June 15-19, 2026
in Scotland
From Manuscript to Market: The Indie Author Self-Publishing Intensive
A different kind of writing retreat …
What to Expect
A 5-Day Immersive Publishing Seminar to Prepare Your First Book for Professional Self-Publishing
You’ve written your first book, or you’re still working on your manuscript. You can’t wait to publish it — professionally, confidently, without costly mistakes, and without overwhelm.
Join a small cohort of seven first-time writers in the Scottish Highlands for a structured, seminar-style, hands-on publishing intensive designed to help you finish and prepare your manuscript for self-publication the right way.
This is not your usual writing retreat. It’s an indie author boot camp, an author launch lab, in the Scottish Highlands!
Stop googling. Stop second-guessing. Stop being stuck. Learn exactly how to finish and prepare your book for publication — step by step, the full writing and self-publishing workflow with hands-on support. Publish your book this year and avoid costly mistakes! It’s the only retreat that teaches you the HOW.
This retreat is best positioned for:
✔ Writers who started a book, or have a completed or nearly completed manuscript
✔ Authors ready to finish their book and self-publish professionally
✔ Writers overwhelmed with publishing and technical processes
Your first book done right will set you up for a successful career as an indie author!
Enjoy gorgeous Scotland and a beautiful lakeshore house on the banks of Loch Goil, located in the Highlands within the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Let the beautiful setting and rugged nature of the Highlands inspire your journey as a writer and published author.
Accommodations included, and all meals and refreshments fully catered!
Taught by published and self-published author C. K. McAdam, author of the Amazon bestselling book The Seamstress of Auschwitz. As an acclaimed teaching professor with a passion for teaching, mentoring, and leading programs abroad, she is looking forward to teaching writers how to become published authors.
While incredibly rewarding when done right, self-publishing has a huge learning curve. There are a lot of moving pieces. I will teach you the steps, workflow, tools, resources, and practical application from finishing your book, editing, formatting, metadata, KDP, and other publishing platforms, basic marketing strategies, and translations, with 1-on-1 sessions included. This isn’t your usual writing retreat. It’s a focused, guided, and hands-on working retreat. It’s a turning point!
Participants must:
Bring their started, completed, and nearly completed manuscript draft
Bring a laptop
Be comfortable working intensively for maximum progress
Participants are encouraged:
To invest in tools
Share their own experience and journey
Structured Publishing Workshops: clear, step-by-step instructions on finishing your manuscript, formatting (incl. front and back matter), metadata (incl. book description/blurb), KDP setup (incl. keywords, categories, etc.), launch planning/strategy, marketing positioning, and translations (incl. foreign book markets)
Guided Implementation Labs: daily quiet work sessions to apply what you learn — with personal guidance and tech support.
Dedicated One-on-One Time: individual check-ins to address your manuscript, positioning, and publishing questions.
Evening Firesides: reflection, Q&A, and sharing time
BONUS: Private Alumni Facebook Group and 1-Hour Post-Intensive Zoom Meeting
FAQ
Do I need to have a finished manuscript?
No, but it would be great if you have started a manuscript, and even better if you have a nearly completed or completed draft.
Will we publish during the retreat?
You can if you arrive with a finished manuscript and get everything finished during the retreat. While we will prepare your book fully and have it ready to go, it all depends on where you are in the process and when you would like to hit the publishing button.
What genre is accepted?
Fiction and narrative nonfiction are welcome.
How much one-on-one time will I receive?
While I guide and support you during the implementation sessions, each participant will also receive a daily 20-minute one-on-one session with me, plus a scheduled 1-hour check-in (via Zoom) after the intensive.
Is there a cancellation & refund policy?
Yes. While the deposit is non-refundable, cancellations made 30 days or more before the retreat start date will receive a refund of payments made, minus the non-refundable deposit. Cancellations made within 30 days of the retreat start date are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your spot to another writer (with approval) up to 15 days before the retreat. If the retreat must be cancelled by the organizer for any reason, all payments will be refunded in full.
> Three meals a day catered
> Daily snacks and refreshments
> Welcome and farewell dinners
> full and comfortable accommodations included
> Evening firesides
> Scenic Highland hike
> Shuttle service from Glasgow airport to Lochwood House and back
PRICING
Intensive Course, Accommodations, Meals, and Shuttle Service:
Private Room: $2900 (Early Bird Rate: $2700 if paid in full by 4/15)
Shared Room: $2600 (limited availability; Early Bird Rate: $2400 if paid in full by 4/15)
Payment plans available (does not apply to Early Bird Rate).
Deposit of $750 required to secure your place.
Only 7 spots available! This retreat is intentionally small and immersive. Each writer receives individual attention, structured instruction, and protected implementation time.
Scotland + catered + teaching + 1:1 coaching
Daily Schedule
Breakfast8:00 - 9:00 am
Workshop/Seminar9:00 - 11:30 am
Lunch Break11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Implementation Lab12:30 - 3:30 pm
1:1 Sessions/Writing Time3:30 - 6:00 pm
Evening Fireside6:00 - 7:00 pm
Dinner7:00 - 9:00 pm
How It Works
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Fill out the application form. Make sure to indicate your room and payment preference, and any food allergies you have.
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Upon acceptance (via email notification), you will receive an invoice and will need to pay the deposit to reserve your spot.
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After booking, we'll send you a Welcome Packet with everything you need to know—detailed schedules, packing list recommendations, add-ons to consider, and more.
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We'd recommend booking your transportation to and from Glasgow as soon as possible, to ensure you can arrive without any complications or delays.
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Now all that's left to do is pack your bags and get excited for your journey of becoming a published author.