Classes

Fiction, Novel, Short Story

  • Term: Fall 2022
  • Start Date: September 27, 2022
  • End Date: May 23, 2023
  • Day of Week: Tuesday
  • Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm PT
  • Level: Open to all levels
  • Audience: Adult
  • Location: Online
  • Availability: Yes
  • Public Price: $1510.00
  • Member Price: $1359.00

Learn About Scholarships

Yearlong in Science Fiction

In this craft-focused class, we’ll discuss and work through methods of writing a speculative fiction story or novel of high quality. Topics covered will include worldbuilding; backstory; creating reader empathy; inclusion and diversity; voice and point of view; character arcs; outlining; setting up and depicting tensions; pacing; and constructing openings, complications, and resolutions. Part of each class will be spent doing writing exercises. Small group and full-class critiques will also be offered, as well as individual consultations.

Please note the following schedule updates not shown in the printed catalogue:

  • New start date: 9/27
  • New end date: 5/23

No class on 10/18, 11/8, 12/20, 12/27, & additional dates TBD.

Payment plans available. Contact registrar@hugohouse.org for more information.

Registration dates:

August 22: Scholarship Donation Day (Learn more.)

August 23: Member registration opens

August 30: General registration opens

Nisi Shawl

Nisi Shawl

they/them

Nisi Shawl (they/them) is the multiple award-winning author and editor of over a dozen books of speculative fiction and related nonfiction, including the Nebula Award finalist novel Everfair; the standard text on inclusive representation, Writing the Other; and the first two volumes of the New Suns anthology series. Their most recent publication is the middle grade historical fantasy novel Speculation, which Lee & Low published in January 2023. They’ve taught and spoken at Duke University, Spelman College, Stanford University, Sarah Lawrence College, and many other institutions. Once upon a time, they conducted a filmed, onstage interview with Octavia E. Butler.