2026 BK Authors Retreat
October 9–12 (Friday–Monday), 2026
Gather with us on October 9–12, 2026, at the Marianist Retreat Center in St. Louis for four days of connection, learning, and discovery. Registration is open!
Early Bird registration ends on June 30, 2026!
October 9–12, 2026
(Friday dinner through Monday lunch)
Marianist Retreat & Conference Center
4000 MO-109
Eureka, Missouri 63025
Google Maps directions | PDF directions
About 35 minutes from the St. Louis Lambert International Airport
What is the BK Author Retreat?
The BK Author retreat is an annual four-day event where around 30–50 Berrett-Koehler authors, Berrett-Koehler staff, and other like-minded nonfiction authors gather to connect with, learn from, and help each other.
At the retreat, you will:
- Meet and get to know (or reconnect with) other BK authors, BK staff members, and friends of the BK community
- Talk about trends, topics, and issues that are important to you
- Develop your skills in building a larger author platform and marketing yourself and your books
- Learn from people with perspectives and backgrounds different from your own
- Discover possibilities for collaboration
- Take a break from the grind of the digital work world
- Spend time in personal reflection, relaxation, and rejuvenation
What is the location?
Marianist Retreat & Conference Center
4000 MO-109
Eureka, Missouri 63025
Google Maps directions | PDF directions
Established in 1967, the Marianist Retreat & Conference Center is a perfect setting for our retreat.
Located on 130 acres of wooded land on the outskirts of St. Louis, the retreat center offers several meeting and breakout rooms, single bedrooms each with a private bath (a few doubles available), and nourishing and healthy meals for all dietary desires.
What’s included?
- Room accommodations Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday night, October 9–11, 2026
- Catered breakfasts, lunches, and dinners from Friday dinner to Monday lunch, October 9–12, 2026
- Snacks throughout
- Four days of structured conversations, activities, mentoring, sessions, and group interactions, as well as unstructured time for mingling or personal renewal. The exact agenda will be finalized in the months leading up to the retreat.
Why should I come?
The Retreat is an opportunity to flourish. It’s an opportunity to welcome new authors into the fold and help old authors find fresh ideas and connections.
The decision to show up is not just an estimation of the costs and benefits of an in-person retreat. It’s about deciding who you are when you show up. We’re hoping to see you in all your glory, ready to face what needs to be faced, open to whatever wants to find you.
We also hope to make the retreat a valuable learning opportunity, with sessions and conversations designed to introduce you to new ideas and trends and help authors learn from each others’ extensive experience and wisdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What activities will be included?
- Breakout Discussions: Pre-planned discussions on topics of interest, from marketing ideas to social issues.
- Open Discussions: First we will meet all together to propose and identify 4–6 topics to discuss; then you get to decide which conversation to join.
- Talent Show: Authors will share songs, poetry, recitations, magic tricks, and other talents. Start thinking of what you want to share!
- And more!
The exact agenda will be finalized in the summer of 2026.
If you want to lead an activity or serve on the planning committee, email our operations manager, Jeremy Madsen, at [email protected].
Pricing
| Attendance Type | Early Bird Price (Feb 1–June 30, 2026) | Full Price (July 1–Sep 1, 2026) |
| Stay-In (Room and meals included) | $645 | $695 |
| Commuter (meals, no room) – Friday evening, Monday morning | $95/day | $99/day |
| Commuter (meals, no room) – Saturday, Sunday | $125/day | $130/day |
You can cancel your registration for a full refund up until September 1, 2026.
Financial assistance is available for BK authors: See our scholarship page.
Sessions, Programs, and Activities
Mentoring Program (Pilot)
Brand new this year! Over the years, we have seen a recurring need and an untapped resource:
- The need: First-time authors working on or having just launched their first book. They are new to the publishing landscape and are figuring out how to market their book and build a larger thought leadership business from it.
- The resource: Experienced authors who are veterans of the publishing world, who have built successful businesses around their books, and who are looking for opportunities to support and give back to the next generation of authors
To match this resource to this need, this year we will be launching a one-on-one mentoring program as part of the retreat.
How it will work: Prior to the retreat, we’ll send you a survey to identify if you are a potential mentee or mentor, and what your needs are (if a mentee) or strengths are (if a mentor).
We’ll use that information to pair mentees with mentors who have the expertise they are looking for.
At the retreat, you’ll be introduced to your mentor/mentee and given an hour of structured mentoring time. After that, you’re encouraged to continue your conversations during retreat meals or unstructured times, and to keep in touch after the retreat for at least one additional mentoring conversation—with more if you are both inclined to continue.
(For authors who aren’t interested or aren’t a fit for being either a mentor or a mentee, we’ll have other enriching opportunities for you during this time!)
We’re excited to pilot this mentoring program—with the potential to expand it beyond the retreat if it does well.
Marianist Retreat Center Photo Gallery
Past BK Retreats Photo Gallery
