Tue April 23, 2013
Fabulous Fiction: Mysteries, Thrillers, Romance, Sci Fi, Fantasy
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In this workshop, you’ll hone your skills at writing commercial genre fiction—romance/chicklit, mystery/detective, science fiction/fantasy—that aren’t always given the credit they deserve. “If ghosts and witches, lost loves and conflict were good enough for Homer, Shakespeare, and Dante,” says Nick Mamatas, “they’re good enough for me. The techniques practiced in this class work just as well for ‘literary’ fiction.”
Whether you’re ready to be the next Nora Roberts, or simply have a great idea for an urban fantasy series, we’ll get your ideas into shape—eliminate the clichés, perfect the voice of your characters, and create gripping plots—with an eye toward submission and publication. In addition to workshopping of stories or novel chapters, we’ll explore the current marketplace for both short fiction and novels, and practice skills that writers need regardless of genres in which they write.
“Genre doesn’t mean generic,” Nick says. “A genre is like a toolbox—good writers go beyond formula and use the tools of their trade to build and make real what nobody else could imagine. This is not a class where you’ll learn the basic outline for a by-the-numbers story. Instead, we’re writing to add to the great traditions of stories we already love.”
“Suspense writers, present and future: Remember you are in good company. Dostoyevsky, Wilkie Collins, Henry James, Edgar Allan Poe…there are hacks in every kind of literary field…Aim at being a genius.” —Patricia Highsmith
Nick Mamatas is the author of three novels: Under My Roof (Counterpoint), Move Under Ground (Prime Books), and the forthcoming Sensation (PM Press). He’s also published over sixty short stories in genre magazines, literary journals, and anthologies, some of which were recently collected in You Might Sleep… (Prime Books). His fiction has been nominated for both the Bram Stoker and International Horror Guild awards, and as editor of the online magazine Clarkesworld Nick has been nominated for the World Fantasy award and science fiction’s Hugo award. He currently teaches online at Western Connecticut State University, edits science fiction and fantasy for VIZ Media, and is awaiting the release of his next anthology, Haunted Legends (Tor Books), co-edited with Ellen Datlow.
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Whether you’re ready to be the next Nora Roberts, or simply have a great idea for an urban fantasy series, we’ll get your ideas into shape—eliminate the clichés, perfect the voice of your characters, and create gripping plots—with an eye toward submission and publication. In addition to workshopping of stories or novel chapters, we’ll explore the current marketplace for both short fiction and novels, and practice skills that writers need regardless of genres in which they write.
“Genre doesn’t mean generic,” Nick says. “A genre is like a toolbox—good writers go beyond formula and use the tools of their trade to build and make real what nobody else could imagine. This is not a class where you’ll learn the basic outline for a by-the-numbers story. Instead, we’re writing to add to the great traditions of stories we already love.”
“Suspense writers, present and future: Remember you are in good company. Dostoyevsky, Wilkie Collins, Henry James, Edgar Allan Poe…there are hacks in every kind of literary field…Aim at being a genius.” —Patricia Highsmith
Nick Mamatas is the author of three novels: Under My Roof (Counterpoint), Move Under Ground (Prime Books), and the forthcoming Sensation (PM Press). He’s also published over sixty short stories in genre magazines, literary journals, and anthologies, some of which were recently collected in You Might Sleep… (Prime Books). His fiction has been nominated for both the Bram Stoker and International Horror Guild awards, and as editor of the online magazine Clarkesworld Nick has been nominated for the World Fantasy award and science fiction’s Hugo award. He currently teaches online at Western Connecticut State University, edits science fiction and fantasy for VIZ Media, and is awaiting the release of his next anthology, Haunted Legends (Tor Books), co-edited with Ellen Datlow.
In this workshop, you’ll hone your skills at writing commercial genre fiction—romance/chicklit, mystery/detective, science fiction/fantasy—that aren’t always given the credit they deserve. “If ghosts and witches, lost loves and conflict were good enough for Homer, Shakespeare, and Dante,” says Nick Mamatas, “they’re good enough for me. The techniques practiced in this class work just as well for ‘literary’ fiction.”
Whether you’re ready to be the next Nora Roberts, or simply have a great idea for an urban fantasy series, we’ll get your ideas into shape—eliminate the clichés, perfect the voice of your characters, and create gripping plots—with an eye toward submission and publication. In addition to workshopping of stories or novel chapters, we’ll explore the current marketplace for both short fiction and novels, and practice skills that writers need regardless of genres in which they write.
“Genre doesn’t mean generic,” Nick says. “A genre is like a toolbox—good writers go beyond formula and use the tools of their trade to build and make real what nobody else could imagine. This is not a class where you’ll learn the basic outline for a by-the-numbers story. Instead, we’re writing to add to the great traditions of stories we already love.”
“Suspense writers, present and future: Remember you are in good company. Dostoyevsky, Wilkie Collins, Henry James, Edgar Allan Poe…there are hacks in every kind of literary field…Aim at being a genius.” —Patricia Highsmith
Nick Mamatas is the author of three novels: Under My Roof (Counterpoint), Move Under Ground (Prime Books), and the forthcoming Sensation (PM Press). He’s also published over sixty short stories in genre magazines, literary journals, and anthologies, some of which were recently collected in You Might Sleep… (Prime Books). His fiction has been nominated for both the Bram Stoker and International Horror Guild awards, and as editor of the online magazine Clarkesworld Nick has been nominated for the World Fantasy award and science fiction’s Hugo award. He currently teaches online at Western Connecticut State University, edits science fiction and fantasy for VIZ Media, and is awaiting the release of his next anthology, Haunted Legends (Tor Books), co-edited with Ellen Datlow.
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Whether you’re ready to be the next Nora Roberts, or simply have a great idea for an urban fantasy series, we’ll get your ideas into shape—eliminate the clichés, perfect the voice of your characters, and create gripping plots—with an eye toward submission and publication. In addition to workshopping of stories or novel chapters, we’ll explore the current marketplace for both short fiction and novels, and practice skills that writers need regardless of genres in which they write.
“Genre doesn’t mean generic,” Nick says. “A genre is like a toolbox—good writers go beyond formula and use the tools of their trade to build and make real what nobody else could imagine. This is not a class where you’ll learn the basic outline for a by-the-numbers story. Instead, we’re writing to add to the great traditions of stories we already love.”
“Suspense writers, present and future: Remember you are in good company. Dostoyevsky, Wilkie Collins, Henry James, Edgar Allan Poe…there are hacks in every kind of literary field…Aim at being a genius.” —Patricia Highsmith
Nick Mamatas is the author of three novels: Under My Roof (Counterpoint), Move Under Ground (Prime Books), and the forthcoming Sensation (PM Press). He’s also published over sixty short stories in genre magazines, literary journals, and anthologies, some of which were recently collected in You Might Sleep… (Prime Books). His fiction has been nominated for both the Bram Stoker and International Horror Guild awards, and as editor of the online magazine Clarkesworld Nick has been nominated for the World Fantasy award and science fiction’s Hugo award. He currently teaches online at Western Connecticut State University, edits science fiction and fantasy for VIZ Media, and is awaiting the release of his next anthology, Haunted Legends (Tor Books), co-edited with Ellen Datlow.
show less
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2121 Bonar Street, Berkeley, CA 94702
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