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Rising River is led by children's author Jacqueline Davies, who has been teaching classes in how to write children's books for more than ten years. As students graduated from her classes and looked for the next level of instruction, they asked her, "Why don't you offer a writing retreat for serious writers of children's books?"

And that's how Rising River came to be.

Now in its fifth year, Rising River has welcomed dozens of writers from all over the country and helped create ongoing communities of children's writers that continue to meet throughout the year.

Designed for both published and unpublished writers of children's books, Rising River offers a unique blend of focused instruction, guided peer-critique, and sequestered writing time.

Jackie is available throughout the day as a resource for all participants. Each writer is able to schedule one-on-one time to talk about whatever is most on his or her mind: a writing problem, a story idea, a manuscript, a publishing dilemma. Over the years, participants have consistently said that the one-on-one sessions with Jackie have helped them enormously.

One of the greatest values of the retreat lies in the strength and purpose that arises from the community itself. While at Rising River, writers form friendships, make alliances, and create ongoing critique groups that continue long after the retreat is over.

Rising River is truly a working writer's retreat.

Jacqueline Davies is the author of seven children's books: Where the Ground Meets the Sky, The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon, The Night Is Singing, The House Takes a Vacation, The Lemonade War, Tricking the Tallyman, and Lost. She has won numerous awards for her writing.