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Alpha, residential science fiction writing workshop for teens

Cory Doctorow at 12:38 am Sun, Jan 27, 2008

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Alpha is a 20-student, 10-day intensive science fiction and fantasy writing workshop for teenagers from 14-19, run on principles similar to those at the Clarion workshops. It looks like a hell of an experience, the kind of thing I'd have given an arm to attend when I was a teenager -- this year's instructors are Tamora Pierce, Timothy Zahn, Michael A. Arnzen and Christopher McKitterick. The submission deadline is March 1.

Learn about writing and publishing. Meet other teens who share your interest in writing speculative fiction. Talk about short stories, novels, and films. Have your submission story critiqued. Brainstorm new story ideas, write a first draft, receive feedback, and rewrite. Attend readings by the authors. Do a public reading. Learn about submitting for publication, and send off your story at our manuscript mailing party.

Finally, at the conclusion of the workshop, attend Confluence, Pittsburgh's annual, literature-based convention, where you will have the opportunity to attend panels and readings, and interact with other fans, authors, editors, musicians, artists, agents, and scientists.

2008 will be Alpha's seventh year. Previous attendees placed in the Dell Magazines Award and Writer's of the Future contests, and have sold stories to Boys’ Life, Realms of Fantasy, Fantasy Magazine, Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet, Fantastic Stories, Corpse Blossoms, Aberrant Dreams, and Fantastical Visions.

Link (via Futurismic)

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

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  • mikesum32

    Screw that. Where is the writing shop for everyone else ?

  • Diatryma

    Futurpunk, you could try Clarion, Odyssey, or Viable Paradise. Then become an awesome writer, publish a lot, and *teach* Alpha.

  • aclops

    Just a warning, there is an american christian group working under the same moniker. I would hate to have someone looking to improve themselves get caught in the web of scapegoat theism.

  • futurpunk

    This sounds so amazingly cool. I wish I had known about this when I was younger. What about if you’re twenty-two years old? :(

  • madwhit

    See…this is why I love Pittsburgh!