3-Night Writing Workshop

Dear writers,

I wanted to make sure you are the first to know about this very exciting offering: a 3-night writing workshop/retreat in Tuscany.

I'm calling it both a workshop and a retreat because it's a hybrid model. As you know if you've taken one of my workshops, I believe in participants sharing work they've previously done for group feedback. This model allows us to learn from each other, and see how our work is reflected in others' eyes. However, I will also be incorporating some very unique writing prompts - some of which will involve food and wine, and perhaps coffee - into this 3-night event. Plus, the setting itself will be epic, truly I could not have asked for a better location, and I'm confirming an incredible, vibrant chef from Firenze who will add so much to our energy. Therefore, it is also a retreat. 

See below for more info - and hop onto the webpage to see more photos of the villa and register your interest! I look forward to hearing from you. And hope that all of you are doing well, wherever you are.

Developing the Writer’s Voice: 3-Night Writing Workshop at an Architecturally-Designed Italian Villa - with Natural Wine - Oct 12-15, 2024

Join author, indie magazine publisher, and natural wine expert Rachel Signer in the rolling hills of Tuscany, for an intensive writing workshop. We are very lucky to be partnering with Italian boutique vacation home agency Plinius to have three nights of access to Podere Invidia, a luxurious, architecturally designed villa with panoramic views.

All genres and skill levels are welcome. Writers are encouraged to submit an excerpt from their work-in-progress in advance if they have one. This will be a judgment-free space to deepen our writing practice and get specific feedback on current projects and goals. While this workshop is for all writers and not just those focused on food or wine, we will be using food and wine as devices to generate new writing during our time at the villa. 

There are 6 bedrooms available, each with ensuite bathrooms. 
 

The workshop:

Participants are invited to submit a piece of writing in advance of the workshop, ideally something between 1000-4000 words, which we will discuss as a group. This could be a draft of an essay, book chapter, or short story. Participants will read each other’s work prior to arriving at the villa. 

There will be a total of 10 hours of workshop over the 3 nights, which will include: 

Writing prompts tailored to the lessons 

Feedback sessions using the work submitted by participants

Craft workshops focused on techniques 

Professional development workshops on navigating the publishing world

Following the workshop, participants will receive a summary of the techniques they learned and an invitation to stay connected so as to learn about future resources and opportunities.

The instructor:

Rachel will offer writers an intimate, structured, professional environment in which to grow your craft and get invaluable feedback on your work-in-progress, drawing from the following experiences:

Over ten years of freelance writing for international publications (online and print) 

Self-publishing Pipette Magazine, with distribution in over 30 countries, for 4 years

Finding a literary agent

Writing the book You Had Me at Pét-Nat for a major U.S. publisher

3 years of experience teaching her signature workshop, THE ART OF PITCHING, as well as Memoir Writing and Food/Drink Writing via the organization Loft Literary Center

Studying fiction in a one-year workshop with editors from The New Yorker; Farrar Straus and Giroux; Norton; etc, in New York City

Meals: 

At the villa, you’ll work seriously on your writing - but you’ll also get to soak in a nice dose of la dolce vita. Meals will provide a chance for us to discuss writing in a more casual setting as well as a glimpse into the incredible local culture of Tuscany. A private chef from Firenze will be preparing our meals, and Rachel will be pairing lunches, dinners, and aperitivos with a thoughtful selection of Italian natural wines.

Daily breakfast of fresh locally made pastries, yogurt, and fresh fruit, and coffee and tea 

3 atmospheric aperitivos in the evening featuring local cheeses and charcuterie

Two lunches and two dinners at the villa will be prepared by a fantastic local private chef, on-site

One of those lunches will include a cooking class with the same chef

One dinner at a local trattoria

At all aperitivos, lunches, and dinners at the villa, guests will enjoy natural wine selected by Rachel 

Dietary restrictions will be accompanied to the best of our ability, however there will be gluten, dairy, and meat served and present in the kitchen

More details:

There will be at least 30 minutes each day for participants to relax or exercise, write, call home, answer work e-mails (on the WIFI), or stroll in the gardens. The pool will also be available.

Meals as described above, workshops, tea/coffee/aperitivos, and accommodation in single rooms at the villa are included in the package, as well as transport to/from Rome’s Fiumincino airport at a specified time. Travel to Italy is not included, and transfer cannot be provided for those who arrive outside of the specified window, however we may be able to pick up guests at the local train station. Those who wish to visit other parts of Italy before or after the workshop should mention this when they register their interest or when they put down their deposit so that we can discuss the best approach.

Allowing our bodies to feast helps our creativity to flourish. Hosting the workshop in this unique setting will provide writers with a chance to dive into their talents in a meaningful way. You’ll go home refreshed and  inspired by the workshop, as well as by your colleagues and the local culture. You’ll leave more confident and ready to take your writing where it needs to go.

Participants may be briefly interviewed by video chat before being asked to submit deposits.

Cost:

Early bird pricing of $2500 USD per person or $4750 USD for a couple*

Early bird pricing available until April 1, after that prices will increase by 10%.

Nonrefundable deposit of $350 USD is required to secure your place

Dates: October 12-15 2024 - arrival between 1-5 pm on 12 Oct, departure 10 am on 15 Oct 

Maximum of 8 participants (6 bedrooms)

*This price reflects a couple in which both individuals are participating in the workshop - however, a discount can be arranged if one individual in a couple is attending for enjoyment and not taking the workshop itself

Again, here is the website for photos and the registration form. 

Thank you!

Rachel