Memoir Class with Susan Tekulve Converse College Spirit of Place Writing Workshop

Cecilia Woloch's workshop on the terrace of Palazzo Pieri Piatti

Bomarzo

Working on a story photo credit: Hope Alvarado

Kenyon Review Poetry Reading Workshop

A moment's meditation Photo credit: Hope Alvarado

Question and Answer Time with Peter Selgin and Paulette Licitra

Cooking Class with Paulette Licitra

Linda Lappin with students of University of Texas A&M

Kenyon Reading

Cooking Class with Sergio Baldassarre

Poetry Workshop with David Baker Kenyon Review Creative Writing Workshop

Linda Lappin reading from The Etruscan

Fiction Workshop with Peter Selgin

Castle in Tuscia

Georgia Nugent and David Lynn at the Kenyon Reading

Houston Writers at Table

David Baker and the Kenyon Review Writers relaxing in the Cantina of La Rosa Blu

Tasting Paulette's Pasta

Gathering in the courtyard

Vitorchiano doorway
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Creative Writing Workshops and Cultural Sojourns in Italy Schedule of Events for 2010

2010 COMING SOON TO
CENTRO POKKOLI
IN VITORCHIANO


Workshop with Linda Lappin
May 30th -June 5th 2010
details available soon

Workshop with Peter Selgin, June 2010
details available soon!


Let your writing be inspired by the secret itineraries of Tuscia

PETER SELGIN Narrative Prose Writing Workshop in June 2010,at Centro Pokkoli


Cari Amici,
This coming June I will be leading my third
annual writing workshop in Vitorchiano,
Italy. This one-week workshop offers a great opportunity to focus on your
creative work in a stunning setting--a walled
medieval village in the rugged, hazelnut-tree lined
hills north of Rome. In addition to the
workshop, seminars and one-on-one tutorials,
we'll visit lovely Italian gardens, castles,
and picturesque towns. A week of
beauty, inspiration, free-flowing wine, food,
and conversation.

Whether your focus is fiction or nonfiction,
memoir or novel, I hope you'll take advantage
of this opportunity to enjoy the beauty and
culture of Italy while working on your writing.

Participants will also receive an advance
copy of THE SECRET LIFE OF FICTION: 199
Meditations for Writers, my new writing book,
distilling the wisdom of dozens of writers
workshops, with meditations on everything
from titles to settings, to the historical
uses (and abuses) of autobiography in literature.

For more information, visit my
website peter selgin

Hope to see you there, Peter Selgin

COMMENTS FROM FORMER PARTICIPANTS

"When the opportunity to participate in a poetry workshop at Centro Pokkoli in Vitorchiano, led by Houston poet, Randall Watson, presented itself I knew I had to go. My visit there far exceeded any of my expectations. This area called Tuscia is fascinating because of the centuries of history that can be observed from the Etruscan tombs to ruined Roman theaters, Medieval towns, Gothic churches, and Renaissance gardens all placed in a forested and farmed landscape of ancient volcanism only hinted at by hot springs nearby. What made our stay especially nice was the warm hospitality of the people we met. My imagination is forever enriched by my time spent in Vitorchiano, a place I hope to return to soon."

Carolyn Tourney Florek
Poet, painter and publisher of MUTABILIS PRESS
Houston, Texas


Thank you for the wonderful Pokkoli experience. I can only begin to imagine how much work it took to set up all the wonderful trips and comfortable accommodations that you provided for us. Artemio and his staff at the Piccola Opera Hotel were outstanding and the Centro Pokkoli House was the most charming and intimate space for us to share our work. And our final dinner (not to say Last Supper) was a wonderful surprise. That whole evening is a little jewel of a moment in our busy schedule. Oddly enough, it was our most romantic moment even though we shared it with a dozen other people. All your efforts are greatly appreciated by both myself and my husband.
Dahlma Llanos Figueroa, New York City

"The Spirit of the Place Workshop in Vitorchiano allowed me to tap into the mystery of the Etruscan landscape and culture. It was a great way to improve my writing skills in a beautiful and inspiring setting. I hope to have the opportunity to participate in the workshop again."

--Patricia M. Mendenhall, writer, New York City, participant in the Spirit of Place Writing Workshop


Vitorchiano, home of Centro Pokkoli


Who We Are

Centro Pokkoli is run by a non-profit cultural association founded in Rome. We organize workshops, exhibitions, theater labs, and excursions for our members only. Writing Workshops are held in Vitorchiano, a charming medieval village an hour's drive north of Rome. If you are interested in attending a workshop, please contact the workshop leader whose contact information has been provided in our links.

Our Writers

Pokkoli Writers Gallery
Featuring David Lynn of The Kenyon Review and a new anthology from Mutabilis Press, guest edited by Randall Watson
Linda Lappin
author of The Etruscan (Wynkin Deworde, 2004) and Katherine's Wish co-director of Centro Pokkoli Workshop leader for the "Spirit of Place" Creative Writing Workshops Online workshops now available
Peter Selgin
novelist, writing teacher, and painter, author of By Cunning and Craft, Ten Lessons for Fiction Writers Writers Digest Books 2007. Join Peter at Centro Pokkoli for his fiction writing workshop in June 2008
Cecilia Woloch
Poet, multigenre workshop teacher. No workshops scheduled for 2009 Check back for information
Chef Sergio
founder and director of Centro Pokkoli. Instructor for "Survival Italian," Italian culture and cuisine workshops. Discover his recipe memoirs here.
Thomas E. Kennedy
author of The Copenhagen Quartet