Events 2025

These are events available for free to members of the Florence Literary Society. To attend an event, sign up as a member here and reserve your place following the links below. Looking for free writing events in Florence? Sign up for the newsletter to see the list of ALL English speaking writer and author events in Florence.

January

FLS Launch Party & Raffle

Join us at Todo Modo for an aperitivo and the the official launch of the Florence Literary Society. Learn about the scope and objectives of FLS while enjoying a glass of wine in a cozy bookshop in the heart of Florence. There will be an opportunity to become a member at the event and learn about the upcoming events in 2025 as well as a literary minded raffle!

Free ticketed event. You must have a free ticket to attend.

Saturday, February 8th

Writing Workshop: Beginnings and Endings with Mark Jarman

In this workshop on beginnings and endings of short stories, we will look at inspiring models and very handy techniques from writers James Joyce, Alice Munro, Flannery O’Connor, Denis Johnson, Ernest Hemingway, and Elizabeth Tallent, and from Jarman’s own stories.

Mark Anthony Jarman is a Canadian fiction writer. Jarman’s work includes the novel Salvage King, Ya!, the short story collection Knife Party at the Hotel Europa and the travel book Ireland’s Eye. His latest book Burn Man was reviewed in the New York Times. 

A graduate of the Iowa Writer’s Workshop, Jarman has taught at the University of New Brunswick and the University of Victoria. 

Jarman’s writing has won the O. Henry Award, the Gold National Magazine Award in nonfiction, the Jack Hodgins Fiction Prize, and has been a finalist for the Journey Prize. Jarman has been awarded the Maclean-Hunter Endowment Award twice.

Free Ticketed event for members and non members. You must have a ticket to attend. Click below for information on timing & location.

Saturday, March 29th

Submission Strategies with Monica Sharp

Do you dream of seeing your work in print? This workshop focuses on a potential first step: publishing in literary magazines and journals. We’ll explore the diverse world of publications, from prestigious journals to niche online magazines, and how to identify the perfect fit for your writing. Learn how to craft submissions that stand out, understand editorial processes, and manage rejections gracefully. We’ll discuss building a publication history, networking within the literary community, and using these early successes to leverage future opportunities. Let’s strategize your path to publication together – one poem, story, or essay at a time. 

Monica Sharp is a founding member of the Florence Literary Society and has regularly published articles, poetry and short fiction in publications across Europe. You can find out more at her website here: sharpmonica.com.

This event is open only to members of the Florence Literary Society. Click here to become a member in advance, or you can pay the membership fee at the event on the 29th. Membership gets you free access to all upcoming events (see below) and early bird access to publishing day on October 25th.

Ticketed event: Free for members. More information coming soon.

Saturday, May 10

Writing Workshop: Log Lines with Andrea Zurlo

When it comes to getting published, your pitch means everything. Join Andrea Zurlo for a workshop on how to create the perfect log line to pitch your novel in as few powerful words as possible.

Ticketed event: Free for members. More information coming soon.

June

Writing Workshop: Writing Historical Fiction with Katherine Mezzacappa

Programme To be determined

Ticketed event: Free for members. More information coming soon.

September

Pitching Workshop

In preparation for publishing day in October, join us for a workshop on how to pitch your work to an editor or agent.

Ticketed event: Free for members.

October

Publishing Day 2025

Florence Literary Society’s flagship annual publishing day event! See more information on the official page.

Ticketed event: Publishing day will have an additional cost to membership costs. Early access for members.