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Elevate your writing through workshops and 1‑on‑1 sessions with #1 New York Times-bestselling authors, top literary agents, and Big-5 publishing executives.
Surrounded by rolling vineyards and sun‑warmed stone walls, the exlusive Villa Poggio alle Corti offers a rare blend of quiet luxury and creative awakening.
The friendships you make at the retreat may end up lasting a lifetime. A diverse community of authors sharing your passion for storytelling.
Women Only
May 17–23, 2026
Memoir Masterclass
Your Mentors
Jennifer Kasius
Exec Editor, KAA
#1 New York Times bestselling editor, former Editorial Director at Running Press (Hachette)
Jane von Mehren
Agent for numerous New York Times bestselling authors
Ruthie Ackerman
Author
Bestselling author and award-winning journalist
Fiction & Memoir
May 31 – June 6, 2026
Powerful Storytelling
Your Mentors
Amanda A. Barnett
Senior Editor
Editor known for shaping compelling, market-ready fiction and memoir.
Adam Strange
Executive editor with a track record of guiding debut and bestselling authors.
Wendy Holden
Author
New York Times-bestselling author of 18 books with over 2 million copies sold.
Nonfiction
September 20–26, 2026
Nonfiction Masterclass
Your Mentors
James Stephens
Executive Editor
Editor with deep expertise shaping bestselling nonfiction narratives.
Holly Crawshaw
Bestselling author known for compelling, research-driven nonfiction.
Kate McKean
Literary Agent
Literary agent representing acclaimed nonfiction voices.
Fiction & Memoir
October 4–10, 2026
Powerful Storytelling
Your Mentors
Anna Boatman
Executive Editor
Executive editor known for championing bold, distinctive fiction.
Margaret Riley King
Partner and literary agent representing bestselling authors.
Amanda Eyre Ward
Author
New York Times-bestselling novelist and screenwriter.
Fiction & Memoir
May 2–8, 2027
Powerful Storytelling
Your Mentors
David Cashion
Exec Editor, KAA
New York Times-bestselling, former Big 5 acquisitions editor
Duvall Osteen
Agent
Literary Agent of Bestselling Authors
Rebecca Makkai
Author
New York Times Bestselling, Multi-Award-Winning Author
Peter Steinberg
Literary Agent, UTA
Inclusions
Pre-retreat Preparation
Direct contact with your dedicated Retreat Coordinator. All mentors review a sample of your work to tailor their teaching to your needs.
Small-group Learning
Retreats are capped at 9 participants, creating an intimate environment and the opportunity to spend plenty of time with each expert mentor.
Luxury Accommodations — 6 Nights
A historic and luxuriously updated villa with panoramic views, private pool, tennis court, billiards hall, and vineyard.
6-Month Progress Review
Within 6 months of the retreat, we will review your progress and provide feedback and consultation.
1‑on‑1 Mentorship
Collaborate 1‑on‑1 with each of your mentors to discuss your manuscript and receive tailored advice on your writing and publishing goals.
Meals & Michelin-Star Dinner
Continental breakfast, lunch, 3-course dinners, and two dinners out — a nearby Michelin-starred restaurant and a local favourite.
Intensive Workshops
Intensive workshops designed to help you improve your writing skills and navigate the publishing landscape.
Free Time to Write or Explore
Between workshops and 1‑on‑1 sessions, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the region, enjoy the villa, or work on your writing.
Wine & Olive Oil from the Estate
Enjoy our own organic Chianti Classico, EVOO, and balsamic vinegar while admiring the vineyards and olive groves from which they came.
THE SETTING
Your Private Tuscan Paradise
Poggio alle Corti is a nearly 1,000‑year‑old estate encompassing 14 hectares (35 acres) of gardens, vineyards, fruit orchards, forests, and olive groves. An idyllic setting for creative inspiration, this historic villa combines timeless Tuscan architecture with modern luxury, including a stone‑lined pool, tennis court, billiards hall, and fitness center
IS THIS FOR YOU?
Whether you’re still dreaming about your first book or have written a full draft
For Authors Who Haven’t Started Writing
KAA Writers Retreats offer invaluable support as you plan and envision your book. Your mentors will help you flesh out your ideas and create a solid foundation for your manuscript, guiding you through the essential elements of structure and thematic exploration.
For Authors Who Have Just Started Writing
You’ll receive tailored feedback on your draft material to help elevate your work and guide you through the next phases of the writing process. Through engaging workshops and one‑on‑one consultations, you’ll gain fresh perspectives on your writing and uncover areas for improvement.
For Authors with a Completed Manuscript
Our mentors will help you shape and tighten your manuscript, ensuring it’s not only well‑written but also compelling and market‑ready. You will learn helpful tips for pitching to literary agents and publishers and explore various publishing options.
Share a Room
Participants attending the retreat together may choose to share a room. Both guests must be fully participating writers enrolled in the retreat.
WHY CHOOSE KAA
Connect With and Learn From Fellow Writers
The experience of connecting with fellow writers is transformative for a creative mind. Engaging with a diverse community of authors may offer a life‑changing exchange of insights and wisdom, as each writer brings their unique journey, voice, and perspective.
The collaborative tone fosters an environment where creativity flourishes. The friends you make at the retreat may end up lasting a lifetime.
Be Inspired by Tuscany
Tuscany is a wealth of inspiration for every writer, rich in culture, history, and breathtaking landscapes. The rolling hills lined with vineyards and olive groves evoke a sense of peace and serenity that invites the pen to dance across the page.
In Tuscany, every sunrise casts a golden glow on history, every vineyard tells a tale, and every landscape ignites creativity — a vivid backdrop for any writer’s journey into imaginative expression.
Exclusive Access to Top Experts in Writing and Publishing
KAA Writers Retreats offer a unique and invaluable opportunity for you to connect and learn directly from some of the industry’s top experts, imagining a #1 New York Times‑bestselling author sharing personal tips and strategies on style and storytelling, a former Big‑4 executive providing detailed, tailored advice on your book, and a seasoned literary agent offering pointed insight on how to pitch your work effectively.
6‑Month Progress Review
Within six months of attending the retreat, you may submit your writing concepts, fragments, or full manuscript chapters for review. This evaluation encompasses feedback on various elements of your work and publishing goals.
A Zoom consultation with one of your dedicated retreat leaders will provide personalized insights and guidance.
RETREAT ROOMS & PRICING
All rooms include full villa access and all retreat inclusions
Sample Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary, but the themes of the workshops and the exact schedule will be customized for each group.
Transfers from Florence to Villa
Arrive at the villa in Tuscany, where your creative journey will begin in one of Italy’s most inspiring and serene settings.
1:00pm
Check-in and Lunch at the Villa
Settle in and enjoy a welcoming meal while taking in the picturesque surroundings of the villa. This is your first opportunity to relax and get to know fellow writers.
6:00pm
Meet & Greet
Meet your mentors and fellow participants.
7:00pm
Dinner at the Villa
Enjoy a delicious, home-cooked meal that introduces you to the flavors of Tuscany while continuing to build connections with your fellow writers.
JOIN US
Take the next step toward elevating your writing and publishing your story. Reserve your place at the KAA Writers Retreat in Tuscany.
FAQ
Do I have to participate in all of the classes?
Do I have to have a work-in-progress?
Can I save money by sharing a room?
Can I see a detailed list of the inclusions and amenities?
What can I do during my free time?
Is the villa accessible?
What if I have dietary restrictions?
Are plane tickets included in the price?
Will airport transportation be offered?
What is the payment and cancellation policy?
What is your gender policy on the “women-only” retreats, and can I bring my husband?