Whether you're beginning your first novel, refining a work in progress, or looking to strengthen your storytelling skills, this immersive three-day workshop offers an inspiring opportunity to learn from one of today's most accomplished historical fiction writers.

Join internationally published author Caroline Lea as she guides you through the essential elements of compelling storytelling in a supportive, small-group environment.

Across three engaging morning sessions, you'll explore:

• Researching historical and contemporary fiction

• Story structure

• Plotting and pacing

• Creating memorable, believable characters

• Finding an authentic narrative voice

• Building settings that immerse readers in time and place

• Developing confidence in your own creative process

With plenty of practical exercises, discussion, and opportunities to develop your own work, you'll leave with new skills, fresh ideas, and greater confidence in your writing.

About Caroline Lea

 Caroline Lea, who also writes as Caroline Finch, began her career as a teacher of English and Drama before becoming an internationally published author of five historical novels. Her work has appeared in the UK, US, Germany, Spain, Poland, Russia and Australia.

The Glass Woman was shortlisted for the HWA Debut Crown, The Metal Heart was a Scottish Waterstones Book of the Month, and Prize Women was featured on BBC Woman’s Hour and her latest novel Love, Sex and Frankenstein is long listed for the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize. Her novels have received praise from The Sunday Times, The New York Times, The Washington Post and other major publications.

Her fiction and poetry have been longlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award and the Sunday Times Short Story Award, and shortlisted for the Bridport Prize, the Fish Short Story Competition and several flash fiction prizes. She has taught on the Creative Writing degree at the University of Warwick and continues to mentor emerging writers, helping them develop their craft and find their unique voices.

Caroline’s favourite novels – The Time Traveler’s Wife, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Babel, In Memoriam and Demon Copperhead – reflect the kind of stories she loves to read and write: sweeping, emotionally rich narratives that explore power, choice, and the cost of forging one’s own path. Her books, both historical and fantastical, blend love stories with urgent questions of agency and destiny.

She lives in Warwick with her partner, two children, a long‑suffering dog, and a spoiled, disgruntled cat (who has recently developed a taste for the family fish). Close to Stratford‑upon‑Avon and the surrounding fields that inspired the English settings of her forthcoming novel The Thousand Lives of Romeo and Juliet, she is currently writing this next book as Caroline Finch. It will be published in 2027 in the UK, US, Spain, Italy and Brazil, with further territories under discussion.

Workshop Details

Dates: 7, 8 and 9 September 2026

Time: 10:00–13:00

Venue: Agora Library Lucca Centro
Via delle Trombe, 14
55100 Lucca

Workshop Fee: €400

Participants also have the option of a one-hour individual mentoring session with Caroline (£45)

Places: Limited to just 11 participants to ensure individual guidance and meaningful discussion.

Early booking is recommended.

Whether you're writing historical fiction, contemporary fiction, memoir, or simply looking to deepen your understanding of storytelling, this workshop will give you practical tools and creative inspiration to take your writing further.

OR If you’d like to speak to a person, best to email me (Heather Robinson) at Inyourspaceproduction@gmail.com or message me on whatsapp +44 07878143811 and I’ll call or text you back.