West Coast Narrator Retreat 2022

January 30 - February 3, 2022

 

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Landsby Inn

1576 Mission Drive

Solvang, CA 

A relaxing mix of California Wine Country, audiobook narrators, and respected industry coaches offering valuable insight to help you grow in the craft and excel. At long last, we are bringing the camaraderie of our New England Retreat to the West Coast. Join us!

Important stuff first: ALL ATTENDEES MUST BE VACCINATED! Confirmed attendees will be required to submit both a screengrab proof of vaccination (download the CommonHealth app) as well as a signed a waiver before arriving on-site to the event (instructions to be provided in registration docs). Now onto the event overview...

The retreat features small group sessions dedicated to offering tools to help the narrator up their game and learn with and from each other; top-flight instruction; and a chance to engage in friendships that will last a lifetime. We are bringing the New England vibe West -which means firepits, Listeners’ Lounge Performances, cocktails, great food and chance to unwind and relax with your friends – and you can bring your partner!

Each day kicks off after breakfast with a panel and then breaks into smaller group sessions. If you don’t get into the session and/or get a directed reading with the coach you want, don't despair, you'll have another opportunity the next day! This free flow system offers unique opportunities that opens you up to a new and wonderful understanding of our craft.

IMPORTANT NOTE: YOU WILL PAY A SEPARATE FEE TO THE LANDSBY FOR ROOM AND BOARD - LODGING AND DINING COSTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE REGISTRATION FEE.

Our current list of coaches include:

JOHNNY HELLER, SCOTT BRICK, HILLARY HUBER, RAY PORTER, JO ANNA PERRIN, VIKAS ADAM, SEAN PRATT with more to come.

 

Retreat Agenda                         (subject to change)

 

Sunday, January 30

Various:  Arrive & Check in!

06:00PM:  Dinner at Landsby Inn 

07:30PM:  Cocktails & Firepit

08:00PM:  Listener's Lounge 

 

Monday, January 31

08:30AM:  Breakfast

10:30AM:   Welcome Panel

11:15AM:    Breakout Sessions

     DEMO COPY - What Makes it Sing?

     NON-FICTION - Traps & Escapes

     SELF DIRECTION DIRECTIONS

     POV- Who’s Talking to Whom?

12:30PM:   Lunch

02:15PM:   Directed Readings

06:00PM:  Dinner (on your own)

07:30PM:   Cocktails, Firepit & Listeners'  Lounge

 

Tuesday, February 1

08:30AM:   Breakfast

10:30AM:   Panel (info TBA)

11:00AM:   Wine Tour / Tasting Event

This event depends on wine tour agendas & may be an on-site wine tasting. We might also just offer the tour to spouses/partners and we can stay and workshop… We have Super Dooper Field agents on the ground looking into this - Jim Seybert & Claudia Dunn! If we have the tasting on-site we will do some break-out sessions before the wine tasting — but not after!

01:00PM:   Lunch (info TBA)  either on-site, at the vineyard or in town

03:00PM:   TBA: Still in wine country or back at Solvang taking a nap

06:00PM: Dinner (on your own)

07:30PM:   Cocktails, Firepit & Listeners'  Lounge

 

 

 

Wednesday, February 2

08:30AM:  Breakfast

10:30AM:   Panel  (info TBA)

11:15AM:    Breakout Sessions

     CONTACTING PUBS - Dos & Donts

     PLAYINT IT REAL - Character Choices

     GENRE BREAKDOWN:

     SciFI, Romance, Non-Fiction, Thrillers —

     Meeting/Dealing with Expectations

     PERFECTING YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH

12:30PM:   Lunch

02:15PM:   Directed Readings

06:00PM:  Dinner @ Landsby Inn

07:30PM:  Cocktails, Firepit & Listeners'  Lounge

 

Thursday, February 3

08:30AM:   Breakfast

10:30AM:    Panel Wrap up

11:00AM:    Goodbye...

unless you've made arrangements to stay... all others – adieu!

 

 

Please Note:

Directed Readings/Listeners’ Lounge: please bring a few pieces (pages) from genres you want to work on. We cannot guarantee that you will work with a specific coach but all the coaches are there for you. I promise that you never know when you will hear just what you need just when you need it!  For the Listeners’ Lounge – these are more performance pieces (no longer than 5 minutes if you can!) so enjoy yourself while reading to us!
No one is required to perform and you are free to get a drink and head to the fire pit or wander to and fro!

SPACE IS LIMITED!

REGISTER NOW!

The Fine Print:

Event registration DOES NOT include accommodations and/or meals other than the ones listed in the agenda above. If you wish to book accommodations at the Landsby Inn, you need to contact them directly at: (805) 688-3121 and mention the WEST COAST NARRATOR RETREAT 2022 to receive our group rate.  If the Landsby rooms sell out, there are many hotels nearby – at some great rates. We are currently researching a second block of rooms if the need presents itself. 

Due to the high costs involved in planning this retreat, we are NOT OFFERING REFUNDS unless the event itself is cancelled.  We apologize for the inconvenience, but unfortunately, it's necessary due to COVID restrictions.

On Your Own Meals: It’s restaurant week in Solvang. So grab a few fellow narrators and head out for dinner!  Look at local restaurants on line and make reservations if you can. (40 narrators just showing up might be tricky). We thought you would enjoy going out to eat and then returning for an evening together. Breakfast and most lunches will be onsite as will be Sunday and Wednesday dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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