PRAISE from writers who participated in
Rohm's previous workshops and classes:
"I just accepted an offer on my book from St. Martin's Press (New York)! Pub date in April 2010. In this economy as a first time non-celeb or no major platform writer I'm very excited to get this opportunity. I wanted to thank you for your help!!! I used a lot of your lessons in my editing!" --Melissa Malamut, author
"Back from Dublin Writers Retreat. Not only is Wendy Goldman Rohm a beautiful person, the inspiration she has given is breathtaking. Nice to meet you all and hope we can all stay in contact." --Anthony Joseph Linehan, Dublin
"Wendy ran the best workshop ever! The classes are exceptional. I have done the Iowa Workshops for non-fiction books, and although they are excellent, Wendy's are more helpful and inspirational, i.e., they translate into moving projects forward with a lot of creative intensity." -- Darcy Evon, author, Smithsonian scholar, Chicago Sun-Times columnist
"The Paris Writers Retreat has literally changed my life in many ways. I knew I had stories to tell but I also knew I didn't have the tools to create a gripping narrative. Attending the Retreat, listening to Wendy's sage advice and following her practical guidance, has been a godsend.
An unexpected bonus was how warm, intelligent and helpful the other members of the group were. I really didn't expect to have the privilege of feedback from such educated, experienced and wise classmates.
In addition to learning how to write my best and in my best voice, I also acquired a new circle of friends. So, what can I say about having attended the Paris Writers Retreat? I guess 'Lucky me!' says it all."
-- N.L., Paris, France
"The Paris Writer's Retreat was very powerful. As a somewhat resistant writer, I felt overwhelmed by my book project and wanted help. Since the group was small, I was immediately comfortable with Wendy and the others. One of the most helpful exercises for me was a guided meditation that took us from writing in the first person to writing in the third person. It completely surprised me that I could bring in such diverse emotions from the two different perspectives. That exercise alone will make my book far richer. The workshop on Publishers, Literary agents and Editors was also very important, especially for a novice. Of course staying at a fabulous hotel in Paris gave it an almost magical quality, but having an intelligent, talented and fun loving facilitator made it completely worthwhile. Wendy is precious and I couldn't have planned out, or asked for, a more delightful, fulfilling week. I'll be sure to keep you posted on my book's progress."
---Glenda Bloom Ackley, Idyllwild, Calif.
"Thank you so much for the wonderful experience.
This has really inspired me to work on getting everything together to try and solicit interest from an agent and a publisher. The whole goal of getting an advance; to stop working in this vacuum, and just write, is such a tantalizing goal... I mean, wow! I was really startled by people's reaction to my story. I have always thought of it as a dark and frightening passage in my history, I never considered that people might actually be eager to hear about something that gruesome. I am so glad I came to this event. It was very well executed, and it has given me a lot of hope. Where before I was feeling like I needed to write my personal story, just so I could get it out of the way and start writing something else, I now almost feel like everything happens for a reason, and I am getting closer to my true calling. Thank You Wendy!"
---Andy Alper, Chicago
"The 12-week Book Development class really energized the writing of my novel. I have gone through the completed manuscript more and am finding it harder to find sections that need tweaking. I spent some time on a new novel and like the direction that it is headed in. Then I picked up an old story that I worked on for a good while and absolutely figured out how to make it work!!! I can't tell you how excited that made me. I worked on the first novel for about 8 months and couldn't figure out how to tie it all together. Now I have and can't wait to do just that. Your class feedback has been amazing. Thank you for that!" ---Jon Pendergrass, Little Rock, AK
A big Thank You to Wendy Goldman Rohm for her excellent Writers' Retreat at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin yesterday (Sat. 25 April 09). I personally got a lot from the day from the advice from Wendy and from meeting other writers on the course. I hope to keep in contact with as many of my fellow 'retreaters' as possible." -- Paul Fitzsimons, Dublin, Ireland
"Great workshop ... I learned a ton, and met some wonderful people.Take care and thanks again for a terrific weekend."--James Roswell Quinn, Chicago
"Wendy's students get published! Three writers in my group alone got major publishing contracts after taking her course!"-- Bess Gallanis, Chicago
"The Writers Retreat in Mumbai was fabulous and probably the first time such an even was held in India for writers. I don't know if that's a fact but thats what I think. One thing is for sure, from the feedback I got it was evident that your being here gave a lot of hope to those who attended. For me your presence was a blessing. I had submitted my query letter by email to many Literary Agents but got no interested responses. Suddenly you were here, you understood what I had to say, you were interested and once again hope came back letting me know that one day these precious words that have moved my soul and changed my life will somehow make their way into print and be read by people all over the world. Thanks for everything. "
-- Dr. Rohit Juneja CHt., R.H., R.M.P (A.M)
Spiritual Psychotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist & Corporate Trainer
"I had a marvelous time and truly enjoyed the workshop. My only regret was that I could only attend one day. Wendy you area fabulous mentor. Thank you ever so much." --Sharon Lang, Chicago
"Thank you Wendy. Your workshop was inspiring, exciting and stimulating. It gave me faith that if I really do want to write a book, start today, which I did. Anyone who wants to express their inner voice in the written word really has an obligation to do so. And so I look forward to another workshop or a weekly or monthly gathering to get into the habit of writing, get feedback and produce. I want to thank you for sharing your knowledge and for your very positive feedback. I thank the group as well for being so supportive." --Ros Kaspi, Chicago
"The retreat was a revelation, and it gave me a sense of how far I need to go. I appreciated your leadership and knowledge--I like a writing teacher who quotes the classics as opposed to their own accomplishments. Your anecdotes were splendid." --Roz Chrenka, PhD
"I am sitting in a neighborhood bagel shop in the Upper Eastside NYC. This is the moment I choose to express my gratitude to Wendy & all the aspiring &accomplished writers I had the privilege to meet at the weekend retreat. Was it the parlor atmosphere of the dark antique laden basement at Chopin or the primitive spiritual home to Buddha that enriched & guided or thoughts to a better place? Wendy provided the guidance to light our fires.The truth for me is that role models are not extraordinary people but ordinary people doing extraordinary things. " --Donna Gutman
"Wendy is a fantastic instructor and this course is
a great starting point for someone who is thinking
about getting a book published, but just doesn't know
where to start. Wendy was down-to-earth, accessible
and honest - the class encouraged me to keep working
on my writing, and helped me know what to expect from
the literary industry." - Marthe Druska
"If you have a great idea for a book and need
a primer on how to shop the idea and develop a great
book proposal, this is the class. Wendy offers great
advice and walks you through the process of getting
your nonfiction book idea published. She's very
approachable and makes time to help you. I'd like to
take a longer workshop with her as I develop my book
proposal! I thought it was time and money well
spent!" --Mike Reilley
"Wendy Goldman Rohm offers insider information about
the publishing industry, both from the standpoint of
an agent and an author. Her stories are entertaining
and informative, and her interest in learning more
about the participants and their book ideas is
refreshing and makes for an engaging seminar."--Susan
Blumberg-Kason
"Wendy was very forthcoming about the publishing
industry and her experience as both an author and an
agent. She was interested in the participants' book
ideas, which I thought was very encouraging. The
course content was appropriate. Some people knew more
about proposal writing than others, but the
instructor covered the material so that it appealed
to both the novice and the seasoned agent-seeker. She
also tailored what she spoke about according to our
interests."
"The course content was excellent. Wendy proved to me
that I have a lot of work ahead to achieve what I am
after. She has done a fine job of introducing me to
this next adventure. Keep her around!"
"Wendy was great. Full of tips and great advice. She
was very relaxed and the time flew by. We were there
for 3 1/2 hours and it felt like half that. If you
have a great idea for a book and need a primer on how
to shop the idea and develop a great book proposal,
this is the class. Wendy offers great advice and
walks you through the process of getting your
nonfiction book idea published. She's very
approachable and makes time to help you. I'd like to
take a longer workshop with her as I develop my book
proposal! I thought it was time and money well-spent!"
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The Press on Rohm's
Writers Retreat in Mumbai:
Hindustan Times, Feb. 14 2009:
Aspiring Writers Flock for Author's Tips
MUMBAI--- Heartened by the success of Slumdog Millionaire, The White Tiger and The Sea of Poppies, a group of aspiring writers took a leap of faith and enrolled for a Writers Retreat organized by New York Times bestselling author Wendy Goldman Rohm, in Mumbai.
The inaugural session of the two-day retreat and workshop in Powai saw journalists, screenwriters, lawyers, boxing coaches, diamond merchants, IT professionals and TV directors spare their weekend to gather tips on writing, getting published and being successful, from Rohm, a literary agent who has been conducting such sessions across the US and Europe since 2002.
"I had all this knowledge from being in the publishing business and have been on both the writer's and agent's side of the spectrum," said the author of narrative nonfiction.
Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found author and dear friend Suketu Mehta urged Rohm into hosting her first workshop in India, for which majority attendees got word through Facebook.
"After my father was diagnosed with cancer, I started mulling over my purpose. I want to write to bring meaning to my life," said 30-something Nihar Mehta, a diamond merchant.
Rohm's session in Mumbai featured guests such as writer and Broadway director Brian Swibel and Jane Hawksley (Je T'aime Paris), via audio conference.
"Good writing transcends cultural backgrounds. I tend to lean towards stories riddled with odds and attempts to overcome them. Slumdog..is a watershed film and indicative of the changing times," said Swibel.
The session packed in established writers with ready scripts, first-time directors and ghost writers-all of whom seeking information specific to their genres.
"It's quite broad-based right now. I am hoping to get tips on specifically how to write and publish a novel," said TV director Reshma Ghosh.
Mingling genres and basics and more advanced aspects of writing was a deliberate move of Rohm. "I have initiated an online digital course, which the Mumbai participants can dial into next week for a one-on-one with Suketu and [Slumdog Millionaire author] Vikas Swarup as they couldn't be here [in person]," Rohm said.