If you know of any rising 8th through 12th graders interested in writing science fiction or fantasy, you should have them checkout Shared Worlds. It is a two week program. (I just saw the registration announcement and figured some of you might have some Sword & Laser children.)
The program, which will feature authors, artists, designers, and scientists, will center on the fictional "shared worlds" participating students create. To build these worlds, participants will have overview classes in many disciplines, including history, religion, and science - many taught by Wofford College professors and instructors, and professionals in the fields of writing and art.
All classes will emphasize problem solving, collaborative learning, and experiential learning. Each group of about a dozen students will apply their created shared world to works of fiction and art. The groups will be exposed to and be able to choose from several speculative fiction genres, including science fiction and fantasy.
They have different visiting writers every year. This year includes Holly Black, Karen Lord, and Kathe Koja. Students will also participate in group Skype sessions with Rose Fox and Jake Von Slatt. Ann VanderMeer (editor-in-residence), Jeff VanderMeer (Shared Worlds co-director along with founder Jeremy L.C. Jones), Will Hindmarch, and Nathan Ballingrud will all return to the program in 2013.
I wish they'd had something like this when I was this age!
The program, which will feature authors, artists, designers, and scientists, will center on the fictional "shared worlds" participating students create. To build these worlds, participants will have overview classes in many disciplines, including history, religion, and science - many taught by Wofford College professors and instructors, and professionals in the fields of writing and art.
All classes will emphasize problem solving, collaborative learning, and experiential learning. Each group of about a dozen students will apply their created shared world to works of fiction and art. The groups will be exposed to and be able to choose from several speculative fiction genres, including science fiction and fantasy.
They have different visiting writers every year. This year includes Holly Black, Karen Lord, and Kathe Koja. Students will also participate in group Skype sessions with Rose Fox and Jake Von Slatt. Ann VanderMeer (editor-in-residence), Jeff VanderMeer (Shared Worlds co-director along with founder Jeremy L.C. Jones), Will Hindmarch, and Nathan Ballingrud will all return to the program in 2013.
I wish they'd had something like this when I was this age!