Faculty Information:
Instructors:

* Antoinette Kuritz is a specialist in literary PR, Marketing, Self-Publishing, Media Relationss and Branding. She is the founder of the La Jolla Writers Conference.

* Taryn Fagerness is an agent at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency, an agency known for guiding the careers of many best-selling authors including Amy Tan, Maxine Hong Kingston, Kate White, Irvin Yalom, Eric Foner, Peter Irons, Lisa See, Anchee Min, Diane Mott Davidson, Janell Cannon and many others. The Los Angeles Times dubbed the Dijkstra Agency "the most powerful literary agency on the West Coast" and, in its 20 plus years, the agency has developed a reputation for discovering new talent and representing quality work with great commercial potential. Taryn is also the subrights manager at the agency, selling foreign rights to more than 35 countries around the world, along with film, audio and merchandising rights. She is actively building her list and specializes in general fiction, science fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, 'quirky' nonfiction, and nonfiction with a science or environmental angle.

* Wendy Corsi-Staub, author of Don't Scream and Lily Dale. The critically acclaimed award-winning author of over seventy books, Wendy Corsi Staub is a New York Times bestseller with the suspense novels she writes under her own name, and a USA Today bestseller with women's fiction she writes under her pseudonym Wendy Markham. Wendy’s latest adult thriller, Don't Scream, spent five weeks on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists! Publisher's Weekly says: "Staub keeps things taut and unpredictable, changing perspective often and offering up a whole school of red herrings; capped with a gratifying conclusion, Staub's latest is an effective thriller."

Other Activities:
Our writing conference in Tuscany for the week will include some of these highlights:

* Daily workshop lectures and sessions with the faculty
* Authentic Tuscan breakfast and dinners prepared at home, using only local and traditional products-wine included (independent lunch)
* Optional visits to local hilltowns like Radda, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, etc.
* Excursion to the Medieval city of Siena
* Wine tour and tasting at a local vineyard
* Optional morning hikes through the Chianti hills and fields surrounding the complex
* Selected evening activities such as art history lecture, concerts, olive oil tasting, etc .

In addition to the activities of the conference, optional activities offered with this program will focus on the cultural, gastronomic, historical and artistic heritage of Tuscany. This area has been an inspiration to countless people for centuries. What Tuscany offers its visitors is truly astounding:

* Art - San Fedele is located conveniently between the cities of Medieval Siena and Renaissance Florence packed with some of the most famous masterpieces in the world.
* Wine -You are in the heart of the Chianti region, synonomous with the most famous wine that Italy produces. But the innovative Tuscan vintners are also producing Super Tuscans, red varietals that are quickly ascending the ranks of world-class wine.
* History - this area was settled by the Etruscans centuries before the Romans were a civilized society. Their necropoli dot the fields throughout the area. Nearby towns like Radda, Vagliagli and Castellina date from the early Middle Ages. Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. San Fedele witnessed most of this from its panoramic perch atop the hillside.
* Food - cucina povera is the typical Tuscan cuisine that has become popular around the world. The recipes are simple, emphasizing local and seasonal products: porcini mushrooms, salumi, legumes, vegetables, pasta, bread and game meats. Visiting the outdoor food markets, you will understand the wisdom of this very healthy cuisine.
* Crafts - perhaps the harmony of the landscape has been the inspiration for many local craftsmen. Exquisite hand-painted ceramics are the prime example, closely followed by mosaics, leather, woodworking, and textiles.

Facility Information:
San Fedele is an historic monastery dating back to the 13th century, painstakingly renovated in 2005-07. Every room is deluxe with modern amenities: heating/air conditioning, modern bathrooms,mini-fridge, internet access, TV, etc. This beautiful facility also has several efficient common spaces for classrooms and social gathering. For full details about San Fedele and photos of the restored rooms.

Notes:
Price Includes:

* Shared double room in country villa
* Daily traditional breakfast and dinner, including wine
* Transportation for daily excursions
* Exploration days in Siena and Florence
* Half day excursion to nearby hill towns (Monteriggioni, Radda, Volpaia)
* Transfers by bus from Florence on first day
* Transfer to bus/train station in Siena on final day

Price Excludes:

* Airfare
* Lunch
* Local bus transportation
* Independent meals and sight-seeing.

Also see Vacation Schools in:
Art and craft workshop   Europe   Italy  

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