Programs
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 N. K. Jemisin, Samit Basu, Cat Rambo, Ted Chiang, P. Djèlí Clark, Karen Lord, Daniel Abraham, Elizabeth Hand, Cadwell Turnbull, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Amal El-Mohtar, Nicola Griffith, Karen Joy Fowler, 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.
Limited Free Registration: We reserve a percentage of free seats in every paid class for writers who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or Persons of Color (BIPOC) on a first come, first served basis, regardless of financial need. To request a seat, please fill out this form, and include the names of the classes you are interested in, in order of preference. We will email you 10-14 days before the class begins if a seat is available.
You can read more about our efforts towards equity and inclusion here.
On-Demand Classes
Highly focused and packed with learning
Our On-Demand and Asynchronous Classes are highly focused courses that cover both genre and craft, as well as the business side of writing.Whether you want a deep dive into worldbuilding or help choosing between submitting your work to literary or speculative markets, our online classes can help you achieve your learning goals on your schedule. With writing classes taught by professional writers, teachers, and authors, you'll be able to hone your craft and develop your unique voice.
Year-Round Programs
Small groups, community, and critiques from peers in speculative fiction
In our workshops and year-round programs, you'll attend highly focused courses; attend a workshop for in-depth feedback in a group setting; or learn more about the business of writing in a community class. All our programs are led by a seasoned instructor from the field, and most focus 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.
Community Programs
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.
Throughout the year, Clarion West hosts many free or very low-cost community events, including public readings, co-writing sessions, webinars, and more that are open to everyone. Many events are facilitated online via Zoom, at partner locations in Seattle, or in our Community Discord. Find accountability partners, help inch your project that much closer to completion, and enjoy an event with like-minded readers — the people you’ll meet may surprise you!
Every event offers a different format. Sign up for our newsletter to learn about upcoming events!
Youth Programs
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.