Welcome to the first of our Ampersand series: interviews with writers from all over the world who have a connection to Tuscany.

These interviews will post throughout the year, midway between issues. Our aim is to understand a little of what makes each interviewee tick, both through the questions we ask and the piece of writing they share.

First up is Laura Fraser, the US best-selling author of An Italian Affair, All over the Map and Losing It, as well as countless essays featured in publications such as The New York Times. In addition, she leads writing workshops all over the world and teaches at the San Francesco Writing Grotto. Fraser is co-founder of Shebooks.

Click on the photo below to read the interview.

To read other interviews, go to Ampersand.