The Amherst Writers and Artists Philosophy
Workshop Events Calendar, in-person, online, worldwide
Find a workshop in your area
Pat Schneider, founder of AWA
Pat Schneider on Wikipedia
Pat Schneider bio on the Poetry Foundation website
A really good poem: Pat’s “Instructions for the Journey”
Pat Schneider: “We send the children of the poor to fight the children of the poor.” (In conversation with Cary Tennis, Berkeley, California.)
Pat Schneider on How the Amherst Writers and Artists method was born (In conversation with Cary Tennis, Berkeley, California.)
In The Sun magazine
Notable other workshop leaders
These are people whose workshops I have attended or have been in a workshop with, and/or whom I know personally, whose stellar reputations are vouched for by people I know personally and trust, who have been in the workshops. They may or may not be currently holding workshops, but visit their sites and say hello!
Jen Cross
Writing Ourselves Whole—at the intersection of trauma and desire —
Chris DeLorenzo, Laguna Writers
Paul Rozario-Falcone from Brooklyn, NY
Aaron Zimmerman, New York Writers Coalition
Videos
Voices from the New York Writers Coalition
Giving Voice to the Unheard—New York Writers Coalition
Press Accounts
New York’s Most Popular Writing Method You’ve Never Heard Of
More Pat Schneider videos
Pat Schneider: “Writing is a scary thing to do.”
Pat Schneider on “I only write Poetry” (“Most of us have many different kinds of writing in us.”)
Pat Schneider on the Three kinds of Voice every Writer has
Pat Schneider reading “The Patience of Ordinary Things”
Videos of Me (Me, Me, Me!)
“Since You Asked” comes back: A …
Come and sit in these chairs! A strange but popular–judging from the view count–ad for our AWA workshops in our San Francisco house. (Please don’t call that phone number I give out at the end, I don’t even have an American telephone anymore.)
A Visit to the Memory Palace, Portuguese Artists Colony
The Perils of the Slush Pile A humorous reading at the now-defunct Portuguese Artists Colony of San Francisco: “How can you believe in your own writing?” when there is so much … other stuff out there?
Cancer can be Funny! A Portuguese Artists Colony reading that makes everybody laugh, about a death-dealing cat walking across my table at Esalen, and I finally do play the song I wrote about getting cancer and not freaking out about it.
A duel “craft talk” with author Jennifer Haigh at the June 2008 Colgate Writers Conference. If you’re looking at this primarily for my portion of it, you can fast forward to 44.25 and hear the rather stunning introduction to my rambling.
My solo performance craft talk the next morning at the same Colgate Writers Conference, in which I describe how working at Chevron as a copy editor led to writing my advice column at Salon.com: As I sit on the desk instead of standing at the lectern and explain, “Well, this morning I’m giving a craft talk, and I don’t have it extremely well put together …”
The World’s First Reading of the Index of Similes When we published the first book of my Salon.com columns, I searched for all the occasions of “Like a” and made this found-poetry collection of similes. It turned out to be pretty amusing!
Lastly: My poorly maintained and not exactly up-to-date Youtube channel
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HOW COME? Well, Norma and I had a publishing business in San Francisco. I wrote the books and we shipped them out of our garage. It worked really great. Then we moved to Italy. I put the remaining inventory in a storage locker in Daly City.
That was nine years ago. The books are still there. I’m still paying for the storage locker.
It’s kind of embarrarssing. But the smartest, easiest and most fun thing to do is to give them away.
I’m also doing an Amherst Writers and Artists method writing workshop in the Mission on Saturday, October 11, 2pm to 5pm, with tapas included afterwards. Email me at cary@carytennis.com for specifics. —-C.T.
]]>You can join at any time by clicking on the lovely picture of me below:
cary@carytennis.com email
write “Workshops” in the subject line.
WhatsApp is better: +39 334 725 8715.
Maybe try the U.S. number: 415 340-9108.
The best time to call me from America is when you wake up in the morning. Because I live in Italy.
The background:
I started leading AWA workshops in 2007 and have been doing it ever since. It is commonsense, practical, fun, enlightening and a boon to mankind, as well as like a gym for the writing muscle.
Cheers
–CT
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all originals, all acoustic!
in Italiano e Inglese!
Friday August 16, 6pm-8pm
in the intimate performance space of
Il Teatro Nunc, via Dante 82, Castiglion Fiorentino
Dig the folky vibe.
(No amps, no covers, no overdubs!)
Then go dance at the Vintage Festival!
See you there! Ci vediamo! A presto!
Immergiti nell’atmosfera folk.
(Niente amplificatori, niente cover, niente overdubs!)
Allora vai a ballare al Vintage Festival!
Ci vediamo lì! Ci vediamo! A presto!
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we sold our house
and came to Italy
I almost tossed the laptop
but changed my mind
went to see Sy in North Carolina
came back and kept writing
did a workshop in the Mission District
came back and kept writing
laughed with Pat Schneider in Connecticut
came back and kept writing
spent time in a French chateau
came back and kept writing
Now taking reservations for the May 16-23, 2026 “How To Write a Great Story” workshop at the Atelier Clos-Mirabel in Southern France!
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Favorite piece about Tuscan geology: The Life of a Tuscan Wall
Favorite funny Outdoor Dining in the Pandemic video
This Week’s Favorite Italian News in English web site: TheLocal.it
Favorite Italian Bob Dylan Scholar: Alex Falzon, author of Bob Dylan: Tu Sei quel che sogni (You are what you dream])
Favorite 60s music movie genre: I love musicarelli.
Finally: Beehive Bagels in Italy: Oh, What a joy (Mommy, do Bagels come from Bees?)
Yes, they do, as seen in The Washington Post
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May 11-19, 2024
Cary Tennis’ Writing Workshop and Retreat at Residence Le Santucce
BALM FOR THE WRITER’S SPIRIT
TOOLS FOR THE WRITER’S CRAFT
YOU WILL BE
heard
respected
encouraged
AND WILL EMERGE
Energized
Motivated
Trusting your own voice
Eager to finish your project
ALL WHILE …
Sleeping in a beautiful Tuscan inn
Eating great Italian food
Making lasting friendships
peace
companionship
solitude
inspiration
rejuvenation
Why here? Why May?
Serenity + Convenience!
Why is that so important for a writer in a workshop?
Within the medieval walls of Castiglion Fiorentino you have convenience: shops, restaurants, a pharmacy, caffès, museums, a beautiful urban park, a panoramic vista from the Loggiata Vasariano. Big cities are also convenient. But serenity and convenience together? The serenity that a creative mind needs? The serenity you’ve been seeking since leaving your busy life of family and work?
Say an idea comes to you during the workshop (as will happen)
You’re still in the creative zone! You’re hearing the voice and don’t want to lose it. Walk down via Dante to one of the great inexpensive restaurants, eat at at your own table or grab a sandwich or piece of pizza to go and eat alone in your room. Or dine with your fellow writers!
Why May? After the Tuscan winter the joy of spring is in the air.
Enjoy daily workshops in the splendidly renovated twelfth-century Residence Le Santucce, following the Amherst Writers and Artists method, as described in Pat Schneider’s groundbreaking book Writing Alone and With Others.
How to Attend
Let me know via email — cary@carytennis.com — or via WhatsApp (search for me by name, and/or +39 334 725 8715). Then reserve your room at Le Santucce with Luisella Tanganelli, at info@santucce.com. The total tuition paid to me will be only $950. If you have any questions, let me know.
A Guide for Participants
What to expect:
- Ample time away from your daily life to concentrate fully on your literary vision, craft and practice.
- Daily morning workshops in a beautiful, sunny, airy space, exploring and strengthening your personal writing practice.
- Support and encouragement, no matter where you are in your journey as a writer.
- Natural beauty, great food, and beautiful architecture.
- Our shared purpose: to strengthen our writing practice.
My job is to support you in your writing and to protect and encourage your writing in any way I can—by running the workshops in a responsible way, by offering professional advice on craft, vision and practice, by sharing my own difficulties and triumphs, and by guaranteeing that all voices are heard in a respectful way and all participants are treated with dignity.
Practice and Daily Routine: Mornings we will gather for workshops following the Amherst Writers and Artists method. Afternoons will be spent variously in workshops, small group discussions on craft, genre and marketing, in individual conferences, in solitary writing, or optional lunch and excursions.
Meals: Each day the Le Santucce staff will provide a European-style breakfast of pastry, coffee, juices, breads, cheeses, meats, jams, yogurt, cereals, and fresh fruit. Most participants like to enjoy lunch and dinner in town at the excellent and inexpensive nearby restaurants. Groceries, sandwiches and snacks are also available right in town, only minutes away on foot. No one goes hungry! If you have one of Le Santucce’s suites with a kitchen, of course feel free to cook!
Getting to le Santucce
The most direct, trouble-free way to get here from abroad is to fly into Florence.
The Tramway from the airport to Santa Maria Novella train station is easy and quick. You buy a €1.50 ticket from the kiosk at the stop (be sure to carry some coins) and it takes you right to Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence. The train ride from Santa Maria Novella in Florence to the Castiglion Fiorentino station is about an hour and 15 minutes. It costs about €10. You buy a ticket for the next train from a kiosk in the train station. Just type in Castiglion Fiorentino. It takes credit cards and cash. Let us know your schedule and we can pick you up at the Station. Of course it is always possible to buy your train tickets online, and that works just as well. Oh, about the trains: Make sure to remember to open your door yourself at Castiglion Fiorentino. More than once I have stood on the platform to welcome an arriving guest only to see the train enter the station and leave … with our friend standing at the door waiting fror it to open! Unlike many trains in the U.S., especially commuter trains, the doors do not automatically open. It takes a very assertive pull, actually, after you hear the hiss of the door being unlocked. A word to the wise: We look forward to seeing you get off that train in Castiglion Fiorentino!
On the other hand, if you fly into Rome:
It just takes a little bit longer. You take the Leonardo Express from Fiumicino airport to either the Roma Termini station or in some cases to the Tiburtina station. Then you catch a train to Castiglion Fiorentino. Let us know when you plan to arrive and we’ll pick you up at the Castiglion Fiorentino station.
Daily Calendar:
Day 1 (Saturday, May 11) “Arrival Day”
All Day: Arrivals and Check-in at Le Santucce
Orientation, getting settled, tour of the town
If time permits, an introductory AWA session
8–10 p.m., WELCOME DINNER AT LE SANTUCCE
Day 2 (Sunday, May 12):
8:30–9:30 a.m. Breakfast at Le Santucce
9:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m., Morning workshop
12:45–3:00 p.m., Break for lunch
3:00–6:00 p.m., Afternoon workshop and/or individual conferences
Dinner as you choose–many great options.
Day 3 (Monday, May 13):
8:30–9:30 a.m. Breakfast at Le Santucce
9:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m., Morning workshop
12:45–3:00 p.m., Break for lunch
3:00–6:00 p.m., Afternoon workshop or conferences
Dinner as you choose–many great options.
Day 4 (Tuesday May 14):
8:30–9:30 a.m. Breakfast at Le Santucce
9:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m., Morning workshop
12:45–3:00 p.m., Break for lunch
3:00–6:00 p.m., Afternoon workshop
Dinner as you choose–many great options.
Day 5 (Wednesday, May 15):
8:30–9:30 a.m. Breakfast at Le Santucce
9:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m., Morning workshop
12:45–3:00 p.m., Break for lunch
3:00–6:00 p.m., Afternoon workshop
Dinner as you choose–many great options.
Day 6 (Thursday, May 16):
8:30–9:30 a.m. Breakfast at Le Santucce
9:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m., Morning workshop
12:45–3:00 p.m., Break for lunch
3:00–6:00 p.m., Afternoon workshop
Evening readings and entertainment [TBA]
Day 7 (Friday, May 17):
8:30–9:30 a.m. Breakfast at Le Santucce
9:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m., Morning workshop
12:45–3:00 p.m., Break for lunch
3:00–6:00 p.m., Afternoon workshop or conferences
Dinner as you choose–many great options.
Day 8 (Saturday, May 18):
8:30–9:30 a.m. Breakfast at Le Santucce
9:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m., Morning workshop
12:45–3:00 p.m., Break for lunch
3:00–6:00 p.m. Afternoon workshop or conferences or free time
8pm FAREWELL DINNER AT LE SANTUCCE
Day 9 (Sunday, May 19): “Leaving Day”
8:30–9:30 a.m. Breakfast at Le Santucce
9:45 a.m.–10:45 a.m., Concluding
morning workshop
Check out 11 a.m., TRAVEL DAY, ALL DAY AS SCHEDULES DICTATE
Fond farewells. We hope to see you again next year!
ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO:
Residence Le Santucce
Via Trieste, 30 52043 Castiglion Fiorentino
info@santucce.com
Phone (Cary): +39 334 725 8715
Text messages: SMS, WhatsApp
Contact me at cary@carytennis.com if you have a project you are working on and would like to talk about it.
What I do: It might be nothing more than a couple of hours talking through a project. Or I might follow a long writing project, reading rough drafts as they are completed and making suggestions and/or page-by-page edits. I might edit a completed manuscript or make edits as it progresses. The edits might be in the form of text changes or suggestions as you prefer.
I worked for many years as a journalistic editor but am most interested now in working on ambitious literary fiction, especially fiction by ambitious writers under 30.
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