Manuscript Momentum: A 5-day Retreat in Italy to Fast-Track Your Publishing Journey
- September 20 – 25, 2027
- 12 In-Person Seats
- Florence, Italy
A Masterclass in Publishing led by Literary Agent and Author Lucinda Halpern
If you’ve been dreaming of writing a book, this is the week your dream turns into an actionable plan to get published.
Welcome to the Manuscript Momentum Masterclass: five days in Florence, Italy, with top literary agent Lucinda Halpern, founder of the boutique New York agency Lucinda Literary. Over the course of the retreat, you’ll learn exactly what your book needs, how the publishing business actually works, and what it takes to get an agent’s attention.
For over two decades Lucinda has worked across major publishing houses including HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, Hachette and Hay House and today represents New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and internationally bestselling authors in fiction, nonfiction, and memoir.
This retreat is for fiction, nonfiction, and memoir writers at any stage — a book idea, a partial draft, or a finished manuscript ready to query.
In Florence, you’ll receive what most writers never get: five days in one of the most beautiful cities on earth, surrounded by a community of fellow writers, with access to a leading New York agent focused on your pages. By the end of the week, you’ll understand what your book needs and exactly how to get it there.
Testimonials
Testimonials
“Two decades of deals, debut breakthroughs, and insider knowledge live in Lucinda’s bones. She has built something exceptional here: rigor and warmth in equal measure, inside one of the most soul-stirring cities on earth. I left with more than notes. I left with momentum.”
Lisa Blosser
Narrative Nonfiction Writer, 2025 Manuscript Momentum Retreat Guest
Meet Your Host, Lucinda Halpern
With two decades in New York publishing, Lucinda is known for working with authors from the ground up and building books that succeed in the marketplace. Today, she represents New York Times and internationally bestselling authors writing in business, health, psychology, popular science, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and upmarket fiction.
She is the author of Get Signed: Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author (Hay House), endorsed by Adam Grant as “the definitive guide to attracting an agent and laying the groundwork for a book well worth publishing.”
Discover the Book You Were Born to Write
Focused mentorship meets creative immersion.
Every writer carries a book that only they can write. Sometimes it’s already on the page; more often it’s buried in a stack of drafts, half-formed ideas, or a story you’ve been circling for years. This week is about bringing that book to the surface.
Each morning, you’ll work directly with Lucinda to uncover the heart of your book: the idea that sets it apart, the story only you can tell, and the reader who needs it most. Along the way, you’ll see your project the way agents and editors do. You’ll learn how they evaluate a submission, where your book fits in a crowded market, and what makes publishers say yes. By the end of the week, you’ll leave with a clear vision of the book you’re meant to write and a confident sense of how to bring it into the world.
And because we’ll be in Florence, you’ll also have the time and gorgeous landscape to fuel your creativity. Between guided sessions, you’ll enjoy immersive experiences (think: private tours, artisan encounters, and unforgettable meals) that will get you out of your head and tapped into your inspiration.
Let’s write together . . . in Italy!
What Awaits in Florence
What’s included?
- Daily classes with Lucinda! — Join Lucinda for daily immersive classes, where her expert guidance will inspire and build confidence.
- Skip-the-line museum admission — Experience Florence’s legendary art at your own pace. Vita Bella Retreats provides admission tickets to the museum of your choice for each guest.
- Two fabulous dinners and two incredible lunches out — Fabulous dining experiences at some of Florence’s finest restaurants, where each meal is a celebration of Italian flavors and craftsmanship.
- Customized wine tastings — Enjoy curated wine experiences that highlight the depth and richness of Tuscan vineyards.
- Museum tour of the Accademia Gallery — Discover Florence’s extraordinary artistic heritage on a guided tour of the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s iconic David and other remarkable works of Renaissance art.
- Private cooking class — Learn the art of authentic Italian cooking in a private class where you’ll master traditional recipes and techniques from expert chefs in an intimate, hands-on setting.
- A community of serious writers: Join a small, carefully gathered group of writers to share pages and meals with, and connections that last well beyond the week.
Mornings for the Book. Afternoons for Florence.
Four mornings. One clear path forward.
8:30–9:30 | Silent Writing Hour
Held each morning before class. Quiet, shared time for your own pages.
9:30–10:45 | Teaching
Focused instruction on the day’s theme
10:45–11:00 | Break
Coffee and pastries.
11:00–12:00 | Workshopping
Small groups apply the morning’s ideas to each writer’s own book.
12:00–12:30 | Conclusion
Reflections and a prompt for tomorrow’s writing hour.
Curriculum Overview
Class I
Inside the Publishing World
Publishing success is rarely a talent gap. More often, it’s a knowledge gap.
This is Publishing 101, taught from the inside: how agents evaluate a submission in seconds, why most pitches fail, and the real timeline from signing to launch.
You gain: A clear view of how your book will be judged, and what agents look for before anything else.
Class II
The Book Only You Can Write
Every acquired book sits where three forces meet: the author’s earned authority, a promise to the reader, and a gap in the market.
We’ll uncover the story behind your story, define the reader who needs it most, and refine your title and premise in small-group query labs with Lucinda.
You gain: A strong understanding of your book’s angle, your reader, and the sentence that makes an agent lean in.
Class III
The Page That Earns the Pitch
Agents and editors can tell within the first page whether a manuscript is ready.
This session breaks down the three things they’re reading for — voice, scene, and structure — and uses your own pages, read aloud and workshopped in small groups, to find exactly where yours are already doing that work and where they aren’t yet.
You gain: Direct feedback from a working literary agent and a clear sense of where your book truly begins.
Class IV
From One Book to a Body of Work
A book is not the finish line — it’s the first chapter of an author career.
We close the week on mapping out your long-term career as an author and building a rejection reflex that treats feedback as useful data. We’ll also explore when to submit, when to revise, and when to start something new.
You gain: A personalized publishing roadmap, a submission-readiness timeline, and a long view of your writing life.
Your Promise and Your Plan
You’ll leave with a clear sense of direction, sample query letters, agent resources, a roadmap to take with you, and a private community of writers to keep the momentum going.
Pricing & Reservations
Join us for five unforgettable nights in beautiful Florence.
This intimate retreat includes luxurious accommodations at the historic Hotel Bernini Palace, daily classes with Lucinda Halpern, and a thoughtfully curated experience designed to nourish both your writing life and spirit.
Retreat Investment:
$6,800-$7,200 USD
The total investment varies by room selection.
Priority Access Offer: Save $500 when you reserve by October 22, 2026. Use code LUCINDA500.
Once you reserve your place, we’ll personally share the room options currently available so you can choose the one that best suits you.
Rooms are selected on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend making your selection promptly for the widest choice.
Airfare is not included.
Questions? Email [email protected].
See the Full Picture
Want a closer look?
Our brochure walks you through every detail of the week in Florence: the daily rhythm of writing and workshops, where you’ll stay, what’s included, and how the retreat is designed to move your book forward.
Download it, take your time with it, and share it with anyone who’s part of the decision.
We invite you to explore the full experience and imagine what a week of focused work could do for your book.
Questions Writers Ask
Do I need to have written a book?
No. Come with a book idea, a book in progress or a finished draft. Many writers arrive with a blank slate and an open mind, looking for direction.
I’m already querying agents. Is this still for me?
Yes! The retreat will help you refine your submission so it is agent-ready — with insights fresh from a marketplace that is always changing.
Can I join if I’ve published or submitted before, or am choosing between book ideas?
Yes. Even if you’re advanced in your publishing knowledge, the retreat gives you personalized instruction, workshopping, and a creative spark and momentum you can’t get elsewhere.
Am I too new to this — or too late?
Never. Beginners are welcome, and you are never too young or too old to begin. Many of our writers come to find a second act in becoming a published author.
Will Lucinda’s agency read my manuscript?
The retreat focuses on a selection of your material — your critical first chapters, an outline, or a book proposal. That is the scope of the program. You’re welcome to query our agency whenever you feel you have the best version of your work.
What if I’m not ready to sign with an agent? Will I still have the chance for Lucinda Literary to represent me?
Yes. Our educational programs are separate from our literary agency, and participation does not guarantee representation by Lucinda Literary or another agency, or any future publishing deal. But every one of our retreat writers is treated with care and given priority in our query queue whenever they feel ready. Don’t wait: this is your opportunity to get an agent’s vital early feedback before it’s too late. Most writers get it wrong, and few are published without connections or industry knowledge.
Do I need to send a writing sample?
No writing sample is required, though you are welcome to share one. Our call is simply about fit and your ambitions.
How much free time is there?
Class runs 8:30 to 12:30, Tuesday through Friday, and afternoons are yours. The walking tour, the private Uffizi tour, the cooking class and dinner, the opening cocktail, the formal dinner and the farewell lunch are all included in your stay — and all optional. Join as many as you like.
Can I bring a spouse or partner?
You can. Partners are welcome in Florence, though they are not included in group activities or meals.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
No problem. We will make sure you have a delicious, proper meal wherever we go together.
Is airfare included?
Airfare is not included, and guests arrange their own travel to and from the Hotel Bernini Palace. Plan to arrive in Florence by mid-afternoon on Monday, September 20, so you have time to check in before the opening cocktail. On Saturday, you are free to depart at your convenience.
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
Deposits are non-refundable and may not be transferred to another retreat. Once the balance is due — 120 days before the retreat — all payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Refunds cannot be offered for arriving late, leaving early, flight cancellations, travel delays, illness or family emergencies, and no refunds or credits can be issued if the retreat is cancelled or rescheduled for reasons beyond our control. For this reason, travel insurance is required for all guests. To cancel, email [email protected].
Need Guidance?
Our Program Manager is here to help you decide whether this retreat is right for you. Contact the Academy Liaison.
Disclaimer: This retreat, hosted by Lucinda Halpern and provided through Vita Bella Retreats, is intended to help educate writers and improve their work and presentation to the market. Participation does not guarantee or imply representation by Lucinda Literary, any other literary agency, or a future publishing deal.