Yearlong in Speculative Fiction
with Nisi Shawl
Genres: Fiction, Young Adult/Children's Lit, Novel, Short Story
Online
Intermediate
30 Sessions
Out of stock
Request a ScholarshipLearn to write a high-quality speculative fiction story or novel in this comprehensive craft-focused cohort. Over nine months, we’ll learn the ins and outs of story structure (worldbuilding, backstory, point of view, character arcs, openings, etc.), craft considerations (creating reader empathy, inclusion and diversity, tension, pacing, and complications), and publishing. We’ll also spend some time doing some generative writing and workshopping.
Come away with a clear vision of speculative fiction and how to write it, one short story (at least) or the first draft of a novel, and a toolkit to revise and move forward with your current work in progress.
Perfect for writers with some prior writing experience, who want to master craft and study alongside other spec fic writers in a supportive cohort environment.
What to expect:
- Workshop (48%): students submit work for critique from the teacher and class.
- Craft Discussion (40%): teachers and students explore essential elements of the craft.
- Generative Writing (12%): students create new work during class or from assignments.
- Feedback from both peers and instructor.
- 2-3 hours of writing and/or reading outside of class.
Q&A with Yearlong in Speculative Fiction instructor Nisi Shawl:
Who is this class best suited for? How much writing experience do I need to take this class?
This is a class for people thinking of writing as an important part of their life: a career, a way of expressing their love for the world, a gift to their community, or all of the above. You should already have the experience of writing at least one coherent piece of prose in English—fiction or nonfiction, for yourself or for others.
What will I learn over the course of this yearlong?
You'll learn how to use many of the craft tools developed by other writers. You'll learn how writing communities form and how they function. You'll learn how to analyze the writing you and others produce, and how to apply the results of that analysis to your work.
If your class is a workshop class, how many times will each student be workshopped?
Each student's writing (not the student themself) will be workshopped in class at least once. There may be a second workshop opportunity depending on the number of participants and the desires of individual students for this exercise.
How much time outside of class will I need for this class each week?
That depends on how frequently your small group meets. It could be as much as two hours or as little as a half hour.
How much feedback will I receive on my work? Will it be from peers or my instructor?
You will receive feedback from both peers and instructors in whole class critiques. You'll receive feedback solely from peers in small groups meeting outside class. And you will have the option of receiving feedback from me in the one-on-one sessions you'll be invited to schedule with me before class meetings.
Who will we be reading?
We'll read Samuel R. Delany and Ursula K. LeGuin on craft. There will be two short stories selected for us to use in practicing the techniques of critiquing. But mostly we'll be reading each others' work.
What will I come out of this yearlong with?
You'll come out of the class with at least one draft of a story or novel excerpt, at least one thorough critique of said text(s), at least one self-generated description of a book-length project, and at least one outline of a short story or novel.
Anything else you want students to know about your class?
This class is about taking and optimizing the long view of your work. Writing is not a sprint. It's at least a half-marathon. And it's a lot less solitary than you may think it is.
Students say…
“My writing community grew in ways I had hoped it would, plus I was able to get most of my novel first draft finished and now I have a new critique group that will continue on even after the class is done…Nisi is a fantastic instructor.”
“Connecting with other writers and this instructor gave me invaluable skills, confidence, encouragement, and excitement to keep writing. Nisi is an amazing instructor who creates an inclusive, accessible class for writers of all levels. They are incredibly generous with their time and expert feedback. The emphasis on learning from one another as peers in a community made this fantastic experience.”
Registration Dates:
- August 13: Member registration opens at 10:30 am PT
- August 20: General registration opens at 10:30 am PT
- September 1: Last day of Early Bird discount
This class is not eligible for a member discount. Learn more here »
Payment plans are available for classes with 8+ sessions. Email education@hugohouse.org to inquire about payment plan options.
Nisi Shawl
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.
FAQ
Complete FAQEach class description includes a breakdown of what you can expect in terms of in-class activity, feedback, and homework (if any).
Generative means you’ll be generating new writing, either in class or at home between classes.
Workshop means you’ll be sharing work to be read and critiqued by your instructor and classmates and that you will also be critiquing the work of your peers.
Reading means you’ll be doing close reading of a work with an eye toward craft.
Craft discussion means you’ll be looking at the tools writers use to do that thing they do so well and then trying it out yourself.
Class levels are designed for various stages of the writing journey. Simply self-select the level that sounds best for where you’re at.
Introductory: This is your first creative writing workshop, first writing class since high school, or first foray into a new genre or form. You’re looking to try something new, kickstart your writing, and/or establish yourself in the fundamentals.
Intermediate: You have a strong understanding of writing fundamentals and are eager to deep dive into craft. You’re honing your writerly identity and voice through independent projects. In workshop, you look for constructive feedback and are ready to do writing and reading outside of class.
Advanced: You’ve written a significant body of work and have taken it through several stages of revision. You’re getting ready to publish or are in the early stage of publishing, and you’re interested in refining the skills that will take you to the next level in the literary industry.
All Levels: You are any of the above and are looking to play with new possibilities.
You’ll get your class information, including Zoom link if applicable, three days before the first day of class.
Write With Hugo House is our free monthly write-in program, operated in partnership with the Seattle Public Library. Two take place onsite at SPL locations, one takes place online.
Sliding-scale classes are offered every quarter. Find them in our Class Catalog.
We announce flash sales, early bird periods, and special deals through our e-newsletter; sign up at the bottom of this page.
At this time, we offer payment plans on classes 8 sessions and up. Email education@hugohouse.org with the name of the class you’re interested in to set up a payment plan.
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We charge a 5% nonrefundable administrative fee for all payment plans.
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Extended payment plans up to 8 monthly installments and 16 semi-monthly installments are available upon request.
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We are unable to hold seats for prospective payment plan students. Students will be enrolled once their first installment has been paid.
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If you need to cancel, Hugo House will issue refunds according to its cancellation and transfer policies. Your 5% nonrefundable admin fee will not be refunded.
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If you withdraw from a class after it begins, you will not receive a refund and are still responsible for paying the full course tuition.
Asynchronous classes are perfect for students that need flexibility!
During an asynchronous class, instructors release new lessons once per week. Students then have one week to complete that lesson and any accompanying coursework. You’ll learn as much as you would in a traditional class but with the flexibility to work at the best times for your schedule!
While there are no live sessions, asynchronous classes are still a lively and rigorous experience. Async classes are not static lessons but an adaptable and energetic community space. Be ready to work in a collaborative environment, giving and receiving feedback on your writing, participating in discussions, and growing your writing practice in a way that works best for you.
Asynchronous classes take place through the website Wet Ink. Students receive an invitation to the class and to set up a Wet Ink account on the start date of the class. Each week of the class, a new lesson will be available through the Wet Ink portal. Classes close two weeks after the end date, and students receive an email containing their content from the class when it closes.
Hugo House will only process refund requests that are submitted 5 business days or more before the class start date. To request a refund, log in to your account, go to “My Account,” select the “Orders” tab on the left-hand side, click the appropriate order, and request a refund for your specific class. Administrative fees apply. Please see our full refund policy here.
In general, we do not record classes. However, an exception if a student has specific access needs.
We encourage students to only sign up for classes that fit with their schedule.
We do not tolerate racist, sexist, homophobic, ableist, transphobic or any other oppressive behaviors, regardless of who commits them. Please check out our full community guidelines by clicking here. If an instance of community guidelines are violated and not resolved within the classroom, students may let us know by filling out the student incident report.
If Hugo House needs to cancel a class for any reason, you’ll receive a full refund.
You can apply for a scholarship by clicking the red “Request a Scholarship” text on class pages. The scholarship request text is located at the top of each class page, underneath the “add to cart” button.
Hugo House members get to register early for classes – a full week before they open to the general public!, receive a 10% discount on events and classes, and more. See the full list of membership benefits here!
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