21 Best Science Fiction Creative Writing Classes in 2023

Clarion offers an intensive six-week summer program specifically tailored to the writing of science fiction, fantasy, and horror short stories. Recognized as a leading training ground for aspiring writers in these genres, the program focuses on fundamental aspects unique to speculative fiction. Students benefit from the guidance of highly respected and experienced writers and editors active in the field.

Prerequisites: Application fee, application, and two short stories.

Location: San Diego

Categories: Science Fiction

Level: Intermediate

Class size: 18

Price: $5,150.00

Start date: Open all year round

Website: http://clarion.ucsd.edu/

This one-week residential workshop, running from October 8th to October 13th, 2023, focuses on writing and selling commercial science fiction and fantasy. It offers intensive interaction with best-selling authors and editors, emphasizing the creation of engaging fiction. The workshop combines manuscript critiques, new writing, lectures, and Q&As in an informal, supportive setting on Martha’s Vineyard, fostering a unique learning environment​​.

Prerequisites: Application with cover letter and 8,000 word manuscript.

Location: Boston

Categories: Science Fiction

Level: Advanced

Class size: 24

Price: $2,450.00

Start date: August, 2023

Website: https://viableparadise.com/

Scheduled for March 7-10, 2024, this virtual workshop focuses on the first 3,500 words of participants' novels in the sci-fi, fantasy, and horror genres. Led by award-winning faculty like Fran Wilde, it offers a 7:1 student-faculty ratio with feedback on manuscripts, query letters, and first pages. Applications open on November 27, 2023, with scholarships and tuition plans available​​​​​​​​.

Prerequisites: You may submit any original written work for your application.

Location: Online

Categories: Science Fiction

Level: Any

Class size: Limited

Price: $540.00

Start date: November, 2023

Website: https://futurescapes.ink/

Instructor Nick Almeida leads this workshop on December 2, focusing on flash writing across all genres. The workshop, priced at $45-$70 depending on membership status, aims to empower writers to craft character depth within restricted spaces. It takes place at Writespace in Houston, TX, and is open to all levels with a cap of 15 participants​​.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Location: Houston

Categories: Science Fiction

Level: Any

Class size: 15

Price: $60.00

Start date: November, 2023

Website: https://www.writespacehouston.org/creative-writing.html

This workshop, led by playwright and actor Kira Rockwell, focuses on embodied writing techniques across various genres. Participants will learn how to connect deeply with characters, settings, and conflict, utilizing all senses to create a vivid reading or viewing experience. The workshop includes craft discussions, skill-based exercises, and generative writing prompts​​​​.

Prerequisites: For writers age 13 - 18 ONLY.

Location: Boston

Categories: Science Fiction

Level: Any

Class size: 25

Price: $75.00

Start date: December, 2023

Website: https://grubstreet.org/findaclass/class/write-vividly-in-...

Enhance your writing with a sensory experience in "The Fab Five: Writing With the Senses" by Kimberly Lee. This workshop invites participants to use the five basic senses, plus proprioception and interoception, for creative writing. It includes the SoulCollage® method for intuitive, sensory-driven writing, promising a rich, multi-dimensional writing experience​​.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Location: Minneapolis

Categories: Science Fiction

Level: Any

Class size: Limited

Price: $55.00

Start date: December, 2023

Website: https://loft.org/classes/fab-five-writing-senses

Learn to convert settings into atmospheric, immersive experiences using Jane K. Cleland’s strategies, creating captivating backdrops for your stories, from gritty urban landscapes to charming coastal towns.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Location: Online

Categories: Science Fiction

Level: Any

Class size: Unlimited

Price: $89.00

Start date: December, 2023

Website: https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/set-the-st...

Part of The Nuts and Bolts of Novel Planning series, this lecture-driven seminar focuses on story structure models and the concept of "setup and payoff." It is beneficial for those who have attended previous novel planning courses or as a standalone class. The seminar aims to help students create satisfying and inevitable plot twists in their novels, enhancing their storytelling and plot development skills.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Location: Boston

Categories: Science Fiction

Level: Intermediate

Class size: 12

Price: $75.00

Start date: December, 2023

Website: https://grubstreet.org/findaclass/class/the-nuts-and-bolt...

This 8-week Zoom workshop, led by Pingmei Lan, teaches fiction writers to build effective timelines and structures for their stories. It covers scene creation, pacing, and story structure, providing writing prompts and revision guidelines. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of structural elements and incorporate these techniques into their work, based on examples from award-winning authors​​​​​​​​​​.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Location: Online

Categories: Science Fiction

Level: Beginner

Class size: 10

Price: $495.00

Start date: January, 2024

Website: https://writingworkshops.com/collections/the-best-online-...

This immersive six-week program is designed for emerging writers, offering a chance to learn in a close-knit community environment. Each week, participants are guided by a different esteemed author or editor, focusing on critiques, writing techniques, and professional concerns. The workshop, held in a vibrant Seattle setting, includes community gatherings, readings, and opportunities to connect with authors and alumni​​.

Prerequisites: A sample of your work is required.

Location: Online

Categories: Science Fiction

Level: Intermediate

Class size: 15

Price: $3,200.00

Start date: June, 2024

Website: https://www.clarionwest.org/programs/summerworkshop/

This workshop offers a unique opportunity for writers to submit up to 4000 words of their work for critique in a group setting, led by industry professionals including Arley Sorg and Cat Rambo. The program includes pitch sessions to an agent, one-hour workshops, and panel presentations on various writing and publishing topics. It's a chance to polish the first pages and chapters of your project, with optional casual gatherings to network with other writers, editors, and agents​​​​.

Prerequisites: 4000 words of your novel, short story, or whatever project you are working on.

Location: Seattle

Categories: Science Fiction

Level: Beginner

Class size: Limited

Price: $275.00

Start date: July, 2024

Website: https://cascadewriters.com/2024-three-day-critique-workshop/

Odyssey is a respected workshop for writers of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. It offers an intensive, personalized, one-on-one online workshop experience. The program includes lectures, readings, critiques, and individualized assignments, with options for six, twelve, or eighteen-week sessions. Each session accepts only four writers, ensuring deep mentoring.

Prerequisites: A writing sample no more than 4,000 words long.

Location: Online

Categories: Science Fiction

Level: Any

Class size: Private

Price: $2,600.00

Start date: Open all year round

Website: https://www.odysseyworkshop.org/about-the-workshop/