Gatherings
A Home for Stories
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved gathering people around a table, under one roof, and creating spaces where meaningful conversations can unfold. After a lifetime of moving between countries, I came to understand that home is less about where we are and more about how we make people feel. That belief is at the heart of Trulli Bouganville, my home in Monopoli, Puglia.
Nestled among olive trees and just a short drive from the Adriatic coast, Trulli Bouganville is more than a place to stay—it’s a place to slow down, reflect, create and connect. It is here that I host intimate retreats for writers and anyone seeking the time and space to reconnect with their story, themselves, and one another.
Currently, I offer three Work-in-Progress Memoir Retreats each year in September and May, and I also welcome collaborations with those looking for a beautiful, nurturing setting to host their own retreat. My hope is that everyone who walks through the gates leaves carrying a little more clarity, a little more confidence, and perhaps even a deeper sense of home within themselves.
MEMOIR RETREATS IN PUGLIA
Come home to your story
Some places invite us to slow down.
Others invite us to listen.
Nestled among centuries-old olive trees in the rolling hills of Monopoli, Puglia, Trulli Bouganville is both my home and a place of belonging. After spending a lifetime moving between countries, I wanted to create a space where people could pause, reconnect with themselves, and give their stories the time and attention they deserve.
It is here that I welcome writers from around the world for intimate memoir retreats that combine dedicated writing time, expert guidance, beautiful surroundings and genuine Italian hospitality.
Whether you’re beginning your memoir, deep into a work in progress, or preparing your manuscript for publication, these retreats offer the space, encouragement and professional support to help you move your writing forward.
To make each retreat truly special, I’ve invited my friend, mentor and internationally respected editor and publisher Jo Parfitt to lead the writing programme. With decades of experience helping writers bring their books into the world, Jo offers practical workshops, individual manuscript feedback and daily group sessions that have helped countless authors find their voice and shape their stories.
Together we create an environment where you can write with confidence, receive thoughtful feedback and leave with renewed clarity, momentum and inspiration.
What makes these retreats different?
This isn’t simply a writing retreat.
It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in the slower rhythm of southern Italy while becoming part of a small, supportive community of writers.
Your days will include:
- Daily writing workshops with Jo Parfitt
- Dedicated time to work on your memoir or writing project
- Individual editorial feedback and mentoring
- Daily sharing sessions in a safe and encouraging environment
- A pre-retreat Zoom workshop to prepare your writing
- Time to swim, rest and reflect
- Shared meals beneath the stars
- Guided visits to the beautiful historic towns of Monopoli and Polignano a Mare
- Local markets, delicious Puglian food and unforgettable conversations
Whether you’re writing memoir, personal essays, life stories, narrative non-fiction or simply discovering your voice, you’ll leave with more than pages.
You’ll leave with greater confidence in your writing—and perhaps a deeper sense of home within yourself.
MEET THE TEAM
Your Host
Hosted by Sam Frearson-Tubito
As the author of Beneath A Borrowed Sky and someone who has spent a lifetime searching for the meaning of home, creating spaces where people feel welcome comes naturally to me. I’ll be your host throughout the retreat, taking care of every detail—from the warm welcome and delicious meals to excursions, conversations and creating an atmosphere where creativity can flourish.
My hope is that by the time you leave Trulli Bouganville, you’ll feel not only that your manuscript has grown, but that you have too.
Your Writing Mentor
Your Writing Mentor: Jo Parfitt
I’m delighted to welcome Jo Parfitt to Trulli Bouganville to lead the writing programme during each memoir retreat organised for September 2026, May 2027 and September 2027.
Jo is an award-winning writer, editor, publisher, teacher and mentor with more than three decades of experience helping writers bring their stories to life. She has authored more than 30 books and is the founder of Summertime Publishing, a publishing house renowned for championing the voices of expatriates, Third Culture Kids, globally mobile families and memoir writers from around the world.
Throughout the retreat, Jo will guide you through the craft of memoir writing with her trademark warmth, honesty and practical expertise. Her workshops are designed to help you strengthen your writing, uncover the heart of your story, develop your unique voice and move your manuscript confidently towards publication. Whether you’re just beginning, halfway through a first draft, or refining a completed manuscript, Jo has an extraordinary ability to meet writers where they are and help them take the next step.
One of the most valuable aspects of the retreat is the opportunity to receive personal editorial feedback from Jo. Through one-to-one consultations, daily sharing sessions and constructive group discussions, she’ll help you identify what is working, what can be strengthened and how to shape your memoir into the very best version of itself. Her thoughtful, encouraging approach has helped countless writers not only improve their manuscripts but also find the confidence to call themselves authors.
Having worked with Jo on my own memoir, Beneath A Borrowed Sky, I know first-hand the insight, encouragement and expertise she brings to every writer she mentors. It is a privilege to have her join me in Puglia to help others discover, develop and share their stories.
Join a retreat
Upcoming dates
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September 2026
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May 2027
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September 2027
Register your interest in attending
Keeping posted