The Writers' Retreat

The Writers' Retreat in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom is a sanctuary for writers who want uninterrupted concentration and a reprieve from urban stress.

Julia Shipley is a freelance writer, teacher and subsistence farmer. She writes poems, essays and articles on an array of topics including small scale agriculture, food, literature and the intersections of nature and culture. Her work has appeared in Vermont Magazine, Vermont Life, Alimentum, Northern Woodlands, Hunger Mountain Review, Bloodroot, Small Farmers Journal and Vermont's Local Banquet. She is also a newspaper poetry columnist, and her monthly column in the Barton Chronicle features the poems of Vermont writers on place and season.

She's received grants from the Vermont Arts Council and the Vermont Community Foundation, as well as fellowships from the Frost Place (NH) and the Center for Books Arts (NYC). Her awards include the Ralph Nading Hill Award and the Sheltering Pines Press Award. Her first chapbook, Herd was published in March 2010. She is currently working on a full length poetry manuscript and collaborating with book artist Andrew Miller- Brown on a collection of essays.

She teaches creative writing part- time for schools, libraries and arts organizations such as RiverArts. She also grows and raises most of her food (including laying hens, apples, pumpkins, garlic and plums) on six acres.

Residents may receive two hours of consultation during their weekly stay for an additional US $150.

Your Host and Retreat Operator: Julia Shipley.

Region: The nearby village offers a chance to sample traditional rural life in Vermont. After browsing the shelves of Stardust Bookstore and Café, sit and relax in the Stardust café with a freshly made espresso, latte, cappuccino, coffee, tea or hot chocolate and sample fresh, locally baked goodies. You'll find a library at Sterling College, a few restaurants, three libraries, and The Music Box. You may stop in Hardwick on your way to the retreat at the Buffalo Mountain Food Coop and Café where you'll find a large selection of organic products. Guests can canoe area ponds and lakes in the summer, and can cross-country ski or snowshoe miles of trails in winter.

Location: The retreat is located three and a half-hour from Boston, and one and one and a half-hour from Burlington, Vermont.

Closest airport: Burlington International Airport (BTV) is one and a half-hour drive to the Retreat.

Tourism information: Vermont's Northeast Kingdom tourism information: Discover the region

Studio Name

Description

Weekly Rates

Farm House Studio

Studio with kitchenette, gas fireplace, queen-size bed, working desk/chair, maid service, private bath, wireless Internet service. The studio is also available at $95 per night for stays of less than one week. Tax not included. To inquire directly, please call 802-586-7733.

$630

Payment terms: To guarantee your reservation in Craftsbury, VT, you will be confirmed upon receipt of $200 deposit payable by check. Balance is due upon arrival by check or cash; ATMs are available within 10 minutes from the retreat.

Cancellation policy: If at least 30 days prior, deposit will be refunded less $50 administrative fee. Cancellations under thirty days will not receive a refund. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly advised and can be obtained through your trave

A sampling of memories from our residents

. Robert, Rhode Island You're a terrific host, and I had a very productive time here.

. Kathy, New Hampshire On the day I arrived I sat with the noise of nature and the newness of solitude feeding me. This place is wonderful.

. Evelyn, New York Your insightful, helpful comments, as well as the pleasure of your company, enriched what I tried to accomplish here. The studio is perfect, with views you don't often get...somehow the beautiful openness of the Northeast Kingdom helps to open spaces interiorly, and made me think less (well, a little less) about the pressures of time.