Young Adult Writers Program (YAWP): Writing Fiction for a Better World

Class Description

"Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. Maybe many of us won't be here to greet her, but on a quiet day, if I listen very carefully, I can hear her breathing.”― Arundhati Roy

Are you an activist, writer, or activist writer who cares deeply about a social justice issue, whether it be gender equality, reproductive rights, racial justice, environmentalism, or otherwise? Have you written about the issue and your anger over and over and over again, past the point of exhaustion? Does the state of the world feel so dire, you want to give up? This class is all about rediscovering your hope, and recovering your heart.

In this class, we’ll shift our perspective away from reaction (putting out the wildfires) and toward transformation (planting a new forest). Through a short series of envisioning exercises, we’ll conceive a better world: what would it look like, if we finally won our long-fought battles? What would it be like to live in a free, liberated, healthy world? Then, with world-building techniques drawn from speculative traditions, we’ll translate our visions into writing. While we will draw inspiration and story-concepts from the real world, our positive reimagining of reality will result in new fiction writing.

Students will leave this class with an understanding of writers’ role in activism; renewed passion in their social justice interests; the beginnings of 1-2 new pieces; and new writer activist friends! For writers of all experience levels, age 13 - 18 ONLY. We always end with a cross-class open mic where all sessions' students are invited to share and listen to each other's work!

Registration Instructions:

• Register for the class by clicking the red "ADD TO CART" button and following the checkout instructions through our website. If you do not have an account, you will be able to make one easily. When making the account, please use your preferred name.
• If you are registering on behalf of a student, add their email in the “For a Friend or Child?” field on the right-hand side of the screen at check out. This will send them a direct link and reminder to create their own profile with GrubStreet.
• If the student is under 18, parents/guardians must complete this Teen Participation Permission Form. You only need to fill this form out one time, not for every class. Please complete it with the student's preferred name. If you cannot remember whether you have already filled it out, please email [email protected] and we will check for you! If you do not complete this form, your registrations could be voided and the cancellation policy will apply.
• If the student is 18, simply let us know by emailing [email protected].

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If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at [email protected]. We’re excited to write with you this spring!