5.0
Verified
Living with Ease
Wonderful experience.
Re-Vision: Sonoma County Writers Camp
Deryk's Staff Pick
Top Rated
Re-Vision: Sonoma County Writers Camp
4.96274 reviews
September 23 - 27, 2026
About this Retreat
Elizabeth Stark, a novelist (Shy Girl: FSG, Seal Press, finalist for the Ferro-Grumely and Lambda Literary Awards) and award-winning filmmaker (producer of Lost in the Middle: Best Feature at Broad Humor 2019 and a Festival Favorite at Cinema Diverse; co-director and co-writer of FtF: Female to Femme and Little Mutinies, distributed by Frameline), co-hosts the podcast Story Makers Show, and co-directs and teaches at Sonoma County Writers Camp and Book Writing World. She earned her MFA from Columbia University, and her work has appeared in The New York Times and The Rumpus.
Ellen Sussman is the New York Times bestselling author of four novels, A Wedding in Provence, The Paradise Guest House, French Lessons, and On a Night Like This. She is the editor of two critically acclaimed anthologies, Bad Girls: 26 Writers Misbehave and Dirty Words: A Literary Encyclopedia of Sex. She teaches through Stanford Continuing Studies and in private classes and she is the co-founder and co-director of Sonoma County Writers Camp. www.ellensussman.com
Details of this retreat
We welcome back renowned authors Elizabeth Stark and Ellen Sussman for another fabulous Sonoma County Writers Camp!
Draft Two to Submission-ready!
So you’ve got pages. Pages and pages. Now what?This camp will show you how to let the story teach you its secrets. We will begin by assessing what you’ve got–what’s evolved on the page. By discerning what your story wants to be, you will be able to build on what you’ve achieved. We will take you through the steps of reimagining the whole from inside. Finally, you’ll master honing the craft, securing the structure, and polishing it until it gleams. Dive deep and take your work from here to done… ready to take the world by storm!
Bonus Add-On
September 27-30, 2027
$1350, open ONLY to Camp Participants
Follow up your camp immersion with three days of writing retreat with Ellen, Elizabeth, seven other writers and YOU. Build on the inspiration you've gained, maintain the focus, and keep writing. Ellen and Elizabeth will be writing, too, with early morning meditative "writing from where you dream," ongoing cafe writing sessions in the later mornings and afternoons, shared meals and walks, and low-key, high positivity evenings of sharing work, chatting about books.
Donʻt miss our Summer Camp in July 2026! Register Now
Cancellation Policy: Guest must cancel 30 or more days prior to the camp to receive credit for the next SCWC program at Ratna Ling. If canceled in less than 30 days prior, payments are nonrefundable and no credit is offered.
SCHEDULE (Subject to Change):
Wednesday:
3pm Check-in
5pm Welcome Party
6pm Dinner
Thursday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm Yoga
6pm Dinner + Ratna Ling Introduction
7:30pm Student Readings
Friday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm Hike with Ellen
4pm Master Class with Visiting Author
6pm Dinner
7:30pm Student Readings
Saturday:
630am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm Meditation with George
4:30pm Industry Panel
6pm Dinner
7:30pm Student Readings
Sunday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch + Closing
1:30pm Checkout
For directions to Ratna Ling - Ratna Ling Retreat Center 35755 Hauser Bridge Rd Cazadero, CA 95421
Accommodations are beautiful lux cabins
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Transportation to/from Ratna Ling is NOT included - carpooling encouraged
Payments are nonrefundable and transferable to a future Ratna Ling stay or retreat
Each cottage includes TWO private rooms with queen beds, large dining & living area, gas fireplace, spacious deck, jacuzzi tub, linens/towels/hand soap, kitchenette with tea & coffee, complimentary wireless internet. Towels and hand soap are provided.
Vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.
What people are saying about our retreats:
"Ratna Ling is beautiful, the accommodations are wonderful, very comfortable. I love the land and the animals and the trees - and the quiet."
"I am grateful that I got to lead a retreat at a place that is so special to me. We had such an amazing group of people. Thank you for all your support."
"I love it here and hope to continue coming for many years. The setting and sacredness of this space are the perfect place to retreat."
"A very beautiful and relaxing place. The cottage was really cozy. The food was wonderful. The staff was so nice."
“I loved having time to myself to reflect on my life and where I am going. Thank you Ratna Ling."
“Being able to move at my own pace is a luxury. And of course the food was delicious."
Draft Two to Submission-ready!
So you’ve got pages. Pages and pages. Now what?This camp will show you how to let the story teach you its secrets. We will begin by assessing what you’ve got–what’s evolved on the page. By discerning what your story wants to be, you will be able to build on what you’ve achieved. We will take you through the steps of reimagining the whole from inside. Finally, you’ll master honing the craft, securing the structure, and polishing it until it gleams. Dive deep and take your work from here to done… ready to take the world by storm!
Bonus Add-On
September 27-30, 2027
$1350, open ONLY to Camp Participants
Follow up your camp immersion with three days of writing retreat with Ellen, Elizabeth, seven other writers and YOU. Build on the inspiration you've gained, maintain the focus, and keep writing. Ellen and Elizabeth will be writing, too, with early morning meditative "writing from where you dream," ongoing cafe writing sessions in the later mornings and afternoons, shared meals and walks, and low-key, high positivity evenings of sharing work, chatting about books.
Donʻt miss our Summer Camp in July 2026! Register Now
Cancellation Policy: Guest must cancel 30 or more days prior to the camp to receive credit for the next SCWC program at Ratna Ling. If canceled in less than 30 days prior, payments are nonrefundable and no credit is offered.
SCHEDULE (Subject to Change):
Wednesday:
3pm Check-in
5pm Welcome Party
6pm Dinner
Thursday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm Yoga
6pm Dinner + Ratna Ling Introduction
7:30pm Student Readings
Friday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm Hike with Ellen
4pm Master Class with Visiting Author
6pm Dinner
7:30pm Student Readings
Saturday:
630am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm Meditation with George
4:30pm Industry Panel
6pm Dinner
7:30pm Student Readings
Sunday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch + Closing
1:30pm Checkout
For directions to Ratna Ling - Ratna Ling Retreat Center 35755 Hauser Bridge Rd Cazadero, CA 95421
Accommodations are beautiful lux cabins
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Transportation to/from Ratna Ling is NOT included - carpooling encouraged
Payments are nonrefundable and transferable to a future Ratna Ling stay or retreat
Each cottage includes TWO private rooms with queen beds, large dining & living area, gas fireplace, spacious deck, jacuzzi tub, linens/towels/hand soap, kitchenette with tea & coffee, complimentary wireless internet. Towels and hand soap are provided.
Vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.
What people are saying about our retreats:
"Ratna Ling is beautiful, the accommodations are wonderful, very comfortable. I love the land and the animals and the trees - and the quiet."
"I am grateful that I got to lead a retreat at a place that is so special to me. We had such an amazing group of people. Thank you for all your support."
"I love it here and hope to continue coming for many years. The setting and sacredness of this space are the perfect place to retreat."
"A very beautiful and relaxing place. The cottage was really cozy. The food was wonderful. The staff was so nice."
“I loved having time to myself to reflect on my life and where I am going. Thank you Ratna Ling."
“Being able to move at my own pace is a luxury. And of course the food was delicious."
Getting Here
Directions
San Francisco International and Oakland International airports are approximately three hours south of Ratna Ling by car. Alaska Airlines flies to and from Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa which is approximately 1.5 hours from Ratna Ling by car. Unfortunately, there are no shuttles that bring you directly to Ratna Ling, so it is best to rent a car or email us to support in coordinating a carpool with fellow retreatants.
Accommodation
14 guest cottages on 120 acres of property. Each spacious, quiet cottage has 2 private rooms, with high ceilings and a deck with a view. Cottages include jet tubs (or ADA shower), towels, deluxe linens, refrigerator, tea kettle, coffee/tea, kitchen sink/counter, diningware, dining table, and living room with a stove fireplace. Free wifi available and a landline telephone. Guests can choose to have an exclusive cottage for ONE person; a private room for ONE person in a SHARED cottage; or a cottage for TWO people. Any additional guest after TWO is $100 per person per night. Meals and classes included.
For 1 guest in Private Room, Shared Cottage, including meals and classes
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Three miles from the beautiful Sonoma coast. Organic, vegetarian meals. 120 acres of redwoods, canyons, reservoirs, and wildlife. Sacred architecture timber cottages and communal spaces. Featured stupas, gardens, and temple empowered by Tibetan Buddhist Lama Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
All of our meals are organic and vegetarian, made with love and care.
We provide homemade yogurt and granola for breakfast. Lunches and dinners always include salads or salad bar. Each meal is self-served on a buffet table.
Customer Reviews
Verified
5.0
Verified
Here and Now Retreat
Accommodations were fantastic. Everything was clean and organized and well appointed. There was plenty of space to relax, find solitude, and connect with others. The food was delicious and plentiful and the staff were welcoming, approachable, and accommodating.
5.0
Verified
Solitude
I've never been at a place that offers the kind of solitude that Ratna Ling provides. The accommodations are superb, everything is taken care of and the spaciousness is extraordinary!
5.0
Verified
A fantastic place to participant in and host retreats!
I have been to Ratna Ling as a participant and two-time retreat facilitator. It is a fantastic place to participate and also host retreats! The setting is beautiful, the volunteer staff are kind, the food is healthy and delicious, and the yoga room is stunning. As a retreat facilitator, Ratna Ling makes it easy for you and handles the administrative parts so you can focus on what you do best. I look forward to hosting more retreats here in the future.
5.0
Verified
Wonderful experience
I found the retreat site to be a particularly beautiful space to be- to reflect, restore and grow. The grounds are really gorgeous, cabins are well constructed and everything is so well cared for. The accommodations are simple yet feel luxurious. The food was delicious and thoughtfully prepared. The yoga practice room is spacious and comfortable. The volunteers on site are helpful and generous. I would be eager to return again.
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