Your story begins here
Skywriter Ranch by The Sea
A WRITING & WELLNESS RETREAT
OCTOBER 12 - 16, 2025
STINSON BEACH, CALIFORNIA
WITH AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR HOLLY LYNN PAYNE
Skywriter Ranch by The Sea is opening Oct. 12-16 in Stinson Beach, California! Gather with a small, intimate group of 8 writers for a creative boost along the Pacific Ocean at a historic seaside estate with award-winning, internationally published author and writing coach, Holly Lynn Payne.
Enjoy exclusive daily hikes along the beach and within magnificent redwood forests, group instruction followed by afternoon writing workshops, private yoga, and inspired evening presentations.
This is a one-of-a-kind experience in a sacred place with spectacular nature to inspire your muse and awaken your creative spirit! Includes lodging, food and transportation from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach.
SPACE IS LIMITED TO 8!
A small, intimate writing retreat for eight writers.
To help you tell your story.
Every story has
a beginning, middle, and end. But what if this is where your next story begins?
Four nights, three days.
A sacred space between ocean
and forest to awaken your muse.
A safe, playful place to explore your creativity and reclaim your unique voice.
With time to write, rest and reflect.
Daily group instruction and private coaching.
All levels welcome! In addition to daily group instruction, you receive two exclusive coaching sessions, one prior to the retreat to help you prepare and one during it to address your specific needs and objectives.
Holly will customize the curriculum to help you get started on your book
or revive a work in progress. No workshopping. This all about you.
A Day at Skywriter Ranch Writing and Wellness Retreat
Designed to align your head, heart and gut so that you can create with ease and joy—and develop a practice that supports your writing.
Breakfast
Guided Hike (1-2 hour)
Outdoor Instruction
Craft & Storytelling Sessions
Lunch
Writing Time (solo)
Private Coaching Session
Afternoon yoga (1 hour)
Dinner
Evening Presentation
Begin each day in nature.
We’ll start each morning with a guided hike and group instruction followed by afternoon writing time.
Enjoy healthy, delicious meals that nourish your body and optimize your creative output.
Daily yoga to enhance your creative flow.
An opportunity to join us on the pool deck after writing each afternoon. When we honor the body, the words seem to flow and we find our way forward, listening to what our soul wants to say through our writing.
Enjoy evening presentations
designed to inspire you.
Explore a sound bath, breath work and meet notable literary guests.
What if the end was
just the beginning?
Skywriter Ranch is not just a retreat—it’s a creative community.
Gain exclusive access to ongoing writing support.
Start in your heart, not your head
Skywriter Ranch by The Sea
A WRITING & WELLNESS RETREAT
OCTOBER 12 - 16, 2025
STINSON BEACH, CALIFORNIA
$3,500, includes all meals, workshop instruction, activities,
private coaching, lodging, and transportation from Mill Valley.
Reserve your spot today!
Space is limited to 8. Skywriter Ranch is designed to be a nourishing, safe, immersive retreat with customized curriculum to serve each guest. If you miss this year, your name will be added for 2026. Act now to hold your space! 50% non-refundable deposit required to register. If you have more questions, feel free to contact me.
Your host, Holly Lynn Payne
Join Skywriter Ranch Writing Retreat founder and host, Holly Lynn Payne, MFA, MIM award-winning and internationally published author, private writing coach, and producer of The Page One Podcast. Her debut novel, The Virgin's Knot (Dutton/Penguin), was a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers book. Her third novel, Kingdom of Simplicity, based on a true story of forgiveness won a First Place Benjamin Franklin Award from the IPBA and Grand Prize from Writers Digest, and the Dutch edition was nominated for a National Book Award in Belgium. Her latest novel, Rose Girl: A Tale of Resilience & Rumi was awarded a Kirkus starred review and named Editor’s Choice from the Historical Novel Society. Holly earned a master’s degree from USC, BA in journalism from University of Richmond, and has served on the faculty of the California College of the Arts, Academy of Art University, San Francisco State University and Stanford. She is the former CEO and founder of Booxby, a startup that built AI powered book discovery software, backed by a grant from the National Science Foundation. She has served as a producer and board member for Litquake, the West Coast’s largest literary festival and lives on a houseboat with her daughter and dog. She is also a trained intuitive healer in Energy Medicine®. You can follow her on Instagram @hollylynnpayne and subscribe to her free weekly mini-masterclass, Power of Page One on Substack. If you have more questions, please contact me!
“Skywriter Ranch began in Crested Butte, Colorado where I was struck by a drunk driver and had a near death experience that has inspired all of my books. I wanted to bring writers to a sacred place that connects them deeply with their spirit, where I believe creativity is born. I now understand that creativity is the key to our healing and vitality. Skywriter Ranch is my offering to help activate your muse.”
— Holly Lynn Payne
From Crested Butte, Colorado to Stinson Beach, California, Skywriter Ranch Writing Retreat has helped launch the beginning of many books and friendships. Enjoy a peek of past writing retreats and soon at Willow Camp, Stinson Beach, a historic, seaside building from 1917 where Oppenheimer often retreated too. Beach is five minute walk from the estate with ocean views and sunsets from the pool deck.
Outdoor instruction
Skywriters in Colorado
Morning Discovery Sessions
Oppenheimer Room
Bali Garden, Willow Camp
Steinbeck Room
A place to reflect, Willow Camp
Relax, reflect, write, Willow Camp pool
Bicycles at Willow Camp
Write and eat! The dining room at Willow Camp.
A place to write solo or with others
Tranquility at Willow Camp
Capone Room
Catered, healthy meals included
Lodge room for evening presentations
Pool deck with ocean views
Inspired Skywriters in Colorado
Skywriter Ranch by the Sea at Willow Camp 3325 Highway 1
Stinson Beach, California 94970