When Words Count Retreat

When Words Count Retreat is a writer's colony located in a picturesque hollow in the Green Mountains of west- central Vermont. The retreat occupies a fully restored and modernized 1809 farm house that sits high above the town of Rochester in an area remarkably similar to the setting for "The Sound of Music." Remnants of this once-thriving working farm — adjoining barns, an ice house and a geese pond — dot the 16.5 acre property that also features a modern, heated pool. The retreat serves as a home away from home, created by writers for writers; an inspiring, distraction-free place where writers enjoy a pampered existence, free of all responsibilities except to their craft. All food preparation/housekeeping chores are handled by staff and guests enjoy three gourmet meals a day, cocktails and a heated pool. The retreat supports its guests' productivity with a full range of book-editing and unique, 2-on-1 author-coaching services. It also helps authors advance their careers with its twice annual, by invitation-only, Pitch Week competitions. Authors invited to participate in Pitch Week pitch their works, and demonstrate their marketing, communication, and presentation skills before a panel of industry pros/judges. The winner receives: a book deal from Select Books, of NYC; literary representation from the Irene Goodman Agency and a national book launch campaign from Westport, CT - based literary PR firm, Meryl Moss Media Relations, Inc.