Science Fiction and Fantasy: Remix!

Class Description

In this class, we'll explore the art of retelling and remixing, taking classic sci-fi and fantasy stories—whether they're fairy tales, urban legends, or simply old genre tropes—and making them new again. We'll discuss elements of setting, character, and plot as inroads to re-imagining "old" stories through a contemporary lens. Perhaps most importantly, we'll explore how writing can re-envision classic tales to make them more inclusive, relevant, and meaningful for a contemporary science fiction and fantasy audience.

Each week, we will explore different ways that legends and canonical SFF stories can be rewritten and complicated. We will read pieces of such classic stories, as well as recent published work that echoes, rewrites, or directly challenges those tales. Over the course of the workshop, students will complete a finished draft of a new story reimagining a classic tale of their choosing. Students are invited to bring legends, fairy tales, and other material to the class for remixing. At the end of class, students will have a chance to submit a revised version of this piece to the instructor for feedback and discussion of next steps.

Students will leave this class with new strategies for brainstorming, plotting, and writing SFF stories based on previous work. They will also practice and develop strategies for revising and drafting in ways that can "open up" and challenge both classic texts—and dominant tropes and narratives that recur within genre fiction. This class is appropriate for both novelists and short story writers. No finished draft is needed at the start of the course; the course will cover every step of the writing process, from pre-writing to revision. We will read authors such as, but not limited to: Megan Arkenberg, Octavia Cade, Ted Chiang, Neil Gaiman, Yoon Ha Lee, and Sofia Samatar.

Class Format

This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting!

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.