – Storytelling Workshop 6 – Setting the Story: The importance of place and time
4:00 – Independent Writing Time / Individual Meetings with Anna
6:30 – Cocktails on the back porch
7:00 – Dinner
Thursday, November 6
8:30 – Breakfast and coffee
9:30 – Storytelling Workshop 7 – It’s in the Details: Learning what it means to “show not tell.”
10:30 – Publishing Seminar – Understanding the Publishing Industry in 2026
11:30 – Closing reflections
12:00 – Check-out
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