I had very high expectations when I came here and the conference exceeded them. The other writers were great and the teachers--Chris Abani and Rebecca Walker--challenging, encouraging and gentle. The hotel also is amazing. I'll probaby be back but I'll miss you all if I do come. Thanks so much for making it all happen. Carol Dussere

Nancy, It's good to hear from you. I just wanted to thank you again for bringing us all together. Not only did you find a tropical paradise for us, but you also created a vibrant writing community. It was such a privilege to be a part of Abroad Writers in Thailand. Chris Abani and Rebecca Walker were generous, and gifted teachers and the impact they had on me as a writer and a person is immeasurable. Take Good Care, Patty Paine

For Nancy, Salon extraordinare! You created a fantasy in a castle that was real and presided over us with grace and magic. Thank you for inviting me, it will be a cherished memonry always. Fondly, MARGARET GEORGE

For Nancy, With many thanks. You introduced us to a new world here and I should never forget this experience. A very brave and inspiring enterprise, MARGARET DRABBLE

The dynamic of so many different people from so many different places--North Carolina, New York, California, England and Switzerland--combined with the talents of Rebecca Walker and Chris Abani provided ten days of friendship and instructions. To add to that, having the Abroad Writers' Conference in Thailand provided just the right atmosphere, estranged is us in just the right ways from one usual environment, that we were able to come together through this shared experience. I'd like to thank Rebecca and Chris for their support, Nancy for connecting us with these two great writers. Blas Ulibarri

For Nancy, With thanks for inviting me to be a part of this amazing conference--I'm excited by the prospects for the future.....and grateful for the wonderful opportunity. I don't think I ever could have imagined that I'd find myself in such an astonshing, magical setting-- amongst such astonishing people. With warm wishes, DAN CHAON

Dear Nancy Safely back and now running off to the next thing - but I wanted to thank you very much for asking us to be with you last week end, and for your many kindnesses. We had a wonderful time, and have come back to rainy old England with our heads full of warm pictures, and our mind full of warm thoughts. All best wishes and thanks from us Andrew (Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, ANDREW MOTION)

Nancy, Who knew? Who knew a dream a vision born in California would give so much to so many? Bless you for your vision and your courage and for giving me a room at the chateau and this opportunity. I wish you only the best. Blessings, ANNE LECLAIRE

For Nancy, The bravest woman I know and the most visionary, with respect, admiration and affection, and in the sicere hope that all your workshops ABROAD cohere and indeed profit you...monitarily as well as spiritually. Jeri and I have had an extraordinary experience here at Chateau de Marouatte, an experience we would never have had were it not for your vision and persistence. Bless you. Yurs Fondly, MICHAEL BISHOP

Dear Nancy, I want to again thank you, most sincerily for the most magnificent gift of writing splendor. I enjoyed myself enormously, food was exquisite--chateaux marvelous and then there were the teachers. Merci beaucoup! I cannot begin to express my gratitude for exposure to Dorothy, Jane, Anne, Jacqueline, Margaret, Dan and everyone. I got great feedback from Rebecca Swift too! May you be appropriately and harmically rewarded for your generous loving work, expense in termes of time, hard cash and attention. Much gratifude and love, Gail P. Waldstein, MD

Dear Nancy, Words cannot begin to express how grateful I am to you for acknowledging my work and for making my life-altering (truly) experience in Provence. You have created something truly extraordinary--a communion of artists and thinkers of various backgrounds and disciplines and provided the magical space for like minds to meet. You have, in this rare creation, enabled writers at all stages of their careers to come together and shape their thoughts and ideas, and change one another in the process. You have built in every sense a true contemporary "Salon", a remarkable forum. You should be so very proud of your brain-child, after so much thought, effort and planning. It's an extraordinary reality! I am honored and grateful to have been chosen to be a part of it. When my career takes off I know it will be, in no small part, because of the support and encouragement I received from you and all associated with ABROAD WRITERS' CONFERENCE. It meant more than you know. GRATEFULLY, Kelleigh

Dear Nancy, I just wanted to write to thank you properly for letting me join you in Provence last month. I had a magical few days in a wonderful location with a very special group of people and I won't forget a moment of it for a very long time to come. May I say that I was full of admiration for the way you'd brought the whole thing about - not only such an impressive combination of writers, but the huge amount of planning that had gone into making the entire week such a rich experience for everyone, from the fish soup to the pope's palace. Becky tells me the Wednesday in Loumarin was a particularly special occasion, with fantastic talks from Michael and Alan and a really stunning setting. The book I mentioned is The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. There's a great chapter on abundance and creative serendipity, which I think you'd like. Hope you got home safely and not too exhausted! It was a real pleasure to meet you, Nancy, and do please get in touch if I can be of any help in the future. All very best wishes, Rebecca Abrams

Dear Nancy, Thanks for your email! I just wanted to say thank you again for all of your help and energy in making our time in France lovely and memorable. When I think back on the trip, my mind goes right to those humongous sunflower fields, to the sound of the cicadas in the late afternoon, to eating a delicious dinner al fresco. The trip was so memorable, and I feel privileged to have been welcomed into a group of such unique, interesting people coming together from all over the world. Your and Sandy's energy really made the Mas come to life! My workshop was especially effective, and Anne was a fantastic teacher. She really gets to the heart of the matter with regards to people's stories--letting you know methods and habits to help enable the writing to continue to evolve. I also really enjoyed the intimacy of the group--I have been in workshops with upwards of twenty people, and at that point, the trust and bonds necessary for a writing group just don't seem to form. But again, I really think Anne did a wonderful job. I would love to be a part of the conference in Napa, as I am back in California for the year. I attached my story for you, if that is still OK. Also, I have a small gift I wanted to send you and Sandy, and I was wondering if you had a preferred mailing address? I hope you have a wonderful summer, and please let me know if there are any interesting writing opportunities or conferences you are putting together in the future! Best, Nicky Loomis

Dear Nancy, What a week to be treasured! I keep telling people it feels like I crammed a year's worth of graduate school in a week in the Dordogne. In a castle. In the most beautiful month of the year. Nancy, you're workshop was a runaway hit. It was far more the most valuable creative exercise I have ever participated in as an adult. Love Lucy Price

Review sent to TripAdvisor by Maura Wings: If you ever wish you could have participated in lively literary conversation around the Algonquin Round Table or shared a pint with Johnson and Boswell or attended a nineteenth century writers’ salon sipping framboise and champagne with Colette, now your wish may be granted. Nancy Gerbault is a visionary who makes wishes come true. She is the creator and director of the ABROAD Writers’ Workshop Retreat, which took place during the middle two weeks of June in the beautiful Dordogne region of France. Nancy gathered literary luminaries like Margaret Drabble, Dorothy Allison, Margaret George, Dan Chaon and others, mingled them with writing aspirants and assembled them all in a story book setting, I was one of the lucky aspirants. For a week, in addition to one-on-one sessions with teachers, we met each morning for an intensive writers’ workshop in a 16th century chateau, where many of us were housed in its gracious rooms. The beautiful chateau is situated next to an ancient castle in the charming village of Bordeilles, which guidebooks characterize as having a little of everything. A ten minute drive away is the Château Marouatte, a 14th century fortified castle complete with crenellated towers and pointed spires, where we dined sumptuously in the Great Hall. During our late afternoon meetings, which took place in the Gothic-style living room amidst suits of armor, we were treated to readings by guests of honor, a dramatic rendering of The Female Wits and also discussions about issues of craft and publication. Even participants were given an opportunity to present their own work, which for me was a daunting but rewarding challenge. Thanks to Nancy Gerbault’s ABROAD Writers Workshop Retreat for an exhilarating, stimulating and wonderful week, a far-fetched wish that came true. I recommend it heartily.

The more I think about it, the more I'm amazed that we students recieved such generous attention and encouragement from so many impressive authors. I really miss the intimacy of the readings in the great room. Thank you so much. It was an incredible experience, Pierre Hauser