Story Summit Writers Retreat
Her Spirit 2027
Gather Under the Desert Sky
Write. Connect. Believe.
March 8 - 12, 2027
El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort
Tucson, Arizona
There's something extraordinary that happens when women gather to share their stories.
At Her Spirit, we've watched strangers become lifelong friends, find their voices, and rediscover parts of themselves they thought had been lost or forgotten. Together, we've laughed, cried, celebrated one another's courage, and witnessed the magic that unfolds when creativity is nurtured in community.
In 2027, we'll gather beneath the vast desert sky of Tucson, Arizona—a place of breathtaking sunsets, ancient wisdom, and endless horizons. There's something about the desert that invites us to look both inward and outward. It reminds us how expansive our lives can be and how much possibility still awaits us.
This year, we'll look to the stars.
We'll make space to write, imagine, create, dream, and believe in ourselves and our stories.
Her Spirit is designed exclusively for women and self-identifying women, and offers a unique blend of writing, creativity, connection, and renewal. Whether you're just beginning your writing journey or have been putting words on the page for years, you'll find encouragement, inspiration, and a circle of women cheering you on.
Our week together will include:
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Daily optional meditation and yoga to awaken the mind, body, and spirit
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Inspiring panels, workshops, and conversations led by award-winning faculty who are gifted teachers and generous mentors
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Opportunities to deepen your craft in memoir, fiction, publishing, and other storytelling disciplines
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Shared meals and meaningful conversations with women who understand both the joy and vulnerability of the creative life
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Free time each afternoon to write, explore nearby trails, relax by the pool, or simply soak in the beauty and stillness of the desert
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Opportunities to pitch your work to literary professionals and meet one-on-one with mentors
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Evening gatherings filled with books, stories, laughter, and a few surprises along the way
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A supportive and welcoming community that celebrates not only what you create, but who you are becoming
If you've been part of Her Spirit before, we hope you'll come home to us once again.
And if this is your first Her Spirit retreat, we can't wait to welcome you into the circle.
Come for the Retreat—Stay for the Festival
As an added element this year, Her Spirit leads directly into one of the country's most beloved literary celebrations—the Tucson Festival of Books, March 13–14, 2027. Extend your stay and spend the weekend surrounded by authors, readers, and book lovers from around the world.
If you’re a published author, you may also nominate yourself as a presenting or indie author.
Our retreat intentionally concludes on Friday afternoon, giving you the opportunity to continue the inspiration and celebration of story all weekend long.
The Rhythm of Our Days
We'll begin on Monday evening, March 8, with arrivals, dinner, and our opening gathering—a chance to reconnect with old friends and welcome new ones into our community.
Tuesday through Thursday will begin with optional meditation and yoga, followed by breakfast and a full day of programming designed to inspire both your writing and your spirit. We'll gather for conversations about craft, creativity, publishing, and storytelling while also making time for rest, reflection, and the unexpected moments that often become our favorite memories.
Tuesday and Thursday, we'll gather for dinner together, followed by book signings, open mics, and special events. Wednesday evening is yours—to enjoy dinner with new friends, soak in the hot tub beneath the stars, or simply retreat into quiet.
Our Faculty
One of the things that makes Her Spirit so special is our faculty. We carefully select each teacher based on three qualities: success in their field, excellence as a teacher, and a genuine heart for women and their stories.
The 2027 faculty will be announced in the coming days and we can't wait to introduce you to this remarkable group of writers, teachers, and mentors.
Managing Director, Story Summit, and NYT Bestselling Author
Executive Director, Story Summit, and Bestselling Author
Comedian, Host, Creator of One Funny Mother, and Author
NYT Bestselling Author, The House of Eve
Note: Faculty is subject to change.
Smaller by Design
This year's retreat will be intentionally smaller than in years past, allowing us to create an even more intimate experience. Space will be limited, which means more opportunities for meaningful connection, individual attention, and the sense of safety and belonging that has become the hallmark of Her Spirit.
There is a seat waiting for you here.
Come write. Come rest. Come be inspired.
Come discover what becomes possible when women gather beneath an endless sky and remember who they are.
We can't wait to welcome you to Her Spirit 2027.
Our Desert Home
Surrounded by striking mountain ranges and breathtaking desert landscapes, Tucson offers room to breathe, connect, and write. Sunrises and sunsets paint the sky in brilliant colors, while the stars remind us just how beautiful possibility can be.
March is one of Tucson’s most delightful seasons, with average daytime temperatures of 72 degrees and evening temperatures around 51 degrees. With low humidity and little rainfall, it’s the perfect time of year to escape colder climates, take time for renewal, and enjoy the desert’s natural beauty.
El Conquistador
Our home for Her Spirit 2027 will be the El Conquistador Tucson, a 50-acre Hilton Resort nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Whether you’re writing beside one of the outdoor pools, treating yourself to a spa service, enjoying a quiet walk, or gathering with new friends and faculty over a meal, you’ll find spaces designed to nourish your creative spirit.
The resort features:
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Multiple dining options
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Outdoor pools and a waterslide
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Spa and wellness offerings
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Tennis courts and fitness facilities
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Golf amenities and bike rentals
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Easy access to nearby hiking trails and desert exploration
The resort is located approximately 40 minutes from Tucson International Airport (TUS), with Uber rides averaging about $60 each way.
During your free time, you may want to explore nearby hiking trails, visit downtown Tucson just 12 miles away, or simply settle into a comfortable chair and write while taking in the mountain views.
Check out our program schedule
Here’s a rough agenda to give you a taste of the program. We’ll add more detail as we fine-tune the schedule. These times are approximate and may be subject to change.
Come Early. Stay Longer.
We’ll intentionally wrap up Her Spirit at noon on Friday so you can extend your stay for March 13-14 and attend the Tucson Festival of Books, one of the country’s premier literary festivals.
If you’d like to arrive early, stay a few extra days to explore the region, or attend the festival, we’ve secured our special group rate for up to three days before and after the retreat. Simply include those dates when making your reservation through our dedicated hotel booking link (coming soon).
Group Rate: $260 per night plus taxes ($297.83 inclusive). If you share a room with a friend, your per-night cost is only $148.91.
What's included:
Your Her Spirit registration includes:
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All Her Spirit keynotes, presentations, breakout sessions, and educational programming
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Optional morning meditation, yoga, nature walks, and restorative experiences throughout the week
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All meals beginning with Sunday dinner through Thursday breakfast, with the exception of Wednesday evening dinner, which is yours to enjoy with new friends or on your own
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Healthful, chef-prepared dining options that accommodate dietary needs
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Self-parking at the resort
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Complimentary WiFi throughout the resort, meeting spaces, and guestrooms
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Daily use of fitness facilities and wellness classes for two guests per room
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Two complimentary bottles of water upon check-in
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A 10% discount at the General Store Gift Shop
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A 10% discount on SpaWell services
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One hour of complimentary use of the putting green and driving range each day (per room)
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Discounted golf green fees, based on availability
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Two hours of complimentary bike usage each day for two guests (per room)
What’s Not Included
The following are not included in your registration fee:
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Hotel accommodations (you’ll reserve your room separately using our dedicated booking link; your credit card will be required to hold the reservation but will not be charged at the time of booking)
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Travel expenses and airport transfers
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Friday morning agent pitching sessions ($50 for Story Summit members and $100 for non-members)
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Private writing consultations with faculty mentors (available by appointment for an additional fee paid directly to the mentor)
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Alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, golf and individual excursions
We’ll create a WhatsApp group before the retreat to make it easy for attendees to coordinate airport transportation and share rides with one another.
If you’re planning to share a room, we’ll provide simple instructions for adding your roommate’s name to the reservation once hotel booking opens.
Most of all, what awaits you here is time—time to write, to rest, to laugh, to learn, and to reconnect with yourself and your creative spirit.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the desert.
Early Bird Pricing Ends September 15
Register Now!
Space is limited and demand is great, so we strongly encourage you to register in full or reserve your space with a deposit today.
Availability is extremely limited
Please check the options below and register!
Best Value
Important: Early Bird pricing is available through September 15 only. After that date, Member pricing will increase to $2,927 (a savings of $250 off the regular price), while Non-Member pricing will increase to the regular price of $3,177.
Story Summit Members receive this exclusive discounted rate. Simply register while logged in to your Story Summit account, and your discount will be applied automatically. Not a member yet? Join here.
After registration, we'll also invite you to our WhatsApp group, gather further details about you, and share information about the resort facilities.
Refund Policy: Please read this policy carefully before registering. Due to our special arrangements to make this retreat possible, we must strictly adhere to this policy.
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If you need to cancel more than one month before the event, you’ll receive a full refund minus the $497 deposit and less processing fees (around 7.5%). Within one month of the event, you’ll receive a full refund minus the deposit and processing fees if we’re able to replace your registration with another participant.
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The $497 deposit is non-refundable. However, if you need to cancel, you can transfer the deposit fee to another Story Summit in-person event, or use it as a credit for membership or future classes for 1 year (not including the Mentor-Led Small Group Program).
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Please note that all refunds are processed within a 30-day window.
Booking Your Hotel!
We're excited to share that we'll be staying at El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort, in Tucson, Arizona for Her Spirit 2027!
We’ve secured a group rate of $260.00+tax ($297.83 inclusive of tax and resort fees) per night at the El Conquistador for the duration of the retreat. This special rate will be available for three nights both pre and post (based on availability) for those wanting to come in early and/or stay after for the Tucson Festival of Books weekend.
The special link to book your room at the El Conquistador will be provided soon and we will also announce once this has been added to the website. You must book the hotel using the link provided in order to get this group rate.
Further information about booking, including details on our special group rate, will be provided soon, so please stay tuned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Refund Policy: Please read this policy carefully before registering. Due to our special arrangements to make this retreat possible, we must strictly adhere to this policy.
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If you need to cancel more than one month before the event, you’ll receive a full refund minus the $497 deposit and less processing fees (around 7.5%). Within one month of the event, you’ll receive a full refund minus the deposit and processing fees if we’re able to replace your registration with another participant.
-
The $497 deposit is non-refundable. However, if you need to cancel, you can transfer the deposit fee to another Story Summit in-person event, or use it as a credit for membership or future classes for 1 year (not including the Mentor-Led Small Group Program).
-
Please note that all refunds are processed within a 30-day window.
Check out our previous Story Summits in Santa Cruz, the Caribbean, and Cape Cod
