2023 BK Authors Retreat

September 28 – October 1, 2023

The 2023 BK Authors Retreat will be held September 28–October 1 at the Pendle Hill Retreat Center in Pennsylvania. We have room for 2 more attendees before registration is full!

What a great retreat!

Thank you to the 34 author who participated in our retreat!

Here is a reflection written by Bruce Rosenstein, one of the attendees: Looking Back at the 2023 BK Authors Retreat.

September 28–October 1
(Thursday dinner through Sunday lunch)

Pendle Hill Retreat Center

338 Plush Mill Road (view on Google Maps)

Wallingford, Pennsylvania (outskirts of Philadelphia)

Pricing

Stay-In Options	Price (Closes August 16)
Regular	$550
Subsidized price For those with tight budgets	$395
Patron price For those who want to pay extra so other authors can come at the subsidized price.	$695

Commuter Options (Meals included but not a room)	Price (Closes August 16)
Thursday evening	$55
Friday	$85
Saturay	$85
Sunday morning	$55

Financial assistance is available for BK authors: See our scholarship page.

What is the BK Author Retreat?

The BK Author retreat is an annual four-day event where around 40–50 Berrett-Koehler 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
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?

Pendle Hill Retreat Center
338 Plush Mill Road
Wallingford, Pennsylvania

(view on Google Maps)

Located in a suburb of Philadelphia, the Pendle Hill Retreat Center is a perfect setting for our retreat.

Established in 1930, Pendle Hill is a Quaker retreat center that welcomes all for learning, retreat, and community. Their vision is “to create peace with justice in the world by transforming lives.”

Located on 24 wooded acres, Pendle Hill includes gardens, picnic benches, a meditation labyrinth, and a 1-mile-loop walking trail. See a map of the c a m p u s.

What’s included?

Room accommodations Thursday night, Friday night, and Saturday night, September 28–30
Catered breakfasts, lunches, and dinners from Thursday dinner to Sunday lunch
Snacks throughout
Four days of structured conversations, activities, sessions, and group interactions, as well as unscheduled time for mingling or personal renewal. See the agenda for more details.

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 risks 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

Is there a commuter option?

Yes! Local residents who will be going home each night, or those who wish to arrange off-premise lodgings, can pay a per-day commuter rate instead of the full retreat rate.

I’m not a BK author. Can I come?

Our retreat is primarily intended for authors published or signed with Berrett-Koehler, as well as BK staff, members of the BK foundation, and others who are closely associated with the BK community (such as beta readers and partners).

If you do not fit these categories but still wish to attend, please email us at [email protected] and explain your circumstances.

Can spouses come?

Yes! Spouses and partners of BK authors are welcome to register and participate.

We have several rooms with two beds, at a reduced per-person rate.

Can I share a room with someone?

Yes! We have four rooms with two twin beds each. Those who share a room will receive a $100 discount.

Please make arrangements with a friend to share a room before you register. We will not be pairing roommates who don’t already know each other.

Is there financial assistance available?

Yes! We don’t want money to be the reason you can’t attend. We have earmarked donor funds so that up to 20 attendees can receive a $150 subsidy.

If you have additional financial constraints that make it impractical to attend despite the subsidy, you can apply for a scholarship covering the whole cost on our scholarship page.

What is the closest airport?

Philadelphia International Airport is 15 minutes away.

Airfare is not included in registration.

Are there options for those with dietary restrictions?

All Pendle Hill meals include gluten-free, vegetarian, and/or vegan options. Pendle Hill does not have an exclusively gluten-free or peanut-free kitchen, nor is it a kosher kitchen.

If you have severe food allergies or a specialty diet, consider bringing supplemental food. Refrigerators are available in each building.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

We will extend full refunds for cancellations received by August 16 and partial refunds for cancellations received by September 27.

If you need to cancel your registration, please email our operations manager, Jeremy Madsen, at [email protected].

What activities will be included?

Breakout Discussions: Pre-planned discussions on topics of interest and value to our authors, 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 you want to join. You are welcome to propose your own topic, so get thinking!
Talent Show: Authors will share songs, poetry, recitations, magic tricks, and other talents. Start thinking of what you want to share!
Other Activities: Indoor and outdoor, fun and reflective, educational and inspirational.

See our agenda for details.

If you want to lead any discussion or activity, please email our operations manager, Jeremy Madsen, at [email protected].

Pendle Hill Photo Gallery

Past BK Retreats Photo Gallery

Agenda

September 28, 2023

Time

Facilitator

Event

2:00 pm

Jeremy Madsen

Room check-in begins

2:00–6:00 pm

Informal gathering and mingling

4:30–5:30 pm

Karen Phelan

First-timer orientation

6:00–7:00 pm

Dinner

7:30–9:00 pm

John Kador

Welcome and getting-to-know-you activities

September 29, 2023

Time

Facilitator

Event

7:30–8:30 am

Breakfast

8:30–9:15 am

Retreat staff

(Optional) Quaker silent worship/meditation service at The Barn

8:30–9:15 am

Carol Metzker

(Optional) Group relaxation sound bath

9:30–9:50 am

Gerald Harris

Welcome and intro to the retreat theme

9:55–10:55 am

Tony Saldanha

How AI Is Going to Shape Our Future (presentation and group discussion)

11:00–12:00 am

Open forum: How have you used AI?

12:00–1:00 pm

Lunch

1:10–1:40 pm

Steve Piersanti

The State of Berrett-Koehler Publishers

1:50–2:50 pm

Various

Breakout discussions (Topics TBA)

3:00–4:00 pm

Various

Breakout discussions (Topics TBA)

4:00–6:00 pm

Unstructured time

6:00–7:00 pm

Dinner

7:30–9:30 pm

Rob Jolles (a.k.a. Johnny Fabulous)

Talent Show: Come bring a talent to share with the group!

September 30, 2023

Time

Facilitator

Event

7:30–8:30 am

Breakfast

8:30–9:15 am

Retreat staff

(Optional) Quaker silent worship/meditation service at The Barn

8:30–9:15 am

Steve Piersanti

(Optional) Group walk around the woods and grounds of the retreat

9:30–9:40

Welcome and intro to the day

9:45–10:45 am

Various

Breakout discussions (Topics TBA)

10:55–11:55 am

Various

Breakout discussions (Topics TBA)

12:00–1:00 pm

Lunch

1:10–2:40 pm

Karen Phelan, Celeste Warren, Pat McLagan, Tom Devane, & Marilee Adams

TEDx-style event where authors share innovative ideas or technologies

2:50–4:10 pm

Sara Taylor

Open discussions: Convene a conversation on-the-spot about a topic that interests you

4:00–6:00 pm

Unstructured time

6:00–7:00 pm

Dinner

7:30–9:30 pm

Evening games (board games, card games, party games) and snacks

October 1, 2023

Time

Facilitator

Event

7:30–8:30 am

Breakfast

8:30–9:15 am

Retreat staff

(Optional) Quaker silent worship/meditation service at The Barn

8:30–9:15 am

(Optional) Group walk around the woods and grounds of the retreat

9:20–10:10 am

Crystal Kadakia

Feedback circles: Get input on your ideas for a future project, book, or venture

10:20–11:00 am

Crystal Kadakia

Reciprocity ring: Get the help you need for upcoming projects

11:10–11:50 am

Karen Phelan

Closing activity: Action/intention statements and support circle

12:00–1:00 pm

Lunch

1:00–2:00 pm

Farewells and clean-up

2023 BK Authors Retreat

September 28 – October 1, 2023

What a great retreat!

Pricing

What is the BK Author Retreat?

What is the location?

What’s included?

Why should I come?

Frequently Asked Questions

What activities will be included?

Pendle Hill Photo Gallery

Past BK Retreats Photo Gallery

Agenda

September 28, 2023

September 29, 2023

September 30, 2023

October 1, 2023

Registration

Your Info

Registration Options

Other Info

Payment