The Deer Mountain Writers’ Retreat is a getaway for authors nestled in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. Close to Tannersville, Saugerties, Phoenicia, and Woodstock, the retreat is held at the Deer Mountain Inn in a region fabled for its artistic and literary history. Mark Twain, John Burroughs, and Mary Mapes Dodge—to name a few—all spent time writing on the mountain top. Frederick Church, Thomas Cole, and James Carroll Beckwith were among the painters who flourished in the region, as well.

The vision of the retreat came to us—Luanne Rice, Amy Scheibe, and Deborah Royce—in early 2024 . We found ourselves longing for a stretch of silent time and space AWAY from family,  pets, and all the various chores and obligations that distract us from what we want to be doing every day. We needed a place to write—simply write. And we wanted to pair that time alone with time together with other writers.

We also did not want to lead workshops or give talks or teach classes. The retreats that do that are great, we just wanted this one to be dedicated exclusively to writing. We toyed with the idea of making it a not-for-profit and awarding grants to attend. BUT—and this is a big but—we did not want to make writers apply to come. We have neither the time nor the inclination to judge other writers’ work and award them—or not—with a place at the table. 

Former cohorts of Deer Writers have overwhelmingly confirmed that they have found the time and space they needed on the mountain top. To start a new project. To reset a project that needed attention. To breathe, hike, laugh, talk, and enjoy great food and wine.

The Deer Mountain Writers’ Retreat currently hosts two cohorts each year, one in spring and one in fall. Currently, spaces are filled by invitation.