2027 Mystery Mastermind Writers Retreat
A Mystery Mastermind, In Person
Five Writers. Curated Feedback. Transformative Results.
An all-inclusive writing retreat for authors—whether you've just begun
or you're a seasoned pro.
September 13–16, 2027 · Sarasota, Florida · 20 minutes from SRQ
Registration Is Now Open
“Jane is worth her weight in gold, platinum, and all the precious metals. I’ve had two writing coaches before this, and while they both earned their fee, nothing compares to the improvements in my writing through Mystery Mastermind. I am in awe and sometimes shocked at how much I have improved.”
—Anna M., Mystery Mastermind 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 alumna
For years, my Mystery Masterminds have brought five writers together for focused, meaningful work on their fiction. Now I’m bringing five of you together in person.
This is a rare opportunity for you to receive personalized feedback in a supportive environment built around one thing—making real and significant progress.
We’ll gather in a lux private villa in Sarasota, Florida. You’ll have your own en-suite bedroom, meals prepared by a private chef, and more than two full days dedicated to your writing alongside a small group of like-minded authors. No commute, no distractions, no juggling. Just the work, the forward-thinking, constructive feedback, the conversations, that lead to the kind of progress that’s hard to find anywhere else.
What’s Included
1. Two rounds of blind editorial reads from a top editor with Big Five experience
The editor doing the blind reads has real-world experience acquiring crime fiction in all subgenres for a Big Five publisher. You’ll receive a one-page editorial letter and fully annotated pages for your first 10 pages before the retreat, providing a clear understanding of what your book needs to become irresistible to agents and editors. During our days together, we’ll drill down on the how—the ways, the means, the specific moves that get it done. Then, after you revise, you’ll receive a second round of editorial feedback: another one-page editorial letter and another set of fully annotated pages. We’ll discuss the feedback and plan your next steps on a follow-up group Zoom.
2. Forward-thinking feedback designed to help you move to the next level
All feedback is constructive. Constructive feedback is forward-thinking, direct, specific, and clear. We don’t talk about what we like—we talk about what works, what’s effective. We don’t merely identify problems, we suggest specific solutions. We brainstorm whys and what-fors and how to bring the characters, the plot, the setting to life. You’ll leave with ideas you can implement right away, thoughtful approaches and new tactics to consider, and meaningful insights.
3. 90 minutes that belong to you
Across two 45-minute sessions—one Tuesday, one Wednesday—the group will work through your editorial feedback and what it means for your book. That’s an hour and a half of focused time dedicated to you and your pages alone.
4. Exercises, short lectures, and genuine conversations
Expect challenging exercises that push your thinking, short focused lecturettes on craft, and the kind of honest, around-the-table conversation that keeps going after dinner. We have the time and a perfect place to let conversations develop. You’ll have quiet time, too, and a room of your own.
5. A lux villa, all our own
Everyone has a private en-suite bedroom in a luxury villa reserved entirely for our group. It’s a comfortable, inspiring place to think and write.
6. Every meal, from arrival to departure
All-inclusive means all-inclusive. From Monday’s welcome reception at 6 p.m. (arrive any time after 4 p.m.) through our Thursday-morning wrap-up, all food and drink is included: continental breakfasts, plus grab-and-go lunches and sit-down dinners crafted by a private chef. Wine, beer, coffee, tea, and soft drinks are all included. (We’ll ask about any special dietary needs in advance, and the chef will create appropriate alternatives.)
7. You'll leave with a plan
We’ll close Thursday morning with a wrap-up that turns two days of work into a specific, actionable plan—so you go home raring to go, not wondering what’s next. And it doesn’t end there: you’ll submit your revised pages in a month for a second blind editorial read. Then, after you review the next set of editorial notes, we’ll come together for a follow-up Zoom debriefing designed to keep you moving forward with confidence.
About Jane K. Cleland
Jane K. Cleland is an Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards finalist and a seven-time winner of the David Award for Best Novel for her long-running Josie Prescott Antiques Mysteries (novels published by St. Martin’s Minotaur and short fiction published by Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine). Books in the series have received starred reviews from Library Journal and Shelf Awareness, and the series has been optioned for TV/film.
Jane is also a contributing editor for Writer’s Digest magazine and the author of several acclaimed books on the craft of writing, including Beat the Bots: A Writer’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Age of AI, praised by Louise Penny as “Brilliant!” Her earlier books, Mastering Suspense, Structure & Plot and Mastering Plot Twists, each won the Agatha Award.
Jane teaches writing at Lehman College (City University of New York), mentors in Western Connecticut State University’s MFA program, and serves on the faculty of Writer’s Digest University. Jane served as President of the New York Chapter and Vice President of the Florida chapter of Mystery Writers of America, and was on the national board.
“After Mystery Mastermind, I went back and integrated your tips and wisdom into my manuscript. Thanks to you and the team’s feedback, I’m happy to report that today I signed a three-book contract for that series with a U.K. publisher!”
—Nan R., Mystery Mastermind 14 alumna
“Mystery Mastermind has been life-changing for me. The book I’ve been struggling to write since last April has completely opened up, and I truly believe I’m finally finding my voice.”
—Sarah M., Mystery Mastermind 8 alumna
“I have attended many writers conferences, seminars, and webinars. My first Mystery Mastermind class helped me move my manuscript forward better than all of those combined.”
—Joyce S., Mystery Mastermind 10 alumna
Five Reasons the 2027 Mystery Mastermind Writers Retreat Might be a Good Fit for You
Wondering if this retreat is right for you? Give me five minutes—I’ll walk you through my thinking.
The Experience at a Glance
- When: September 13 through 16, 2027 (arrive in time for the 6 p.m. Welcome Reception, Monday the 13th; depart after the Wrap-up Session, 10:30 a.m., Thursday the 16th)
- Where: A private luxury villa in Sarasota, Florida—20 minutes from SRQ
- Who: Five writers, at every stage of their career, from brand new to seasoned, and working in all subgenres of crime fiction from cozies to thrillers and from police procedurals to romantic suspense—and everything in between
- Editorial: Two rounds of blind editorial reviews from a top Big Five-experienced acquiring editor—a one-page letter and fully annotated pages each, one before the retreat and one after you revise your pages
- Your time: 90 minutes, 45 minutes each day, plus exercises and debriefings and informal conversations
- All-inclusive: Your registration includes the two blind editorial reviews, the workshop itself, our follow-up Zoom, a private en-suite bedroom, and all meals, drinks, and snacks, from Monday’s Welcome Reception to Thursday morning’s wrap-up: generous breakfast spreads, delicious grab-and-go lunches and opulent sit-down dinners from our private chef
This is a premium, all-inclusive experience, limited to five writers. Registration is $7,495, and that covers everything from Monday’s welcome reception through Thursday morning’s wrap-up: your private en-suite room, every meal, both blind editorial reviews, the follow-up group Zoom, and the full program. Travel to and from Sarasota is the only thing not included.
Members of Jane’s Inner Circle save 10%. Not a member yet? is a membership program that includes unlimited webinar replays, a monthly “Lunch with Jane” webinar where you can ask Jane anything, and a standing 10% discount on every Mystery Mastermind.
Questions about the Retreat
Is this a vacation or a working retreat?
It’s a working retreat. You’ll have a comfortable, beautiful place to think, to write—your own en-suite room, every meal taken care of, no commute and no distractions—and you’ll do real work on your book the whole time. The surroundings are inspiring. The point is your writing.
Who is this for?
Writers at any stage—whether you’ve just begun your first manuscript or you’re a seasoned pro between books. If you’re serious about moving your story forward, you’ll feel right at home.
How many writers will be there?
Just five. Like all my Mystery Masterminds, this retreat is deliberately small so every person gets real attention—from me, from the Big Five-experienced editor doing the blind reads, and from each other.
What are the two editorial reviews?
The two blind editorial reviews are designed to ensure you’ll make meaningful progress on your manuscript. First, you’ll receive objective, forward-thinking, constructive feedback from a top editor with experience acquiring crime fiction for a Big Five publisher. Next, you’ll develop a specific revision plan using the lessons learned through the discussions at the retreat. After you revise your pages, you’ll submit them for a second blind editorial review. Once you receive your second editorial letter and fully annotated pages, we’ll meet on a group Zoom to discuss next steps. This Before and After format helps ensure that your stories resonate with originality and emotional truth—and those are the stories publishers seek and readers crave.
What does "all-inclusive" cover?
- Two blind editorial reads from a top editor with experience acquiring crime fiction for a Big Five publisher. You’ll receive personalized one-page editorial letters and fully annotated pages.
- The intensive, forward-thinking working retreat—two packed days, plus the final wrap up.
- 90 minutes dedicated to your work, 45 minutes each day.
- Tailored lecturettes, challenging exercises, and meaningful debriefings.
- A follow-up group Zoom chat after you receive your second set of editorial notes to plan next steps.
- A private en-suite bedroom in an inspiring luxury villa that’s ours alone.
- All meals, snacks, and drinks (wine & beer, coffee & tea, selected soft drinks & juices) are included from Monday’s Welcome Reception to Thursday’s wrap-up. Also included is a generous breakfast spread each morning, delicious grab-and-go lunches, and opulent sit-down dinners from our private chef.
Is the villa accessible?
The villa is a private home that we are renting for the event, not a hotel, and it isn’t wheelchair accessible.
Most of the bedrooms are on the second floor, and there is no elevator—so expect stairs as part of daily life there, and pack accordingly!
If you have mobility concerns and you’re wondering whether the retreat will work for you, email me before you register and we’ll talk it through.
What does a day look like?
We begin Monday at 6 p.m. with a Welcome Reception. Tuesday and Wednesday form the heart of the retreat—your 45-minute editorial session (one per day), brief lecturettes, thought-inciting exercises, focused debriefings—to say nothing about spontaneous conversations during the day and after dinner. You’ll have quiet time, too, to think, to reflect, to write. Thursday morning we wrap up at 10:30 a.m., ending with a discussion about your specific action plan and recap next steps—your revised pages, a second blind editorial read, a group Zoom chat. You’ll leave inspired!
How much does it cost, and how can I register?
Registration is $7,495. That’s everything from Monday’s welcome reception through Thursday morning’s wrap-up: your private en-suite room, every meal, both blind editorial reviews, the follow-up group Zoom, and the full program. The only thing not included is your travel to and from Sarasota. Members of Jane’s Inner Circle will save 10%.
There are five seats. Reserve yours here.
What are the terms and conditions?
Because this retreat is limited to five writers, I commit to the villa, the chef, and the editorial reviews many months in advance, so registration payments are final. If you can’t attend, you may transfer your registration to another writer with my approval. If there’s a waitlist, I’ll make a good-faith effort to fill your seat, and if it’s filled, I’ll refund your payments less a $235 administrative fee.
If something beyond anyone’s control forces a cancellation, you’ll receive a credit toward a future retreat. Travel isn’t included, and I strongly recommend travel insurance.
Please read the full before you register. You’ll be asked to confirm you’ve read them when you check out.
2027 Mystery Masterminds Writers Retreat
Reserve your spot for September 2027 now for $7,495.
I can’t wait to work with you. There are only five seats, and I hope one of them is yours.
Jane’s Inner Circle members get 10% off! Check the “News & Updates” section of Patreon for your members-only discount code to enter at checkout!
Still Deciding?
A retreat like this is a real investment, and it’s worth talking through. Email me with any question at all—about the work, the villa, whether it’s the right time for your book. I’d rather you ask than wonder.
You can also join my Mystery Mastermind Writers Retreat interest list if you’d like updates on this event and future ones like it going forward. Just fill out the form below!
