Karen and Carolyn
Our Origin Story.
It all began in Tuscany, and we’re excited to bring it back to America, where Carolyn lives in the high desert mesa of the lower Rocky Mountains (Albuquerque-Santa Fe, New Mexico) and Karen and Clay live in the musical mecca: Nashville, Tennessee.
We like to say we met in a painting—that is, our first stay at Spannocchia, a 12th century villa and working organic farm near Siena, in the Tuscano region of Italy. The truth is, Spannocchia is so magical, it is like a painting.
In 2011, we came to Spannocchia to write with the Spalding MFA in Writing program (now, The Naslund-Mann School of Writing) and immerse ourselves in Tuscany. From that magical time writing in our community and guided by stellar mentors, we both harbored a dream to return. We just didn’t know it until we continued meeting at AWP and alumni events.
One day we realized we both love songs, and that our prose is filled with lyricism and musicality. We love the compact narrative of a song and resonating images that move the heart. We were doing that on the page.
One night in Santa Fe, Carolyn, Karen, and Clay gathered for dinner and started talking about pooling our talents and passion. It turned out that Clay is fascinated by telling a complete story in three minutes, loves words married to melody, and shoots for the heart every time he writes a song. Plus, Italy. We all love Italy. We thought, “What if…”
A year later, we launched the Stories & Songs Retreat in Tuscany. Now, we’re bringing Stories + Songs to the American West. Specifically, the rugged mountain ranch country of Montana.
So, whether you choose the Storyteller Track, Songwriter Track, or Hybrid, we hope you’ll join us in Montana/Yellowstone September 22-26, 2025. Imagine the treasures you’ll bring home.