Return to the Wild Presents
The Query Letter Sessions
September 28 - October 2, 2026
A 5-day in-person summit for writers to workshop with queries, refine their hooks, & be at east
Intention
A week dedicated solely to the business of your art, your purpose, your dream, in one of the most stunning places in the world. This experience will challenge you to step back from the story you've created and look at it from an agent and editor’s lens. Learn how to pitch your ideas, uncover the real hook in your story, and help shape the course of your professional writing life.
Roots
When queries land in an agent's lap, the concept my be there, but for some reason, it just might not land. The gem that makes the book is buried or the query letter (or pitch!) is just too convoluted to translate well. Uncover what makes a book pop and elevate your query package so your stories get seen!
Grounding
Our days will be spent immersed in our practice, pitching, workshopping, writing, and even a little exploring around our tiny forested island. There is also plenty of down time so that you can put your craft & your mental health first.
Why
There are so many barriers that separate writers from the publishing industry. With so much conflicting information from people who claim to hold the key to your success, it's almost impossible to parse what's what these days. What's a writer with a dream to do?
This retreat is designed to demolish those barriers and dull the noise with three literary agents who have been in the industry collectively for nearly 30 years—this is where you can collect and workshop all of the very best knowledge we have to offer. Not only that, but you'll make connections with industry pros you might never meet otherwise.
Location.
Nexwlélexwm (Bowen Island) the ancestral and unceded territory of the Squamish Nation. Nestled in the Howe Sound, just a short ferry ride from Vancouver, British Columbia, this small island has a big heart. Bowen is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, the island features lush forests, rugged coastlines, and peaceful beaches. Other than it’s nature-filled terrain, this small island also offers a blend of charming local shops, cafes, and art galleries.
Nectar Yoga Retreat sits on 20 acres of forested land.
What’s Included.
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Nectar Yoga Retreat is a healing space that sits on 20 acres of forested land on Bowen Island, just a short 20 minute ferry ride from Vancouver. Nectar acknowledges and honours that Nexwlélexwm (Bowen Island) is the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation.
Here’s a blurb from Nectar about their space:
“Our life's work is the stewardship of this land, to care for and know its forests and waterways… By holding space for guests to slow down, our intention is to seed consciousness that naturally comes from immersing oneself in the land.
Our modern, Scandinavian-inspired cottages provide the container for an easeful getaway in nature. Rest and recharge among the Alder trees, and vast varieties of Pacific Northwest flora and fauna.”
Nectar has been host to brands like Lululemon and Arc'teryx and featured by The New York Times, British Vogue, Condé Nast Traveler, and more!
See available room options below
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Nectar will be providing catering for us. The vegetarian menu will be emailed 14 days prior to the retreat. All meals are vegan adaptable, gluten-free adaptable, and peanut-free. Nectar can accommodate allergies; however, they do not cater to specific diets such as smoothies-only, sugar-free, keto, no/low carbs etc.
Nectar is a fish and meat-free kitchen. They are not a gluten-free or nut-free kitchen. However, they do make great efforts to avoid cross-contamination, although they cannot guarantee it. If you do have any allergies, an opportunity to disclose will be available to you upon enrollment.
Return to the Wild and Nectar are not liable for any allergic reactions or conditions that may arise due to the consumption of food and drinks provided by Nectar.
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You can choose between elevating your book’s pitch or your query letter during our elevation sessions. Industry experts will provide feedback to help you elevate your work and help you put your best foot forward.
Can’t decide?
Pitch elevation works best for writers who are on submission or are self-publishing. We’ll dive into the parts of your story and help you polish what you have down to a single, very effective sentence.
Query Critiques are best for querying writers. If you’ve been in the trenches for a while or if you’re about to dive in the first time, we’ll go over your query letter and help you elevate it, so it is as strong as it can be.
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As a compliment to our elevation sessions, your publishing faculty will provide daily talks on all things industry and even craft!
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A goodie bag to greet you upon arrival and inspire the magic of our retreat week to come!
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To shake off the cobwebs, writers will have access to Nectar’s venue as well as access to personal bookings for
• Massage
• Tarot
• Reiki
• Breathwork
• Yoga
• Meditationat your own expense.
Online booking platforms will be provided 20 days before the event. Please be mindful of our schedule before booking.
Please be mindful of allotted free time so you don’t miss out on group sessions. A schedule will be provided as early as July 2026.
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Mist Thermal Sanctuary at Nectar offers a calm pause to return to your elements through private forested saunas and reviving hot-cold waters.
Mist uses mineral-rich spring water from an aquifer beneath our premises, enhancing resilience against water scarcity caused by climate change.
Optional Mist Thermal Spa Add On for a discounted rate of & $55 USD ($67 CAD).
Two Mist Spa experiences have been donated to Behind the Book. If you would like to claim one of these spots, please contact Marina. Securing your Mist Thermal Experience will be available post-enrolment.
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Before the retreat, Marina will give you the keys to the private writer’s community called The Meadow where you’ll have an opportunity to get to know fellow retreat attendees. You’ll have access to this community which is filled with fellow Return to the Wild Retreat alumni and other like-minded writers. For more information on The Meadow Community, click here.
The Workshop Sessions
Our workshop pitch sessions are designed to arm you with the knowledge you need to literally put your best story forward. Get it seen, be heard, and learn to view your art from a professional lens. Learning a new perspective (or building on one you already possess) surrounded by writers who share your dreams is at the core of what makes Return to the Wild's Behind the Book retreat so special. At the end of the week, you’ll leave with a sturdily reconstructed query, pitch, and/or hook.
FACULTY
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MARINA GREEN
LITERARY AGENT, EDITOR, & HOST
By day, Marina is literary agent, previously a Big 5 acquiring editor. Avid supporter of the Oxford Comma and the em dash, Marina is also a freelance editor by night, founder of Marina Edits and Return to the Wild.
In her free time, you can find Marina with her nose in a book or clicking away at her laptop, chasing new stories and wrangling them into wild submission. When she isn’t immersing herself in story, you can find her with a cup of tea in hand, trying a new yoga asana—never at the same time—or practicing Armenian, the language of her ancestors.
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Kelsey Evans
LITERARY AGENT & WRITER
Kelsey Evans is a publishing professional with a background in communications, marketing, and editing.
After a decade helming marketing strategy and content development for agencies with major clients like AAA, Dannon, and Target, she transitioned into publishing. She began as an editor, helping writers shape their work through developmental feedback, query critiques, and revision guidance. Later, she moved into agenting, interning with Triada US and Creative Media Agency (CMA), where she gained hands-on experience in manuscript evaluation, submissions, and client development.
Passionate about championing authors, Kelsey now combines editorial insight with marketing expertise to help writers navigate both craft and career. -
Surprise Faculty
NO SPOILERS HERE!
Our Third Faculty Member will be revealed anon! Keep your eyes peeled for this incredible human who carries a wealth of knowlegde!
Behind the Book is designed to break the knowledge barriers of the publishing industry.
This is where it starts.
Daily Itinerary
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Start your day in the lodge with a delicious breakfast.
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A Return to the Wild staple! Marina will lead the group on a nature-based forest walk. Be sure to wear comfy shoes and bring something to write with.
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Embark on a story elevation session as a group. Attendees will choose to critique their pitch or their query letter. Each attendee will have up to an hour of critique time.
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Lunch at the lodge to energize and nourish.
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Embark on the second story elevation session of the day. Attendees will choose to critique their pitch or their query letter. Each attendee will have up to an hour of critique time.
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Use this time to write or go on an adventure with Marina. No spoilers here!
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A delicious vegetarian meal in the lodge followed by dessert + tea.
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Relax in the lodge or outside, connect with other guests, or wind down in your cabin. Prepare for a great night’s sleep however you wish!
Accommodation
The 2026 Return to the Wild Retreat will be hosted exclusively at Nectar Retreat Centre
Nectar Yoga Retreat is a healing space that sits on 20 acres of forested land on Bowen Island, just a short twenty-minute ferry ride from Vancouver.
We acknowledge and honour that Nexwlélexwm (Bowen Island) is the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation.
Breathe in. Feel the serenity of the trees, the whispers of the wind, the beauty of unspoiled nature. Breathe out. Let go of the daily grind. The meetings. The screens. Feel life’s chaos give way to a sense of oneness with the world around you, deep in your bones. This is our promise of a deeply healing space for inner connection and outer exploration. This is Nectar.
There are only 10 spots available! Get them before they’re gone!
Sunstone, Jasper, & Opal A-Frame Cottages
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Warm, pine-clad angled walls welcome you at our modernized 60s-throwback A-frames. The comfy beds and cozy linens await your dreams, while the picture window and its lush foliage views await your daydreams. Use the space for creative pursuits, or as a basecamp for a walk in the forest. Rainy day? Sit outside on your covered porch and enjoy the fresh, pine-scented ocean air and the sound of raindrops caressing the old-growth trees.
Sleeps 1 guest
1 double bed
Covered front deck with year-round seating
3 A-Frames share 2 detached bathrooms (10 meter outside walk away), with showers
Natural, locally-made toiletries
Wi-Fi available in the Onyx Lodge
Moonstone Cottage
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Shared (1 twin bed per person) is $2,950
Private room rate is $3,650.
If you would like to book this as a private room, please contact Marina before enrollment to secure your spot.
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This cottage offers similar amenities as our deluxe cottages with added seclusion. Wake up to sunbeams illuminating the room through the windows before sipping tea on your porch nestled on the edge of our Alder grove. A rustic outdoor shower awaits you with sweet-smelling natural products to lather on.
Sleeps 2 guests (we suggest booking with a loved one as the beds are close together)
2 twin beds or 1 king bed
Private deck
Reading chairs
Mini fridge
Ensuite bathroom (toilet and sink inside, shower outside)
Outdoor shower (located on the deck, maximum 7 minutes of hot water)
Natural, locally-made toiletries
Wi-Fi
Smart TV
Jade Cottage
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$3,150 // one of 2 XL twin beds on the ground floor
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Our modern, Scandinavian-inspired deluxe cottages were designed with simplistic coziness in mind. Comfy beds, soft linens, fluffy pillows and a reading window seat offer perfect places to snuggle up to a loved one, or with a good book. Wake up and take a morning shower in the gorgeous bathroom, or take it outside in the steamy, outdoor shower adjoining the bathroom. A covered porch lined with warm cedar perches you with a perfect view of the property’s centerpiece, our magnificent maple and alder trees.
Sleeps 2 guests
2 XL twin beds or 1 king bed & one lofted bed
Covered front deck with year-round seating
Reading nook with picture window
Writing desk
Mini fridge
Ensuite bathroom with indoor and outdoor shower
Natural, locally-made toiletries
Smart TV and in-room Wi-Fi
Amethyst Cottage
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$3,150 // one of 2 XL twin beds on the ground floor
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Our modern, Scandinavian-inspired deluxe cottages were designed with simplistic coziness in mind. Comfy beds, soft linens, fluffy pillows and a reading window seat offer perfect places to snuggle up to a loved one, or with a good book. Wake up and take a morning shower in the gorgeous bathroom, or take it outside in the steamy, outdoor shower adjoining the bathroom. A covered porch lined with warm cedar perches you with a perfect view of the property’s centerpiece, our magnificent maple and alder trees.
Sleeps 2 guests
2 XL twin beds or 1 king bed & one lofted bed
Covered front deck with year-round seating
Reading nook with picture window
Writing desk
Mini fridge
Ensuite bathroom with indoor and outdoor shower
Natural, locally-made toiletries
Smart TV and in-room Wi-Fi
Quartz Cottage
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$3,150 // one of 2 XL twin beds on the ground floor
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Our modern, Scandinavian-inspired deluxe cottages were designed with simplistic coziness in mind. Comfy beds, soft linens, fluffy pillows and a reading window seat offer perfect places to snuggle up to a loved one, or with a good book. Wake up and take a morning shower in the gorgeous bathroom, or take it outside in the steamy, outdoor shower adjoining the bathroom. A covered porch lined with warm cedar perches you with a perfect view of the property’s centerpiece, our magnificent maple and alder trees.
Sleeps 2 guests
2 XL twin beds or 1 king bed & one lofted bed
Covered front deck with year-round seating
Reading nook with picture window
Writing desk
Mini fridge
Ensuite bathroom with indoor and outdoor shower
Natural, locally-made toiletries
Smart TV and in-room Wi-Fi
Ready to Enroll?
Hurry! There are only 10 spots!
Here are the payment details:
Enrolment opens April 18, 2026
A nonrefundable enrolment deposit of $500 USD goes toward your overall retreat cost on February 7th.
Full Balance Option can be paid at any point after enrolment before July 25th.
Please note: We are encouraging participants who are able to pay in full in advance so we can secure trip experiences!
Instalments Option:
First Payment Due May 30, 2026
2nd Payment Due July 25, 2026
Your enrolment will register you for the retreat, which includes accommodations, all activities including critique circles, & all meals. Transportation to Nectar and back is not included. Marina will provide a detailed how-to transportation guide after sign-up. See the FAQ section below for a brief overview.
Cancellation policy: The enrolment deposit & all other payments for this retreat are nonrefundable.
We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance to cover your expenses in the event of cancellations or rescheduling.
More Details
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Yes! if you would like to room with your friend, please coordinate before enrollment so that you both choose the same type of room. After enrollment, you will be provided opportunity to disclose your chosen roommate. We will do everything in our power to accommodate roommate requests to the best of our abilities.
If you do not have a specific roommate in mind or if you do not get your requested pairing, don’t worry! You’re coming to a place with like minded people who you could very well make life-long connections with. You will also have tons of time during the day to spend time with all of your friends—new and old.
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We will provide a detailed packing list in July. If you like to prepare extra, extra early, think early autumn in Canada. Cool gusts of wind, potential warm spells, mud, rain, and sunshine. Among other things, Marina will be bringing an umbrella and (waterproof) jackets to layer.
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To get to Bowen Island, you will need to take a ferry from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. The ferry terminal is located at 6755 Keith Road, West Vancouver, BC. BC Ferries operates regular sailings between Horseshoe Bay and Snug Cove on Bowen Island. The ferry crossing takes approximately 20 minutes.
If you are driving, follow signs to Horseshoe Bay from Vancouver or the surrounding areas, and purchase a ticket for your vehicle and passengers at the terminal. There is also passenger-only service; you can park in the Horseshoe Bay area and board the ferry on foot. It is recommended to arrive early, especially during peak travel times, as the ferry can fill up.
Once on Bowen Island, the ferry docks at Snug Cove, where you can access local transportation, taxis, and walking trails. Public transit options on the island are limited, so it’s advisable to plan your transportation in advance.
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You must be at least 19 years old to participate.
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Life happens. Don’t we know it. We highly recommend you purchase good travel insurance to protect against rare incidents like this!
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Yes! Although, if you’re an extra hungry hobbit like Marina, consider bring your own non-perishable stash just in case you get peckish!
