My friend Crystal Balas and I are hosting a 2-day Writers Retreat at Starved Rock State Park on November 1 & 2, 2023! Come join us!

If you have a book on your heart, but don’t know how to start or don’t know how to finish, we’ll show you how!

We’ve booked "a little cabin in the woods" at Starved Rock on November 1 & 2 where we’re going to write, pray, worship, and be inspired so we can all WRITE & SELF-PUBLISH those books on our hearts!

You’ll hear from other writers who have done this many times before (and some whose books are “hot off the press”!)

Eric Elder has written & self-published over 35 books and helped dozens of others do the same.

Crystal Balas is a writer, speaker, and life coach. Both have a heart for the Lord and a heart for helping others make their dreams come true!

In addition to the writing workshops, we’ll also have time for fun and fellowship in the beauty of nature at Starved Rock State Park, featuring an optional trolley tour of the area and a guided walk on one of the trails.

November is a great time to write a book, so this event will help kick off a month of writing!

Here’s our schedule:

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1

8:30-9 AM – Welcome & Worship

9-9:45 – “Write With Me!” – a walk-through of the writing and self-publishing process
10-10:45 – Think “Books,” Not “Book” – Choosing your first book, theme, and main stories
11-11:45 – Who Am I To Write A Book? – Gaining confidence to go ahead and write

12-1 PM – LUNCH – An optional ($18.95) box lunch in the room or an à la carte at the lodge restaurant or cafe

1-1:45 – No Scene That Doesn’t Turn – Telling your story in the most compelling way
2-2:45 – Fleshing Out Your Stories – Practical tips for writing the meat of your book
3-5 – Trolley Tour – An optional ($15) trolley tour of the State Park, the Illinois Waterway, and historic Utica

5-6:30 DINNER – À la carte at the lodge restaurant or nearby

7-7:30 Worship & Words of Encouragement
7:30-9 Success Stories – Self-published writers share their journey

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2

8:30-9 AM – Worship & Testimonies

9-9:45 – Sharing Your Work – Tips for self-editing, sharing previews, and receiving feedback
10-10:45 – Formatting Your Book – The nuts and bolts of creating & uploading your book to sell worldwide
11-11:45 – Next Steps – Taking your writing further with communities & coaching

12-1 PM – LUNCH – À la carte at the lodge restaurant or cafe

1-1:45 – Seven Touches – Seven ways to encourage readers to buy and read your book
2-2:45 – Start Writing Your NEXT book! (The key to finishing your FIRST book!)
3-5 – Guided Hike – An optional ($10) guided hike through nature

5-6:30 DINNER – À la carte at the lodge restaurant or nearby

7-9 Worship & Wit – An entertaining evening with your fantastic writing friends, old & new!

The retreat will be based on Eric’s new books:

• Write With Me! The ultimate guide to WRITE & SELF-PUBLISH that book on your heart!
• Write With Me! NOTEBOOK!!! A companion guid to help you WRITE & SELF-PUBLISH that book on your heart!

(Both are available now on Amazon at the links above!)

Cost

The cost of the retreat for BOTH DAYS is a suggested donation of $247 if paid by October 4th (or $297 after October 4th. You can also sign up for 1 DAY for $197).

Your donation to Eric Elder Ministries will help pay for the venue, the teaching, the rich fellowship with like-minded friends, and the course materials: Eric’s Write With Me! book and his Write With Me! NOTEBOOK!!!

(Meals, activities, transportation, and housing are not included so you can adjust those costs to your budget! Starved Rock Lodge has beautiful guest rooms and cabins available for booking at starvedrocklodge.com or you can find housing nearby on your favorite travel app!)

For more info, contact Eric at: eric

SPACE IS LIMITED! SIGN UP NOW!

SIGN UP HERE!
(before Oct 4th!)

BOTH DAYS! $247 (BEST DEAL)
Early Bird Pricing!

– Includes BOTH DAYS!
– 2 full days of teaching, worship & success stories
– Beautiful retreat setting
– Fantastic, like-minded friends
– Eric’s “Write With Me!” Book
– Eric’s “Write With Me! ” NOTEBOOK!!!

SIGN UP HERE!
(after Oct 4th!)

BOTH DAYS! $297

– Includes BOTH DAYS and EVERYTHING listed under “BEST DEAL”
(Sign up before October 4th using the “BEST DEAL” link and you’ll save $50! But you can still sign up after October 4th using this link. Either way, we’ll be glad to have you join us!)

SIGN UP HERE!
(for just 1 day!)

1 DAY! $197

– Choose EITHER DAY!
– 1 full day of teaching, worship & success stories
– Beautiful retreat setting
– Fantastic, like-minded friends
– Eric’s “Write With Me!” Book
– Eric’s “Write With Me! ” NOTEBOOK!!!

HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US!