With its suite of book editing, ghostwriting, and coaching services, Kevin Anderson & Associates touches all aspects of publishing. Now, KAA has brought its comprehensive, white-glove approach to writers retreats for established and aspiring authors alike. Launched in May 2025, the week-long retreats whisk writers to a medieval Tuscan villa for workshops and one-on-one mentorship with industry luminaries, creating “an unparalleled experience,” says founder Kevin Anderson.

“Writers deserve more than just workshops in sterile conference rooms—they deserve an environment that honors their craft while providing the support to elevate it.”

That environment is Poggio alle Corti, an 11th-century estate updated with modern amenities and featuring vineyards and olive groves on 35 acres. Participants can swim in the stone-lined pool overlooking rolling hills, stroll the grounds while gazing across the valley at a nearby medieval town, and sip estate-produced Chianti Classico alongside meals prepared by an in-house chef. “When you’re there, you feel both transported to another time and deeply connected to a creative lineage,” Anderson says. “This is the same landscape that inspired some of the greatest writers and artists throughout history.”

KAA’s team of bestselling authors, leading literary agents, and former editors from Big Five publishers has been helping authors hone manuscripts, navigate publishing, and launch successful careers for many years. The writers retreats follow the same formula by assembling a team of experts across different aspects of publishing: a bestselling author, an editor with major house experience, and an agent or publishing strategist. Participants also meet special guest mentors, such as Peter Steinberg, a UTA agent representing multiple #1 New York Times bestselling authors, and Sophie Hannah, a New York Times-bestselling author. “We select mentors who not only have impressive credentials but also demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for nurturing other writers,” says Becka Oliver, the company’s Director of Talent. The result is an approachable and generous atmosphere guided by professionals keen to share insights from the highest levels of publishing.

In one-on-one sessions tailored to participants’ specific project and goals, writers receive actionable feedback on their manuscript, guidance on their publishing path, and honest assessments of their work’s strengths and areas for improvement. Mentors also review writers’ work in advance to ensure productive sessions from the start. Speaking about the experience, Wendy HHolden, who was a mentor on the first Tuscany retreat, said the experience was not only about the writing. “Lifelong friendships have been forged and every one of my students has the potential to be published,” she said. “We’ve even decided on our outfits for the launch parties!” And, as one recent attendee explained, being in a beautiful place with the space, time, and support to write, can do more than just set you on a path to getting published. “The retreat helped me confront and rewrite some of the self-limiting beliefs that were holding me back from truly owning my voice as a writer,” she explained. “I walked away with a deeper understanding of both the industry and myself, and for that, I’m deeply grateful.”

The first retreat in May quickly sold out, prompting KAA to expand its retreat offerings to multiple week-long retreats in 2025, and to include different focuses, such as storytelling and nonfiction, and formats, such as women-only and coed options. The “Powerful Storytelling” retreat explores narrative structure, character development, and dialogue, while the “Nonfiction Masterclass” emphasizes book proposals, positioning, and publishing navigations. “Workshops are interactive and adaptable, with mentors addressing both foundational principles and sophisticated techniques as needed for the specific group,” Anderson says.

After they return home, participants can look forward to receiving more feedback on their work. They have the option to submit up to 75,000 words for comprehensive analysis by a KAA team member within six months of the retreat. The detailed feedback on story elements like pacing, clarity, and marketability can help writers maintain momentum on their project and career journey.

Get all the details about upcoming retreats and start planning your escape by checking out the website.