Women writers of fiction and creative nonfiction working on novels, short stories, memoirs, or essays are invited to participate in Out of the Castle, a writing conference and retreat in the medieval village of Pontelandolfo, Italy. Transgender women and gender nonconforming people are welcome and encouraged to apply.
Nestled in the southern Sannio hills, Out of the Castle offers women writers the space, time, and community needed to move forward in their work.
Named in honor of the 16th century Italian poet Isabella di Morra, who was brutally confined and murdered by her own brothers because they were intimidated by her intelligence, the conference has at its heart the belief that women writers at all stages in their writing benefit greatly from stepping out from their daily lives to share in scholarship and friendship. Included in this mission is a committment to fostering connections between women writers across borders.
Daily workshops with award-winning author Kerry-Lee Powell set the stage for a week of lively discussions, focused writing time, evening circles, and public readings.
Special guest Anna Santoliquido, founder of the international group Women and Poetry , PEN Italy board member, and internationally published poet, will join us to discuss Writing in Italy. And Maria Williams, founding editor of Shape&Nature Press, will present on the ins and outs of small press publishing for authors.
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Kerry-Lee Powell
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Kerry -Lee Powell is a fiction writer, poet, and essayist from Canada. Her first book, Inheritance was published by Biblioasis (2014) and her latest work, Willem de Kooning's Paintbrush, was published by HarperCollins and was just nominated for the Giller Prize. The Spectator, the Boston Review, the Virago Press Writing Women series and Best Canadian Stories have published her stories and poems. In 2013, she won the Malahat Review's Far Horizons Award and the Boston Review's Aura Estrada Short Story Award. www.kerryleepowell.ca
Anna Santoliquido
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Maria Williams
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Anna Santoliquido is an Italian-born poet, essayist, and teacher who has published nineteen volumes of verse and one collection of stories. Her work has been translated into nineteen languages, and she is an ardent supportor of women writers, especially through the international Women and Poetry organization she founded nearly thirty years ago. A PEN Italy board member, Anna has won numerous awards for her work in Italy and abroad.
Maria Williams is the founding editor of Shape&Nature Press. She is also a poet, teacher, and freelance book editor. Her book A Love Letter To Say There Is No Love (2011) focuses its gaze on the strange and surreal experiences of motherhood and longing, and her work as an editor and publisher expresses her mission to bring new and engaging voices into the published world. Maria is a Pushcart prize nominee. www.writingisediting.com
Also joining us as a Project Consultant and liaison to the area is Midge Guerrera: playwright, blogger, and workshop leader. Midge lives in Pontelandolfo six months a year, and her blog, Nonna's Mulberry Tree, captures daily life in this historic village. For the tenth anniversary of 9/11, theaters in four states produced Midge's play E-Mail: 9-12.
We thank the Associazione Culturale Pontelandolfo Città Martire, Renato Rinaldi and the Pontelandolfo News site for their assistance and support of this initiative.
Our retreat center, Bioagriturismo Borgo Cirquelle, is a working organic farm. Gardens, walking trails, sitting areas, and a bathing stream dot the landscape as do friendly goats, chickens, and donkeys. Three authentic farm-to-table meals a day plus spacious accommodations, and wine, should keep everyone very comfortable.
In addition to the daily writing, we'll have yoga in the morning, events with local authors, and multiple excursions into the area: trips to an artisinal winery, ancient Roman ruins, and nearby villages. Out of the Castle participants will have access to the town of Pontelandolfo via complimentary shuttle service. Cobblestone streets, a castle tower, ancient Roman churches and cemeteries reflect an area steeped in history and culture where the main plaza is still the center of town life and lore. Residents here are farmers, shopkeepers, intellectuals, and artists who are excited to welcome our participants as their guests.
Application deadline: March 1, 2017
Cost: $700 USD deposit + 1,800 euros upon arrival.
Includes Room (double occupancy), workshops, three daily meals, all excursions, local transportation, and pick up/drop off from the train station in Benevento.
Travel
We provide free shuttle service from the train station in Benevento. 200 euros additional fee for those requiring a shuttle to and from the airport in Naples. Train is much cheaper.
Space is limited and will be given to writers whose work illustrates a clear readiness to add their voice while benefiting fully from the program. No preference is given to style, genre, or publishing history. Spaces will be filled on a first come basis to qualifying applicants.
APPLY NOW!
