Third Space Speculative Fiction Workshop with Desiree Evans

There Are No Walls: A Journey Into Speculative Fiction Writing

Esteemed African-American science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler once said: “I was attracted to science fiction because it was so wide open. I was able to do anything and there were no walls to hem you in and there was no human condition that you were stopped from examining.” Indeed much of speculative fiction—inclusive of science fiction, fantasy, horror, magical realism, the gothic, and dystopian or utopian literature—offers writers a boundless space to experiment, reimagine, and build new worlds. The genre offers unique tools for exploring the world as we know it or engaging with realities beyond our wildest imagination.

In this workshop, we will focus on the craft of speculative fiction storytelling, honing essential skills in world-building, character development, narrative structure, language, plot, setting, dialogue, and point of view. Through close readings, writing exercises, and discussions, participants will work to develop their storytelling abilities while cultivating a dedicated writing practice.

Because great writers are also great readers, this course will introduce students to the aesthetics and subgenres of speculative fiction through mentor texts—including flash fiction, short stories, and novel excerpts. We will pay particular attention to the work of writers of color and the ways they have expanded and reshaped the genre in innovative ways. By the end of the course, participants will have generated two new original speculative fiction stories of their own, which will be workshopped in class amongst peers to receive constructive feedback and refinement. The goal is for participants to leave with a better understanding of the genre, a strengthened command of speculative storytelling techniques as they work to explore and craft their own imaginative worlds, and new tools that can help move them toward publication.

*Text for this class will be provided.

Workshop Day & Time: Thursdays from 7 pm to 10 pm EST

Tuition Options: We offer multiple tuition points. Please select the tier that works best for you at this time.

Full Tuition Tier 1: $1,000.00 (Tier 1 covers the full scope of fees necessary to produce this offering)

Sliding Scale Tier 2: $750.00

Sliding Scale Tier 3: $500.00

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*Refunds will not be issued on or after April 4, 2025.