New Suns

A speculative fiction class for writers who are Black, Indigenous and people of colour

 

A person in silhouette, holds up the sun, on a reddish orange backdrop. Photo by Selvan B, shared on Unsplash.

 

“There’s nothing new under the sun, but there are new suns.”
- Octavia E. Butler 

This workshop will invite Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) to push back against the status quo and explore what it means to write speculative fiction through the lens of our experiences as racialized people.

Together we’ll explore what speculative fiction means to us, which may include magic, fantasy, alternative histories, dystopian futures, shape shifting, horror, time travel and more. We’ll keep our identities close, bringing in questions like:

  • What the world would look like without racism, white supremacy or slavery?

  • What if colonization had gone down completely differently?

  • What if you could go back in time and speak with one ancestor?

  • What would magic look like that was born out of your culture’s myths or beliefs?

Here’s how it works:

Each week we will explore the mechanics of speculative fiction, including world-building, character development and common speculative fiction devices like shape-shifting, time travel and magic.

We’ll write as we go, week by week finding new ways to expand our ideas and possibilities, and slowly working towards a complete finished story, which we’ll share in our final session.

There will be writing homework between each session, with optional extra readings for the keeners.

    • Want to let their imaginations run wilder and wilder.

    • Are currently working on a speculative fiction project or are ready to start.

    • Are motivated by the idea of a community of BIPOC writers.

    • Are ready to work hard, and open their minds… both in class and between classes.

    • Thrive in small, cozy groups (this workshop will never have more than 8 participants).

    • Feel aligned with our fundamental beliefs.

    • A completed short story and ideas for how to move it out into the world.

    • Inspiration for exploring new worlds.

    • Loads of new of ideas for stories that buck the status quo.

    • Creative courage and momentum.

    • Encouragement and support from a group of allies.

    • A sense of what’s next in your spec fic journey.

    • Critique or competition. We’re all about the love.

    • Strict rules or guidelines on what speculative fiction is or should be. This class celebrates the vast scope of this genre.

    • A completed novel manuscript… though you’ll have a finished short story that could grow, and lots of shorter pieces.

    • Feedback on already-completed work, we’ll be talking about the work we create together as we go.

Details:

Mari identifies as a Hispanic woman with tanned skin. She has long black hair and a big smile

Mari

This workshop isn’t running this season but it will be back soon! Join our early bird mailing list for early access to registration or sign up for our newsletter.

Cost:

The fee for this 6-session workshop is $515. If you prefer, you can pay in 4 monthly installments of $128.75. Tax will be added for Canadians in your local provincial rate. See our financial policies.

Two spots will be reduced to half-price, first come first served. Let us know before you sign up if you’d like one of those and we’ll let you know if they’re still available.

If the price is a barrier, don't hesitate to apply for financial aid.

If you don’t have a credit card, let us know and we’ll gladly find a way to make it work.

Sign up here:

Join our early bird mailing list for early access to future registration or sign up for our newsletter. 

Questions?

Your answer is probably on this page.

Looking for more options?

Take a peek at our other small group writing workshops, our large group writing programs, our coaching services, and our monthly care package for writers.