Blue Lagoon Island — Business and pleasure don’t usually mix – that’s probably why most professionals swap their laptops for novels when they plan on hitting the seaside – but, with the first ever Salt Cay Writers Retreat taking place this month, quite a few of the country’s wordsmiths might grab the opportunity to wear their office shoes to the beach.
Just off the coast of New Providence, Salt Cay is known better to locals as Blue Lagoon Island – an oasis with a little-known and unique literary history. Bought in 1916 by John T. McCutcheon, Chief Foreign Correspondent of the Chicago Tribune, Pulitzer Prize winner and Dean of American political cartoonists, the island was host to prominent royalty as well as literary luminaries like columnist Drew Pearson, novelist John Dos Passos and author James Thurber, among many others. In later years, author John Marquand became the island’s first regular renter; while there, he entertained Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, who worked on her best-selling novel, Gift from the Sea. The lagoon’s lush intensity has also worked its magic on William Styron, who, while vacationing on Salt Cay, put the finishing touches on his soon-to-be-bestseller, Sophie’s Choice.
“Don’t sell it,” he implored the owners. “Wait for me. I’m going to get a bundle soon.”
Unfortunately for him, the island sold before his book did, so he was unable to follow through with his plans. More recently, though, the turn of events has proved lucky for local authors with big ambitions; the island’s current owners are rekindling Styron’s dream by hosting the Salt Cay Writers Retreat from October 20 – 26, 2013.
The six-day retreat will be welcoming #1 New York Times bestselling authors Robert Goolrick known for the critically acclaimed memoir, The End of the World As We Know It – and Jacquelyn Mitchard – known for her work, The Deep End of the Ocean, the first novel to be selected by the Oprah Book Club in September 1996. Joining them are literary agents, publishers, including Amy Einhorn – the literary expert who made Katherine Stockett’s The Help an outstanding success –and Chuck Adams, Executive Editor of Algonquin, who brought out the acclaimedbook Water For Elephants.
The event has been organised by Christopher Graham and Karen Dionne, who are no strangers to the literary community. In 2004, they founded the online writers’ community, Backspace, and have been responsible for co-ordinating the notable Backspace Writers Conferences for the past nine years.
Formerly an independent bookstore owner, Graham now works closely with the International Thriller Writers as website administrator, and also designs websites for authors and other clients. He has written for a variety of newspapers, and his fiction has appeared in BluePrintReview.
Dionne is best known for her two environmental thrillers, Boiling Point and Freezing Point, which was nominated by RT Book Reviews for Best First Mystery of 2008. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, the Mystery Writers of America and she serves on the board of directors of the International Thriller Writers as Vice President, Technology. Looking forward to this October’s retreat, she has expressed her enthusiasm about the potential for writers to develop their skills.
“No one understands a writer like another writer. Attending a writers retreat gives authors a chance to talk their passion.” She said, “For most not-yet-published writers, getting feedback on their work-in-progress from bestselling authors and top literary agents and editors simply isn’t going to happen. At a writers retreat, faculty members are not only available, they look forward to digging into an author’s manuscript, and to sharing their hard-earned knowledge.”
On Wednesday October 23, Bahamian writers are invited to join the exclusive retreat as an opportunity to develop their narrative voices, rub elbows with some of the most respected names in the industry and get their work heard by literary royalty. The day will feature morning and afternoon workshops, panel discussions, structured writing exercises and a special workshop exclusive to one-day registrants in which literary agents will offer their comments and advice on authors’ opening two pages. Participants will be rewarded for their hard work with dinner on the island, followed by readings by authors Goolrick and Mitchard, and an open-mic night during which students will be invited to share their works with the group.
Managing Director of Dolphin Encounters and Blue Lagoon, Robert Meister, has expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming retreat.
“It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to see this beautiful cay inspire a whole new generation of writers. I’m especially happy to know that Bahamian writers who are passionate about their work will now have a chance to get their feet in the door.” He said, “Our team at Blue Lagoon is truly proud to be able to support so many talented people, particularly those representing The Bahamas.”
Those interested in attending the workshop are encouraged to register for the full day. Cost of the single-day registration is $225, and includes ferry transportation, all morning and afternoon workshops and development sessions, and lunch and dinner. Alternatively, for writers who are unable to participate during the day, tickets for the dinner, open- mic night and author readings, only, may also be purchased for $85.
For more information, or to register for the full day workshop or evening readings, visit the website at www.SaltCayWritersRetreat.com. Write to retreat administrators, Karen Dionne or Christopher Graham at admin ( at ) saltcaywritersretreat . com
