UPPER LAKE, Calif. – For five days this spring, from April 22-27, aspiring or published writers interested in writing memoirs, personal essays or travel articles based on personal experience will have the opportunity to focus and luxuriate in the writing process at the beautiful Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake.

Entitled, “Life into Literature,” the retreat will be led by noted Bay Area author Laura Fraser and will feature additional workshops with San Francisco authors Peter Orner and Victoria Costello, as well as Stanford University instructor and novelist Tom Barbash.

Laura Fraser is the author, most recently, of “All Over the Map,” which Booklist called “a winning coming-of-middle-age memoir.”

Her previous book, “An Italian Affair,” was a New York Times best selling travel memoir. She has taught writing at the UC Berkeley School of Journalism, San Francisco State and her other seminar sites include writers’ workshops in San Miquel de Allende, Mexico.

As a teacher, she encourages students to free write about topics they are passionate about, and she then provides tools and expertise in clarity, research and audience.

An avid reader, Ms. Fraser has kept an ever-expanding record of the books she has read since she was 13 years old.

Lake County was chosen for this retreat due to its relaxing atmosphere conducive to writing, as well as the enthusiasm expressed by Lake County writers and the Tallman Hotel.  

Former Lake County Poet Laureate Mary McMillian will welcome retreat participants at the reception and dinner on the first night, and the final evening will feature a three course dinner prepared by Blue Wing Executive Chef Nick Heidemann and paired with Writer’s Block wines produced by Quincy Steele at the Steele Winery in Kelseyville.

Members of Lake County literary groups are invited to meet retreat participants and faculty over dinner that night and afterwards adjourn to hear short readings from retreat participants.

For further information, visit the Tallman Hotel Web site, www.tallmanhotel.com/events , or Laura Fraser’s site, www.LauraFraser.com .

Those interested in participating in the full five-day retreat, or the Thursday night dinner, can contact the Tallman Hotel at 707-275-2244, Extension 0.

For Lake County residents wishing to participate in the retreat without overnight accommodations, please contact the hotel to be placed in a waiting list at a reduced price.