(Charlotte Perkins) Gilman Room
Yellow, of course, the spacious Gilman room is a shared corner bedroom on the second floor with stunning views of the ocean and the long lawn and fields. The very spacious Gilman room features two extra-long twin beds, wicker chairs, bureaus, braided rugs and easy chairs. A full shared bathroom, with clawfoot tub, is across the hall. Adjacent to the library and at the top of the stairs. $2625/single; $2900/shared. May 25-June 1: reserved. Fall: September 7-14: reserved. September 14-21: reserved.
(Sandra) Cisneros Room
On the second floor, this single room with views of the island interior features a queen bed, a side table, a closet, and a small sewing table which can be used as a desk. It is easily reached from the kitchen stairs, or the living room stairs, and has easy access to a hallway bathroom with a pull-chain toilet and clawfoot tub. Though not pictured, windows face north and west. $2100. May 25-June 1: reserved. Fall: September 7-14: reserved. September 14-21: reserved.
(Flannery) O’Connor Room
The O’Connor Room is a palatial single room with a queen bed and a sweeping ocean view on the second floor of the Main House. This sun-filled corner room features a sofa and chairs, a walk-in closet, and direct access to a roomy upstairs (shared) bathroom with a deep clawfoot tub. $2625. May 25-June 1: reserved. Fall: September 7-14: reserved. September 14-21: reserved.
(Zora Neale) Hurston Room
Described by some as the most serene room in the house, the Hurston Room is a corner room with a queen bed, a small desk and a views of the island interior. Accessed via its own private entry from the side yard, the Hurston room can also be accessed via the Jewett room. Although accessible by crossing through the Alcott and Jewett Rooms, the Hurston Room should be accessed via its private entryway when the other rooms are occupied. Adjacent to a water closet. $2100. May 25-June 1: reserved. Fall: September 7-14: reserved. September 14-21: reserved.
(Willa) Cather Room
Small, simple, and very private, the Cather room has one twin bed, and windows facing the island interior and back porch. Very quiet, this room features a dresser, small table, day bed, closet, and plenty of windows and early morning sunshine. (The crib in the corner has been removed.) Access to the room is via a private doorway on the open back porch. Bathroom facilities are via the back porch and into the main house. This room offers plenty of privacy, and close access to the outdoor shower. Fall: September 7-14: reserved. September 14-21: reserved for scholarship recipient.
(Louisa May) Alcott Room
Located on the main floor of the main house, just off the living room, the roomy Alcott Room has an ocean view, a door to the front covered porch, a door to the open back porch, and plenty of windows. The room features a king bed, a sofa and chair, a picturesque but non-working fireplace and plenty of elbow room. Access is via the front porch or living room. The adjacent full bathroom, shared with the Jewett room and the Hurston room, is accessed via a short hallway. $2175. May 25-June 1: reserved. Fall: September 7-14: reserved. September 14-21: available.
writing retreat for women
(Toni) Morrison Room
Facing the sea, with a view of Barter Island, and with private entry from the covered front porch, the grand dame of the house has a king size bed, a day bed, a corner desk, a (non-working) fireplace, plenty of windows and a full bath with a claw foot tub. Access is via the front porch, or the main foyer. Morrison room guests are encouraged to offer to share the bathroom with other writers when the room is not in use. Very private room and the largest bedroom in the house. $2625. May 25-June 1: reserved. Fall: September 7-14: reserved. September 14-21: reserved.
*The Main House features an expansive living room, a sun room, a front parlor, a small office/library, and many covered and uncovered porches. Its kitchen consists of a sink and a refrigerator, and is stocked with coffee and tea, along with whatever snacks and drinks writers bring along. Cooking facilities are not available to writers to prepare personal meals, as all meals are prepared and served by the chef in the Cook House. With plenty of seasoned firewood, the massive fieldstone fireplace in the living room provides the house's heat. All rooms have dressers and/or luggage racks, and closets. All beds are fitted with electric mattress pads, blankets and pillows, in case of chilly nights. Fresh linens are provided. All rooms have been described and pictured as accurately as possible, still interior changes may have been made by the time of your arrival. A washer and dryer are available, and laundry soap is provided.
**Price includes room, all meals, participation in after-dinner readings and critiques, and transportation to and from the island (by boat). Responsibility for reaching Port Clyde, ME, is that of the writer's. Prior to the retreat, attending writers will be invited to a private Facebook page where they can make ride-sharing arrangements, and get last minute reminders and details. Any additional departures to or from the island beyond the initial arrival and departure dates must be pre-arranged through Pam Loring, the organizer, and the caretaker, and are weather dependent, and subject to other schedules, with guidelines set by the island's caretaker/boat captain and Pam. Lastly, the remoteness of the island unfortunately prohibits attendees with severe allergies or those who are mobility impaired from safely attending this retreat.
(Sarah Orne) Jewett Room
The Jewett Room is located on the first floor with views of both the ocean, the long expansive lawn, and Barter Island across the water. With its own private entry onto the covered porch, the Jewett Room holds two extra-long twin beds, a (non-working) fireplace, and loads of antiques, and is located on the east corner of the main house. It shares a full bath with the Alcott Room and the Hurston Room, and is adjacent to a water closet, which is shared with the Hurston Room. $2400/single; $2725/shared. May 25-June 1: reserved. Fall: September 7-14: reserved. September 14-21:reserved.
(Gertrude) Stein Room
On the second floor, the Stein Room is a charming corner room with with views of the interior, a small desk, a dresser, two extra long twin beds, a closet, and easy access to a shared bathroom. It's also adjacent to the library. Very private, quiet and light-filled. $2100. May 25-June 1: reserved. Fall: September 7-14: reserved. September 14-21: reserved.
The Salty Quill
2024 Rooms and Rates
The majority of rooms are single occupancy, but the Gilman and Jewett Rooms are available as single or shared rooms (shared rooms must be applied for by pairs of writers). The Cather Room is reserved for the scholarship recipient. If we're booked (or the rooms you'd want are), please don't hesitate to send in an application or shoot us an email and ask to be put on the waiting list. We have cancellations every year, and spaces always open up.