Alpha SF/F/H Workshop

[Shaun]

Here are the details:

The Alpha SF/F/H Workshop for Young Writers (ages 14 – 19) will be held at the University of Pittsburgh’s Greensburg Campus July 13 – 22, 2011 in conjunction with Pittsburgh’s science fiction convention, Confluence, July 22 – 24th.

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
David Levine
Ellen Kushner
Other authors for 2011 are TBA
(Read more about this year’s author guests.)

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.

(Read what previous students have to say about the workshop.)

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.

2011 will be Alpha’s tenth year. Previous attendees have placed in the Dell Magazines Award and Writers 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. (Read more about Alpha graduates’ publications and awards.)

Workshop tuition is $995 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, 2011

It may be of interest to some of you, though a bit pricey. You can find out more here (http://alpha.spellcaster.org/).