Thursday, May 28, 2015

Two more gorgeous locations for writer’s retreats


Having read my May 23, 2015 post, “Eight Writers Workshops in Stunning Locations,” my friend, Jane King Andrews, drew my attention to Writeaways, run by her friends, John Yewell and Mimi Herman.

“Sometimes writers just need to get away,” John and Mimi say on the Writeaways website (writeaways.com), adding:


That’s why we’ve created Writeaways – writing getaways – to help you find the time you need to write. We provide writing instruction, fabulous food and company in beautiful places, and a safe place for you to take a writing vacation with your muse, and maybe a good friend.

For any writer who has been in a writers’ workshop, where fellow writers critique your work with the idea that we know how to fix it, this is not that workshop. In Writeaways, you’ll get the support you’ve always needed as a writer – and be able to share that support with others.”

Writeaway in Italy is scheduled for September 13-19 and Writeaway in
France is on for September 21-27, 2015. Or, you can opt for “The Grand Tour” and do both back-to-back.


Participants in the Writeaway in Italy will be based in Podere Il Poggione, a five-hundred year-old villa located between Florence and Pisa in the Tuscan countryside.

After breakfast, participants will have writing classes with Mimi and John as well as conferences to help them shape projects and improve writing techniques.


Lunch will be prepared from organic local ingredients by chef Patrizia d’Intino, who will also lead a cooking class. Afternoons are reserved for writing time, conferences, or relaxing by the pool. Host Paolo Vecchia will lead excursions to other Tuscan sites on two afternoons.

The cost is $2,250 per person, double occupancy, which includes full board, wine and after-dinner drinks, tours, writing consultations and daily writing classes. The workshop is limited to twelve participants.


Writeaway in France will be based in the Chateau du Pin in Champtocé-sur-Loire, France.

As with the program in Italy, breakfast will be followed by daily writing classes. Afternoons are reserved for writing, conferences, and exploring “the chateau’s secret tower rooms, lily ponds and gardens.” An afternoon of tastings at local wineries is included and side trips in the surrounding countryside are available, as a group or on your own.


Four-course dinners, prepared by chef Anne Villeday, are served family-style, “with plenty of wine to go around.”

As with the other Writeaway, cost is $2,250 per person, double occupancy, which includes full board, wine and after-dinner drinks, as well as tastings at Loire Valley wineries, writing consultations and daily writing classes. This program is also limited to twelve participants.

For details and to reserve your place: writeawaysinfo@gmail.com or complete the online registration form.

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