The What If of Spec Fic(tion) for 9-12th grade
Writing speculative fiction (spec fic) can create a safe space for authors to reflect on their personal lives and lived experiences, as challenging as they may be: How can we use our experience with the pandemic to create a horror novel about an astronaut who survives a crash, leaving them on a deserted planet? How can we fuse together personal commentary on the body positivity movement and a fantasy story where unicorns enter a beauty pageant? How can we utilize a fictional plot to foster healing, process emotions, and practice empathy?
In this introductory workshop, students will explore spec fic texts, engage in journaling exercises and conversations, develop their own stories, and will gain a better understanding of the healing possibilities of speculative fiction.
This workshop is for students in 9-12th grade and will take place in-person at Hugo House.
Scholarships are available by application. Questions? Please email youth@hugohouse.org.
Cassidy Dyce
Cassidy Dyce is a writer currently living in Seattle, Washington. After graduating from Christopher Newport University with a BA degree in English, she worked as the writer's assistant for Kwame Alexander, Author, and Recipient of the Newbery Medal. Her work is featured in NPR's Morning Edition and ABC's miniseries, WordPlay. In her first year of moving to Seattle, Cassidy was accepted into the Hugo House Fellowship Program, where she completed the first draft of her WIP Caricatures. Recently, she joined Seattle Arts and Lecture's Writers-in-Schools (WITS) residency, where she has the privilege to venture into Public Schools and partner with Teachers to reintroduce the love of literature and creative writing to students. Her graphic novel series, Brainstormers, Co-authored with Kwame Alexander, will hit shelves in 2025.
