From idea to novel, proposal to memoir, first draft to first royalties, Allison K Williams brings deep understanding of dramatic structure, sensitivity to voice and theme, technical expertise, and contagious enthusiasm for your work.
Allison has edited and coached writers to deals with Penguin Random House, Knopf, Mantle, Spencer Hill, St. Martin’s and independent presses. She’s guided essayists to publication in the New Yorker, Time, the Guardian, the New York Times, McSweeney’s and TED Talks. As Social Media Editor for Brevity, she inspires thousands of writers with blogs on craft and the writing life.
Allison is the author of Get Published in Literary Magazines and Seven Drafts: Self-Edit Like a Pro From Blank Page to Book (March 2021, Woodhall Press). A former circus performer, Allison has written for NPR, CBC, the New York Times, the Christian Science Monitor, Creative Nonfiction, McSweeney’s, Kenyon Review Online and Travelers’ Tales.
Il Castello
Certaldo Alto
A medieval castle-turned-boutique-hotel in the heart of the old town, overlooking hills covered by olive groves, vineyards and cypress trees. Simple rooms with private baths and writing desks surround a quiet courtyard and panoramic terrace. Rooms have views of the valley or the historic town center.
Rebirth Your Book is also a travel experience.Allison is delighted to share a place she loves with a select group. Explore hidden corners most tourists never see, make spontaneous connections and renew your creative spirit.
Your pre-arrival manuscript evaluation includes supportive, specific, written critique of your current draft or proposal, a coaching session, and a customized work plan for your retreat.
On location, you'll have daily guidance and one-on-one sessions.
A post-retreat work plan and follow-up coaching session help you sustain momentum at home.
To give the personal coaching and specific editorial feedback your manuscript needs before, during and after the retreat, participation is limited to six writers.
Rooms are single occupancy. unless you choose to share with a writing friend or travel partner.
Each morning, writers set intentions for this reserved time, then work individually in shared spaces. Post-writing check-ins may include short readings, but this is not a "workshop." Allison provides individual guidance as needed. It's like writing at your favorite cafe—with your personal editor on-call.
The rest of the day is for solo writing time, one-on-one meetings, and relaxation or an excursion.
Focused time away from home helps you plow through pages.
Direct, specific feedback helps you write better.
Rebirth Your Book combines a retreat environment with personal editorial assistance. You'll have a work plan to start writing on day one. Questioning an editorial note? Lost your plot thread? Ask Allison right now—she's across the table.
Rebirth Your Book happens in beautiful, culturally rich locations with great local food and a calm, supportive writing environment. Each retreat includes energy-boosting excursions to heritage sites and outdoor activities.
It can be a novel, a memoir or an essay collection. It can be an outline or proposal and some material, a partial manuscript, or a draft that isn't singing yet.
You're ready for direct and specific feedback about your work.
You're writing in English, because Allison isn't fluent enough to edit in any other language.
You DON'T need a degree in writing (or anything else!).
You DON'T need previous publication credits.
Everyone focuses on their own pages, so the experience level of your fellow writers isn't a big factor in your work.
Some writers come with drafts for revision; others arrive with an idea and notes. If your work is still very much in-progress, we'll use the week to generate as much of a first draft as possible. In that case, the manuscript evaluation will happen after the retreat and guide you into the next draft.
A friend or family member age 16+ sharing your room pays a companion fee of about 1/3 the writer's fee. Their trip will include lodging, group meals and activities, local tours and airport transfers. It doesn't include Writing in Company, one-on-one time or manuscript evaluation.
Single occupancy for your travel partner is available for a supplement of $505, or upgrade to share a spacious suite for $295.
Airport transfers are provided in and out of Florence Peretola Airport (FLR).
For group sightseeing, transportation will be provided. For personal exploration, all of Certaldo and the lower town are walkable, with a funicular connecting the two areas.
Most of Certaldo Alto is wheelable, with relatively—but not consistently—smooth cobblestone streets. Most businesses have steps at their entrances. The road to the lower town is paved and smooth but steep; the funicular to the lower town is accessible, with an entrance ramp 15 feet from the hotel front door.
Our hotel rooms are all on the second floor, with a wide staircase up and additional steps from landing to corridor. There is no elevator. Staff are available to carry bags.
While wider public awareness of human rights has led to new laws being implemented, Italy does not have consistent accessibility. If you have mobility concerns, let us know.
Allison has worked with writers who are d/Deaf, hearing-impaired, blind, visually-impaired, neuro-atypical and with physical disabilities. She wants to work with you—let's discuss how to make it an excellent experience.
Our writing time and excursions are in English; many local residents speak enough English to chat and answer questions. The welcome orientation will include useful phrases; we recommend keeping Google Translate on your phone with the Italian dictionary downloaded, or carrying a phrasebook.
The vast majority of Italians are friendly, hospitable and kind to tourists.
Certaldo has a low crime rate and is safe for solo walking day and night. As on any trip, be aware of your surroundings and your belongings. Keep an eye out for pickpockets in crowded locations like train stations.
Il Castello's award-winning restaurant features fresh local and Continental cuisine.
Breakfast includes bread and pastries, meats and cheeses, water, juices and barista Stella's delicious coffee creations.
Lunch includes fresh, healthy, traditional Italian fare, wine and nonalcoholic drinks.
Family-style dinners will include appetizer, main dish, dessert, wine and nonalcoholic drinks.
Several included meals are in local restaurants, where you may order off the menu.
There are a grocery store and farmers market in the lower town, for in-room snacks and impromptu picnics. Excellent restaurants from budget to 5-star are within a 10-minute walk.
Please advise us of any dietary restrictions and we will work with the hotel to accommodate your needs as much as possible.
We’re happy to provide personal recommendations or connect you with a local travel agency to extend your trip. Italian trains are fast and convenient, as are short-hop discount airlines to Rome, Milan, and points farther afield.
Everyone works on their own manuscript with the energy of a shared writing space. As Allison says, "If I'm writing with a buddy and I start to get bored or frustrated, I look up and think, I can't quit now—she's still going!"
At the beginning of each session, we set our intentions for the day.
We take a short stretch break at the halfway point. Afterwards, each person shares how their work went and may—but doesn't have to—read a short passage for brief feedback.
Throughout Writing in Company time, Allison will be available to talk through problems, suggest new ways to tackle a tough section, or give you a quick exercise to shake your writing loose.
Nope. While reading group members' work in advance and noting points for discussion is a valuable practice, it's not what we're doing here. Your focus is on your book.
At the end of the week, we'll have a casual evening reading in the Jazz Club. This is an opportunity to share aloud pages you've been working on with a small, supportive audience. Travel partners and new friends are welcome.
Allison will read each writer's full draft (or pile of material or proposal) before arrival, and send you an editorial letter with feedback on concept, voice, themes, plot, story, character and craft.
After the evaluation, you'll have an editorial session of about 30 minutes to discuss your work and what you want to accomplish during the retreat. If you're at an early stage and don't have a lot of pages, we can extend the call to discuss your idea, execution and process.
During the Rebirth week, you'll have a scheduled one-on-one meeting to discuss how the week is going, your writing in general and your writing career. This time can also be used for query feedback or discussing your publication goals.
Throughout the week we'll have plenty of casual chatting time, and you're welcome to start/participate in writing-related discussions with Allison and/or your fellow writers just about anywhere.
After returning home, you'll have another 30-minute editorial call to check in and address questions or new challenges as you finish your draft.
To give each writer the individual and specific attention their manuscript needs, the retreat is limited to six people. Non-writing travel partners may join us for tours and activities.
Retreats aren't just for writers with lots of disposable income. We've worked hard to make this value-for-money and payable over time.
We accept Mastercard, Visa and American Express through PayPal.
You may also choose to pay by check, Zelle or direct deposit.
Payments can be made as follows:
$500 Deposit on acceptance to reserve your place
5 monthly payments of $490, extending past the retreat
Or talk to us about a plan that works for you.
If you prefer to pay in one transaction, we offer a 5% discount for payment in full by check, Zelle or direct deposit within two weeks of acceptance.
Rebirth Your Book participates in AWP's Kurt Brown Prize, which awards $500 each year to emerging writers in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction who wish to attend a writers’ conference, center, retreat, festival, or residency. Winners and six finalists also receive a one-year individual membership in AWP. For more information, visit the AWP website.
We strongly recommend travel & trip-cancellation insurance.
If you are unable to attend and we can fill your place from the waitlist, we will refund your tuition on a pro rata basis:
If you have not submitted your manuscript:
you may apply your $500 deposit to another Rebirth Your Book retreat, and you will be refunded any additional payments.
If your initial manuscript read has taken place and you have paid at least $1480:
we will still schedule your two coaching sessions and Work Plan, and you will be refunded payments over $1480. It may be possible to apply your $500 deposit to another retreat on a case-by-case basis.
If we can’t fill your place: we’ll provide you with documentation to support a claim to your travel insurance provider, but any payments made are nonrefundable. If you have paid at least $1480, you will still receive your manuscript read and coaching sessions.
Refunds will be sent within 30 days of receipt of notice of cancellation.
Rebirth Your Book reserves the right to cancel the retreat in the event of civil unrest, natural disaster or Act of God. In the event of cancellation of the retreat in its entirety, you will receive a full refund of any fees paid. You agree to release Rebirth Your Book and its agents and/or representatives from any liability, including consequential expenses you may have incurred in planning to attend. We will provide you with documentation to support a claim to your travel insurance provider for flights and other expenses not paid to Rebirth Your Book.
Have another question? Want to talk payment plan? contact us.
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Cancellation Policy
We strongly recommend travel & trip-cancellation insurance.
If you are unable to attend and we can fill your place from the waitlist, we will refund your tuition on a pro rata basis:
If you have not submitted your manuscript:
you may apply your $500 deposit to another Rebirth Your Book retreat, and you will be refunded any additional payments.
If your initial manuscript read has taken place and you have paid at least $1450:
we will still schedule your two coaching sessions and Work Plan, and you will be refunded payments over $1450. It may be possible to apply your $500 deposit to another retreat on a case-by-case basis.
If we can’t fill your place: we’ll provide you with documentation to support a claim to your travel insurance provider, but any payments made are nonrefundable. If you have paid at least $1450, you will still receive your manuscript read and coaching sessions.
Refunds will be sent within 30 days of receipt of notice of cancellation.
Rebirth Your Book reserves the right to cancel the retreat in the event of civil unrest, natural disaster or Act of God. In the event of cancellation of the retreat in its entirety, you will receive a full refund of any fees paid. You agree to release Rebirth Your Book and its agents and/or representatives from any liability, including consequential expenses you may have incurred in planning to attend. We will provide you with documentation to support a claim to your travel insurance provider for flights and other expenses not paid to Rebirth Your Book.
Privacy Policy
Rebirth Your Book operates the RebirthYourBook.com website, which provides the SERVICE.
These are our policies on the collection, use, and disclosure of Personal Information for web visitors using our Service.
If you choose to use our Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in relation with this policy. Any personal information we collect is used for providing and improving the Service. We will not use or share your information with anyone except as described in this Privacy Policy.
Information Collection and Use
For a better experience while using our Service, we may require you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information, including but not limited to your name, phone number, and postal address. The information that we collect will be used to contact or identify you.
Log Data
Whenever you visit our Service, we collect information ("Log Data") that your browser sends us. This Log Data may include information such as your computer’s Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, browser version, pages of our Service that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on those pages, and other statistics.
Cookies
Cookies are files with small amount of data that is commonly used an anonymous unique identifier. These are sent to your browser from the website that you visit and are stored on your computer’s hard drive.
Our website uses “cookies” to collection information and improve our Service. You have the option to accept or refuse these cookies, and know when a cookie is being sent to your computer. If you choose to refuse cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our Service.
Service Providers
We may employ third-party companies and individuals as follows:
To facilitate our Service;
To provide the Service on our behalf;
To perform Service-related services; or
To assist in analyzing how our Service is used.
These third parties have access to your Personal Information only to perform the tasks assigned to them on our behalf. However, they are obligated not to disclose or use the information for any other purpose.
Security
We value your trust in providing us your Personal Information, and are striving to use commercially acceptable means of protecting it. But remember, no method of transmission over the internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure and reliable, and we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
Links To Other Sites
Our Service may contain links to other sites. If you click on a third-party link, you will be directed to that site. These external sites are not operated by us. Therefore, we strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policies of these websites. We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services.
Children's Privacy
Our Services do not address anyone under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal identifiable information from children under 13. In the case we discover that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we immediately delete this from our servers. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we will be able to undertake the necessary actions.
Policy Changes
We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. Thus, we advise you to review this page periodically for any changes. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page. These changes are usually effective immediately after posting.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or suggestions about our Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact us.
ALL RESERVATIONS WITH REBIRTH YOUR BOOK ARE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
Submitting of registration form and payment of deposit to Rebirth Your Book indicates acknowledgement and acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.
ALL RESERVATIONS WITH REBIRTH YOUR BOOK ARE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: Submitting of registration form and payment of deposit to Rebirth Your Book indicates acknowledgement and acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.
RESERVATION REQUEST & PAYMENT:
Upon registrants request for reservation, Rebirth Your Book will advise registrant of amount of deposit needed to initiate a reservation and full charges to finalize. Upon receipt of deposit payment and acceptance by Rebirth Your Book, registrant will be notified of receipt of payment. The balance payment will typically be due a minimum of 4-6 weeks prior to retreat commencement. For reservations not confirmed with final payment, Rebirth Your Book reserves the right to amend or cancel reservation request.
RETREAT/PRICING:
In the event of unforeseen circumstances over which Rebirth Your Book has no control, Rebirth Your Book reserves the right to offer a substitute accommodation of similar category. When extenuating circumstances dictate, prices, conditions or schedule may be subject to change or amendment. Rebirth Your Book will notify participant of any said changes within 48 hours of disclosure.
CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY:
Once a deposit has been rendered and a Rebirth Your Book confirmation/invoice has been issued to client, any cancellation must reach Rebirth Your Book in writing. Cancellation penalties are as follows: If you are unable to attend, and Rebirth Your Book can fill your place from the waiting list, your deposit is nonrefundable but may be applied to a future retreat. See retreat FAQs for more cancellation information.
If we can’t fill your place, we’ll provide you with documentation to support a claim to your travel insurance provider. Refunds in accordance with this policy will be processed within 30 days of receipt of notice of cancellation; deposits are non-refundable. Rebirth Your Book reserves the right to cancel the retreat in the event of civil unrest, natural disaster or Act of God. In the event of such cancellation of the retreat in its entirety, you will receive a full refund of any fees paid. You agree to release Rebirth Your Book and its agents and/or representatives from any liability, including consequential expenses you may have incurred in planning to attend. We will provide you with documentation to support a claim to your travel insurance provider for flights and other expenses not paid to Rebirth Your Book.
HEALTH AND TRAVEL:
Participants with physical mobility issues must make these known at the time of application, to ensure compatibility with planned locations and events. Accommodations and some activities may feature steps, steep hills, uneven pavement, and may cause problems with accessibility.
All participants are expected to purchase trip/travel insurance, including medical evacuation cover, before departure, at their own expense.
Participants are advised to check and comply with the CDC website for any recommended medications and/or immunizations .
Rebirth Your Book is not responsible for any travel other than that mentioned previously or any expenses associated with the Participant’s travel outside the scope of the Retreat.
Participants arriving later than 6PM on the day before the start date of the retreat or leaving earlier than the last scheduled day of the retreat must arrange transportation to/from the arrival airport at their own expense.
DISCLAIMER:
Rebirth Your Book makes every effort to ensure that the information provided to participants is correct and that properties are properly maintained, clean, functional and safe for occupancy, however, Rebirth Your Book assumes no liability for any errors or inaccuracies or external circumstances beyond its control such as, but not limited to staff cancellations, weather conditions, events which do not achieve the required retreat/program minimum, maintenance work, mechanical faults which may result in some amenities or scheduled events becoming temporarily or permanently unavailable. Rebirth Your Book reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary or facilitators.
RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT & LIABILITY WAIVER:
By registering with Rebirth Your Book, I accept and acknowledge that there are risks associated with any foreign travel experience and I will use appropriate caution/discretion when traveling/residing in a new area. I agree to leave the premises in clean, good, working order. I also agree to release Rebirth Your Book and its officers, employees and agents from any and all liability for consequential damages or complaints resulting from any incurred loss, injury or death, accidents, damages, theft, grievances, extra expenses due to delays, damages or cancellations, schedule changes, sickness, quarantine, acts of nature, strikes, civil strife, war or warlike conditions or other circumstances beyond its control or for any of the above arising due to my participation in Rebirth Your Book retreats.
I further acknowledge and accept a) that Rebirth Your Book acts only as a facilitator, and assumes no responsibility or liability in connection with the services of any property owners or their employees; b) that Rebirth Your Book reserves the right to decline to accept or retain participants in its retreats and events, and to withdraw a scheduled retreat should conditions warrant or necessitate, in which event the amount paid by the participant may be fully refunded; c) that in the event it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort and well-being of participants, or for any reason whatsoever, Rebirth Your Book reserves the right to alter announced arrangements without penalty; d) that Rebirth Your Book accepts no liability for any travel provider or carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable airline or other ticket to the destination and return; e) that I am solely responsible for obtaining any necessary visas; f) that I acknowledge the advisability of obtaining travel insurance to cover the various risks associated with foreign travel. I agree that it is the intention of Rebirth Your Book to provide services as described on the Rebirth Your Book website, and by registering for a Rebirth Your Book retreat I accept the arrangements as described and certify that I am mentally and physically capable of full participation in this program. I have carefully read the above and agree to abide by these conditions. I have also read and understand fully the Disclaimer and the conditions of the Cancellation Policy.
PRIVACY POLICY:
All information shared by individuals on the registration form is used solely by Rebirth Your Book's administration and faculty. Rebirth Your Book does not and will not ever share, sell or trade personal information to any third party.
