On this page, you will find the Italian schools, teachers, guides, trip planners & artists, I recommend and have personally worked with.
Featured Affiliate of the Mmonth — Coffee Break Languages
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Italian Schools, Teachers, Learning Sites
Schools in Italy
Cultura Italiana Arezzo Tuscany
Il Sasso Italian School Montepulciano
Lucca Italian School Tuscany
Love Italian Courses in Bologna
Schools Online
Coffee Break Italian
Learn with Babbel
Best Italian Classes with Irene in Umbria!
Elisabetta Macanni Online Language Course
Cyber Italian Online Courses Maura Garau
LingoPie Language Learning TV Platform
Yabla Learn Italian Online through Real Videos
LingQ
Wondrium The New Way to Learn!
Stream Unlimited Courses
Books To Learn Italian
“Due Amiche” Short Story with audio
written in Italian by Serena Capilli
“Walking Isabella” by Melissa Muldoon
(translated into Italian)
Matta Amazon Italian Bookstore
Audiobooks.com
Conversational Guide Books by Kathryn Occhipinti
Art, Language and
Cultural Experiences in Italy
YL Tours in Puglia
Arezzo City Tour Guided by Rachele Fusa
Laura Ghezzi Art & Fresco Courses in Arezzo
Kelly Medford Water Color Art Courses in Rome
Matta Small Group Italian Programs in Italy
Italian Language Homestays
Viator Travel Booking
Recommended Language Learning Books, Italian Cultural Courses and Italian Gifts
Studentessa Matta Amazon Page
Etsy Artisan Gifts Curated by la Matta
Zazzle Matta Original Italian Themed Gifts
Matta Shop — Designer Scarves and
Signed Author Copies of books by Melissa
To Help You be More Productive and Creative
Bellano Word Press Web Studio
Canva App to Create Social Media Graphics
Grammarly Writing Assistant
Italian teachers, I recommend that care about your progress!
Cultura Italiana Arezzo
Language Courses in Tuscany!
Cultura Italiana Arezzo provides tailored Italian courses to all levels of language students. Arezzo is located in southern Tuscany. The school and town have much to offer all levels of language students. Classes are taught in a friendly, personable way by our committed teaching team. As part of your language course in Tuscany, you will experience Italy close up, soak up the culture and make new friends by choosing from our many additional activities and we are always on hand to organize a place to stay, and give help and advice during your time in Italy. Learning a language is not just about grammar! Enhance your learning experience with the chance to really immerse yourself in Italian life and practice your language skills as you study. We want to help you get the most from your time here in Italy and offer a wide range of activities for our students to enjoy.
Things to do when you study
at Cultura Italiana Arezzo
Laura Ghezzi Art & Fresco Courses in Arezzo
Arezzo City & Art Tour with Rachele Fusa
Il Sasso Montepulciano
Language Courses in Tuscany
The Italian language school Il Sasso is located in Montepulciano, a beautiful, renaissance town that stands on a hill surrounded by vineyards and olive groves in southern Tuscany. The school was founded in 1983 by people who are still running it today and it is recognized by the Ministry of Public Education and in Sweden by the CSN. It is ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Il Sasso is a small to medium size Italian school with a high standard of quality. Foreign students are of every age group and come from all parts of the globe.
The school is in an historic building in the heart of the town. It has 8 large, airy classrooms for Italian language courses, individual tuition and culture mini-courses and a hall that’s used for conferences, exhibitions and events. There’s a terrace with a lovely panoramic view – a favourite place for students to take their class breaks during the summer months – as well as an Internet point, free wifi access and the opportunity to study the Italian language or watch a film at the school at any time throughout the day.
If you decide to study with this school
mention the Studentessa Matta website
to receive a small thank you gift.
Courses are available in person and online.
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Lucca Italian School
Language Courses in Northern Tuscany
LIS Lucca Italian School offers not only established and effective courses of general Italian, but also personal solutions to meet all learning requirements. As one of our students has said, our school is “alive”: we always do our best to satisfy our students’ needs and are able to change our offers and proposals according to their wishes. In our school, you will find everything you need, from grammar, conversation and specific language areas, to a more “holiday” approach if you choose the course option that includes various outside activities.
Lucca will become the classroom where you’ll learn everything to service your needs, whatever they may be; shopping, asking for information, ordering in a restaurant, or getting to know the secrets of Italian culture and mentality. This is an adventure that should not be missed, an adventure that offers the opportunity of personal growth as well as a new language. So that learning Italian language in Lucca at LIS Lucca Italian School will combine study and fun.
If you decide to study with Lucca Italian School
mention the Studentessa Matta website
to receive a small thank you gift.
Courses are available in person and online.
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Love Italian Courses Bologna
Language Courses in Emilia-Romagna
Antonella Orlandi and Laura Bizzari are professional Italian Language tutors and their aim is to take students through an exclusive Italian experience, learning, enjoying, and living the Italian culture. Their individual lessons and exclusive location will fast-track your learning journey and open the door to the true Italian culture and lifestyle. Get ready to become a confident Italian user and live like a local in the center of Italy.
If you decide to study at Love Italian
mention the Studentessa Matta website
to receive a small thank you gift.
Courses are available in person and online.
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Coffee Break Italian
Visit the Coffee Break Italian Website
and sign up for an Italian Course!
Coffee Break Italian is currently available in three levels,
represented by each “season”. Each season features 40 lessons.
Listen to the Coffee Break Italian free podcasts and learn or improve your Italian on the go, where and when it suits you. Take the next step and sign up for a course on the Coffee Break Academy, accessing video materials, lesson notes, and bonus audio content. Read my review of Coffee Break Italian.
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Best Italian Classes with Irene from Umbria
Visit the Best Italian Classes website and sign up for online Italian Courses for advanced students
Improve your Italian with Irene
Ideal for intermediate and advanced learners.
Best Italian Classes è una scuola di italiano on-line interamente dedicata all’arricchimento del lessico italiano per studenti intermedi e avanzati.
Best Italian Classes is an online school dedicated to the enrichment of the vocabulary of advanced and intermediate Italian students.
Four GREAT Classes, FREE Content, a Real classroom,
and a LOT of practice.
Video lessons, more than 300 quizzes, PDFs, Captions, glossary, access to the community, and final test, plus FREE CONTENT!!
Four Courses to Choose From
• Italian Idioms with Clothing Vocabulary
• Learn how to use Italian phrasal verbs
• Learn how to use Italian pronominal verbs
• Italian Idioms with Head parts
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Exclusive Language Programs
with Elisabetta Macanni
Individual Language Coaching Class Sessions 90 Minutes
Ideal for intermediate and advanced learners.
Individual Language Coaching Class Sessions 60 Minutes
Ideal for learners with a beginner level.
Group Sessions 90 Minutes
Perfect program if you want to study with your friends.
Important notice: All the learners must have the same level.
Learn More About Elisabetta’s Courses Here
Eli’s program takes you from being uncomfortable and struggling to communicate to being 100% confident with your Italian level so that you can contribute to conversations successfully in daily life situations.
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Cyber Italian with Maura Garau
In May of 2009, I took my first online course with Cyber Italian and I thought it was wonderful! I like the idea of working online at my convenience & the flexibility of moving at my own pace through the well-thought-out Italian exercises. I thought the material was fun, whimsical & innovative. CyberItalian mixes language learning with Italian history and cultural lessons songs and interesting insights about the country which I enjoyed and was a real plus for me! I chose to work with a tutor and she gave me the opportunity to have more personal interaction and the opportunity to speak with her personally in online chat sessions.
CyberItalian offers varying types of instruction: Self-Study Courses, Tutored Courses, Private Lessons & Italian Coaching Programs.
Use the Matta Coupon Code: M9FG11
to receive automatic
10% Discount on all courses
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Lingopie Language Learning TV Platform
- Choose a TV show or movie. Pick a genre you like—there are loads to choose from.
- Watch with 2 sets of subtitles—Italian & English. Click any word for instant translation.
- When finished watching, review what you learned with contextual video flashcards
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Yabla Authentic Way to Study Italian
Click this link to receive Matta discount.
Practice auditory and reading Italian comprehension skills with Yabla!
Language Immersion Through YABLA Online Video. The revolutionary way to immerse yourself in a foreign language! Yabla language immersion sites give you authentic television, music videos, drama, interviews, travel, and Yabla exclusive shoots from throughout the world. Yabla’s unique player technology is designed with language learners in mind: Slow Play, Integrated Dictionaries, Listening Game, Dual Language Subtitles, and more. I think Yabla is a great way to further immerse yourself in language learning. I am a subscriber! I wrote about Yabla Italian learn online: check it out! The most authentic way to learn a foreign language
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LingQ
Online Reading Learning App
LingQ is an Innovative Language Learning App
The concept behind LingQ is simple:
- Consume your favourite media (articles, e-books, YouTube videos with subtitles, Netflix shows, podcasts, and so on) within the app
- Click on unfamiliar words and phrases as you read, or follow along with the subtitles
- Save them for easy access later on in the form of lists and flashcards.
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Learn with Babbel
Babble offers independent courses at all levels that help you improve your Italian language skills. It provides fun interactive activities, that help with writing, listening, speaking, grammar and vocabulary. I’ve tested out the advanced-level classes and think they are engaging and fun! Check out Babbel and see for yourself.
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Art, Language and
Cultural Experiences in Italy
Kelly Medford Art Courses in Rome
Use the Matta Coupon Code:
MATTA-ROME-KELLY-ART
to receive a personalized sketch book hand made by Kelly
Kelly Medford is an American artist living in Rome. Kelly Medford is a full-time, professional artist who has lived and worked in Italy since 2004. She studied classical figurative drawing, and painting and now offers painting and sketching programs and outdoor watercolor classes to those seeking a creative activity when visiting the Eternal City.
Kelly will guide you to some very interesting parts of Rome that few tourists ever see. In her company you just might find yourself sketching an Egyptian obelisk in the gardens of Villa Celemontana or the arches of a Roman gateway in a park tucked behind the Colosseo. Or perhaps she will take you to the little lake in the Borghese gardens where you will draw fountains and boats, concentrating on the cool purple shadows and the bright white highlights of the hot afternoon sun.
Included in Sketching Rome Tour: Handmade Sketchbook (yours to keep), Waterproof drawing pen, Pencil, Pencil Sharpener, Waterbrush, Travel Watercolor Kit, Bag to hold it all, Folding stool for sitting.
I partnered with Kelly on an Italian Language & Art Appreciation program in 2015. The great thing about sketching programs with Kelly is that you don’t need to be an accomplished artist to participate. Kelly supplies her participants with paintbrushes and watercolors and guides them through a wonderfully fulfilling creative experience—one you won’t forget!
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Laura Ghezzi Art & Fresco Courses in Arezzo
Meet my great friend Laura Ghezzi, a talented artist from Arezzo who offers watercolor, fresco, and tempera courses and day classes for small groups and individuals. Laura is a cultural heritage restorer and art teacher specializing in applied art teaching. She offers courses for both children and adults. Laura and I team up for my small group language programs in Arezzo offering students the chance to create a small fresco in the manner of Piero della Francesca to take home with them. What fun it is to make watercolor images of Arezzo’s impressive Duomo sitting in the park sipping spritzes!
You too can participate in one or more of Laura’s classes.
Watercolor Painting, also known as aquarelle, is a painting method in which the paints are made of pigments suspended in a water-based solution. Watercolor painting is extremely old, and has been used for manuscript illustration and in the European Middle Ages and perfected as an art medium in the Renaissance.
The Watercolor Classes will be held in Piazza Grande the Vasari Caffè
Watercolor Painting 8 Hour Water Color Course: The watercolor course will consist of 4-afternoon lessons, lasting 2 hours per lesson for a total of 8 hours.
Watercolor Painting—Hourly Day or Afternoon Class
Option to purchase watercolors, add on cost
Fresco Painting is a technique of mural painting executed upon freshly-laid plaster. Learn the oldest artistic technic Italian artists perfected over the centuries & take it! An excellent example of Fresco painting can be seen in Arezzo’s San Francesco Church where Piero della Francesca painted the fresco cycle “The Origins of the True Cross.” On request, Laura can organize a visit to the basilica. Classes held in Laura’s studio.
Fresco 8-Hour Course (4 two hr sessions)
Fresco Day or Afternoon Class Hourly Rate
Fresco Day Experience 4-5 Hours: Laura will host you in Arezzo for a day dedicated to learning about Fresco painting. She will meet you at the train station & give you a brief tour of Arezzo, then take you to Arezzo’s Cathedral TO admire Piero della Francesca’s fresco of Mary Magdalene. In her studio in city center you will create a fresco to take home . Fresco Day includes light lunch with wine &coffee. All paints & accessories included.
Tempera Painting also known as egg tempera, is a permanent, fast-drying painting medium consisting of colored pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder medium, usually made with egg yolk. Learn to paint like the masters Pietro Lorenzetti, whose work can be seen in Arezzo’s church Santa Maria della Pieve or Luca Signorelli’s paintings in Cortona or the Duomo in Orvieto.
The Tempera Painting Classes will be held in Laura’s studio.
Tempera Painting 12 Hour Course (6 Sessions of 2 hrs each)
Tempera Painting Day or Afternoon Class Hourly Rate
Option to add pure gold paint to your painting, add on cost
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Matta Small Group Italian Language Immersion Programs
The Andiamo in Italia! small group immersion programs, are 10 – 12 days and accommodate up to ten individuals. We study with one of my partner schools. The program focuses on improving conversation skills. Students study in the mornings at the school with other international language learners at their level, then in the afternoon Melissa’s group reunites and goes on excursions and participates in activities — art projects, local festivals, wine tastings, and cooking classes — to continue practicing Italian skills with Melissa, local guides, teachers and Italian friends.
Travel to Italy with like-minded language learners. Accommodations are provided, cost of school and activities and excursions included, most meals are arranged, there is time for shopping, and evening spritzes with the group, as well as the time to explore on your own during free afternoons. The best part… there is unlimited Italian conversation.
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Italian Language Homestay Programs
An Italian Homestay Language Vacation offers you the chance to immerse in Italy’s language and culture in a comfortable family environment. I partner with excellent teachers located all over Italy. I screen them, and have stayed in almost all their homes or have met them in person.
Nothing is more effective for learning a foreign language than to live in close contact with a tutor who is specialized in teaching their native language in the country where this language is spoken! Spending an entire day in a family context, combining a few hours of “traditional” teaching to the many stimuli that daily life offers (TV, dining, walking) is the most natural and less stressful way to make progress in learning a language.
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YLTOUR
Puglia Destination Specilist
Ylenia Sambati
YLTOUR DMC is a full-service travel agency dedicated to helping clients curate the perfect itinerary based on their needs, expectations, and budget. Their team of destination specialists is ready to tailor a dream trip to Puglia based on your specific interests. They are are your “boots on the ground in Puglia 24/7”. They will guide you through southern Italy at the “heel of the boot” and at any point you need further assistance they are ready to help modify an itinerary, deal with an emergency, or just provide insider knowledge, should you need the name of a winery to visit or a restaurant recommendation.
Ylenia and I worked together on my very first “Matta” Andiamo in Italia Small Group Language Program. Together we coordinated THREE programs in Puglia in Lecce, so I know from experience how wonderful Ylenia’s services are! Ylenia is warm and sunny just like Puglia! She provides customized travel experiences that are authentic and infused with genuine care. Whether you are planning to travel solo or with a small group, Ylenia will introduce you to real people and authentic experiences… and you to will fall in love with Puglia!
Customizable Puglia experiences include Cooking Classes, Day trips to Alberobello, Loccorotondo, Otranto and other scenic towns, Picnics in olive groves, Wine Tastings, Wedding Planning, Bike Tours, Art Tours, Romantic Vintage Tours in Lecce, Canoeing, The Salento Riviera, Salento Village & Farm Experience, Craft Tours, Olive Oil Tours, Horseback Riding, Yoga Retreats… and more… you ask for it, Ylena and company will deliver it!
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Arezzo City & Art Tours with Rachele Fusa
Book a tour with Rachele Fusa
Receive 50% Discount on
Designer Scarf Featuring Piazza Grande in Arezzo
(Originally $30 in Melissa’s Gift Shop)
Discover Arezzo with Rachele Fusa—things you will see
San Donato (Arezzo’s Duomo) Inside is Piera della Francesca’s fresco Mary Magdalene.
Church San Domenico inside is a Cross painted by Cimabue.
La Badia with the illusionistic ceiling and the tomb of Vasari.
Petrarch’s House.
Arezzo’s Medieval Library
Santa Maria della Pieve (People’s Church).
La Fortezza built by Cosimo II Medici.
Church San Francesco inside is Piero della Francesca’s fresco cycle True Cross.
La Chimera Etruscan lion/goat/serpent statue.
Piazza Guido Monaco.
Santo Spirito Bastione
Il Prato located next to the Duomo (breathtaking view of countryside).
Casa di Vasari home & birthplace of Vasari.
Piazza Grande / La Loggia Vasari where Jousting occurs.
Ivan Bruschi Museum – antique collector inspired Arezzo’s Antique fair.
Jousting Museum
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Viator Travel Booking Services
Find your destination whether it be Rome, Milano, Sicilia, or anywhere in the world you’d like to go! Book securely with the world’s largest travel site. Book Your Trips and Tours Through Viator Trusted Partners & Pay Later. Free cancellation 24 hours in advance of most experiences.
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Recommended Language Learning Books, Italian Cultural Courses & Italian Gifts
“Due Amiche” Short Story with audio
written in Italian by Serena Capilli
Serena is the inspiration behind the blog www.italianpills.com where for the past ten years has helpd students learn Italian through creative and intelligent means. Now she’s written and published an entertaining novella (a short novel) called “Due Amiche” that takes place in Alto Adige. Not only is it culturally interesting it also is an effective way of acquiring new vocabulary and expressions while practicing reading, listening, and grammar. At the end of each chapter, there is a recap and useful activities to reinforce the material. The books are ideal for beginning and intermediate students as the chapters are simple and take about 10-20 minutes to finish, so it can be a great 16-day study course. The book also comes with audio narration made by Serena.
Notizia fantastica from Serena Capilli and Smart Learning Italian! She has a new book out for Intermediate Italian Language Learners and she has a SPECIAL OFFER for those who click this link. They will receive Serena’s new book PLUS a 30-Day Challenge Packet. What does this mean? You will receive a 40-minute one-on-one coaching session to discuss the story with Serena and writing assignments that you will submit to Serena every Monday for 30 days after your purchase date for corrections and review.
The new book called “Incontri Sicily Edition” is a series of short stories in Simple Italian written by Serena Capilli about a girl named Fiona who is the first in her Italian-American family to learn her ancestors’ language. At university in the US, she earned a scholarship and moved to Rome to improve her Italian for a semester. But there’s more to the story. To complete an Italian citizenship application, she must obtain a copy of her great-grandfather’s birth certificate. This brings her to Sicily. In Sicily, she has several encounters that will forever alter her future.
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Audiobooks.com
On the Audiobooks.com website, you will find a wide selection of Italian language learning materials for the very beginner to Advanced language learners! Sign up for a FREE TRIAL and get 3 FREE audiobooks and unlimited access to all other audio entertainment.
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Wondrium — the new way to learn!
Stream Unlimited Videos, Courses,
Documentaries, and More
Wondrium (formerly the Great Courses) now offers more courses and learning experiences for you to enjoy. Watch any course anytime, anyplace! Learn from award-winning experts and professors from the most respected institutions in the world. Over 800 Courses & expert professors across multiple categories. Learn at your own pace with no schedule, while exercising, commuting, or just relaxing. Just you and the world’s greatest professors!
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Guide Books: Conversational Italian for Travels by Kathryn Occhipinti
When Orded Directly from Author
No Shipping Fees Using Coupon Code:
MATTA-FOR-ITALY
Conversational Italian Just the Phrases
Conversation Italian Travelers Just the Verbs
Conversation Italian Travelers Just the Grammar
Conversational Italian for Travelers Text Book-Binder
$9.99
$15.00
$15.00
$125.00
Travel agents/ travel guides can have the name of their
agency printed on the book directly with an order of 500 or more
Kathryn Occhipinti is an Italian-American author and blogger and frequent traveler to Italy who is passionate about the Italian language and culture. Learn “all the Italian you need to know to enjoy your trip to Italy,” with her series of books, Conversational Italian for Travel, and “Just the Important Phrases.” The books are small enough to slip into a pocket or purse yet contain essential travel phrases, with tips on how to create your own. The last section of the book is devoted to Italian food. One reviewer comments: “Side effects may include getting hungry!”
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Studentessa Matta Amazon Page
The easiest way to holiday shop is on Amazon! Visit my Matta Amazon page to find things I’ve purchased and found useful for learning, traveling, decorating, wearing, reading, watching, cooking, sipping, accessorizing, “technologing”… or just because and for fun! Check back frequently because I’m always adding new things.
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Studentessa Matta Etsy Gift Page
Etsy is a wonderful place to find handmade or vintage items from a wide range of categories, including jewelry, bags, clothing, home decor, toys, arts and crafts. Shopping on Etsy is a wonderful way to support grassroots artists and businesses.
One of my favorite jewelry stores in Florence is called La Gazza Ladra and now you can buy La Gazza Ladra creations on Etsy. I have those earrings of the Florence skyline featured above and now you can too! Anyone would love to have one of those T-shirts, pasta stamps, coffee mugs, doormats that say “Ciao” and signs that decorate the house saying “La famiglia è tutto!” Shop my suggestions on Etsy.
I’m especially enamored with these silver rings with designs that represent cities like Rome and Florence. I have both and wear them all the time.
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Design Services & Apps
Bellano Word Press Web Services
I’ve worked with Thauna at Bellano Web Studio for over two years and highly recommend her Word Press Web Design Services. She takes my ideas and translates them into a beautiful website. She is creative and responsive for any technical glitch you might encounter to keep your site vibrant and thriving.
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Canva Design App for Social Media
Canva is a graphic design platform, used to create social media graphics, presentations, posters, documents and other visual content. Thousands Of Custom Templates And Stock Images, Easy-To-Use Editing Features, And More!
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Grammarly Writing Assistant
The Grammarly writing assistant supports clean writing with suggestions that go beyond grammar. Check grammatical errors instantly to enhance your writing and avoid plagiarism. Fix Punctuation Errors. Improve Word Choice. Eliminate Grammar Errors. This is a program every writer needs! I highly recommend it.
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ABC Affiliate
