Writers at the 2013 Salt Cay Writers Retreat participate in a workshop on Blue Lagoon Island. SALT CAY WRITERS RETREAT

Salt Cay, Bahamas - Now in its third year, the Salt Cay Writers Retreat (SCWR) is making a return to one of The Bahamas’ most popular local getaways, and is doing it in style. This year, the SCWR has partnered with The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism to offer its participants and faculty an unforgettable experience on the shores of Blue Lagoon Island.

Coordinated by Karen Dionne and Christopher Graham, the Salt Cay Writers Retreat aims to help writers complete or improve their manuscripts. As the co-founders of the renowned Backspace Writers Conferences, both Dionne and Graham are well versed in the trade.

Dionne is the internationally published author of science thrillers “Freezing Point” and “Boiling Point”. Her skills and dedication to the art form have earned her an honor by the Michigan Humanities Council as a humanities scholar.

Graham is a former independent bookstore owner and collaborates with the International Thriller Writers as website administrator. He is known for helping authors maximize their online presence through web design.

In previous years, wordsmiths from as far away as Australia traveled to The Bahamas’ shores with laptops in tow, eager to mix business with pleasure at the retreat. Their keenness has been well justified - the Salt Cay Writers Retreat is known for its five-star faculty comprised of bestselling authors and literary agents. This year, faculty members include Folio Literary Management agents Erin Harris and Erin Niumata and Folio Agent and Founding Partner Jeff Kleinman. Bestselling authors Lee Child – known for his Jack Reacher thrillers, which inspired the film “One Shot” – and Ann Hood – known for her novels which include “The Knitting Circle” and “The Obituary Writer”, as well as her memoir “Comfort: A Journey Through Grief” – will also be part of the 2016 Salt Cay Writers Retreat faculty.

Over the course of the six-day retreat, their mission is to help participants hone their manuscripts into sellable works through workshops, one-on-one and peer feedback sessions and writing exercises.

A writer works on her manuscript during a writing exercise at the 2014 Salt Cay Writers Retreat. SALT CAY WRITERS RETREAT

The sweet finish is the retreat’s setting. Strategically situated, the event is hosted at Blue Lagoon Island - officially known as Salt Cay. Home to dolphins, sea lions and stingrays, the cay also has a long-running literary history. For over 60 years, Salt Cay was owned by Chicago Tribune Chief Foreign Correspondent and political cartoonist John T. McCutcheon. In later years, Ann Morrow Lindberg found the inspiration to complete part of her book “Gift from the Sea” on the lagoon’s shores. She was not the only one to do so; William Styron put the finishing touches on his would-be bestseller “Sophie’s Choice”, while enjoying all the tranquil cay had to offer.

The local special

For locals hoping to benefit from the retreat, but who are unable to attend the full course, the SCWR is again extending its single-day special to residents. On Saturday, May 28, Bahamians and residents can get the best of the SCWR with a panel discussion, special writing workshop in which literary agents give feedback on authors’ opening two pages and Q&A with Lee Child and Ann Hood. The cost of the single day registration is $65 and writers should register by May 20.

The retreat’s setting, world-class faculty and outstanding reviews have earned it a nod of approval from the Ministry of Tourism. For the first time, the ministry is extending its support to the SCWR to offer an evening send-off to remember with an authentic Bahamian feast and entertainment on the island.

“Setting is a very important element for writers,” remarked Mrs. Joy Jibrilu, director general of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. “We at The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism are delighted that Blue Lagoon Island has been adopted as the home of the Salt Cay Writers Retreat. In addition to rejuvenation, the beautiful natural setting of this island will provide writers with lots of inspiration.”

“There’s nothing more satisfying for me as the retreat organizer than bringing together aspiring authors and successful authors along with literary agents to help newer authors reach their publishing goals – especially when the retreat takes place in such a beautiful and inspiring setting,” said Dionne. “This year, we're especially excited that The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is sponsoring our event. There are so many wonderful things to see and do in The Bahamas, and we're thrilled that the ministry recognizes the unique and valuable experience our retreat offers writers.”

To register for the SCWR, or for more information on the retreat, contact Kelly Meister at Dolphin Encounters, 363-7150.