You’ll take a guided tour of the fantastic in literature, from the folkloric to the uncanny, with topic-focused group discussion of set reading, and recommended reading lists for the keen.
In the second half of the course, the reading group becomes a writing group, sharing your work-in-progress and receiving constructive feedback through group discussion.
Course structure
During weeks 1-5, you’ll receive a weekly dollop of fiction, including short stories or excerpts from at least two authors, as well as a slice of critical insight on the theme of the week (see below for themes). Each Wednesday evening at 7pm, we’ll get together on Zoom to discuss. The aim of these first five weeks is for us to:
- Practice reading as writers (material will come with tips on what to look out for)
- Practice delivering thoughtful and constructive critique of fiction
- Get inspiration and insight for our own writing (optional writing prompts accompany each set of reading material)
- Get to know each other’s voices, interests and aversions when it comes to fantastic fiction
During weeks 6-10, you’ll share your own work-in-progress (two pieces per course member, up to 3,000 words each), and continue to meet weekly on Zoom to discuss and give feedback. The aim of these last five weeks is for us to:
- Receive feedback on drafts and work-in-progress to help us improve
- Learn from constructively critiquing the work of other writers
- Make supportive connections that can endure after the course
Themes for the reading weeks:
- Magic realism & the surreal
- The uncanny vs. the weird
- Folk-tale & folkloric fiction
- Repurposing myth & legend
- Mundane fantastic & metaphorical magic
You are welcome to join this course whether you have experience of group workshopping or not – it is designed to help everyone learn this useful skill via critical reading and discussion of published work. You will need to allow about 2 hours each week for course reading.
Learning online
Throughout the course, as well as the Zoom meetings, all members will have access to a closed group on the messaging platform Slack. Here you can share more thoughts on the reading, make your own recommendations, ask the course tutor questions and discuss your writing.
You’ll need to have internet access for the Zoom meetings, and to interact on Slack now and again. The course tutor will send you links and instructions for both. Zoom meetings for the first five weeks will last 1.5 hours, and for the last five weeks, 2 hours.
