This intensive ten-week workshop combines instructional lectures, hands-on writing exercises, and constructive peer critique of student work. The course welcomes both beginning writers and those with previous writing experience seeking to refresh their foundational skills. A detailed syllabus for this workshop is available below.
Science fiction and fantasy literature transport readers across vast distances to distant worlds or deep into forgotten historical periods. By extrapolating scientific principles into imaginative technologies or creating entirely new systems of magic, these genres explore possibilities ranging from alternate pasts to speculative futures, inviting readers to consider any conceivable outcome. To write compelling science fiction and fantasy requires merging the technical skills of fiction craftsmanship with the ability to render imaginary elements as convincingly realistic. Within this course, you will master the distinctive requirements of these powerful genres, combined with fundamental fiction writing craft and practical strategies for marketing your completed work. Whether your goal involves writing short fiction or full-length novels, exploring cyberpunk aesthetics or epic fantasy worlds, this instruction will equip you with the techniques necessary to create stories that captivate readers with a sense of wonder and possibility.
This course provides comprehensive instruction in fiction fundamentals and guides you through writing at least one complete short story or the opening chapters of a novel. The course includes the following components:
- Instructional lectures covering key concepts and techniques
- Structured writing exercises for skill development
- Peer workshopping sessions where students present and receive feedback on their work twice throughout the term
New York City and Zoom Classes:
- Course syllabus varies by instructor and term; however, many topics align with those taught in online sections.
- Zoom sessions occur in real time with students from around the world joining Gotham, New York City's longest-established creative writing school.
- Zoom classes function through videoconference in real-time, closely resembling in-person instruction, with all participants joining from their individual locations using computers or devices. Zoom software is provided at no cost and is simple to use.
- You may participate in Zoom writing classes from anywhere with an internet connection. While most Zoom participants are based in the United States, our enrollment extends globally to nearly every country worldwide.
- Technical support will be provided. In accordance with privacy standards, Zoom sessions are not recorded.
