Unlock Your Writing Potential
Do you feel called to write but wish you had more time to focus on it?
Would you like to improve your craft or learn to write more effectively?
Do you need encouragement or consultation to discern next steps on your writing?
If so, Transform Your Writing might be for you.
For over thirty years, IVP has held select writing workshops to help developing authors hone their craft and write for publication. That experience is now available to the public as a weeklong writing workshop hosted at IVP's headquarters or as a five-day writing retreat with space for community and guided conversation. Find more information on each event by selecting the arrows on the buttons below.
Transform Your Writing Retreat
Do you long for a space where you can explore the connection between writing and your calling? Are you struggling with the voice of your inner critic? Do you have questions about how the pressure to publish or to build a platform is shaping your soul?
Would you like to talk with others who are asking similar questions?
The Transform Your Writing Retreat is designed to make space to explore the soul of the writer. Presentations from Cindy Bunch and Al Hsu will explore the intersection of writing and spirituality with opportunity for group conversation. After gathering for morning prayer, there will be generous space for writing each day. There will also be daily small group reading sessions where you can share your progress. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to share a piece of writing with a seasoned editor and have one 45-minute coaching session during the retreat.
This retreat is designed to help authors process the spiritual pitfalls of writing, clarify their calling to writing and publishing, refine book proposals, as well as working on writing in process. In the past our attendees have worked on the following writing genres: trade non-fiction, academic books, fiction, Bible study, and children’s books. We welcome authors at every stage of their writing journey, but this retreat is ideal for writers who are coming with a writing project underway.
May 4 - 8, 2026
Retreat Instructors
LEAD INSTRUCTOR
Al Hsu, PhD, associate editorial director, trade
EDITORIAL COACHING
Cindy Bunch, IVP vice president, editorial
Retreat Details
Date & Location
The retreat is scheduled for May 4 - 8, 2026 (Arrive at 4 pm on May 4; Depart at 11 am on May 8). We have a "rolling admissions" process. Registrations will remain open until February 27, 2026 unless we fill all of the slots prior to that date.
Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington, Illinois
Accommodations and Meals
The retreat will be held at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington, Illinois. Meals and accommodation in the main retreat house are included in the program cost.
Transportation
Participants will cover their own airfare and ground transportation. O’Hare airport is 25 miles from the retreat center.
Cost
The inclusive program cost (with meals and accommodation included) of $1,450 is payable on registration if accepted. Limited partial scholarships might be available to writers of color through the Every Voice Now fund. More information about applying for a scholarship is available on acceptance of your application.
Application Fee
There is a non-refundable application fee of $100.
If you would like to attend, please apply today. Space is limited to 15 people.
Retreat Schedule
| MONDAY, MAY 4 | TUESDAY, MAY 5 | WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 | THURSDAY, MAY 7 | FRIDAY, MAY 8 |
| Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | |
| Morning Prayer and Writing Blessing | Morning Prayer and Writing Blessing | Morning Prayer and Writing Blessing | Morning Prayer | |
| Reading Group Orientation | Writing Time | Writing Time | Closing Liturgy | |
| Writing Time | One-on-One Editorial Coaching | One-on-One Editorial Coaching | Writing time, coaching session | |
| Lunch | Teaching and Conversation: Writing Redemptively about Difficult Experiences | Teaching and Conversation: Self-Kindness and Writing | Depart by 11 am | |
| Writing Time | Reading Groups | Reading Groups | ||
| One-on-One Editorial Coaching (either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday) | Dinner | Dinner | ||
| Teaching and Conversation: Platform Pitfalls and a Writer's Calling | Book Discussion | Optional evening out | ||
| Reading Groups | ||||
| Check-in and Dinner | Dinner | |||
| Optional: Board Games |
Transform Your Writing Workshop
The Transform Your Writing Workshop offers daily engagement with InterVarsity Press editors. It’s a great choice for those who are looking for support in creating book proposal as well as those who want to make progress on a book that’s underway.
Morning group instruction and afternoon one-on-one coaching provide guidance and daily concrete feedback on your project. A significant part of each day will include large blocks of time for making real progress on your writing. There will also be opportunities to engage in writing exercises, learn about building your personal platform, and participate in several daily small group reading sessions facilitated by IVP editors that will provide valuable insights from a community of peers.
This workshop has helped authors create book proposals, work on chapters for a book in process, as well as to develop their article-writing skills. In the past our attendees have worked on trade non-fiction projects in areas including spiritual formation, self-help, pastoral care, justice, racial themes, Bible study, and more. We have also had attendees working on academic books in fields such as biblical studies, theology, liberal arts, and psychology and counseling.
Applications Now Closed
Interested in attending future events?
If you would like to receive updates regarding future Transform Your Writing events, please fill out this form.
Workshop Instructors
LEAD INSTRUCTOR
Al Hsu, PhD, associate editorial director, trade
EDITORIAL COACHING
Cindy Bunch, Senior Editor-at-Large
Interested in attending future events?
If you would like to receive updates regarding future Transform Your Writing events, please fill out this form.
Email questions to [email protected].
We will not be able to respond to manuscript submissions.
Note: These events are designed to help you hone your writing skills, provide constructive feedback, and advance your writing.
Participation does not ensure your work will be published by InterVarsity Press nor does it guarantee any specific outcome.
“Thanks to the leaders and colleagues at the Writing Workshop, who first made me think that I might have a book in me, and especially to Al Hsu for his wisdom and encouragement (and the writer’s license!).”
Tish Harrison Warren,
taken from the acknowledgements of her book Liturgy of the Ordinary
“The IVP Authors Writing Workshop was a truly transformative experience. Stepping away from daily life provided the ideal environment to deepen my understanding of the writing craft, reflect on my project, and engage in invaluable collaborative writing with fellow authors. Ultimately, the workshop sharpened both my skills and confidence as a writer for the Kingdom.”
The Rev. Dr. Kurtley E. Knight
Assistant Professor of Spiritual Formation
Co-Faculty Lead, DMin in Leadership & Spiritual Formation
