Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing I is an intensive 10-week workshop combining instructor lectures, hands-on writing exercises, and structured critique of student projects. This course is designed for writers at all levels, from those taking their first steps in speculative fiction to experienced authors seeking to refine their fundamentals.
Science fiction and fantasy transport readers across vast distances and through time itself, whether to planets orbiting distant stars or to ancient caverns of bygone eras. These genres harness the power of extrapolated science to imagine future technologies and conjure entirely new magical systems, unlocking boundless creative possibilities and inviting readers to contemplate what might have been or what might come to be.
Writing compelling science fiction or fantasy demands that you combine the fundamental skills of fiction writing with the ability to make imaginary worlds feel authentic and real to readers. In this course, you will explore the unique craft requirements of these genres and learn proven techniques for marketing your finished work to contemporary audiences.
Whether your ambition is to write short stories or full-length novels, whether you envision cyberpunk futures or sweeping high fantasy epics, we will help you develop the tools to create stories that captivate readers with wonder and imagination.
Important Course Information:
- This Science Fiction and Fantasy course encompasses the broader category of "speculative fiction," which serves as an umbrella covering science fiction subgenres such as hard sci-fi, alternate reality, cyberpunk, and more, as well as fantasy subgenres including high fantasy, urban fantasy, and historical fantasy. The course also addresses works of horror. Current course material emphasizes science fiction; however, the majority of craft techniques taught apply equally well to fantasy and horror genres, and students working on fantasy or horror projects are welcome and encouraged to pursue their chosen genre.
- If you are writing in science fiction, fantasy, or horror, you may enroll in Fiction I, or at the advanced level, consider Novel II First Draft or Novel II Critique. Alternatively, we offer specialized genre courses, including Science Fiction and Fantasy, Romance, and Mystery.
- Students working on young adult novels have multiple pathway options: you may take a Fiction or Novel course, a genre-specific course, or enroll in our Children's Book course, which provides comprehensive coverage of all categories and age ranges within children's literature.
This course delivers solid foundational training in science fiction and fantasy craft while getting you actively writing short stories, novellas, or the opening chapters of a novel. Course components include:
- Comprehensive lectures on key concepts and techniques
- Focused writing exercises to develop and strengthen skills
- Workshopping sessions where each student presents work twice for collaborative feedback
Online class modules:
- Week 1: Introduction to Science Fiction and Fantasy defines speculative fiction and explores the "what if" foundation of these genres; examines techniques for generating fresh story ideas and concepts.
- Week 2: Character Development investigates what makes characters memorable and compelling; explores backstory construction; distinguishes between protagonist and antagonist; and shows how character is revealed through dialogue, physical description, actions, and internal thoughts.
- Week 3: World Building covers techniques for creating entirely new worlds; working with existing historical or contemporary settings; maintaining internal consistency; applying world-building checkpoints; and using sensory details to bring settings to life.
- Week 4: Story Structure and Plot examines conflict and stakes; distinguishes between story and plot; explores narrative structure and outlining approaches; addresses the difference between earned resolutions and convenient solutions; and covers foreshadowing versus telegraphing.
- Week 5: Point of View covers first-person narration; second-person perspective; third-person approaches and variations; and strategies for managing multiple points of view effectively.
- Week 6: Voice, Style, and Pacing explores different voice and style approaches; examines how to control pacing within a story; discusses timing and rhythm at the sentence level.
- Week 7: Dialogue and Character Voice investigates various dialogue functions; proper dialogue formatting; how dialogue advances characterization; when and where to integrate dialogue; maintaining authenticity and believability; subtext and hidden meanings; and creating distinctive voices for different character types and species.
- Week 8: Beginnings and Endings teaches techniques for effective story openings; strategies for powerful conclusions; how to avoid undermining a strong beginning with a weak finish; and the craft of surprise endings.
- Week 9: Speculative Fiction Challenges addresses common pitfalls, including excessive exposition; maintaining believability within fantastic premises; avoiding stereotypes and predictable clichés; and keeping readers engaged throughout.
- Week 10: Publishing Your Work covers current market trends and opportunities for short stories and novels; preparing manuscripts for submission; the submission process; identifying appropriate publishers and markets; managing rejection; working with literary agents; understanding contract basics; and discovering resources, including industry conferences and contests.
Note: Course content may vary between individual class sections.
About Our Online Program:
- Our online classes bring together students from around the world to participate in Gotham's coursework, New York City's most respected writing school.
- The online classes function asynchronously rather than in real-time. You can complete coursework and participate whenever suits your schedule, day or night, though courses advance week-by-week with specific milestones to accomplish during each weekly period.
- You can take an online writing course from any location with internet access. Our online student body is primarily based in the U.S., but we welcome and regularly teach students from nearly every country on Earth.
- Comprehensive tech support is provided throughout your enrollment.
- In addition to the convenience of flexible timing and location, you receive a permanent archive of all class materials and discussions that you can download, print, and save. All content is provided in text and image formats rather than video.
