Writing Science Fiction 101: Bootcamp

If you’re serious about writing science fiction, fantasy, or horror professionally, consider attending one of the intensive workshops (a.k.a., boot camps) in the field.  They range in length from one to six weeks. Most, if not all, follow a similar workshop format and feature well established writers as instructors or guest lecturers. Admission is very competitive, usually based on writing samples. Tuition can be expensive but most participants find the experience transformative.

Clarion Writers’ Workshop

Application Fee: $35
Tuition:  $1600
Room & Board:  $2500

Established in 1968, the Clarion Writers’ Workshop is a six-week intensive boot camp taught by top writers and editors in the field. Though founded at Clarion State College in Pennsylvania and later moved to Michigan State University, Clarion is now held yearly on the campus of the University of California, San Diego.

Clarion touts itself as “the premier proving and training ground for aspiring writers of fantasy and science fiction.” Clarion attracts stellar faculty, many of whom are Clarion graduates.  Some of those award-winning alumni include: Octavia Butler, Cory Doctorow, Kim Stanley Robinson, Kelly Link, and Bruce Sterling.

Clarion has inspired two other Clarions—West and South—which are modeled on the original workshop:

• Clarion West is held yearly in Seattle.  $3200
• Clarion South is held every two years in Brisbane, Australia. AUD$2800

Scholarships and financial aid are available for all three Clarion Workshops.

Odyssey Fantasy Writing Workshop

Application Fee: $30
Tuition:  $1900
Room:  $700-1400

Odyssey is an intensive six-week workshop held yearly on the campus of Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire.  Founded in 1996 by former Bantam Doubleday editor, Jeanne Cavelos, Odyssey is the only speculative fiction workshop run by an editor. She writes on the workshop web site:  “Odyssey is for developing writers whose work is approaching publication quality and for published writers who want to improve their work.”

Guest lecturers and writers-in-residence have included Nancy Kress, Robert Sawyer, Terry Brooks, and Harlan Ellison.

Financial aid is available in the form of two work-study positions. And New York City residents may apply for a scholarship created by the New York Science Fiction Society.

Center for the Study of Science Fiction Writers Workshop

Application Fee: $0
Tuition:  $400
Room:  $266-532

The Center’s Science Fiction Writers Workshop is a two-week intensive workshop for writers who have just begun to sell their work. Offered by the University of Kansas’ Center for the Study of Science Fiction, the workshop is taught by the Center’s founder, SFWA Grand Master, James Gunn. Guests have included Frederick Pohl and Elizabeth Ann Hull.

The Science Fiction Writers Workshop emphasizes short fiction; however, the Center also sponsors the Science Fiction & Fantasy Novel Writers’ Workshop , which is usually held concurrently with the original workshop. Kij Johnson leads the novel workshop.

Following the workshops, participants are welcome to attend the Campbell Conference, during which the John W. Campbell and the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Awards are presented to the best science-fiction novel and short story, respectively, of the year.

Uncle Orson’s Literary Boot Camp

Writing Class: $175
Bootcamp:  $725

Uncle Orson’s Literary Boot Camp is a yearly two-day writing class and four-day boot camp for writers of science fiction and fantasy. The class is open to novice and experience writers alike, but the boot camp is open only to writers serious about professional level work.  (Boot camp participants attend the class.) Orson Scott Card leads the class and boot camp. Location usually alternates between west and east coast locations.  The 2008 workshop was held in San Diego; the 2009 location has not been announced as of publication of this article.

Viable Paradise

Application Fee: $25
Tuition:  $880
Room:  $155-175/night

Viable Paradise is a one-week workshop held yearly on Martha’s Vineyard.  Past instructors have included such notables as Elizabeth Moon, Maureen McHugh, and James Patrick Kelly.

Note: Quoted costs may have changed.