The Paden Retreat for Writers of Color is a summer project that provides an opportunity and environment for writers who wish to "get away" to seriously pursue their writing projects.

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Each year the Paden Retreat selects up to three writers to spend a separate period of time during the months of July and August at a writer's cottage in Essex, New York. The one-bedroom furnished cottage is located on 10 acres of lovely secluded property on Lake Champlain. There is ready access to a lakefront, swimming pool, and boats. Burlington, Vermont can be easily reached via a ferry which docks two miles north of the resident cottage.

 

Although writers reside free of charge, there is a $20 non-refundable application fee. Writers are responsible for providing their own transportation, writing and communication equipment, housekeeping and living expenses.

 

The Institute is located in the Adirondacks which serves as a haven for numerous writers, writing groups, artists, book lovers, and publishers. Nearby Plattsburgh is the home of the North Country Institute and Retreat for Writers of Color which presents an annual summer conference conducted by accomplished writers who come from a variety of genres.