Writers’ Getaway 2025: “Answering the Call”

An Overnight Retreat for Christian Women Writers

Spring 2025 | April 1-2, 2025 | $179

Registration for this retreat will open October 1, 2024.

Come for the Christian Writers’ Getaway and stay for The Springs Retreat

This Year’s Theme—Answer the Call

“We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard”

Acts 4:20 CEV

Has God put a message on your heart that he wants you to speak out about, as well as get down on paper? Maybe he's urging you to write an article, develop your personal story into a book that helps others, or put your writing in a venue where it can make a difference in others' lives. In this year's Writers' Getaway, prolific authors Kathy Collard Miller and Cindi McMenamin will help you answer God's call to write, by: 

• sharing insights on how to gain writing inspiration

• helping you explore various avenues for getting your material seen

• painting an honest picture for you of what a writer's life looks like

• providing expert guidance and instruction on how to structure and develop your book or article 

• offering one-on-one coaching and encouragement on your work in progress

• helping you turn your material into something that meets a reader's need 

In Acts 4:20, Jesus' followers said: "We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard" (CEV). You, too, can answer God's call on your life by writing what you've seen and heard for His glory. The first (or next) step in answering God's call on YOUR heart to write might be attending our Writers' Getaway.

Best of Both Tracks

In the past, Kathy has offered Track 1 for first-time attenders and Cindi has offered Tracks 2 and 3 for returnees, but this year we are giving you the best of BOTH tracks while emphasizing our obedience to God’s calling on our hearts to write. (Everyone will be together with Cindi and Kathy co-leading.)

Whether you’re a beginning writer or have been at this a while, Kathy and Cindi will provide insight and instruction to begin your writing and speaking ministry/career, as well as continue to make progress in it.

Together, the two authors and accomplished speakers will share with you how to gain inspiration and write from your heart, how to come up with article ideas that say what's on your heart and can prepare your audience for a future book, and how to market your message and not yourself.  Cindi and Kathy will help you take your writing to the next level—whether it be a magazine article, a short story, or a nonfiction book proposal or manuscript. Cindi will provide detailed instruction to all the attendees on how to structure your book proposal or outline your book concept by incorporating reader relevance and forward movement that every publisher (and reader) wants to see.

Kathy and Cindi will also share from their hearts how God has personally refined them and shown them himself through the writing process—something he is wanting to do in and through you, as well.  

All attendees will receive the opportunity for one-on-one coaching/consultation sessions with both Kathy and Cindi during the Getaway, giving you expert personalized guidance and instruction for the project you are working on or direction in the area you would like to pursue.

NEWIM Writers’ Getaway 2025

“Answering the Call”

Schedule of Events

Tuesday

10:00 a.m. Arrive, settle in your room, enjoy the grounds

noon Lunch is served

1:00–2:00 Welcome & Introductions with Kathy and Cindi (Mission Room)

Session 1: “Your Call to Write” (Kathy and Cindi)

2:00–2:15 Refreshment/Book Table Break

2:15–3:15 Session 2: “The Benefits of Article Writing” (Kathy and Cindi)

3:15–3:30 Restroom / Book Table Break

3:30–5:30 One-on-One Coaching Appointments with Kathy or Cindi (Patio area)

6:00 Dinner (Dining Room)

7:00–7:45 Session 3: “Taking Your Personal Story to the Next Level” (Cindi)

7:55–8:45 Session 4: “Market Your Message, Not Yourself” (Kathy and Cindi)

8:45 Free time, Reflection/Writing

Wednesday

8:00 am Breakfast (Dining Room)

9:00–9:45 Session 5: Purify Your Calling (Kathy)

10:00–10:45 Session 6: Trust the Process (Cindi)

10:45–11:25 Closing Inspirational Thoughts and Prayer

11:25–11:30 – Group Picture (Patio)

12:00 Lunch (Dining Room)

 How to Prepare

In preparation for the Writers Getaway, read the chapters from Kathy's "Writing as a Ministry for God's Glory" that apply to your writing goals and desires.

What to Bring

If you have writing that you've been working on, notebooks of ideas, books that inspire you, please bring them. You might also want to bring a laptop or tablet, and your favorite pen.

What women have to say about their experience

St. Anthony's Retreat Center

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, just 30 minutes east of Visalia, St. Anthony's Retreat and Conference Center offers a beautiful setting for the Writer's Getaway. Enjoy having your own private room and bath, delicious and healthy meals, and time to write in a quiet setting dedicated to spiritual gatherings.  

Three Options to choose from

Option 1 - Writers’ Getaway plus The Springs Retreat. 

Come to the Writers' Getaway and be inspired as a writer and then stay for The Springs Retreat to spend time with the Lord.

Three nights, 9 meals, private room and bath

Register for the Springs retreat separately

Option 2 - Writers’ Getaway overnight: 

Enjoy the full program, spending Tuesday night at St. Anthony's in a private room with a private bath, and four meals with the group. The formal program begins at 1 p.m. after lunch but please come early if you can to get settled and meet the co-leaders and other participants.

Cost: $179.

Option 3 - Writers’ Getaway program only, sleep at home:

Enjoy the full program. Dinner with the group on Tuesday evening is included.

Cost: $75

Writers’ Getaway co-Leaders

Cindi McMenamin

Cindi is an award-winning writer and speaker who helps women strengthen their relationship with God and with others. She has authored 19 books including When Women Walk Alone (more than 160,000 copies sold), When Women Long for Rest, When a Woman Discovers Her Dream, and When God Sees Your Tears. Her newest book, The New Loneliness: Nurturing Meaningful Connections When You Feel Isolated, releases in 2025. Cindi and her husband of 36 years, Hugh, co-authored When Couples Walk Together: 31 Days to a Closer Connection and Cindi's daughter, Dana, collaborated with her to write When a Mom Inspires Her Daughter. Cindi writes regularly for Crosswalk.com and other online sites and continues to speak for women’s retreats and conferences across the country. Cindi is a CLASS-trained speaker and is certified as a writing and speaking coach through the Advanced Writers and Speakers of America. Over the past two decades, Cindi has helped more than 50 women publish their articles, books, or take their next step toward a successful writing journey. You can learn more about Cindi's ministry at www.StrengthForTheSoul.com.

Kathy Collard Miller

Kathy is an award-winning author, and internationally traveled speaker who has authored more than 60 books including the popular Daughters of the King Bible Study Series, commentaries, and books on spiritual growth such as Anger Management: Jesus Style. She has also written a thousand articles, blog posts, and guest posts. Kathy is an alumnus of CLASS (Christian Leaders, Authors, Speakers Seminar) and is a founding member of AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association). She also is actively involved in NEWIM. She and her husband, Larry, married in 1970 and live in Boise, Idaho. They are the parents of two grown children and grandparents to two. Kathy loves to offer through her writing and speaking God's healing power and practical ideas for changing hearts and lives. For more on her background, available books, and current ministry, see her website:  www.KathyCollardMiller.com