You’ve tried your hand at writing a few stories. You’ve even submitted them to the Asimov’s or Realms of Fantasy -- and gotten your share of form letter rejections. Or maybe you’re just beginning to dabble with a few ideas. Where do you go to learn (and hone) the craft of writing science fiction and fantasy? Aspiring genre writers have a number of options these days, including books, online courses, critique groups, and workshops.
Read a Book
A good starting place for any writer is the written word. Read the magazines and novels in your genre. And read about the genre as well as the basics of fiction writing. Writers’ Digest Books—among others—has published several introductions to the field:
- How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card
- The Craft of Writing Science Fiction that Sells by Ben Bova
- How to Write Tales of Horror, Fantasy, and Science Fiction by Jack Williamson
In addition to books on more universal aspects of fiction writing--such as character, view point, and plot--Writers' Digest also publishes books geared toward the unique challenges of speculative fiction, including world building, aliens and alien societies, and time travel. Some of them may be out of print, but you can find them online through Amazon or another used bookseller.
Take a Class
Unfortunately, Writing Science Fiction 101 isn’t in many college catalogs. Several online schools for writers have sprung up to fill the niche, though. Most offer instruction on the nuts-and-bolts of writing as well as genre-specific classes. Gotham Writers’ Workshop, for instance, offers several ten-week science fiction classes, each taught by established authors.
Join a Critique Group
Critique groups and / or workshops (often the words are used interchangeably) can give you needed feedback to help you reach the next level with your writing.
- Critters Workshop is an online critique group for science fiction, fantasy, and horror writers of varying levels. Free.
- Online Writing Workshop for Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror is an online workshop / critique group for science fiction, fantasy, and horror. There is a low yearly fee for participation. $49.
If you prefer to join an in-person regional critique group, try the CritFinder, a list of people looking for the same. The founder of Critters sponsors the site.
Go to a Workshop
If you’re serious about writing professionally, you may want to consider attending one of the intensive workshops / boot camps in the field. They range in length from one to six weeks. Most, if not all, follow a similar format and feature well established writers as instructors or guest lecturers. Admission is very competitive, and the experience can be transformative.
- Clarion, the granddaddy of all speculative fiction workshops, is a six-week intensive boot camp taught by top writers in the field. Though founded in Michigan, Clarion is now held yearly in San Diego.
- Odyssey is an intensive six-week workshop held yearly in New Hampshire. Former Bantam Doubleday editor, Jeanne Cavelos founded (and directs) this workshop.
If you’re not quite ready for the kind of commitment these workshops require, think about attending a one or two day workshop offered locally or as part of a writing conference or a convention. Check out Shaw’s Guide to Writers’ Conferences and Workshops. You might even be able to arrange your vacation around a nice conference in Santa Fe or Key West.
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