Fitting In courtesy of Mark J. Ferrari
The ALPHA SF/F/H Workshop for Young Writers (ages 14 - 19) will be held at the University of Pittsburgh’s Greensburg Campus July 15 - 24, 2009 in conjunction with Pittsburgh's science fiction convention, Confluence, July 24 - 26th.
We're looking for enthusiastic, talented young writers who have a strong interest in science fiction, fantasy and/or horror and a passion for writing.
Come spend ten days working with professional authors, each of whom will spend two days at the workshop:
|
|
 |
Tamora Pierce is the author of over twenty-five young adult fantasy novels, including Bloodhound and Trickster's Queen. |
 |
Theodora Goss's short stories and poems have appeared in a variety of magazines and anthologies. Many of them are included in her short story collection In the Forest of Forgetting (2006) and the poetry anthology Voices from Fairyland (2008). With Delia Sherman, she |
 |
Sheila Williams is the fiction editor for Asimov's Magazine. While working at the magazine she co-founded the Dell Magazine's Award for Undergraduate Excellence in Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing. |
 |
GREGORY FROST is a writer of fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers. He has been a finalist for every major award in the sf and fantasy genres. His latest work is the fantasy duology, Shadowbridge and Lord Tophet, from Del Rey, which was voted one of the best fantasy novels of the year by the American Library Association. Booklist gave it a starred review, and the Fantasy Book Critic called it “one of the few must-read fantasies of the year.” His previous novel was the historical thriller, Fitcher’s Brides, a re-imagining of the fairy tale of Bluebeard that was a finalist for both the World Fantasy and International Horror Guild Awards for Best Novel. Publishers Weekly, called his short story collection, Attack of the Jazz Giants and Other Stories, “one of the best fantasy collections of the year.” His latest short work is in Poe: 19 New Tales Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe, edited by Ellen Datlow. He directs the fiction workshop at Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA. |
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.
2009 will be Alpha's eighth 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.
Past author guests include: Tamora Pierce, Timothy Zahn, Harry Turtledove, Michael Kandel, James Frenkel, William Tenn, Tobias S. Buckell, Catherine Asaro, Wen Spencer, Bruce Holland Rogers, Theodora Goss, Michael Arnzen, Leslie What, Christopher McKitterick, Lawrence C. Connolly, Timons Esaias, Carl Frederick, and Charles Coleman Finlay.
Workshop tuition is $950 and includes all workshop-related costs, but does not include transportation to and from Pittsburgh or hotel/meals at Confluence.
The workshop is small, with a maximum of 20 participants. Admission is based solely on the strength of the application story.
Application deadline: March 1, 2009 - The deadline has passed. The application stories will now go to the judges and admissions decisions will go out April 15th, 2009.
Application decisions have been sent. If you submitted an application and story and have not recieved an e-mail message from us with your admissions decision please contact us.