Programs – Clarion West

COVID-19 Safety Considerations Clarion West will continue to evaluate whether to hold our events, classes, and workshops virtually or in person, based on transmission data and the prevalence of COVID variants. We will continue to offer a combination of online, in-person, and hybrid programming in 2023.

At Clarion West, you’ll be among award-winning and best-selling writers in science fiction, fantasy, games, horror, and more. Our workshops and classes are taught by world-class instructors from across the field of speculative fiction. Wherever you may be in your career, whether novice or sage, we offer a diverse listing of classes that is packed with valuable information to take your writing to the next level.

We offer instruction throughout the year, and our workshops and classes vary in intensity, topic, and number of sessions. We invite prominent authors from across a broad range of speculative fiction to teach our classes and workshops. A few of our most recent instructors include Karen Lord, Curtis C. Chen, Eileen Gunn, Elizabeth Hand, Cadwell Turnbull, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Cory Doctorow, Nicola Griffith, Cat Rambo, Karen Joy Fowler, Nancy Kress, Kij Johnson, and Nisi Shawl.

Accessibility: Information about accommodations for classes and workshops is listed below or you can read more here.

Discounts and scholarships for those with financial need are offered for our classes and workshops. Find out more information here.

We offer a percentage of seats in every class for free to writers identifying as People of the Global Majority (PGM) or Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC), on a first-come-first-served basis, regardless of financial need. Please email us with the name of the class you would like to enroll in, even if the class appears full: info@clarionwest.org. You can read more about our efforts towards equity and inclusion here.

Summer Six-Week Workshop

Rocket fuel for writers

Clarion West’s renowned Six-Week Workshop is an immersive six-week experience geared to help students build a foundation for professional careers as writers of speculative fiction. Each cohort is limited to a maximum of eighteen students to create an intimate, close-knit community, and each week is led by a highly regarded author or editor offering a unique perspective on the field. The Clarion West six-week workshop is one of the most respected speculative fiction workshops in the world.

Participants must apply to attend and there are more applicants than there is space in the workshop. Applications will open in early January for the 2023 workshop. We offer a number of full and partial tuition scholarships for attendees. We especially encourage historically underrepresented writers to apply. Read more about the workshop and the application process here.

Learn more about the workshop

Classes

Highly focused and packed with learning

Our classes are highly focused courses that cover both genre and craft, as well as the business side of writing. They take place throughout the week and vary in length, ranging from a few hours to several sessions across many days.

Workshops

Received critique from experts and peers in speculative fiction

In our workshops, you’ll receive in-depth feedback in a group setting, led by a seasoned instructor from the field, focused on a specific aspect of the writing process. We offer intensive workshops both online and in-person. Workshops range from 4-6 hour intensives, two and three-day weekend retreats, to our acclaimed six-week workshop.

Free Co-Working Sessions and Focused Writing Sprints

Write, connect, and get inspired

The community at Clarion West is a treasure trove of connections waiting to be made. Though connection has been made particularly difficult during the pandemic, our need and desire to be in community with others remains unchanged; it may be more important now than ever before.

Join us at one of our free co-writing sessions, open to anyone in the community. They are currently facilitated online via Zoom, and you are free to join to write, revise, or simply let your imagination run wild. The company will provide the accountability you need to inch your project that much closer to completion—and the people you’ll meet may surprise you.

Clarion West co-writing sessions offer everyone a chance to sit, work, and make friends with other writers. Every session lead/instructor offers a different format. Check the session description for what to expect!

Youth Programs

From time to time throughout the year, Clarion West runs youth programming for teens to connect to speculative fiction, new friends, and a writing community. Our youth workshops are designed to empower youth early in their careers and help them to discover their voices through writing speculative fiction.

Accessibility

Clarion West is committed to making our spaces and events more accessible to all. We are making adjustments to limit the barriers affecting people with disabilities and will continue to address needs on an ongoing basis.

At this time, all of our programs automatically offer the following:

Zoom’s auto-generated closed captions for all of our online sessions. If the class is discussion-intensive or utilizes features that make the auto-generated captions impossible (for example, if a class uses breakout rooms), participants are encouraged to request a live captioner or ASL interpreter. We ask that students request a live captioner or interpreter two weeks before the class date.
ASL interpreters are available at every in-person summer reading event.
Live captioners are available at every public virtual event.
Clarion West has made the commitment to partner only with ADA accessible facilities for all of our in-person programs, including our workshops, classes, and special events.

We recognize that disabilities and accessibility needs vary and encourage you to contact us if you have specific questions. Clarion West will make every attempt to meet the needs of all of our students, within the limits of the intended programming. We welcome recommendations.

If you have questions about the accessibility of the workshop or have other concerns, please contact helpdesk@clarionwest.org.