pokkoli

Recent Books by Peter Selgin
By CUNNING & CRAFT:
Sound Advice and Practical Wisdom for Fiction Writers
"This is a book for serious fiction writers of all levels-from beginner to advanced and beyond, including accomplished authors wishing to fine-tune their craft. It aims to provide actionable advice, and plenty of it, yet offers no glib formulas or panaceas. Those seeking a writing guide that tells them, in so many words, that writing fiction is easy and that anyone can do it, should probably look elsewhere. Such guides exist and are hugely popular. As is so often the case, the truths of the matter are less obviously appealing, and are as follows: that writing fiction is indeed hard, that it takes time and energy and effort, that if everyone could do it, it wouldn't be worth doing; at any rate, it would be no more worth doing than riding a bicycle, or whistling."
A WRITER'S DIGEST BOOK CLUB MAIN SELECTION

Peter Selgin's short stories, BODIES OF WATER, winner of the 2007 Flannery O'Connor Prize, coming in the Fall of 2008 by University of Georgia Press.

Narrative Prose Writing Workshop
with Peter Selgin

June 15 - 22, 2008
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Cari Amici,

In June, 2008, I'll lead my second annual writing workshop in Vitorchiano, Italy. The one-week workshop is a great opportunity to focus on your creative work in a stunning walled medieval village an hour's drive from Rome. In addition to the workshop and one-on-one tutorials, we'll visit lovely Italian gardens, castles, and nearby picturesque towns throughout the week-a time of beauty, inspiration, free-flowing wine, conversation and good food. Enjoy the beauty, the cuisine, the culture, and all the delights of the Italian countryside while honing your writing skills.

Cost: $1,850.00 (includes workshop, hotel, meals and all excursions). Enrollment limited to 12 participants.

Apply by Dec. 1st with a deposit of $200 for the discounted rate of $1,650.

I hope you'll join us!

Sinceramente,

Peter


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The Centro Pokkoli Workshop Center
The inspiration of author and translator Linda Lappin, the Centro Pokkoli is a pleasant workspace, located in a recently restored medieval structure, but with all modern comforts, designed for classes of up to 13 people. Within five minutes' walk from the Centro Pokkoli one finds quaint cafes, excellent restaurants, food shops, an ATM machine, bank, newsstand, gas station, tobacco shop, bakeries, pastry shops, gelaterie, pizzerie, and shops to meet all of your needs. 8 minutes away you will find a small supermarket, more cafes, a post office, a gym and a public outdoor pool.

Hotel Accommodations & Meals
Workshop participants stay at the Hotel Piccola Opera, just outside Vitorchiano, ten minutes away by car or bus. Set on the slopes of the Monti Cimini, the hotel is surrounded by a lovely park and a peony plantation. Unless a double room is requested, single rooms with private bath are offered to each participant.

The hotel is renowned for its home-cooked meals, served trattoria style and prepared with fresh local products. The workshop fee includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with wine and spring water. Extras, like before and after-dinner drinks and espresso, may be bought at the hotel bar. Participants are also required to pay for any phone calls made at the hotel. Though gratuities are included, you will find the hotel staff extremely accommodating, and may wish to provide additional tips.


Within five minutes' walking distance of the hotel there is a shopping center with a small supermarket, hairdresser, various shops, a pizzeria, as well as a cafe, a gelateria, and a wine bar. The hotel provides free transportation to and from the Centro Pokkoli.

The Workshop
Workshops are held in the mornings, from 9:30 to 12:30 at the Centro Pokkoli. But really the workshop begins before we arrive in Italy, with students exchanging manuscripts of works-in-progress (usually by email) two weeks before departure time, allowing ample time for thoughtful reading and reflection. When the actual workshop starts, students are well-prepared, and discussions are constructive and lively. The aim of the workshop is to set a course for revision through a deep and detailed analysis of the text, with honest, practical feedback. Although the workshop does not shy away from theoretical discussion, its aim is to help each participant achieve his or her assumed goal of producing a publishable story or novel, and so practical advice is emphasized. The workshop is rigorous but high-spirited, and dominated by a sense of serious play. Egos are left at the door, and all that matters, ultimately, is the work.

Private Conferences
In addition to the workshop, participants will be scheduled to meet one-on-one with me to discuss any topic of their choice—whether it's their work-in-progress, or some other work, books to read, or plans for their writing future. These sessions last a half hour. But any participant requiring more time should have no trouble getting it, and I am always glad to sit down and talk shop with my students.


Excursions
The are several excursions, chosen by participants, with visits to some of the following sites:

Bomarzo (at left), the site of the famous sacred wood and monster park—a fabulous baroque garden with mythological beasts and other weird creatures sculpted out of stone.
Bagnaia, home to the famous Villa Lante, with its wonderful garden, extravagant fountains and mazes.
Castel D'Asso, with its hot thermal springs.
Caprarola, site of the famed Palazzo Farnese.
Orvieto, the Umbrian town set high on an acropolis, known for its wines and famous duomo with frescos by Signorelli and mosaic front by Giotto.


The Day Off
There will be one free day during which you may wish to go to Rome. The hotel will arrange a shuttle bus to the train station in Orte early in the morning, and a return bus in the evening before dinner at no extra cost.

Or you may wish to arrange for transportation and visit other destinations—like the sea, an hour away at Capalbio, and—on your way—visit the Etruscan tombs at Tarquinia. There are many things to see nearby, from medieval and Renaissance towns to Etruscan and Roman archeological sites.

Or stay in Vitorchiano and get some writing done: all excursions and events other than the workshop itself are optional, and your time is yours. Participants are encouraged avail themselves of activities as they wish.

Readings
There will be two evenings of readings after dinner, one in which the workshop leader and a guest author will read and discuss their work, and a second in which participants will read their work for the entire group and any guests who wish to attend. This affords participating writers an opportunity to improve reading skills while getting a sense of where their work stands, as few things tell us more about our words than reading them aloud.

Testimonials
About the Workshop:
"The classroom setting was comfortable; the instructor was excellent. The town was beautiful. The hotel personnel were attentive and helpful. Meals, classroom, town, transportation—for the individual price of the Pokkoli Workshop—were all outstanding. Too much pasta, maybe, but, heck, I was in Italy. My thanks to you, Peter, for taking the time to organize the journey." — Mary Walsh

"The classroom was pleasant (great view out the window). Instructor's and participants' critiques were sophisticated, creative, practical and to the point. Hotel was pleasant; staff were attentive and generous with their time and energy. The town was awesome. All in all, the workshop far exceeded my expectations. I've never had a better workshop experience." — Jane Conly, children's book author


"Everything about the morning workshops, instruction, evaluations, was perfect. The excursions were well-chosen, peaceful, off the beaten path, visually stunning." — Jamie Rudolph

"The workshop was a rich experience. The insight of the participants provided valuable comments about our work—substantial, detailed, specific suggestions delivered with kindness and concern. Peter was excellent, providing direction for the meetings, authority about the process of writing, and insightful comments about the pieces being workshopped. Every member of the 'class' was dealt with on an equal basis; no favoritism was shown. I thought the excursions were perfect—very interesting with a good dose of beauty thrown in. The general organization and schedule of activities was perfectly planned." — Nan Shear

"The quality of the critiques was excellent. The idea of individual conferences was an excellent compliment. I thoroughly enjoyed the excursions. The student reading at the end was a great opportunity to have the experience of reading and also to gain perspective on the work of the other workshop participants. [The] gala dinner at the end was a fantastic conclusion." — Lisa Kunick

"The number and quality of the excursions was perfect. My favorite outings included Villa Lante and the day trip to Bolsena and Orvieto. I enjoyed the instructor's readings and the student readings tremendously." — Jill Sammak


About the Instructor:
"Stimulating, engaged, exciting, erudite, astute, insightful."
— Thomas Wagner, retired English teacher

"Enthusiastic, honest, passionate." — Charles Carroll, Professor of English

"[The course was] very well structured. [Selgin] takes his time with each student, giving each very detailed direction and guidance." — Marc Lindeman, Marketing Analyst

"Excellent critiques. Very useful insights, particularly on the process of revision." — Jeffrey Rubin, Editor, New York Times

"This was a valuable learning experience for me as an evolving writer. Peter made learning easy and interesting. His dedication to his art is inspirational." — Linda Snowman, Human Resources Manager

"[Selgin has a] tremendous ability to explain and clarify approaches to fiction writing. Very passionate/articulate/accessible as an instructor. Outstanding in his presentation style and openness/frankness." — Elaine Givner, Vice President, Human Resources

"Peter is very effective and efficient in getting to the heart of each piece and its flaws." — Michael Coughlan, I.T.

"I gained a lot of good insight. I would not have changed anything." — Amanda Coppola, Public Relations

"Peter clearly loves writing. He is able to convey this energy to his students, which is a rare quality in a teacher. He is inspiring." — Jennine Meyer, Communications Consultant

"Mr. Selgin knows his material. He is a class-A editor, and really understands how to focus the writer on the subject at hand. Best of all, he practices what he preaches." — Randall T. Rothey, Author