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The Art of Picture Book Writing
Adria Goetz
September 28, 2024 - October 5, 2024
$3850Draw inspiration from the Tuscan Hills in creating new children’s literature
Picture books are read to children at a very formative age in a child’s life. They have the power to plant seeds of hope, resilience, imagination, and kindness in a young reader’s mind. They also have the power to inspire children to become lifelong readers.
In this workshop, instructor and literary agent Adria Goetz will give you a crash course on the picture book market. Students will examine successful picture books—from Caldecott and Newberry winners, to NYT Bestsellers, to other beloved and iconic books that have stood the test of time. Come prepared to ask questions, learn, write new work, and edit your old work.
Do you find it difficult to make progress on your own writing or marketing of your children’s books due to the infinite distractions of daily life? The idea behind this workshop is to get away to a totally fresh and inspiring environment where all your attention can be focused on developing your own work.
The instructor requests that you bring:
- up to three of your unpublished picture book manuscripts to work on throughout the week
- a list of 5-10 ideas for new stories, and
- a sample query letter for one of your manuscripts you’ve already written.
Adria will also schedule a one-on-one meeting with every attendee for more in-depth guidance and support.
Come spend a week in the beautiful Tuscan hills where you’ll learn the ins and outs of picture books and meet fellow lovers of children’s literature. Clear your mind of the distractions from daily life back home and spend some quality time with your own stories.
In addition to our organized sessions, there are 2 swimming pools, a tennis court, and a la carte massage therapy available throughout your stay. Cultural excursions to nearby towns to experience historical traditions and epicurean delights will add to our Tuscan inspiration.
Additional Activities: Your week of delving deeper into the world of children’s literature will be interspersed with other fun activities and visits to towns and villages to experience local markets, museums and shops. Our daily sessions will be combined with other adventures such as:
- Day trip to Medieval Siena to explore, shop, take photos
- Excursions to nearby hilltowns like Radda, Castellina, Monteriggioni, etc.
- Visit to Chianti winery for a tour and tasting
- Gourmet meals accompanied with wines from the region will be served on the terrace in the evenings, overlooking the Tuscan countryside.
After excursions we’ll return to relax in our 1,000 year old monastery to enjoy the surroundings, contemplate our writings, enjoy a glass of wine and an informal review of the day. Then we will move to the dining room (the authentic refectory where the monks used to assemble) to enjoy our local chef’s authentic, home-made Tuscan meal, recapping the day’s adventure with good company.
$3,850 p/p based on double occupancy. (Non-writing friends and partners are always welcome at a discount: $3,550)
Optional supplements:
- $575 for single room-limited availability
- $275 p/p for Jr. Suite
Includes:
- Shared double room with ensuite bathroom in restored monastery (single rooms available for a supplement, see above)
- Daily traditional breakfast and dinner, including wine
- Daily picture book writing/marketing classes
- Excursion to medieval Siena
- Excursions to nearby hilltowns for lunch, photography, shopping, etc. (Monteriggioni, Radda, Castellina…)
- Wine tour, tasting and dinner at a local, family Chianti winery
- Pick up from Florence train station at 3:30pm on first Saturday
- Drop off in Florence on final day
Does Not Include:
- Airfare
- Lunch
- Independent meals and sight-seeing
- Gratuities
To Register: just click on the Sign Up Now button. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to secure your spot in the workshop. Payment can be made on line with a credit card, or you can follow the instructions to send in your registration and payment by mail. Once we receive your deposit we will send you a formal Registration Confirmation with further information about the program. You will receive 2-3 other correspondences by email prior to the workshop with information about Italy, a supplies list and an electronic invoice for the balance. Final Balance is due by August 1st. Any time prior to your arrival, if you have questions about anything regarding the trip or the program, you can contact us by email or phone and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Cancellation policy:
$500 deposit is non-refundable. For cancellation:
- 60 days prior to workshop, full refund due less non-refundable deposit.
- 30-60 days prior to workshop, 50% refund of balance paid allowed, less non-refundable deposit.
Less than 30 days prior to workshop, no refund due.
Il Chiostro recommends personal travel insurance to cover the possibility of unexpected or last-minute cancellation.
Contact us for more information: info@ilchiostro.com or speak to us live at 800-990-3506.
Borgo San Fedele
-- San Fedele is a restored 12th century monastery floating in the Chianti hills --
Il Chiostro at San Fedele is the combined skills of Linda and Michael of Il Chiostro joining together with Nicolo and Renata of San Fedele to produce a unique and inspiring environment rooted in the traditional Tuscan values of beauty, great food, an appreciation for nature and the value of community. The monastery, dating back to the 12th century, was meticulously restored using traditional building methods and all original materials. Today, the monastery remains true to its original spirit, rich architectural detail. The 16 rooms and suites where participants are housed have lovely modern bathrooms, screened windows, air conditioning, period furniture, wi-fi internet service, satellite television and minibar, all designed to perfectly compliment the medieval surroundings.
The original soaring chapel is now used as a large art studio or workshop space. The monks' refectory, where a lost 16th century fresco was uncovered during renovation, is now the dining room connected to a state-of-the-art kitchen and the old stone cantinas where they stored their wine have been transformed into studio and classroom space.
For information about the history of this monastery, Click here to go to San Fedele's web site...
Rather than hotel, San Fedele is classified as a historic residence in Italy. That means that it is an intimate setting, preserved along strict historical guidelines to preserve the spirit of the setting. The owners are on site to oversee this unique combination of historic landmark and modern day comfort.
Accommodations are spacious shared double rooms or junior suites. Each room, because it was converted from the original structure of the monastery without altering the building, is unique in shape. Furnishings and decor were selected to coordinate with the historic, subdued feeling of the monastery, but in a comfortable, modern style. All rooms have two beds that can be separated into twins or combined into one large matrimonial. There is a sitting area, refrigerator, DSL wi-fi, television, air-conditioning, heating, modern private bathroom with shower and hair dryers.
There are a limited number of single rooms available at a supplement of $575.
2 Jr. Suites for a minimum of 2 people are available for a supplement of $275 per person.
Archway from rose garden and breakfast buffet in the refectory (photos by Lester Lefkowitz)
The back of San Fedele is surrounded by a large al fresco dining terrace with the original terra cotta tile designs reproduced down to the smallest details. The terrace overlooks the same organic vegetable and flower garden tended by the monks for centuries. Beyond are the rolling Chianti vineyards that make this part of Tuscany so breathtaking.
Other common spaces include a large classroom carved into the rock of the ancient wine cellar, an expansive private piazza, a 16 x 7 meter swimming pool and sprawling landscaped grounds on a rolling hillside.
Florence will be our meeting point on the first day of the workshop. A van will pick up the group at the train station at about 3:30 pm on Saturday.
We recommend that you fly into either Florence, Pisa, or Rome (Milan is a bit too far away). Florence is closer, but it doesn`t have an intercontinental airport, so there are no direct flights from the US. You would have to change planes in a larger European city. From the Florence airport, you must take a shuttle bus (Volainbus) to the center (20 minutes).
There are more scheduled flights from the US to Rome, many of them direct. From Rome, you will need to take a train to Florence (about 2 1/2 hours).
Important! In making your return flight arrangements, if you are flying home on Saturday after the workshop, try not to book a flight too early. From our location, allow 1 ½ hours to get to the Florence airport or 3 ½ hours to get to the Rome airport.
For suggestions about getting to Rome or Florence, accommodations, or other logistics, please consult our Traveling to Italy link. Renting a car from all the major rental agencies is possible if you prefer to be more independent during the week.
Travel Agents & Insurance: Over the last few years, the way we travel has undergone significant changes. For that reason, we now encourage everyone to use a professional travel agent when arranging their trips. Travel agents save you time and stress by handling all the details and tailoring your itinerary to your needs. One of the most important services they offer today is helping you choose and enroll in the right travel insurance program. With COVID and the continued possibility of schedule changes or postponements, travel insurance has become essential, and selecting the right plan on your own can be overwhelming.
If you encounter any issues during your travels, your agent can provide quick support and solutions, taking the pressure off your shoulders. While booking through online sites like Expedia or Hotels.com may seem more convenient or less expensive, they offer little help if you need to modify your plans. A travel professional, on the other hand, is there to assist you every step of the way, ensuring a smooth and worry-free travel experience.
If you choose to Go It Alone, we highly recommend taking out travel insurance for the trip in the event of any unforeseen obstacles to your travel. We recommend Travelex (800) 504-7883 or Travel Guard International (877) 901-7599.
About Your Il Chiostro Hosts
Linda and Michael, and their program managers will host your program in Tuscany. They have been organizing workshops in Italy since 1995 and each person brings a special talent to the program. You can read more about them by following the About Il Chiostro link. At the Tuscan Renaissance Center, the owners of San Fedele, Nicolo and Renata, live on site. They will be available throughout the program to talk about the history of the monastery, the renovation and this area of Tuscany they call home.
In addition to your workshop
Optional activities offered with this program will focus on the cultural, gastronomic, historical and artistic heritage of Tuscany. This area has been an inspiration to countless people for centuries. What Tuscany offers its visitors is truly astounding:
Art - San Fedele is located conveniently between the cities of Medieval Siena and Renaissance Florence packed with some of the most famous masterpieces in the world.
Wine -You are in the heart of the Chianti region, synonomous with the most famous wine that Italy produces. But the innovative Tuscan vintners are also producing Super Tuscans, red varietals that are quickly ascending the ranks of world-class wine.
History - this area was settled by the Etruscans centuries before the Romans were a civilized society. Their necropoli dot the fields throughout the area. Nearby towns like Radda, Vagliagli and Castellina date from the early Middle Ages. Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. San Fedele witnessed most of this from its panoramic perch atop the hillside.
Food - cucina povera is the typical Tuscan cuisine that has become popular around the world. The recipes are simple, emphasizing local and seasonal products: porcini mushrooms, salumi, legumes, vegetables, pasta, bread and game meats. Visiting an outdoor food market, you will understand the wisdom of this very healthy cuisine.
Crafts - perhaps the harmony of the landscape has been the inspiration for many local craftsmen. Exquisite hand-painted ceramics are the prime example, closely followed by mosaics, leather, woodworking, and textiles.
Adria Goetz is a Senior Literary Agent and Illustration Coordinator at KT Literary. She got her start in publishing as an intern at Martin Literary Management in 2013 and began agenting in 2016.
Adria represents picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, and adult fiction. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s degree in English with a Creative Writing emphasis, as well as the Columbia Publishing Course. In 2019, she was selected as a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree.
She was recently proud to represent Indie bestseller The Christmas Book Flood by Emily Kilgore and Kitty Moss, as well as The Ocean Calls by Tina Cho, Millie Fleur's Poison Garden by Christy Mandin, The Whatifs by Emily Kilgore, Girls on Wheels by Srividhya Venkat and The Ugly Doodles by Valeria Wicker.
In her spare time she can be found rewatching Gilmore Girls for the millionth time, listening to Taylor Swift, and dreaming about the mossy stone cottage in the woods she would like to live in one day.
You can learn more about Adria at adriagoetz.com.
