Do I have to be a published author to come to the Writer's Refuge?

No. It’s just a great place to focus on work, and writers (published or unpublished) are the kind of folks I like to be around. I love the way they observe the world around them.

Do I have to be a writer to stay at the Writer's Refuge?

Although we focus on writers, others with projects to complete are welcome, too—whether their project entails scrapbooking, composing music, or spinning wool. There are countless places where you can go to play. Our mission is to support you in doing your best work.

Are you related to Hedgebrook?

Our guests at the Whidbey Island Writer's Refuge have included Hedgebrook alumnae; women who came to the Writer's Refuge to complete their Hedgebrook applications; women who applied for, but did not receive residency at Hedgebrook; and a playwright who was speaking at Hedgebrook, but couldn't stay there due to the fact that Hedgebrook accommodates only women.

Like Hedgebrook, we support writers in doing their best work. Unlike Hedgebrook, we welcome both men and women, there is no application process, and you can book any time you want—however, you must pay for your accommodations.

Is it possible to ride a bike in reasonable safety from the property without danger of being run over?

We have a pea patch at the Tilth Community Market and Garden, which is a mile from our house--right on the highway. It's almost all downhill. When we go to the garden, my 10-year-old son likes to ride his bike, and I follow him in the car with my flashers on, hauling all our gardening stuff. He loves that ride. At that point you hit the highway. You can cross the highway and take country roads all the way to the beach at Double Bluff. Or take a left and go to Bayview Corner, where there's a wonderful little grocery store, bike shop, restaurant, nursery, etc. It's about a 1.5-mile ride, and there's a way to avoid the highway to get there. If you're more into (tame) mountain biking, there are hundreds of acres of trails to explore at the Putney Woods. Of course, these can be walked, too.

In summer (May-October), enjoy a bike ride to the Tilth Farmer's Market, or the Bayview Farmer's Market on Saturdays.

What's the weather like there?

For a weather history of our area, see the Wunderground web site.

Can I get to the Writer's Refuge via
public transportation?

You can get within a mile via public transportation. For more information, see the Island Transit web site. Some car-less writers who have stayed with us used the South Whidbey Flyer taxi service (360-321-4534) and asked the driver to stop at a grocery store on the way, so they could stock up on food and essentials.