Horse country has long embraced its riding community but many don't realize that there is a robust horse country writing community as well. Two Middleburg residents who are well connected to the literary world and writing, Jan Neuharth and Genie Ford, have created a Writers' Retreat that they plan to host annually.

This year's event took place on Saturday, April 21st after a Friday night (April 20) reception from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Anyone who has ever been interested in writing or is a published writer should plan to attend next year's Hunt Country Writers' Retreat. The intensive, one-day event in beautiful Virginia hunt country promises to inspire, motivate and educate. Attendees learn from one of the best editors in the business, meet published authors and learn about their paths to publication, and have a chance to chat with one of publishing's top agents.

Presenters at this year's event included Mike Sirota, a freelance editor and author of 19 published novels who has facilitated many workshops and taught many seminars. An instructor for the University of California, San Diego Extension, a workshop leader for the Southern California Writers' Conference and the La Jolla Writers Conference, he has also served on the faculty of the Alaska Writers Guild Conference. Jeff Kleinman, one of the founders of Folio Literacy Management, joined Mike. Jeff has represented many successful authors, including New York Times bestsellers. He is always looking for wonderful, character-driven novels. In addition, a panel of hunt country authors offered their perspectives on the joys and challenges of publishing.

Topics covered in the retreat included: outlining, point of view, dialogue, plotting, characterization, pacing and the hook, as well as what agents expect, what they want and don't want, and more about landing an agent of your own.

Cost of the Writers' Retreat is $275 and includes a Friday reception, the Saturday workshop and lunch on Saturday. To register for next year, please deadline Jan Neuharth at info@huntcountrysuspense.com or call 540-687-3345, or email Genie Ford at genie@printmanagement.com.