Do you dream of making progress in your writing life? Whether you've just started or you've stalled out, you need a road map and plenty of fuel to make it to the finish line. 

Your  Roadmap to Writing Virtual Writers Retreat provides guidance on each stage of the writing process from idea to publishing and everything in between.

If you’re serious about getting a writing project out of your head and onto the page—no more excuses, no more delays—it’s time for action.  Join our online Writers Retreat to fuel up your writing journey with personal attention from ten writing coaches who teach you how to build a satisfying and productive writing life. 

This three-day retreat offers all the tools you need to jump-start and sustain your writing project. We want to equip you to flourish in your writing life.

Join us for this FREE three-day event as we find the next steps in your writing journey. 

No Travel
A virtual retreat is held online, not in a cold conference hall. The sessions come straight to you anywhere in the world.  No airport. No driving. No hotel.
No additional expenses. 100% convenience.
Expert Speakers
The retreat features 10 seasoned writing coaches who provide the skills aspiring and working authors need to 
find success in their writing journey, from birthing the idea to publishing a book.
Affordable Access
Most writer's retreats are hundreds or thousands of dollars, but not this one. We offer two affordable viewing options including live QnA and lifetime access to all retreat replays. 
LIVE Streaming
The conference will be streamed LIVE the entire weekend. Our writing coaches provide  expert instruction and 
real-time answers to your questions.
"I'm thrilled to be a part of the FlourishWriters community where I can make connections with other Christian writers and share in our collective wisdom."
-Michelle, FlourishWriter
Fuel up your writing journey with personal attention from ten writing coaches who teach you how to build a satisfying and productive writing life. 
Jevon Bolden: Author, Literary Agent
Jevon Bolden is a Best-selling editor, writer, and literary agent of Embolden Media Group. In her seventeen years in publishing, Jevon has worked as senior acquisitions editor for adult nonfiction at Charisma House and as senior editor for children's nonfiction at Scholastic. Now a free agent, having launched her own firm in late 2017, Jevon shares the best of what she knows with passionate and creative people who desire to publish exceptional books.
Janyre Tromp: Writer, Editor
Janyre Tromp has worked in the CBA industry for more than twenty years, spending time in both marketing and editorial. Currently she is an editor for Kregel Publications by day and a writer (represented by William K. Jensen Literary Agency) at night. And that all happens from her kitchen table when she's not hanging out with her husband, two kids, two troublesome cats, and slightly eccentric Shetland Sheepdog. 
Angela Bouma: Graphic Designer
Angela Bouma is the owner and chief designer for Bouma Design Co. After hustling in the corporate marketing scene for a decade, she decided to open her own shop focusing on building brands and websites for speakers and authors. Angela loves a good discovery call where she learns of all the amazing ways God is using His people and their stories to bring glory to His name. While her clients are all over the country, she and her family call California home...at least for now.

Christina Patterson: Author, Bible Teacher
Christina Patterson is an author, Bible teacher, and YouTuber passionate about empowering women in the love of Jesus Christ and the truth of God's Word. Christina holds a Master's degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University and is the author of several books and Bible Studies as well as a contributing writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries and iBelieve. She is the founder of Beloved Women, a non-profit providing resources and community for women to truly know who they are in Christ: His Beloved.
Rachel Risner: Author, Bible Study Teacher
Rachel Risner is a women's Bible study author, pastor's wife, and homeschool mom of eight fun kids-from high school down to diapers. Though her writing career had a reluctant start (with eight kids to raise, who has time to write?!), she has been amazed at the doors God has opened for her. Rachel has achieved more in her short time as an indie author than she even dreamed. She makes her home in the beautiful, rolling hills of Amish Country in rural Ohio. 
Allen Arnold: Author, Speaker
Allen Arnold is an author, speaker, and Executive Producer of Content for Wild at Heart (the ministry founded by New York Times bestselling author John Eldredge). His passion is awakening people's hearts to actively pursue their dreams and creativity with God. As a former Fiction Publisher, Allen oversaw the launch of more than 500 novels-and has mentored and presented to thousands of creatives. He is the author of two acclaimed books (The Story of With and Chaos Can't). He loves blue oceans, black coffee, hot salsa, and big ideas. 
Misty Phillp: Author, Podcaster
Misty Phillip is the founder of Spark Media which consists of the Spark Christian Podcast Conference, Spark Now Summit, and the Spark Collective. She is the host of the popular By His Grace podcast. Misty inspires others through her leadership, speaking, and mastermind groups. She currently serves as the Houston Connect Leader for Christian Women In Media. Misty is the author of the best-selling Bible Study, The Struggle is Real: But So is God and Spark Podcast Planner 2020.
Kate Motaung: Author, Editor
Kate Motaung is the author of A Place to Land: A Story of Longing and Belonging and Letters to Grief, and co-author of Influence: Building a Platform that Elevates Jesus (Not Me). She is the host of Five Minute Friday (fiveminutefriday.com), an online community that encourages and equips Christian writers, and owner of Refine Services (refineservices.com), a company that offers writing and editing services. Kate and her South African husband are the parents of three teenagers.
Mindy Kiker: Author , Founder of Flourish Ministries
Mindy Kiker is co-founder of FlourishGathering and FlourishWriters. For those desiring to write their God Story, she is a guide who helps birth the story from the heart to the page.  Mindy’s passion for people was energized over a decade in South Africa where she worked in Adult Education, Community Development, and Entrepreneurship. Mindy makes her home in Florida with her husband and four sons.
Jennifer Kochert: Author , Founder of Flourish Ministries
Jenny Kochert is co-founder of FlourishGathering and FlourishWriters where she and ministry partner, Mindy Kiker, have authored and published Bible Studies and devotionals, workshops, online conferences, and training courses. Jenny, her husband Ryan, and daughter Sophia live in Northern Kentucky where they serve in ministry together as a family.

All times listed Eastern (New York)

9:30 AM 
Retreat Kick Off 
Join us at 9:30 am  for our official virtual retreat kickoff. Bring your own coffee to get the plan for the day and ask the questions you need answered. We'll start early with giveaways, so don't miss your alarm on Thursday, April 22nd. 
10:00 AM 
Pray Hear Write
You know what God has spoken. But where do you start? What should you write? Who will read it? And how do you get it to them? This Pray Hear Write presentation is designed to help you learn how to tune into God for His specific plans concerning your call to write, develop a writing plan and practice, and be positioned to connect with a receptive audience. In her more than seventeen years editing and writing best-selling books, Jevon Bolden has found no substitute for getting the right words to the right people than first going to God.
11:30 AM
Developing Your Best Tools for First-Round Edits
You've finished your first draft, but how do you effectively tackle first-round developmental edits? In this workshop, veteran developmental editor Janyre Tromp shows authors how to create an annotated Table of Contents (TOC) and establish a target market, and use those to hone and focus the broad scope of your manuscript so you can effectively communicate your points to your target market. And let me tell you an annotated TOC is kind of magical…seriously.
1:00 PM 
A Roadmap on Where to Start Building Your Platform
The manuscript is complete and now you want to get your message out into the world. But what's next? How do you know when it's time to build a website, start a Facebook group or create videos for YouTube? Do you need a podcast? And what's this business of building a list? Join Angela Bouma in this presentation, where you'll get down to the nitty-gritty of what your next step might look like. No person's journey is the same but Angela will provide a roadmap for which items should be at the top of the list and the questions you need to ask to move forward in the business of your writing.
2:00 PM 
Virtual Roundtable Discussion
Join other retreat attendees for one-hour on Zoom where you will meet together in small groups for lively, practical, and encouraging discussion on a variety of topics. 
3:00 PM 
The Art of Storytelling
We all desire to be scintillating storytellers. Whether telling your personal story or weaving the beauty of imagination within a fiction piece, we want our readers to have an experience with our words, an experience that leaves them in a better place than before. Our responsibility as storytellers is to understand that our words have value and weight. Our stories are powerful. To honor our stories, the Author of our stories, and the readers who receive our words, we must learn the art and craft of storytelling. In this presentation, Jennifer Kochert helps you clarify and communicate the purpose of your story. With simple storytelling principles as your foundation, you will learn to write a compelling story that keeps readers engaged to the last page.

All times listed Eastern (New York)

11:00 AM
How to Write a Digital Bible Study
As more people are finding enriching content online to help grow their faith, online Bible studies have become increasingly in demand. Different from writing a book, digital bible study writing requires knowledge of how to teach the Bible in a way that speaks to an online audience. In "How to Write a Digital Bible Study" Bible Teacher and YouTuber Christina Patterson shares simple yet effective keys to creating digital content to teach God's Word with clarity and authority.
12:00 PM
Common Mistakes Christian Writers Make
In this session, Kate Motaung will share five common mistakes Christian writers make, as well as suggested responses to remedy those mistakes from a biblical perspective. Attendees will be encouraged to use the unique set of gifts and talents the Lord has given them to fulfill their calling as Christian writers, confident in their identity in Christ and equipped to impact readers for His glory.
2:00 PM
Putting Your Best Author Foot Forward
Your manuscript is drafted, edited, polished, typeset, and ready to head to the printer-but wait! There are a few crucial details to ensure your book has the best fighting chance of reaching your readers. In this session Rachel Risner will teach you exactly what you need to know to put your best foot forward. This marketing mini-boot camp will include book publishing pro-tips on covers, blurbs, Amazon author pages, author websites, and choosing your social media strategy-all with the goal of getting your God-given message to your readers and maximizing your sales. This session will be packed with details and tips you won't want to miss!
3:00 PM
Mastering the Publishing World Matrix
Writing your manuscript is the first step...but then what? How do you navigate the ever-changing world of publishing options? Should you pursue traditional publishing or self-publishing? What are the pitfalls of misplaced validation, formula, and presumption? Which path will be most likely to help you realize your dreams? Why is who you are even more important than what you write? Allen Arnold spent twenty years at one of the world's largest publishing houses in key publisher and marketing roles. The former industry insider and current coach to writers offers time-tested yet counterintuitive insights to help you maximize your manuscript while mastering this mysterious world.

All times listed Eastern (New York)

12:00 PM
Spark Your Soul Message
Misty Phillip encourages believers to live on mission by sharing the words that the Lord has placed on our hearts. She believes that we all have a voice and a unique story to tell. She reminds all who listen that the time is now to tell our stories, remember our purpose, and to step out boldly in pursuit of our God-given dreams. All it takes is a SPARK to set the Kingdom ablaze for Jesus!
2:00 PM
Strengthen Your Writing One Sentence at a Time
When we sit down to write, we start with an idea, a desire to communicate our thoughts. We then form those thoughts into words that (we hope!) make sense to our reader. The goal of this presentation is to help you communicate your message with clarity. Growing in the craft of writing builds out your writer’s toolbox so you are equipped to assess the effectiveness of your written communication. As you pay attention to language, read like a writer, and receive feedback on your writing, you grow increasingly capable to write with clarity and confidence. In this presentation, Mindy Kiker teaches you to use the Strong Sentence Self-Edit Checklist to strengthen your words one sentence at a time. 
3:00 PM
Virtual Roundtable Discussion
Join other retreat attendees for one-hour on Zoom where you will meet together in small groups for lively, practical, and encouraging discussion on a variety of topics. 

If you’re just starting out or you’ve written thousands of words, we want to equip you to move forward in your writing journey. As we create space to reflect and learn, we become writers who flourish. 

Register for the FREE Virtual Writers Retreat 

Mindy Kiker and Jennifer Kochert, co-founders of FlourishGathering and FlourishWriters, are passionate to help women grow in God’s Word. They have authored and published Bible Studies and devotionals, workshops, online conferences and training courses. Jenny and Mindy are guides who help birth stories from the heart to the page. We mentor writers who flourish.
Can I have lifetime access to the presentations?
Yes, lifetime access to the retreat presentations, including an additional Bonus resource, is available with an All-Access Pass. You will be prompted with more information about the All-Access Pass after your register.
Can I watch the conference on any device?
The videos are designed to function on all computers and mobile devices. If you are unable to view the content on one device, try another. Between computers, phones and tablets, something should work. If you are unsuccessful after giving it your best shot, you are welcome to email us at info@flourishgathering.com.
What if I can't attend live on April 22nd-24th, 2021?
If you are not able to attend live, we suggest that you purchase the All-Access Pass option. 
Where do I find the live presentations? 
When you register for the retreat, you'll receive instructions on how to access the LIVE presentations. 
Who is FlourishWriters?
We are an online ministry whose mission is to equip women to grow in their passion for God’s Word and write their God Stories. You can find us at flourishgathering.com and flourishwriters.com. If you wish to contact us, we answer emails at info@flourishgathering.com.
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