WRITING THE SF SHORT STORY: AN AWM ONLINE COURSE

Want six weeks of my undivided attention, but don't know how to get it?

Well, yes, you can do that, but say you want my attention and you want to learn to write fabulosio short stories and you want to keep your clothes on and retain your dignity?

Can't be done, you say?

How wrong you are!

Starting June 6, that's right, starting next week, AWM Online, the online learning arm of the Australian Writers Marketplace, presents Writing The SF Short Story, a six week course penned and helmed by my little old self.

Over six weeks you will learn how to build worlds, character, voice and mood in this challenging and rewarding form. The Online Learning Centre gives you the flexibility to study at your own pace, when and where it suits you, as well as plenty of opportunities to interact with other students and receive feedback from me in course forums. Covering topics such as "Writing What You Know is For the Weak"; "Unicorn Physics"; and "The World Plus One", I'll take you through a multitude of writing and analytical tasks designed to give writers the skills necessary to create unique and eye-catching stories that will have the editor of your choice bending over and waving a lubed-up blank cheque in your direction.

Not to mention, you'll pick up a series of knowledge sets that, hopefully, will enable you to avoid many of the pitfalls encountered by aspiring short story writers who want to work in the speculative fiction field. You'll also create a body of work you can begin sending out to magazines and anthologies.


The course is split into two broad sections: writing, and analysis. Students will be expected to deliver written work regularly, and to discuss a series of questions on the course forum each week. I'll be dropping by twice a week to answer any questions and interact with students 'live', as well as providing feedback, commentary and advice on the work handed in for assessment.
Most of all, however, the course is about having fun-- opening up your imagination and letting it fly on the strongest winds possible. You'll read works from some of the best speculative fiction writers, get an opportunity to make connections with peers and colleagues, and have the chance to create new works in a safe and supportive atmosphere. And you'll write, write, and write again.

Which is still the most fun I've ever had sitting down.


Enrolments close this Friday, so head on over to the AWM Online Learning Centre and sign up.