Worlds of Imagination: Writing Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror

This creative writing class series is designed for young writers, ages 12-16, who want to write or publish immersive, exciting fiction that incorporates the unreal–from surreal, ghostly short stories to detailed epic fantasy novels. Each class is self-contained, with readings and exercises completed during class time. Simply register and show up for the sessions that interest you!

We’ll think and write about the futuristic, uncanny, magical, and speculative, and how these mesh with our individual writing goals. We’ll analyze published works from a writer’s standpoint: what effect this did have on me, and how did the writer create this effect? What draws us to these genres? How can we create work that is compelling, original, artful, and fun?

Through discussion and writing exercises, we’ll focus on topics like Worldbuilding, Hero/Villain relationships, Plot, Magic, and Suspense, and apply what we learn to our own work. We’ll draw from writers like Stephen King, N.K. Jemisin, Yoko Ogawa, Karen Russell, Brandon Sanderson, Sofia Samatar, and Carmen Maria Machado, as well as the Disney and DC universes.

Students can work on developing their own already-existing creative project, or they can create new works and gain inspiration within the class. By the end of the series, students may have a portfolio of new writing and ideas to enrich their projects, as well as knowledge and community to help them continue in the future.

Each class is limited to 25 students. Material excerpts will be distributed electronically beforehand, and students are encouraged to bring laptops and writing notebooks. The planned readings and activities are subject to revision.

Cost per session: 10 euro in cash or bizum, 11.32 euro online through eventbrite

Sessions:

• Sat, Oct 11, 11 am - 1 pm: Creating a Story
• Sat, Oct 25, 11 am - 1 pm: Worldbuilding
• Sat, Nov 8, 11 am - 1 pm: Character
• Sat, Nov 22, 11 am - 1 pm: Plot & Structure
• Sat, Dec 13, 11am - 1pm: Student Workshop *(extra session depending on interest)

Session Syllabus and Description

About the Instructor, Theresa Hottel

I’m the author of Dust, a literary fantasy novel forthcoming in 2027 from Algonquin/Little, Brown in the US and Abacus/Little, Brown in the UK. Born in Taipei and raised in Oklahoma, I’m passionate about the intricacies of storytelling. I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University, where I taught Ivy League-level writing, over 6 years, to 200+ students in undergraduate and high school creative writing programs. I’ve published stories and essays with publishers like Catapult Books, SmokeLong Quarterly and Bright Wall/Dark Room, and received support for my writing from notable arts organizations and institutions, including Art Omi: Writers, Bread Loaf Environmental Writers’ Conference, and the US National Park Service. I edited the documentary film Truth Be Told, a collaboration with Emmy award-winning director Nneka Onuorah, which premiered at Outfest LA and won the 2023 Social Impact Award.

These experiences grant me a sharp, wide-ranging understanding of the publishing industry and what readers seek in stories, and how we can shape our work to make its unique strengths and aims as clear to them as possible. After almost a decade in New York, I currently live in Barcelona with my partner.