Island Scribe
Writing Retreats
Join our waitlist for Dominica 2025
New offerings available for 2025!
Hosted in the Caribbean, Island Scribe writing retreats are curated for women of colour writers, honouring their lived experiences, their practices, and their stories.
It is your time to rest, reflect, rejuvenate, and in July 2025, write in Calibishie, Dominica!
Your Muse
Dominica
Be inspired by the Caribbean’s “nature island” of Dominica, as its verdant mountainous rainforest guides the way to Calibishie on the island’s north coast.
Your writing studio awaits at Sea Cliff Eco-Cottages, on two acres of tropical gardens, with epic ocean and mountain views. Sustainably designed, the cottages work in harmony with nature, offering treasures such as mountain-sourced water and the caress of sea breezes. Herb walks in the garden are a must in between sentences. Enjoy bush teas in the morning and botanically crafted gin, distilled on the property, at night. Caribbean literature is the canon at Sea Cliff, with a library available in each cottage, let a line from one of the authors lead you to your next story.
The Cost
Our retreat is sold out! Join our waitlist below in case a spot opens up.
Non-refundable Deposit: $350 CAD
Your total cost depends on your rooming selection. See our rooming options below.
We offer two payment options:
- Full payment – This is the total cost less your deposit. Rest knowing that you’ve made your investment and now it’s time to plan and prepare.
- Multi-payment plan – We spread the cost over multiple months affording you more flexibility.
Rooming Options
| Ocean View Studio ~ SOLD OUT | Private, studio, queen bed, 1 bathroom | $4,000 or 4 monthly payments of $965 |
| Garden View 1-bed ~ SOLD OUT | Private, 1 bedroom, queen bed, 1 bathroom | $3,900 or 4 monthly payments of $940 |
| Hexagon Ocean View, Upstairs ~ SOLD OUT | Private, 1 bedroom, queen bed, 1 bathroom | $4,200 or 4 monthly payments of $1,015 |
| Hexagon Ocean View, Downstairs ~ SOLD OUT | Private, 1 bedroom, full bed, 1 bathroom | $3,900 or 4 monthly payments of $940 |
| Ocean View 2-bed, Queen ~ SOLD OUT | Shared common areas and bathroom, queen bed | $3,800 or 4 monthly payments of $915 |
| Ocean View 2-bed, Full ~ SOLD OUT | Shared common areas and bathroom, full bed with upper twin bunk bed | $3,700 or 4 monthly payments of $890 |
The cost includes all that we offer below plus airport transfers on the retreat start and end dates.
The cost does not include payment processing fees, applicable taxes, airfare or travel insurance. All writers must select a travel insurance policy that includes, at minimum, coverage for medical expenses while in Dominica.
All costs are in Canadian Dollars (CAD$).
Our Offering
- Rest in a private/shared cottage for 6 days/5 nights, with a view of the ocean or garden, ample writing space, and kitchenette. Ceiling fans and screened windows/doors are available for added comfort.
- Reflect during our daily signature Rise & Write sessions.
- Rejuvenate with a dip in a natural wonder, where the river meets the sea.
- Write in community and with the freedom to attend to your craft at your own pace.
- Feast on a full meal plan of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with plant-based, vegan and vegetarian options on the menu. Celebrate with your writing community at the closing night dinner.
- Breathe into your writing practice with a sunrise nature walk, yoga sessions, guided meditation.
- Meet and share words with a local writer.
- Enjoy a welcome tote with writing materials and inspiration.
- Give thanks for the opportunity to write on the island while on an excursion.
And there’s more!
Don’t miss out on our pre- and post-retreat offerings with/from our writer-in-residence and host, Simone Dalton:
- Get ready to write with monthly pre-retreat motivational messages and a special digital chapbook;
- Attend a 1 hour virtual pre-retreat intention setting group call with writers selected for the writing retreat;
- Schedule a 30 minute virtual post-retreat writing one-on-one coaching call.
