No, I'm not suggesting you spend the holidays in Assisi, though that sounds pretty good. What I'm thinking is, anyone interested in a workshop led by, yes, me, might consider coming to Art Workshop International this August. I'll be there, as I was last year, with a two-week program focussing on crime novels but with plenty of room for all. What you get is two weeks in a lovely hotel, breakfast and dinner daily, the workshop, and the company of your fellow writing, painting, drawing, and Italian language students. And maybe dancers and maybe cooks. And Assisi. If you've never been to an artists' colony or retreat, you have a real joy coming beyond what you learn in your workshop (and my students work hard and learn a LOT): two weeks surrounded by other creative people. It's a high you'll remember. And I want you all to feel it!

So if someone loves you and wants to give you a fabulous holiday gift, Assisi in August is not a bad idea at all.