Art of the Noun:
People, Places, Things, Ideas
Weeklong Studio-Workshop Trip for Writers
with Marianne Rogoff in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
March 9-16, 2025
Art of the Noun: People, Places, Things, Ideas is a weeklong trip for writers designed to animate and enliven your prose through writing practice, curated readings, craft conversations, and critique workshop, with time to read, write, rest, and roam throughout the week. Start, revise, and aim to finish one new story – fiction or nonfiction – plus take away drafts, ideas, and desire to create more. The week will culminate with a live reading to an audience of local friends.
The curriculum is welcoming to new and advanced writers, whether you are writing for publication or personal reasons. All activities are optional.
“Studio" means new writing will be generated in response to prompts and assignments.
“Workshop" means feedback on new writing or old work-in-progress will be offered when desired.
“Trip" means exploring, observing, and enjoying the scenery, new views, and good company.
Location
San Miguel de Allende, located in central Mexico is a Heritage UNESCO puebla magica, not to mention voted one of the best places in the world to live according to Conde Nast Traveler two years in a row. Resident, Linda Laino will be assisting Marianne with the retreat. Come and be captivated by the friendliness and beauty of this town!
More about San Miguel below.
Venue
Casa Camellia, located in a quiet corner of San Antonio, one of San Miguel’s most popular neighborhoods, is a compact boutique hotel that will be all ours for the workshop. In addition to its unique rooms, there are beautiful and comfortable shared spaces and the lovely on-site Art Gallery restaurant serves breakfast and lunch.
About Marianne Rogoff
MARIANNE ROGOFF is the author of the Pushcart-nominated story collection Love Is Blind in One Eye, the memoir Silvie’s Life, and many travel stories, essays, and book reviews. She teaches in the MFA Creative Writing Program at Dominican University of California and has been leading trips for writers to San Miguel de Allende since 2004.
Itinerary
~ Guided writing sessions, March 10, 11, 12
~ Free day to read, write, revise, rest, and roam, March 13**
~ Critique workshop, March 14
~ Final readings, March 15
~ One individual consultation on work-in-progress, if desired
~ Personally curated text of stories, poems, and essays to inspire your writing
**Please Note:
Marianne will be part of the Prose Cafe reading on the evening of March 13th from 5-7 at Murmullo Cafe, Ancha de San Antonio. We hope you will attend!
Travel
Please make your reservations* to arrive at Leon (BJX) or Queretaro (QRO) airports. Please note, if you decide to fly into Mexico City, it is another four hours to San Miguel and shuttle is not included.
*Note: Please wait to make your flight arrangements until we inform you the retreat is full.
Please click here for pricing and registration information
About San Miguel
Mexico is a huge country that offers its visitors an amazing amount of diversity. San Miguel de Allende is located in the geographical center of the country and is said to be built upon a bed of crystal quartz. Many people believe this legend aids in the “magical” quality so often associated with this town. San Miguel is a peaceful, safe environment, full of friendly people, sophistication and charm to spare. It is small, but far from sleepy. The streets are always full of visitors and locals in a lively and festive atmosphere.
There is more than plenty to see and do on off hours during the retreat. Most days you can count on very cool mornings, warm to hot sunny afternoons, and slightly cooler evenings. Think layers and bring a light sweater. There is virtually no humidity. San Miguel is quite hilly in parts, and the streets are cobbled. You will most likely be doing a lot of walking (the best way to see the town!), so we suggest to bring good shoes.
We are at 6000 feet and if you have not been in high altitudes, you may feel a bit tired the first day or two. Luckily, there are numerous cafes, parks and plazas for rest and refreshments all over town. There are also ample and inexpensive cabs (and Uber) available should you need a break from the walking. The cab drivers, incidentally are some of the best locals to practice your Spanish with!
The web is full of articles and videos about San Miguel. Here are two to whet your whistle:
About Linda Laino
Linda is an visual artist and writer who received her MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va. She has lived in San Miguel de Allende for twelve years where she formally taught English Language Arts and continues to paint and write. She has organized writing and painting retreats of her own in San Miguel and is sharing her love and knowledge of this charming and colorful town with other artists and teachers. She has been a waitress, a textile conservator, teacher and flower farmer, all in service to a lifetime of art making. Her painting and writing can be accessed here: www.lindalaino.com
Cancellation Policy Please Read
All deposits and balances for workshops are non-refundable. We understand that it is sometimes difficult to plan ahead for a trip such as this and these uncertain times have created a bit more challenge. We thank you for your understanding of the need for these policies on our end. We ask that retreat participants be vaccinated. Note: Mexico never closed its borders to travelers during 2020.
Please read our full cancellation policy here.
All participants will be asked to download and sign the waiver form and provide emergency contact info. Please email to lalainoart@yahoo.com
Linda will provide all participants with an SMA Survival Guide listing restaurants, things to do on off hours, and useful phone numbers.
We look forward to welcoming you to San Miguel in March, 2025! Please do not hesitate to contact us. For questions about the workshop, please contact Marianne at
morogoff@gmail.com. For questions about San Miguel, contact Linda at lalainoart@yahoo.com