All options include 7 days / 6 nights:
accommodations at our country farmhouse
most meals (except excursion day)
45-min. story notes meeting with your mentor exec
20-min. general meeting with guest industry exec #2
live read of your first 10 pages with guest industry exec #3
one-on-one meetings with Joey & Dorian
all group retreat sessions
off-site excursion
Not included: beverages, spa services, recreational activities, ground transportation, or airfare.
Spring 2026 – WEEK #1
Check Out Week #2!
Dedicate 7 days & 6 nights to work on your craft and career with us at an exclusive Sicilian countryside retreat destination!
Do you dream of focused writing time surrounded by fellow dedicated writers, the RoadCrew, and industry pros in a beautiful and adventurous setting?
Join the RoadCrew and Execs from
Tuesday, March 31st - Monday, April 6th
for 7 Days / 6 Nights at our exclusive sprawling converted farmhouse
in the countryside of Sicily, Italy!
featuring...
Story Development with Justin Ross (VP, Development @ Bohemia Group Originals)
and
2 more TBD Execs
plus...
Marketing Prep w/ Roadmap CEO Joey Tuccio,
Logline Prep w/ Roadmap COO Dorian Connelley,
Branding Prep w/ Roadmap Dir. of Competitions Tiffany Yarde,
and Improv for Writers!
"Spending any time with Joey Tuccio is well worth it! He has the pulse of the industry and shares this vital information with all his writers. He is one of the most passionate advocates I've ever met; any writer is lucky to be in the same room as Joey!"
~ Gail Joy Stewart (Puerto Vallarta 2022/24, Scotland 2023)
Our Playground is
Borgo del Carato,
a family-owned converted Sicilian farmhouse nestled in a private park.
Who Should Attend?
Screenwriters who are ready to put in some serious writing time while also enjoying being sequestered at a sprawling Sicilian estate with fellow creatives.
"Beyond my expectations! [Roadmap's] commitment to supporting and growing my career took me aback. I really didn't expect so much help and I don't know what I would be doing without it."
~ Retreat Attendee (Laguna Beach 2023)
What to Expect
Located just a 30-minute drive from Syracuse and the sea, take in the sights of this stunning countryside retreat. After settling into your beautifully updated accommodations with old world charm, join our industry exec(s), the RoadCrew, and your fellow writers at the Welcome Cocktail Party—then get ready for a career-changing getaway!
Each day will consist of delicious traditional Sicilian cooking prepared by the onsite family owned restaurant, quiet writing time, valuable breakout sessions with our team, table reads, and go beyond networking with bonding time with your fellow retreaters.
After a morning of stretching your writing muscles or having a chat over an espresso with fellow writers, enjoy a stroll through over 200 acres of a picturesque private park. Spend your evenings sipping local wine by the fireplace with fellow retreaters turned fast friends.
Other amenities on the Farm include an outdoor pool, wellness spa area (Turkish bath, sauna, gym equipment), and onsite massages*!
*Please note some of the amenities, like massages, come with an additional fee.
"I appreciate how hard it must be to organize and gather a group of writers from all around the world. The schedule was a perfect balance of work, social, and writing opportunities that all fed into one hell of a good time."
~ Retreat Attendee (Scotland 2025)
Room Options
The Lodgings:
Spread over just 2 floors, the charming accommodations have an en-suite bathroom with bidet, flat-screen TV, and free wi-fi.
Private Rooms come with a standard European King (63in x 79in).
Shared Rooms have two single beds with same-sex roommates wherever possible; we'll ask before assigning roommates of different genders. (Only 4 Spots Left!)
**Want to bring a non-writer guest? Add $1,500 for double occupancy in a Private Room.
"This retreat was freakin' awesome! I feel as though all of the writing activities were well organized and executed. I was able to attend anything and everything that my heart desired. The excursion day was an absolute blast. I definitely plan to attend another retreat and recommend them to my other writer friends."
~ Retreat Attendee (Scotland 2023)
*Need a special payment plan? Contact lorinne@roadmapwriters.com
Roadmap Writers is a talent training and discovery platform for screenwriters ready for a guided path to success. Our programs are hosted by working industry executives and are designed to empower writers with actionable tools and insights to elevate your craft and cultivate relationships with industry professionals. Since 2016, we have helped hundreds of writers from all over the world sign to representation, staff on series, and option and produce their projects. Our writers have been staffed on BRIDGERTON, THE FLASH, CHICAGO PD, THE FIRST LADY, NIGHT COURT, THE GOOD DOCTOR, THE RESIDENT, REACHER, SUBJECT TO CHANGE, MAYANS and POKERFACE. Writers have sold, set up and been produced by Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, MGM, American High, New Republic Pictures, Maven Screen Media, Lifetime, Will Packer Studios and Roku.
Joey started in the industry at Bold Films (DRIVE, NIGHTCRAWLER, WHIPLASH) and has read for Hugh Jackman's company, George Clooney's company, and Night and Day Pictures, to name a few. Experiencing how hard it was for writers to receive real tangible advice on how to break into the industry, Joey and Dorian created Roadmap Writers over 7 years ago. At Roadmap, Joey focuses on connecting vetted writers with execs in the industry. He has helped hundreds of writers connect to their representation, get staffed and get produced. He also mentors for Cinestory and The Writers Lab. When he's not helping writers, he spends his time rescuing animals in need.
Dorian was fresh off working for producer Mark Ciardi (THE ROOKIE, MIRACLE, CHAPPAQUIDDICK) when she co-founded Roadmap Writers as its COO where she has been teaching writers how to pitch (whether they like it or not) ever since. With years of experience in talent management, live events, and feature film producing, Dorian is also a proud Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Guinea/Mali '08-'10). When she's not helping writers perfect their pitches, Dorian can be found at music festivals and karaoke bars.
Justin Ross began his film career as a screenwriter. Mr. Ross’ script, THE ANSWER, was made into a short by Nebula Films in 2007.
In 2008, he joined Intrinsic Value Films as a Creative Executive. During his tenure at Intrinsic, he secured relationships with top talent, including Scott Free Productions and the estates of two of his favorite authors Ray Bradbury and Philip K. Dick. Mr. Ross joined Bohemia Group Originals as Director of Production in 2015 and was promoted to Executive Vice President of Development and Production in 2016 where he championed the company’s first feature, A DARK PLACE (distributed by Gravitas Ventures); winner of “Best Thriller” at the Manhattan Film Festival. Further credits include Associate Producer on the Spike Lee Executive Produced SON OF THE SOUTH. Upcoming projects include PREY with Oscar winner Sir Ben Kingsley and GLASS MOUNTAIN with Oscar winner Helen Hunt.
Being raised in Walt Whitman Public Housing by Bajan immigrants in Brooklyn, NY has inspired Tiffany Yarde to explore culturally diverse characters struggling with self-acceptance. Tiffany wrote the culturally inclusive TV movie DRESS FOR SUCCESS, which recently premiered on Tubi. She also co-wrote the short film BON YOYAGE which premiered in NYC as part of the Women's Weekend Film Challenge. Tiffany was a fellow in the inaugural class of the Creative Corridor Program, a transatlantic industry initiative with Independent Film Trust and Roadmap Writers. Tiffany Yarde graduated from Bryn Mawr College with a B.A. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, is currently enrolled in David Lynch's MFA in Screenwriting at Maharishi International University, and is slated to graduate in the summer of '25.
Roadmap Writers is a talent training and discovery platform for screenwriters ready for a guided path to success. Our programs are hosted by working industry executives and are designed to empower writers with actionable tools and insights to elevate your craft, and cultivate relationships with industry professionals. Since 2016, we have helped more than 350 writers from all over the world sign to representation, staff on series, and option and produce their projects. Our writers have been staffed on BRIDGERTON, THE FLASH, CHICAGO PD, THE FIRST LADY, NIGHT COURT, THE GOOD DOCTOR, THE RESIDENT, REACHER, FUBAR, SUBJECT TO CHANGE, MAYANS, COBRA KAI, POKERFACE, and others. They have also sold to, set up projects at, and been produced by Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, MGM, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Starz, Legendary, American High, New Republic Pictures, Anvil Pictures, Bohemia Group, Lifetime, Will Packer Studios, Roku, and more.
I registered for a four-week rewrite clinic with several friends hoping to find a solution to a problem we all shared in finding the right learning environment to workshop our material. When you teach creative writing to others, it’s challenging to find a group that allows you as a more experienced yet still evolving writer to get the same substantive feedback you provide your students. Furthermore, when you’re a creative from marginalized identities, you often get discouraging notes that imply you can either write commercial stories or stories that center your communities’ interests as if those two objectives are mutually exclusive. Justin Ross proved to be the perfect mentor for our group. He respected the stories each of us was trying to tell and provided specific notes and actionable exercises that gave us new ways into our revisions. There are few critique spaces where we feel we get the support we need, and having found Roadmap Writers and Justin Ross has gotten our creative year off to a wonderful start.
~ Sofia Quintero, Screenwriter
Pitch Prep with Dorian was challenging, clarifying, and motivating. You quickly learn how to talk about and market your writing, and you also build skills to vet future project ideas. I have not found this type of information in other programs. Highly recommended!
~ Amy Schleunes, Screenwriter
Spending any time with Joey is well worth it! He has the pulse of the industry and shares this vital information with all his writers. He is one of the most passionate advocates I've ever met and anyone is lucky to be in the same room as Joey Tuccio!
~ Gail Joy Stewart, Screenwriter
I honestly just had the best time. All the mentors were so open and giving with their time and notes. I truly loved getting to know each and everyone at the retreat. I'm so grateful that they were able to join and offer such great advice to all of us. I loved the manor and the town we were in. It felt secluded and magical. The Manor was literally perfect. It felt like we stepped back in time and having the whole place to ourselves was the most fun.
~ Retreat Attendee – Scotland 2023
Thank you for organizing this event and for everything you all do for writers. I feel so incredibly grateful to have found roadmap. Y'all have genuinely changed my life.
~ Retreat Attendee – Scotland 2023
10 out of 10! The retreat exceeded my expectations. I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE MANOR!!!
~ Retreat Attendee – Scotland 2023
This retreat was exactly what I needed. I can't thank you enough for making it so special!
~ Retreat Attendee – Scotland 2023
This retreat was freakin' awesome! I feel as though all of the writing activities were well organized and executed. I was able to attend anything and everything that my heart desired. The excursion day was an absolute blast. I definitely plan to attend another retreat and recommend them to my other writer friends.
~ Retreat Attendee – Scotland 2023
Thank you to everyone who worked so hard and gave us such an incredible experience.
~ Retreat Attendee – Scotland 2023
I really enjoyed the low pressure of the retreat. It felt easy to navigate. I loved having the run of the manor to ourselves. The food was great and having specific times for meals was really helpful and so fun to eat with everyone. I was hesitant about sharing a room but my roommate was amazing and the whole thing felt like summer camp. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
~ Retreat Attendee – Scotland 2023
Justin is awesome. His notes are specific and valuable. He listens to the writer and wants to make sure that he understands what is trying to be accomplished with the script. I would highly recommend him for feedback.
~ Brenda Lynn Bynum, Screenwriter
Dorian's feedback is the best I've ever had—and that includes dozens of graduate courses! She is a genius at story crafting.
~ Traci Bliss, Screenwriter
Beyond my expectations! [Roadmap's] commitment to supporting and growing my career took me aback. I really didn't expect so much help and I don't know what I would be doing without it.
~ Retreat Attendee – Laguna Beach 2023
Way beyond expectations! And walked away with a meeting...mind-blowing. Beyond my expectations... and really fun.
~ Retreat Attendee – Puerto Vallarta 2022
I appreciate all the effort given to the retreat. It was a smashing success because you managed to have all of the attendees bonding with each other. Bravo!
~ Retreat Attendee – Puerto Vallarta 2022
Everyone was so helpful and engaged!
~ Retreat Attendee – Puerto Vallarta 2022
I liked that [the exec] sat down with a group and fielded our questions; not only did I get my questions answered, but I learned a lot when [they] answered other people's questions. It was a much more personal and direct approach that I found useful.
~ Retreat Attendee – Puerto Vallarta 2022
It was an amazing time and so worth it!
~ Retreat Attendee – Puerto Vallarta 2022
Meetings [were] all actionable and direct. Dorian drafted me new log lines on two separate scripts (I have worked on those for so long and Dorian just knocked them out)… And who doesn't love Joey!
~ Retreat Attendee – Puerto Vallarta 2022
Thank you for all of your time, energy, and hard work! Roadmap is a class Act!
~ Retreat Attendee – Puerto Vallarta 2022
OMG! Amazing. Everyone I met with was through my experiences with Roadmap. And each person was generous, courteous, supportive, and helpful. I feel like I am making friends in Los Angeles and moving toward the next steps.
~ Retreat Attendee – Big Bear 2022
Thank you so much, Roadmap, for being an invaluable tool for making contacts in the business. The meetings with the execs during the Retreat was a stepping stone for chatting with execs on the general meetings field trip.
~ Retreat Attendee – Big Bear 2022
I've said it before and I'll say it again—Roadmap is the best!!!!!
~ Retreat Attendee – Big Bear 2022
Payment Plans
If you opt for the 50% deposit option, the balance will be due no later than 12/01/2025. If you opt for the 25% deposit option, the remaining payments will be due 09/01/25, 12/01/25, & 02/01/26.
If you need a special payment plan, contact lorinne@roadmapwriters.com with proposed date(s) and amount(s) and we'll see what we can do!
Cancellation Policy
You may cancel for a full refund until 12/01/2025. Cancellations requested after this date will be contingent on finding a replacement to take your spot.
Roadmap reserves the right to cancel this retreat and refund your registration fee in full up to 14 days prior to the start of the retreat.
You are responsible for booking your own flight in a timely manner. The inability to find an appropriate flight due to procrastination will not be grounds for a refund. We strongly recommend you consider buying trip and travel health insurance. Similarly, testing positive for COVID will not be grounds for a refund. You should plan to be extra careful about your activities in the two weeks prior to the retreat to reduce your chances of testing positive.