Is the Online Novel Writing Workshop Right for You?

If you’re a science fiction, fantasy, or horror writer and have already started a novel but feel unsure of how to finish it, you’re not alone. A novel can present a host of challenges: writers can be stuck with a great idea and nowhere to go, struggle to maintain momentum, or get stalled out at any point along the way, unsure if they’re on the right path. That’s where our Virtual Novel Writing Workshop can help.

Designed specifically for writers with a partial novel or at least an outline in hand, this workshop is all about guiding you toward a completed draft, using tools and techniques that align with your creative process. Not sure what your writing process looks like? We can help with that too!

Led by renowned author and Clarion West Six-Week Workshop instructor Samit Basu, with the help of the experienced Clarion West staff, this virtual course runs from March 2025 through November 2025. It’s an opportunity for speculative fiction writers to deepen their craft, solidify their writing habits, and build the confidence they need to finish what they’ve started.

But is this workshop the right fit for you? Let’s break it down.

Who Is This Workshop For?

This workshop is designed for writers who:

Have a partially written novel. Whether you’ve written a few chapters based on a thorough outline or a chunk of writing and a plan, this workshop is ideal for writers who have started a science fiction, fantasy, or horror draft but may not have reached (or don’t know how to reach) the end.
Feel stuck or unsure of direction. Maybe you’ve outlined from start to finish but can’t seem to start writing, or you’ve gotten a few chapters in and feel like you’ve lost your way. This workshop will help you determine the steps you need to take to get on track or back on track.
Want to develop strong writing habits. You’ve probably heard that writing a novel is a marathon, not a sprint. But unlike runners, most writers don’t have a training plan to cover the long miles from the first run to the finish line. And what if you have a full-time job, family, or other responsibilities that also require your time and energy? If you’ve struggled to stay consistent, this course will support building sustainable habits for this novel and future projects.
Crave structure and support. This class is broken up into three sections. During the first you’ll have weekly classes and check-ins, personalized feedback from peers and instructors, and workshopping opportunities. The second section will be an opportunity for focused writing time, with as-needed support from staff in the form of writing sessions, office hours, and optional one-on-ones. It’s an opportunity to test out new craft concepts and writing processes. In the third section you’ll resume classes and check-ins to help with what you’ve learned or new challenges you encountered along the way. This schedule helps create a container for your writing that will provide accountability and flexibility so you can fit writing into your life.
Need professional feedback. Throughout the course, you’ll receive personalized guidance from novelist, columnist, director, and screenwriter Samit Basu, the author of The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport and other critically acclaimed speculative fiction works. His experience across multiple genres and media will help you refine your voice and achieve your goals for the initial draft of your novel. You’ll leave with a game plan to revise and next steps.

What Can You Expect From the Workshop?

Unlike shorter courses that focus solely on craft or a single element of a novel, this workshop provides comprehensive, ongoing support for the entirety of your novel-writing process. Here’s what you can expect:

Section 1: March 2025 – June 2025

The first section of the course kicks off with weekly classes led by Samit Basu and the Clarion West staff. These sessions will cover crucial topics such as craft, genre, and how to build a sustainable writing process. You’ll also have monthly one-on-one meetings with Samit to discuss your progress and troubleshoot any challenges you may be facing. You will also be matched with other writers in your cohort to begin exchanging feedback.

Workshopping during this period will focus on identifying your specific goals for your novel. Guidance will focus on actionable steps to move forward with your draft.

Section 2: June 2025 – August 2025

During this middle section, the focus shifts to independent writing time. You’ll have the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned during the first few months and work toward completing significant portions of your novel. You’ll also have the option to meet with Samit and the workshop staff one-on-one and during office hours to keep you on track. The workshop staff will host regular writing sessions with your cohort for those who write best in company.

Section 3: September 2025 – November 2025

The final section of the course brings you back to weekly classes, but by this point, you’ll have made substantial progress on your novel. The goal is to help you complete a full draft (or at least have a clear roadmap to finishing). Guest lecturers — authors, editors, teachers — will provide additional insights into the world of speculative fiction, offering insight into the publishing process, next steps for your drafts, and career advice.

Personalized Feedback and Publishing

We are thrilled that this workshop will offer the opportunity to work closely with Samit Basu. Not only will you benefit from his experience as a novelist, but you’ll also get first-hand knowledge about working with the publishing industry. Whatever your publishing goals, you’ll better understand the landscape to navigate your next steps.

You’ll also have access to guest lecturers throughout the course. Each will provide you with a broader perspective on the speculative fiction world, helping you understand where your work fits and how to reach your target audience.

Is This the Right Investment for You?

This course requires a commitment of time and resources. It is designed for writers who are serious about completing their speculative fiction novel and are ready to commit to nine months of focused work. It’s not about writing at a breakneck pace to meet word count or arbitrary deadlines, but finding a process that works for you and developing the habits that will sustain you throughout your career as a writer.

If you’re ready to take your novel from a work-in-progress to a completed draft, this course offers the support and structure you need. With regular, reliable guidance from professionals, insights to help refine your process, and a cohort of other writers, this workshop is the perfect next step for writers looking to finish what they’ve started.

What Will the Workshop Cost?

There is no application fee for this workshop.

The supporting tuition for the Novel Writing Workshop is $2,800. This rate enables us to continue to pay our staff and instructors equitably and support access for others in a different financial situation.

The Helping Hands tuition is $2,300 and has been set for anyone who is under more limited economic circumstances, regardless of background. Find out if you qualify.

Tuition payments

All accepted applicants must make a $250 deposit by January 15, 2025, to hold their space. Tuition can be paid at once, or split into two monthly installments.

If you choose to make installments, the first monthly payment is due February 1. Final payment is due March 1st.

Applications will open November 11. To begin, you will need to submit:

Your novel pitch and three chapters, or
Three well-drafted chapters and a sense of where your book is going, or
Unpolished chapter one, plus an outline and synopsis, and one finished writing sample from other work (not from your proposed book).

Scholarships

Thanks to a generous donor, we will be able to provide two free access seats for writers of the Global Majority (PGM) or those identifying as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC), in keeping with our commitment to equity and inclusion.

There will be a place on the application to let us know that you are eligible and would like to be considered for these seats.

If you are interested in supporting additional scholarships, please email us at director (at) clarionwest.org.