Workshop: Writing Speculative Fiction with Erin Roberts

Description: From the work of Octavia Butler to the books of NK Jemisin and folk tales to afrofuturism, speculative fiction is about imagination, but it is also about truth. Fantasy, science fiction, and horror give us the tools to explore the world we know by creating stories in the times, places, and frameworks we choose to explore. Whether you’re interested in writing about a distant post-apocalyptic dystopia, a future that’s 20 minutes away, impossible magic, supernatural threats, or something we’ve all yet to imagine, speculative fiction writing gives you the opportunity to tell stories that are an escape from reality, a reflection of it, or both.

In this workshop, we’ll explore some of the key elements of speculative fiction by collaboratively creating new worlds (or new takes on this one), diving into some of the characters, plots, and themes they inspire, and writing short pieces of fiction that begin to bring…