Our driving force

Everything you will find here is created to nourish your writing and make sure your voice is heard.

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  • Retreats in Italy and Australia

    Intimate summer and autumn retreats led by experienced authors, with special appearances from literary agents, publishers and writing tutors

  • Private Book Coaching

    One-on-one partnerships to guide, edit, and re-work your writing, from quick intervention to 6-, 12- and 18-month plans

  • Book Club Holiday

    Take your Book Club to the next level and dive even deeper into your novels, while exploring the heart of Tuscany

Discover our writing retreats

What will you learn?

Deeply immersive

Join us on our 3- or 4-day retreats, where you will grow alongside other like-minded creatives. Take your writing to the next level through our intensive classes, in Italy or Australia.

View a sample program

Who can join our retreats?

Open to everyone

Whether you're working on your final chapter or you're just getting started, our retreats are open to every project. Whether it's fiction, non-fiction, or anything in between — all we ask is that you love writing!

Who teaches our classes?

Led by experts

Our retreats are led by best-selling authors, literary agents and editors themselves. The people you need to impress are teaching you how to impress them.

Meet your tutors

Book your retreat

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Meet your book coach

Elevate your writing

We give you that extra support when you need it! Get one-on-one support with best-selling author and certified professional, Lisa Clifford

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Your book club getaway

Escape, explore, learn

Combine your love of books and travel in beautiful Florence during any week that suits you and your Book Club

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  • Walking away with new confidence...

    "Excellent! Engaging, knowledgeable, funny. Walking away with new confidence in my writing and friendships are key. I thought all the info on agents and publishers was SO helpful."

    Christine Harris, California

  • “Our workshop was magical. Thank you hardly seems adequate for such a life-changing experience.”

    Kate Anders, London, UK

  • Inspiring!

    "I enjoyed the variety. The instructors were very generous and open with their methods and suggestions. It was also a great experience to be in an intimate and friendly setting with other writers. Inspiring!"

    Donna Stadler, California, USA

  • "I met new friends from all over the world and learnt so much as successful writers, publishers and bloggers generously shared their tools, insights and encouragement. As a tentative beginner who was struggling with doubt and self-confidence about my ability, The Art of Writing Retreat was an inspiring and worthwhile experience."

    Tina King, Dunsborough, Australia

  • Excellent

    The teaching was practical, and I liked that all the experience shared was so personal. Good
    hands- on strategies and opportunities to speak to authors and publishers for constructive
    feedback. I will never forget the Sense of Place class followed by our walk around Florence.

    Jennifer Mitchell, Italy

  • The speakers are so inspiring and encouraging, you feel secure knowing you’re in the hands of people who have ‘made it’ as authors and industry experts. Since returning home, I feel equipped and empowered to write my novel. I cannot recommend this experience enough for any dreaming writer.

    Daniella Raffaele, Sydney, Australia

  • "For anyone who is hesitating... DON'T! If you are struggling to find the words you will find them here and if you already have the words but can't get them in the right order Lisa will sort them and you out. This is a masterclass by a magician, and you owe it to yourself and the writing dream you have always fostered to have the secrets of the page revealed."

    Steve Matthews, Author, NSW Australia

  • "I must say again, what a great course. I've been extolling Lisa’s lecturing virtues. What a great bunch of writers we had!  So interesting, diverse and incredibly funny.  It was a privilege to meet Lisa and the writers.  I considered writing as a bit of a life change. The Art of Writing has spurred me on to greater,
    more ambitious plans. It was a privilege to share some of my life stories with these writers."

    Helen Garvey, UK

  • "Few teachers are expert at giving critical insights that could save my
    writing from doom.  Others are adept at bringing together a team of
    experts that contribute to my understanding so that I can dismantle my own negative writing habits.  But extremely rare is that person who can do both, as Lisa Clifford does so gracefully.  My experience with Art of Writing has changed the way I think and has enabled me to grow as a writer by approaching my subject with entirely new eyes.  Thank you, Lisa!"

    Diane Dewey, Switzerland/USA

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Any questions? We would love to hear from you!