Stone & Sky:
An Creative Salon for Writers
Sept 18th-21st, 2026
Friday 5pm arrival - Monday 12pm departure
Rolling Ridge Retreat Center | North Andover, MA
A weekend writing retreat inspired by the great literary salons: a place where writers gather to create new work, exchange ideas, and imagine richer creative lives together.
The Autumnal Equinox is a season of balance, and Stone & Sky is designed with that spirit in mind. Part writing retreat, part creative incubator, this weekend is for writers who are building something. Plus, it’s my very favorite time of year here in New England!
Whether you're working on a manuscript, a newsletter, leading a retreat, a creative business, or simply trying to rediscover your voice, you'll have time and space to generate new work, receive thoughtful feedback, and reconnect with the life you're hoping to create.
We will have nightly campfires for sharing and laughter, writing workshops to get new work on paper, and time for deep sharing about our goals and dreams, our challenges, and our hopes for our lives and communities.
I want this to feel like a writing circle and a creative salon where we can workshop elements of our lives together; our businesses, our creative projects, our family/work balance, our existential crises and our core values.
Imagine being able to discuss these tangled threads of our lives with a small group of equally complex, creative, wonderful people.
My hope is that you will walk away with a multitude of new ideas for a creative life that sustains you, new poems or prose pieces, new friends, and a renewed sense of optimism about what could come next for you as a writer.
This retreat might be for you if you’ve been wanting
uninterrupted time to write, revise, and receive thoughtful feedback on your work
a space to talk about creative entrepreneurship, publishing, creative business, and sustainability
creative community and connections that will widen your perspectives and feed the part of you that is exhausted of being so isolated
evenings spent sharing stories, poems, and laughter around a campfire
beautiful woods, quiet mornings, and spaciousness that helps you hear yourself think again
a place where your writing, your work, your dreams, and the rest of your life don't have to be separated
encouragement, accountability, and practical next steps for whatever you're creating next
If you’re feeling creatively depleted, restless, or in need of new friends and creative folk who care about writing the way you do, consider giving yourself this gift.
This is a smaller retreat with space for just 12 participants so if you’re called to it, don’t wait to sign up!
About Me, Your Host!
The Setting
Rolling Ridge is a beautiful retreat center on a secluded peninsula, surrounded by walking trails and overlooking Lake Cochichewick. The historic Carriage House will be our home, offering cozy accommodations, nourishing meals, and quiet spaces to write and rest.
What can I expect?
Morning Sessions (not too early) – Writing prompts and a gentle structure to open creative flow and get you warmed up for the day
Craft and Feedback Sessions – Bring your work in progress and we will talk about themes, revision, manuscript possibilities, etc
Unstructured Writing Time – Spacious afternoons to sink into deep work or explore the land
Evening Salons – Poetry readings, storytelling, and shared conversation
Good Food – Thoughtfully prepared meals served in the main house (dietary restrictions will be accommodated within reason)
Rest & Reflection – Optional movement, walks, and contemplative practices
Retreat Schedule
(subject to shifts based on the needs of the group)
Friday: 5pm Arrival, Welcome Dinner, Opening Circle
Saturday & Sunday: Guided writing sessions, open writing time, evening salons, firepit
Monday: Closing reflections, departure after lunch
Accommodations & Pricing
Only 12 spots available. The first floor has six bedrooms with two twin beds each and four full-sized private hall bathrooms. The second floor has three bedrooms with two twin beds each, and two full-sized private hall bathrooms. Each room has individually controlled heat and AC.
Rates are per person and include lodging, all meals, and full retreat programming.
Solo Room (You get the whole room but there are still 2 twin beds):$1900 per person - 6 available
Double Occupancy (You’d like to share a room): $1500 per person - 6 spots available (please let me know if you have someone you’d like to room with)
a $750 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot (deposits may be transferred to another person approved by Alix if you discover you cannot make it and find someone to take your place). Final non-refundable payments are due by Aug 1st. I pay for the space, food, and programming out-of-pocket and in order to keep my retreats affordable, I cannot afford to cover cancellation costs. Travel insurance is recommended in case of emergencies.
What’s NOT Included?
Travel to or from the retreat - please do consider this as the house is located about an hour from Boston Logan Airport (you may want to find people to carpool with!)
Alcohol - the retreat center is dry and I am sober, so consider if that is a good fit for you.
Our Shared Values
My retreat spaces are rooted in creativity, curiosity, respect, and care for one another.
This retreat is LGBTQIA+ affirming, anti-racist, pro-choice, environmentally conscious, and committed to creating a welcoming and supportive experience for people from a wide range of backgrounds and identities.
Participants will be asked to engage with one another respectfully, honor confidentiality, maintain healthy personal boundaries, and contribute to a culture of generosity and mutual care.
Because Stone & Sky is an intentionally intimate space, I am using a brief application process. The application is not to evaluate your writing experience or any other qualifications. It is to ensure that the retreat is a good fit for everyone involved and keeps process safe for everyone.
The application should take about 5–10 minutes to complete. Once I review your responses, I'll send you additional information and if the fit is right for us both, a link to register!
Applying is not a commitment to the retreat, so feel free to fill it out if you’re even if you’re just considering it.
I look forward to learning a little about you!
Questions? Concerns? Excitements? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at info@alixklingenerg.com