The Writer's Workshop 
$800 – $2,800
This course will give you an intensive introduction to the art and practice of travel writing, allow you to experience the incredible richness of the local wine and cuisine scene, and provide time to explore this amazing place.
Description
Travel Writing Class May 21-27 in Provence with The Writer’s Workshop
TRAVEL WRITING CLASSES – Travel writing, Food writing and Wine writing are some of the most appealing genres of nonfiction, calling on all of an author’s skills—dramatic scenes, character sketches, concrete detail, point of view, scene by scene construction—to compose compelling, engaging travel narratives. This one-week intensive class will introduce you to essential techniques of travel, food and wine writing and give you expert, insider advice about how to submit and publish finished travel stories.
In addition to learning these skills, you’ll dine at outstanding restaurants, visit some of the world’s best wineries, and explore fascinating historic sights during the travel writing classes. You’ll enjoy exclusive behind- the-scenes tours unavailable to the general public. Best of all, you’ll receive up-to-date story ideas from local industry experts that you can turn into finished travel, food and wine stories by the end of the class and submit to newspapers and magazines for publication. And now, I will personally edit and recommend your stories to a well-known food and beverage magazine for likely publication.
The one week travel writing class will take place in Vaison la Romaine, one of the most beautiful medieval hill towns in Provence, and a center of the region’s cultural and epicurean life since Roman times.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
SUNDAY – 7:30 p.m. – Welcoming dinner at a local restaurant. Sample Côte du Rhone wines and regional specialties such as red tuna carpaccio, lamb fillets with thyme and crème brulée with lavender honey as you get to know the other participants.
MONDAY – 9 a.m. to noon – Introduction to the travel writing course, discussion of travel writing, genres of travel writing (article, essay, profile, etc.), story ideas. Noon to 2 p.m. – Lunch – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Tour of Vaison la Romaine. Dinner at the local. (Breakfast and dinner provided.)
TUESDAY – 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Lecture and discussion of scenes, scene by scene construction, dramatic outlines; 11 a.m. visit Vaison’s wonderful Tuesday market. Noon to 2 p.m. – Lunch – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tour of Roman ruins.
WEDNESDAY – 9 a.m. leave to visit historic sites. Tour local winery, lunch in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Dinner at restaurant in Vaison La Romaine. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner provided.)
THURSDAY – 9 a.m. Dramatic outlines – 10 a.m. – noon – Draft story. Noon to 2 p.m. – Lunch. – 2 p.m. – Optional walk through surrounding countryside. (Breakfast provided.)
FRIDAY – 9 a.m. to noon – Write, workshop stories – Noon to 2 p.m. – Lunch – 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Discuss publication, writing query letters, course evaluation, reading of student stories. – Class celebration at the local restaurant. (Breakfast and dinner provided.)
SATURDAY – Check out of the hotel, alas!
THE PLACE – Soak up the sun and relaxed ambience of southern France at this lovely medieval town on the banks of the Ouveze River in the heart of the Cote du Rhone region, 30 miles north of Avignon.
Founded by the Romans, Vaison la Romaine boasts an extensive collection of Roman ruins and hosts one of the oldest and most vibrant weekly markets in France, selling everything from tomatoes, olives, lavender oil and wine to shoes, clothes and all kinds of Provencal fabrics and specialties. The region’s brilliant sunlight and bright colors have inspired artists such as Van Gogh, Picasso, and Matisse, and provided fantastic fodder for writers from Roman times to modern writers Jean Giono, Marcel Pagnol and Peter Mayle.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Double-occupancy rooms at lovely hotel in Vaison la Romaine. Single rooms available with a $500 supplement.
GETTING THERE:
By bus:
Take plane or train to Avignon, where buses depart regularly for Vaison La Romaine. (2-3/day, 90 minutes from Avignon.) Tell the driver to stop at the Office de Tourisme. When you get off the bus, walk five minutes down the avenue Generale de Gaulle, cross Roman Bridge, and walk up cobblestone street to our hotel.
By car:
Drive north from Avignon, following signs to Vaison la Romaine and Centre-ville. Follow signs up narrow winding cobblestone streets to our hotel.
TO ENROLL
The cost will be $2800 per person, including accommodations and most meals. (Single supplement, $500 per person) Plane fare, transit to and from Vaison la Romaine and some meals extra.
Please pay the non-refundable deposit of $800. Enrollment is limited to 10.
Spouses, partners or friends can attend the events and meals but not the class for $2000, with a $800 deposit. For more information, contact me. Please sign up early; the class likely will fill quickly.
The balance for the class will be due April 1st. After that date, there will be no refunds except in the case of medical emergency.
RECOMMENDED VIEWING
- Jean de Florette
- Manon of the Spring
CANCELLATION POLICY : The $800 deposit is refundable within 24 hours of payment. After that, it’s non-refundable. In the case of a medical or family emergency, the balance of the course fee may be transferable to a future class or may be refundable if you let me know far enough in advance to cancel the hotel room and other expenses. I highly recommend purchasing travel insurance before you go to make it easy to get a refund in the case of an emergency.
Nick O’Connell: Writing His Own Story from Queen Anne Neighbors Magazine
Additional information
| Payment Options | $800 deposit, $2,000 final payment, $2,800 pay in full, $2,000 pay in full for spouse |
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- My Life in France by Julia Child
- A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
- A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle
- Adventures on the Wine Route by Kermit Lynch
- Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
These travel writing classes are incredible. This is my third one, each in a different location, each a fresh experience. I learn something new each time and always have new adventures and meet new friends with like minds.
–Teresa Shorter, writes from Greensboro, NC
You are the Domaine de la Mordorée rosé of travel writing teachers!
–Julie Ramos, writes from West Nyack, NY
Best of all is Nick’s straight-forward advice, helpful information, down-to-earth nature, sense of humor and great taste. I love how we left the travel writing class with an article to send out!
–Jenine Abboushi, writes from Beirut, Lebanon
It’s a very pleasant way to energize your travel writing in a beautiful setting with congenial colleagues. I enjoyed it so much I came back a second time.
–Concha Alborg, writes from Philadelphia, PA
What an amazing week in the most beautiful place on earth! Learning the craft of food, wine and travel writing with your excellent insight and instruction was so helpful. Thank you for organizing the dinners, excursions and wine tastings. I would recommend this travel writing adventure to anyone with a curiosity to learn what writing for this genre can entail.
–Michelle Morgando, a judge and chef from Las Vegas, NV
I wanted to say thanks for an amazing travel writing trip! It keeps hitting me now just how special everything was, particularly meeting the winemakers…wow! Thanks so much for making the trip so memorable.
–Anne Banas, the Executive Editor of Smarter Travel
The Travel, Food and Wine Writing Class was so much fun that I find myself smiling whenever I think of it. The small class size is ideal for a seminar and even better for the excursions to the wineries and restaurants. Nick is extremely knowledge in all areas included in the seminar and is a marvelous host with a great sense of humor. It is obvious why the small “garage” wineries and the venerable estates alike warmly welcome Nick and his entourage. While not a fan of group travel in general, this travel writing class could not have been better. I highly recommend it to aspiring travel writers, Francophiles, and anyone who wants to enrich their appreciation of wine and food.
–Kate Jackson, a writer from Missoula, MT
James and Marcus howled with laughter. Ann and Jack, heads crushed together, pored over photos. Nick gestured wildly, indicating precisely what it is about Bordeaux that speaks to his soul. Balash, the international party boy/philosopher, snatched and drained half empty glasses. Out of the corner of my eye I saw silver-haired Barbara tiptoe into the kitchen in search of more crème brûlé. I felt the kind of relaxing smile you feel at the end of a long day with people you know well. How did this selection of strangers become so at ease with each other? Continue reading
–Erin Byrne, a writer from the Seattle, WA area
I can’t thank you enough for our week in Saint-Émilion. Rosemary and I had so much fun. I learned so much about travel, writing, food, wine and good teaching. I am so grateful.
–Andy Hall, a freelance writer from Seattle, WA
I’m still smiling over our excellent St. Emilion travel writing adventure! Take care and thanks!
–Kristin DeCook, a freelance writer from Chicago, IL
Thank you for such a wonderful week – you are a master!
–Lauren Hirt, a freelance writer from Seattle, WA
