Welcome to the Orange Academy! Using Italian Renaissance inspiration, hence the name Accademia Arancione, we gather here to write and produce books!

Many people have a book in mind they’d like to write, and getting it done is a challenge. We gather here to support each other in overcoming challenges to getting one’s dream book produced.

Inspiration comes from three historic figures from the Italian Renaissance era:

• Aldus Manutius who created the Aldine Press in 1494 in Venice. Aldus created the Aldine Academy in conjunction with his printing business to encourage the teaching of ancient Greek and Latin.
• Veronica Franco, The Honest Courtesan, who surmounted sexism and classism in Venice to publish her poetry in 1575 and letters in 1580.
• Isabella Andreini, Commedia dell’Arte Actress and poet, who also surmounted challenges to publish her poetry and lead a professional troupe of comedians, i Gelosi.

It is with these inspiring people in mind that we create this Academy to support independent writers in writing, editing, and publishing their books.

Founders of the Accademia Arancione are Rachel Brune and Lara Coutinho-Dean. In their hobby of historic re-enactment, they formed a partnership of Laurel & Apprentice. In terms of the community known as the Society for Creative Anachronism, Rachel’s SCA name is Lady Teresa von Attilium and Lara’s SCA name is Dame Sophia the Orange, OL. Teresa is Sophia’s apprentice in the scope of SCA personas.

In the modern day, Rachel Brune is an author, editor, and publisher. Her many accomplishments can be seen at these links:

• https://rachelabrune.com/
• https://horror.org/veterans-in-horror-interview-with-rachel-a-brune
• https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/5414042.Rachel_A_Brune
• https://cronegirlspress.com/

More details of the apprenticeship that establishes this Academia can be found here: https://sophia.scottandlara.com/2025/09/26/announcing-accademia-arancia/

Anyone who is interested in joining our Academy is welcome! There is no requirement other than showing up. No apprenticeship necessary. We meet twice a month to carve out time for us to write and support each other in accomplishing a finished book. Anyone interested can email Lara at orangesophie AT gmail.com.