writing retreats at the LOOKOUT
Deep focus. A serene environment. Expert guidance. All the support a writer needs.
Welcome to Martha’s Lookout! We offer retreats that nurture children’s book creators along their creative path. Whether you’re attending a workshop or planning your own retreat, you can count on a gorgeous location, easy travel options, a personalized meal plan, and adaptable itineraries that balance improving your craft with uninterrupted writing time.
available retreat dates
May 5-8: Rooms are either $650 or $750 for the retreat (more gets you a private bathroom). This includes all of your food and beverages, quiet time for writing, and craft-based conversation to help you get unstuck.
THE LOCATION
A five minute walk way from the Pacific Ocean with incredible views and miles of accessible beach strolls, THE LOOKOUT is an ideal place to discover ideas and develop stories.
Comfortably nestled in the town of Seabrook right on the West Coast, the luxury house includes a first-floor queen bedroom with en suite bathroom, a second floor king suite with a bathroom, and two queen bedrooms with a shared bathroom. On the third floor is an enormous bunk room with its own bathroom.
Up to 6 writers and illustrators can stay there (or more, if you don’t mind sharing rooms). For larger groups, there are other nearby homes you can rent.
AT THE LOOKOUT, GUESTS HAVE EVERYTHING THEY NEED FOR FOCUSED WORK.
The house has a/c, a private hot tub, and bikes, and the development has a pool and a gym. Within walking distance, you’ll also find restaurants, a grocery store, an ice cream shop, a spa, a bookstore, and miles of beach to walk.
the retreat
Ideal for critique groups and colleagues who want to bang out a ton of words, THE LOOKOUT has welcomed writers and illustrators of picture books, middle grades, YA, and more. Martha and many writers you know have written many books here (for the sake of privacy, we won’t say who).
The overall goal for every retreat is to help creators make progress from wherever they are and leave feeling energized, supported, refreshed, and more deeply connected to their writer selves. We’re going to work hard. Write every day. Eat delicious food. And spend evenings talking about craft (possibly while in the hot tub).
Previous itineraries have included a mix of guest speakers, webinars, critique sessions, and/or uninterrupted writing time. We can adapt your retreat itinerary based on your group’s goals and priorities.
the magic is in the details
When you’re in the middle of figuring out an idea or revising a story, the last thing you want to worry about is food and travel. That’s why LOOKOUT retreats include personalized meal plans and easy travel options.
food
Before your retreat, Martha will send you a questionnaire that includes dietary restrictions and preferences. She will then create a customized, healthy, and delicious meal plan for your group. At your retreat, you will have the option to enjoy other writers’ company over delicious meals every day. Martha’s goal is for you to leave each meal feeling satisfied, energized, and ready to return to your work.
TRAVEL
THE LOOKOUT is 2.5 hours from SeaTac airport. To make transportation as simple as possible, Martha can work with your group’s travel schedules to take you to the retreat in her Extremely Sexy Minivan or help you book a shuttle through Seabrook. It costs about $100 each way.
Before you need to book your flights, she will reach out with ideal timeframes so you can easily plan your flights and transportation.
See more of the venue and town
