Her Spirit Story Summit:
Renew, Restore, Reawaken
August 24 - 28, 2025
Chaminade Resort & Spa, Santa Cruz, California
Her Spirit 2025 isn’t just a retreat—it’s a movement. This year, we’re focusing on lofty goals: the big, brave intentions behind your stories.
Bestselling author and literary agent Lara Love Hardin, who will be one of our featured Her Spirit faculty members, has a guiding principle with every book she writes or collaborates on: set the loftiest goal possible.
She knows a single book can’t solve injustice or end domestic abuse—but she also knows that stories can change people, shift perspectives, and inspire movements. So with each project, she sets a bold intention:
What could this book do in the world, at its very best?
This spirit is at the heart of our Her Spirit 2025 retreat.
We’re living in a time that calls for courage and conviction. You may be feeling overwhelmed by the world—and unsure of where your writing fits in. But your voice does matter. Your writing does matter. And this year, we’re inviting you to ask yourself:
What’s my loftiest goal for my voice?
Whether you write thrillers, romance, memoir, humor, or drama…
Whether your stories spark laughter, healing, justice, or joy…
Ask yourself:
What do I want my stories to do in the world?
We’ll be weaving this question throughout the Her Spirit experience. It will be a sense of purpose, a thread of intention, and a deep source of connection. Because this is what makes Her Spirit so powerful: it’s not just a retreat. It’s a community of women lifting each other up, dreaming bigger together.
So start thinking now:
What’s your lofty goal?
And know that with the support of Her Spirit, you’ll be one step closer to bringing it to life.
Imagine...
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Inspiring days filled with transformative workshops by today’s leaders in fiction, memoir, and all things publishing.
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Rejuvenating hikes among California’s majestic redwoods.
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Seasonal cuisine with views of Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay.
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And, most of all, a supportive community of like-minded women, gathered in one place to support each other’s words and dreams. That kind of energy can change lives.
Unlike other writing retreats, Her Spirit is your time to restore your soul, honor your inner voice, and tap into your creative flow.
For the first time, Her Spirit will take you to the historical Chaminade in Santa Cruz, California, a place of immense natural beauty.
Nestled in the mountains but just minutes from the beach, this award-winning resort affords spectacular surroundings that will help you escape your day-to-day worries and sink into serenity and peace. It’s the perfect place to unwind and create!
If you’ve been looking for a chance to exhale with other creative women, join us for a journey of self-discovery, sisterhood, and profound renewal. It's time to connect deeply with your spirit and let your stories rise!
Step away from your hectic routine and re-connect with your voice, your passion, your purpose.
This is our third Her Spirit event. And while we’re giving the retreat its own “refresh” with a focus on fiction and memoir, it remains true to its roots as a gathering of open-hearted women, uniquely designed to celebrate the spirit within you that prompts you to share your message with the world.
It’s time to write, to share, to collaborate … to refresh.
If you’ve been part of Her Spirit before, please join us again! And if you're coming to Her Spirit for the first time, we can’t wait to welcome you to the beauty of Santa Cruz—the perfect place to reimagine your Self and your writing.
Our faculty is here for you.
We carefully select our faculty based on three characteristics: success in their field, the ability to teach, and a heart for women and their voices.
Because Her Spirit is designed to build community, you’ll not only be learning from our faculty, you’ll be lunching with them, too. Participants and mentors are all part of group sessions, meals, breakout sessions, and impromptu activities. You’ll have the chance to walk through the redwoods with a favorite author, talk over lunch with one of our incredible faculty members, and share stories that light a fire in your heart.
In addition, we’re extending this year’s schedule to include a pitch fest on the final morning of the retreat. Literary agents specializing in fiction and memoir will be with us to hear live pitches, so you’ll have the opportunity to make a connection about your work.
Meet our outstanding speakers, faculty, and agents!
Featured Sunday Night Keynote Speaker
Paula McLain is the New York Times bestselling author of five novels, including The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun, and When the Stars Go Dark. Her work has appeared in Town & Country, Real Simple, O the Oprah Magazine, The Guardian, the New York Times and elsewhere. McLain is also the author of the memoir, Like Family: Growing Up in Other People’s Houses, and two collections of poetry.
Featured Guest and Faculty Member
Lara is the New York Times bestselling author of The Many Lives of Mama Love, which was an Oprah's Book Club pick. She also is the founder of True Literary Agency, which champions stories that shift perspectives and open doors.
Managing Director, Story Summit, and NYT Bestselling Author
Executive Director, Story Summit, and Bestselling Author
Comedian, Host, Creator of One Funny Mother, and Author
NYT Bestselling Author, The House of Eve
Head of Linda Chester Literary Agency
Laurie Fox is the Principal at the Linda Chester Literary Agency, where she’s worked since 1989. She is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz (Creative Writing and Theatre), and is a published author of fiction and poetry, including Sexy Hieroglyphics (Chronicle Books), My Sister from the Black Lagoon (Simon & Schuster; San Francisco Chronicle bestseller); and The Lost Girls (Simon & Schuster; film adaptation of the same name starring Vanessa Redgrave).
We'll be announcing additional faculty soon. Please watch our Story Summit Facebook page and newsletter for the latest information.
Note: Faculty is subject to change.
Meet Our Sound Bath Facilitators
Writer, MA, LMFT and Mindfulness Practitioner
Sound healer, and certified yoga instructor
On the final night of the retreat, you'll experience the transformative power of a sound bath, a holistic approach to relaxation and healing. Facilitators Melissa Garner Lee and Michelle Caranto use crystal Himalayan singing bowls to produce soothing sound waves that calm your nervous system and balance your body. This profound sense of peace is the perfect way to honor yourself and the Her Spirit experience.
Here’s how the retreat will unfold.
We’ll gather at the historic Chaminade of Santa Cruz.
Her Spirit is part craft, part self-discovery. We’ll start Sunday night with registration, dinner, orientation, and keynote presentation. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, we’ll offer large group sessions, breakouts, free time (to write, if desired), and an evening activity. Wednesday night's sound bath will bring more serenity into your life and honor the sacred nature of our gathering. And Thursday morning after breakfast, we’ll offer our pitch fest and give you a chance to get to know our guest agents over our final lunch.
Throughout the event, we’ll talk about reclaiming your voice through your writing, deepening your relationships, and finding the heart of the story in YOU.
Our breakout sessions will cover lessons in craft, and we’ll also be discussing important topics such as:
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How can you discover and honor your creative calling?
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How do you heal your past by telling your story?
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How can writing help you reclaim your truth?
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How can you find inspiration and motivation to follow the muse?
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How do you include universal themes in your writing?
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How can you move your ideas to the page?
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How can you and other creative women emerge as thought leaders, owning the power of your work?
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How can you find a community of peers to help encourage and elevate your creative talents?
This year, we're adding exciting new elements to the program:
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Low-impact nature walks with guided writing prompts inspired by the natural beauty of the Chaminade
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More unscheduled time to write, rest, connect, or explore
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Optional one-on-one meetings with mentors
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A pitch fest with literary agents
You’ll write and share, move and stretch, rest and reflect. You’ll connect with the deepest layers of who you are as a writer and as a woman. And you’ll do it all in one of the world’s most beautiful places, where the mountains, forest, and sea all come together to create an invigorating and sacred space.
A special note: Her Spirit nurtures and celebrates the artistry within every woman, whether you consider yourself a writer or not. If you long to explore your creativity, please come. You will find a home here.
Our gathering place is an essential character in the story of Her Spirit. We conducted a nationwide search (and looked outside the U.S., as well), to find a location that combines natural beauty, easy access, and the level of quality accommodations and amenities that you deserve. We even checked to ensure you’ll have spectacular views without extreme altitude.
We think you’ll fall in love with the Chaminade, just as we did. Set on more than 200 acres, it includes three miles of scenic hiking trails meandering through pristine eucalyptus groves and grassy fields, a tree-side restaurant overlooking Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay, and an outdoor terrace where you can watch the sun set over the Santa Cruz mountains.
The old-growth redwood trees on the property immediately transport you to a canopy of quiet, a natural cathedral of beauty and history growing all around. Your guest room, like every room on the property, will have either a forest or resort view, nestled among the peaceful surroundings.
At the Chaminade, you’ll feel miles away from everything. Yet, the resort is conveniently located just minutes off the highway and near three major airports.
DRIVING DISTANCE FROM:
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San Jose Airport - 34 miles
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Monterey Airport - 40 miles
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San Francisco Airport - 68 miles
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Downtown Santa Cruz - 3 miles
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The Beach/Waterfront - 2.9 miles
Plus, in your free time, you may want to explore the Santa Cruz community.
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Featuring popular eateries and shops, the wharf stretches into Monterey Bay.
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Nearby, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk features vintage rides such as a carousel from 1911 and the legendary Giant Dipper roller coaster.
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Downtown, Pacific Avenue hosts vintage clothing stores, quaint cafes, and art galleries.
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And, just down West Cliff Drive, Natural Bridges State Beach is known for its bridge-shaped rock formation. There’s something for everyone. *
*If you’d like to add extra days to explore the region before or after the retreat dates, please reach out to event coordinator Kris Verdeck to discuss accommodation options.
Check out our program schedule.
Here’s a rough agenda to give you a taste of the program. We’ll add more detail as we fine-tune the schedule. These times are approximate and may be subject to change.
Sunday, August 24: RECONNECT
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4 to 6 p.m. Registration Packet Pick Up
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6 to 7 p.m. Welcome Dinner
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7 to 9 p.m. Orientation/Faculty Introduction/ Keynote
Monday, August 25: RENEW
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7:30 to 8:00 a.m. Morning meditation and yoga
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8 to 9 a.m. Breakfast
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9:15 to 10 a.m. Large group: Writing prompts and practice
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10:15 a.m. to Noon Breakouts
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Noon to 1:30 p.m. Lunch
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1:45 to 3:00 p.m. Breakouts
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3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Free time
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6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Dinner
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7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Evening event
Tuesday, August 26: RESTORE
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7:30 to 8:00 a.m. Morning meditation and yoga
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8 to 9 a.m. Breakfast
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9:15 to 10 a.m. Large group: Writing prompts and practice
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10:15 a.m. to Noon Breakouts
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Noon to 1:30 p.m. Lunch
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1:45 to 3:00 p.m. Breakouts
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3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Free time
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6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Dinner
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7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Open mic night
Wednesday, August 27: REAWAKEN
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7:30 to 8:00 a.m. Morning meditation and yoga
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8 to 9 a.m. Breakfast
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9:15 to 10 a.m. Large group: Writing prompts and practice
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10:15 a.m. to Noon Breakouts
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Noon to 1:30 p.m. Lunch
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1:45 to 3:00 p.m. Breakouts
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3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Free time
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6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Dinner
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7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Appreciation
Thursday, August 28: REKINDLE
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8 to 9 a.m. Breakfast
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9:30 to11:30 a.m. Optional Pitch Fest ($50 for Story Summit + Subscribers; $100 for non-subscribers)
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Noon to 1:30 p.m. Lunch and farewells
What your registration includes:
The Chaminade is an all-inclusive resort, meaning your registration covers:
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all meals starting with dinner on Sunday through lunch on Thursday (healthful, chef-prepared dining options to accommodate dietary needs)
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single occupancy room (4 nights stay, from Sunday, August 24 - Thursday, August 28)*
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morning and afternoon refreshment breaks
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self-parking
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WiFi throughout the resort, meeting spaces, and guestrooms
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two bottles of water in room refrigerator
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access to the 1,700 square-foot Fitness Center, including locker room access with steam room and Himalayan Salt Sauna, two heated outdoor pools and Jacuzzi’s, tennis and pickleball courts
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housekeeping gratuities
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transportation around the property
*If you’re planning to share a room, please contact Kris Verdeck, as double rooms are limited. Pricing for a shared room is noted in the registration options. kris@storysummit.us
Thanks to this special package pricing, the overall cost is similar to our past two Her Spirit retreats, even with all these extra amenities.
Your registration also includes all Her Spirit presentations, keynotes, breakout sessions, and educational activities, including complimentary morning meditations/yoga, nature hikes, and other experiences to restore and renew your spirit.
What your registration does not include:
Private writing consultations are offered by appointment. These are optional opportunities and require an additional fee paid directly to your writing mentor.
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Thursday morning pitching sessions. ($50 for Story Summit + Subscribers; $100 for non-subscribers).
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Travel and transfers to and from the Chaminade are not included, but we’ll have a What’s App group for you to join, making it easy to share rides to and from the hotel with other attendees.
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Alcohol, spa treatments, and individual excursions are on your own.
Register Now!
It’s been two years since our last Her Spirit retreat, and the pent-up demand is great. Space is limited, so we strongly encourage you to register in full or reserve your space with a deposit today. Join The Her Spirit Retreat August 24 - 28, 2025.
Availability is extremely limited
Please check the options below and register!
Once you register, we’ll send you additional information to sign up for private consultations and pitching sessions, if desired. We’ll also invite you to our What’s App group, gather details about dietary preferences, and share more information about the resort facilities.
*Double rooms are limited and can only be reserved when both parties have registered. For full details, please contact Kris Verdeck, our Her Spirit coordinator.
**Local Commuter Package can only be booked for those residing in the nearby area, we have limited spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Refund Policy: Please read this policy carefully before registering. Due to our special arrangements with Chaminade, we must strictly adhere to this policy.
If you need to cancel more than one month before the event, you’ll receive a full refund minus the $750 deposit and less processing fees (around 7.5%). Within one month of the event, you’ll receive a full refund minus the deposit and processing fees if we’re able to replace your registration with another participant.
The $750 deposit is non-refundable. However, if you need to cancel, you can transfer the deposit fee to another Story Summit in-person event, or use it as a credit for Story Summit + or future classes for 1 year (not including the Mentor-Led Small Group Program).
If you reserved a double room and your shared attendee does not register or cancels, you will be responsible for finding a replacement. Otherwise, your reservation will convert to the single room rate, and you'll be charged the difference.
Check out our previous Story Summits in Santa Fe, the Caribbean, and Cape Cod
