THE
BREAKTHROUGH
A WRITING RETREAT
April 8-12, 2026
Ever wish you could be more productive on a writing retreat? What if an expert editor could offer you guidance while you wrote?
Heidi Pitlor and Michelle Wildgen have created a one-of-a-kind short retreat of productive solo work, creative community, and expertise right there for the asking. Bring your ideas, novel pages, fiction or memoir in any form, and break through your barriers in just four nights/five days with us on magical Cape Cod.
Before the retreat, you’ll have a goal-setting conference with Heidi or Michelle. We’ll be there for one-on-one office hours and informal hangout time throughout the retreat. A few weeks afterward, you’ll follow up with us again to strategize and make sure you’re moving forward with the work you did at the retreat.
THE BREAKTHROUGH is your chance to tap into decades of editorial expertise: your hosts will be Heidi Pitlor, longtime series editor of The Best American Short Stories, and Michelle Wildgen, who was an editor with Tin House Magazine for almost 20 years, until its final issue. We’ve published novels, essays, stories, reviews, and edited everything from food essays and short stories to novels, memoirs, and story collections. We have worked with writers like Margaret Atwood, Katherine Heiny, Michael Ruhlman, Ann Hood, John Freeman, Jesmyn Ward, Min Jin Lee, Lee Child, and many others.
WHO: THE BREAKTHROUGH is limited to 10 writers.
WHEN: April 8-12, 2026.
WHERE: A beautifully appointed multi-building, water-view property on Cape Cod in Eastham, Mass., about 2.5 hours from Boston and Logan Airport. Rooms range from private with en suite bathrooms or solo cottages to a cozy room to share with your old workshop pals. There is plenty of room on the grounds to enjoy outside conferences and walks and capacious tables to dine together, hang out, or write. Stores and restaurants are nearby and walking distance.
FOOD AND DRINK: We’ll provide it all, from quick nourishing breakfasts to homemade communal dinners. We’ll have NA drinks and wine on hand, but the goal is craft, community, and productivity more than a party atmosphere.
“It was beyond fantastic having two sharp and extremely generous editors offering insights and support.”-RR
“A perfect balance of structure and ease. I felt a great chemistry among the group which I attribute to the leaders for helping facilitate a very warm and positive environment.”-SM
“A wealth of information, book references, publishing ideas, and story structure as well as many other tidbits too plentiful to list. The food was amazing, healthy, and plentiful. Meeting the other writers and hearing their challenges and successes was extremely informative and they were all nice people with fascinating writing projects; and lastly, [I valued] getting direction from Michelle and Heidi on how to continue taking my project forward. ”-ML
“What a joy it was being in company with this very special group of kind, curious, and talented women! (Oh, and those delicious meals...)”-RR
“It was wonderful to be in the company of dedicated writers, and to have the support of such fantastic and established editors. It boosted my confidence and helped me feel a sense of connection and purpose.”-ML
Sponsored by Heidi Pitlor Editorial, Michelle Wildgen Editorial, and the Madison Writers’ Studio.