Coming up at the Writing Salon

Fabulous Fiction: Mysteries, Thrillers, Romance, Sci Fi, Fantasy

9-week class starts April 23rd

When
Event has passed (Tue Apr 12, 2011 - Tue Apr 23, 2013)
Cost
$365 - $395
Tags
Literary Arts, Writers, Writing Schools

Description

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.

More Info

Link
http://www.writingsalons.com
Call
415.609.2468
Email
Contact Form (account required)

Schedule

The Berkeley Writing Salon
2121 Bonar St.
Berkeley, CA
Event has passed

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Location

  1. The Berkeley Writing Salon
    2121 Bonar St., Berkeley, CA