Learn to Write Imaginative Fiction
Here you can find courses on all different aspects of writing imaginative fiction, from the basics to more advanced special topics—with new courses and material to come!
Some are live virtual classes, held weekly through Zoom (free videoconferencing app) and for young writers (age 13–18) only, with some of the best writers of science fiction, fantasy, and horror working today.
We also have an ongoing self-paced course (Introductory Course: Writing Imaginative Fiction), meaning you can do them on your schedule, and combine a mix of video craft talks, group readings/conversation, and exercises—which you can share in the forum and take part in giving feedback on other writers’ works-in-progress!
How to Write YA Speculative Fiction, with Lilliam Rivera
Mondays, June 29–July 20, 2020, from 3–4:30pm
In this four-week course, writer Lilliam Rivera (Dealing in Dreams, The Education of Margot Sanchez, and Goldie Vance: The Hotel Whodunit) will walk you through different strategies and techniques for writing YA science fiction and fantasy stories.
Imaginative Fiction Workshop, with Kali Wallace
Tuesdays, June 30–July 28, 2020, from 1–3:00pm
This workshop, with author Kali Wallace (Salvation Day, City of Islands, and The Memory Trees), will give you and a group of fellow students the opportunity to share one of your stories and give and receive feedback on these works-in-progress, learning about the craft of writing along the way.
World Making for Stories and Life, with Jeanelle Horcasitas and Olivia Quintanilla
Wednesdays, July 1–July 29, 2020, from 12–1:00pm (1:30p on July 29)
World making (or worldbuilding) is a practice that gives you the freedom to imagine unlimited possibilities, alternate realities and histories, and worlds. But it’s not just about the imagination, in fact, it’s a foundational skill that can be applied to many aspects of your life: school, work, family, and more. Join Drs. Olivia Quintanilla and Jeanelle Horcasitas to explore how you can use world making for yourself.
Writing YOUR Superhero Story, with Minh Lê (and guest Thao Le)
Wednesdays, July 1–July 22, 2020, from 3–4:30pm
In this four-week course, writer Minh Lê (Lift, Green Lantern: Legacy, and Drawn Together) help you explore how to tell superhero stories that reflect your experience and your communities.
Imaginative Fiction Workshop, with Rebecca Roanhorse
Thursdays, July 9–August 6, 2020, from 3–5:00pm
This workshop, with author Rebecca Roanhorse (Trail of Lightning, Storm of Locusts, Star Wars: Resistance Reborn, and Race to the Sun), will give you and a group of fellow students the opportunity to share one of your stories and give and receive feedback on these works-in-progress, learning about the craft of writing along the way.
Creating Believable Characters, with Leah Thomas
Tuesdays, July 23–August 13, 2020, from 1–2:00pm
These sessions, with author Leah Thomas (Wild and Crooked, Because You’ll Never Meet Meet, and When Light Left Us), will focus on nurturing author voice and developing new perspectives that can help convey convincing characters in any genre
Introductory Course: Writing Imaginative Fiction
Available online now
This self-paced course is a great place for writers to start—going through all the basic building blocks of a story, from where stories come from to how to develop your characters and worlds.
