Writing beyond borders – a series of three workshops for expats, scattered, dispersed and estranged

A series of three workshop-based meetings designed to reflect and write about

the feeling of being out of place, out of sorts, out of oneself: in a cosmopolitan and

digital world that shortens geographical distances but not always emotional ones, we will focus on the

relationship between inside (me) and outside (places, but also others) in the stories we write or would like to

write.

Suitable for everyone (18+), there will be readings, classroom exercises, discussions and assignments.

Schedule

– 15 November 2025/ Becoming estranged from 3 to 6 p.m.

– 24 January 2026/ Where we are from 3 to 6 p.m.

– 18 April 2026/ How do you speak from 3 to 6 p.m.

The three meetings represent a circular and cyclical path – because the impression of estrangement

feeds our relationship with places and shapes our language, but language shapes our thinking and how

we think changes the way we see reality, estranges us, changes our relationship with

places. And the cycle begins again.

Structure of the meetings:

Each meeting will begin with a discussion and dialogue on the topics of the day, starting with

the needs, implications and narratological consequences: that is, how our stories and

the way we write them change.

Then, after an initial introductory phase, we will work on an automatic writing exercise.

This will be followed by the reading of a selected story (already provided to participants), with analysis and

reflections on the text.

To conclude, participants will be able to outline their own story and discuss ideas,

developments and possible realisations. The story must be completed at a later date and sent to the

teacher.

How to participate and costs:

Participation in the entire cycle is recommended, given its cyclical and interconnected nature.

The cost of the cycle is £200.

However, it is also possible to participate in individual activities: £75 per session.

Max. 15 participants

Teacher’s biography

Francesco Spiedo is a ghostwriter, writer and trainer. His contributions have appeared in Nazione

Indiana, Minima&Moralia, Il Primo Amore, etc. and in various anthologies (L’ora senza ombre, Pidgin

edizioni; Buon Natale perfidia, Exorma, etc.). In 2021, he founded Itaca Colonia Creativa, an

artistic training centre, where he is personally responsible for the Writing&Publishing segment.

For Fandango Libri, he published Stiamo abbastanza bene (2020, translated in Argentina, Chile and

Uruguay), Non muoiono mai (2022) and Difettosa (2024), as well as a novella for Zona42, Addio

arrivederci ciao (2024).