CHARACTERS, CANALS, and CAMPARI
A Venice retreat priced at $5800
An inspirational writing retreat and marketing intensive for authors of all genres designed to kick-start your book sales with proven selling techniques. Lectures and discussions on characters, plot, and sales strategies, one-on-one support, brainstorming, problem solving, and Campari spritzes!
DATES
September 24 – October 1, 2023
ITINERARY
Venice
Stay in the stunning City of Canals, home of Carnivale and notorious characters like Casanova and Hemingway
Savor the splendor of Venice’s historic churches and palaces, including Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Doges Palace—and take a secret and spooky tour
Ride in a gondola on the Grand Canal and stop by a squero where these unique boats have been made since the 17th century
Learn how to row a batela a coda di gambero, a standing boat that preceded the gondola, while stopping at local bacari to sample their wine and cicchetti (tapas)
Murano
Tour a glass factory that has been in operation since 1291 and watch a glass-bowing demonstration
Shop for a one-of-a-kind souvenir
Burano
Escape to this picturesque fishing village famous for its colorful houses and narrow streets
Watch in awe as local women stitch intricate lace in an ancient tradition
San Michele
Sail past the Venetian lagoon bronze of Dante and Virgil crossing the river Styx in L’Inferno
Pay your respects at the cemetery island that houses the tombs of Igor Stravinsky, Ezra Pound, and an unconventional princess, among other notable residents
See the Camaldolese Convent and its winery—on the cemetery island???
Giudecca
Stroll the charming streets of the Venetians’ favorite holiday island and take in its gorgeous view of San Marco
Visit the Chiesa delle Zitelle (old maids), a 16th–century church where poor girls, who might otherwise have turned to prostitution, learned the trade of lace-making
Sip Campri spritzes at the Skyline Rooftop Bar while you plot your novel and next writer retreat
DAILY ITINERARY
Note: This schedule is tentative and may be adjusted as needed. Writers have the option to skip excursions to spend extra time working on their projects at the hotel or in one of Italy’s many delightful public spaces.
Pre-Trip (dates TBD)
- Phone consultation about your book project
- Group online FAQ and mini Italian lesson
Day 1 Venice
- Arrival
- Piazza San Marco meet and greet at the Caffè Florian, where Casanova sipped coffee with his lady friends
- Writers share loglines and discuss their projects
- Visit the Basilica di San Marco and see the Pala d’Oro altar cloth that Napoleon looted for its gems
- Lunch
- See the Museo Correr, Napoleon’s former palace
- Writing time
- Welcome Dinner at the Cantina do Spade, a 600-year-old trattoria where Casanova did date nights
Day 2 Venice
- Breakfast
- Diana: “Characters: The Protagonists.” Fulfilling the reader expectation by delivering the experience the reader wants
- Writing time
- Lunch
- Explore Venice: The Doges Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Secret Itineraries Tour; Shop on the Rialto Bridge and at the waterlogged bookstore Libreria dell’Acqua Alta
- Brainstorm over aperitivi at Harry’s Bar, where Hemingway wrote Across the River and into the Trees
- Dinner
Day 3 Murano and Burano
- Breakfast
- Traci: “Characters: The Villains”
- Diana: “Sales: Building your reader eco-system and why funnels are important to the longevity of your author career.” Diana will tell you how she has generated over $1 million in direct sales through her own Shopify Store
- Writing time
- Lunch
- Explore: Murano and Burano: Tour a glass factory and watch glass-blowers and lace-makers make their ancient crafts
- Return to Venice
- Dinner
Day 4 Venice and San Michele
- Breakfast
- Depart
- Traci and Diana meet individually with writers
- Writing time
- Lunch
- Explore Venice: Visit the Chiesa di San Zaccaria, the site of a naughty noble convent and a flooded crypt—and, if you dare, take a boat to the haunted San Michele Island
- Return to Venice
- Brainstorm over aperitivi
- Train to Genoa
Day 5 Venice
- Breakfast
- Traci and Diana meet individually with writers
- Writing time
- Lunch
- Explore Venice: Ride in a gondola and visit the Squero di San Trovaso
- Discuss marketing over aperitivi at the Osteria al Squero
- Dinner
Day 6 Giudecca
- Breakfast
- Diana: “Characters: The Sidekicks”
- Traci: “The art of voice in newsletters: How to get readers to stay engaged”
- Depart by vaporetto for Giudecca
- Lunch
- Explore Giudecca: Chiesa delle Zitelle and shopping
- Discuss marketing over Campari spritzes at the Skyline Rooftop Bar
- Return to Venice
- Farewell dinner at Ristorante Quadri, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Piazza San Marco
Day 7 Venice
- Breakfast
- Diana: “Sales: How to maximize read-through and increase Average Order Value (AOV)”
- Traci: “Characters: The Quirky Secondaries and One-offs”
- Writing time
- Lunch while exploring Venice: Learn how to row a batela and drink and eat at the bacari
- Time to pack!
Day 8 Venice
- Breakfast
- Departing writers to airport
Post-Trip
- Phone consultation about your book project (date TBD)
- Membership in our closed Facebook group for ongoing support
COST (USD)
$5800 Plots and Palaces Italian Riviera Retreat
CONSULTATION
To make sure the trip is a good fit for you and your book project, email Diana diana@lemonlit.com or Traci traci@lemonlit.com. We’ll schedule a fifteen-minute phone or video chat to discuss your writing skills, your needs, and how we can get you on track to completion.
DEPOSIT AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Following your consultation, pay in full or reserve your spot with a $1000 deposit (non-refundable). We will invoice you for the balance.
COST INCLUDES
Pre-Trip
An individual phone consultation to discuss your book project and goals
A suggested reading list and worksheets (as needed) to prepare you to arrive ready to write
A group video chat for trip FAQ and a mini Italian lesson
During the Trip
Three group writing instruction lectures
A one-on-one mentoring session with Traci or Diana
Single-room lodging plus VAT and hotel tax
Transportation
Welcome dinner (with Prosecco!)
Farewell dinner (with more Prosecco!)
Post-Trip
An individual phone consultation to make sure you’re on track to complete your book
Access to our closed Facebook group to stay in touch and exchange ideas with fellow lemonistas (our nickname for ourselves and you)
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE
Airfare to and from Italy
Transportation to and from hotel and within cities
Lunch, pre-dinner aperitivi, dinner
Entrance fees to museums and exhibits
Personal expenses
EXTRA BENEFITS
Group and one-on-one brainstorming sessions
Connecting with fellow writers
Learning Italian language, culture, and history
PASSPORTS
Some countries require a passport to be valid at least six months beyond the dates of the trip. Although Italy is not currently included among this group, travel laws are subject to change at any time. We therefore recommend that you have at least six months left on your passport prior to its expiration date. Otherwise, you might not be permitted to board your flights.
If you can’t make the CHARACTERS, CANALS, and CAMPARI retreat, reserve a spot on our SICILY, SCENES, AND SAMBUCA retreat March 24–30, 2024.