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Clarion West Writers Workshop is an intensive six-week program for writers preparing for professional careers in science fiction and fantasy. It runs yearly late June through the end of July. The workshop is limited to 18 students per year, and is held at a large estate that affords private rooms for each student, classroom, common areas and dining. Each of the six weeks is instructed by a different professional writer or editor. The roster of guest instructors changes yearly. Founded in Seattle, Washington in 1971, the workshop has been held continuously since 1984. Clarion West celebrated its 25th anniversary of continuous instruction in 2008. [1]
History
[edit]The 1971 Clarion West Writers Workshop was founded by Vonda N. McIntyre, a Clarion Workshop graduate and Nebula and Hugo Award-winning author, with the support of original Clarion founder Robin Scott Wilson. It was modeled after the original Clarion Workshop founded in 1968 at Clarion University of Pennsylvania (itself inspired by the Milford Writer's Workshop). The original Clarion Workshop was slated to close after holding final classes in 1970, and the effort was made to establish and continue Clarion workshops in other locations. The 1971 successor workshops that sprang from this effort were Clarion West Workshop founded in Seattle, and Clarion Workshop re-founded in New Orleans (later moved to Michigan in 1972, and San Diego in 2007). Clarion West operated until 1973, before a hiatus.[2]
In 1984, Clarion West graduate J.T. Stewart and Seattle writer, Marilyn J. Holt, reconvened the workshop with the support of founder Vonda N. McIntyre. Clarion West incorporated as a nonprofit organization with a board of directors in 1986. Although the workshop is located in close proximity to the University of Washington, it is not associated with the university. It has operated continuously to the present day.[3]
The Workshop Format
[edit]The workshop is combination of instruction and mutual student critique using the Clarion Method. The emphasis of learning is primarily geared toward hours spent reading, writing and critiquing. Normally, students are expected to write one complete draft of a story per week, to be critiqued the following week. Ideas for these stories are up to the student, but the emphasis is that the writing takes place on premises where fresh lessons and insight can be immediately applied to new story ideas. Work on 'trunk' stories, written before the workshop, is discouraged.
The class lecture and critique runs weekdays from morning to early afternoon. The remainder of the day is typically divided between writing the next week's story, and reading and preparing critiques. The workload is intense, but breaks and socializing are typical at all hours. Weekends are free time to socialize, explore the local sights, and catch up on unfinished writing and reading.
Each student will typically get a weekly private conference with each instructor to ask questions and gain insight from that professional writer or editor's thoughts and experience.
Although the focus of the workshop is on speculative fiction, such as science fiction and fantasy, other genres, such as horror, comedy, mystery, and literary writing (and mixtures thereof) regularly grace the workshop stories. The workshop focuses on writing and critiquing short stories, but many aspects of novel writing are also discussed in workshop.[4]
Other Clarion West Activities
[edit]The speculative fiction community around the Seattle area has built strong support for the workshop over the years, and many special events have become part of the Clarion West tradition. Student attendance is not required, but is a traditional part of the experience.
- Parties: These invitation-only events are attended by the students and administrators, graduated alumni, and many established writers, editors, agents, and fans in the industry.
- Readings and Book Signings: These public events allow students and the public to experience readings by the instructing writers. They are regularly hosted by the local University Bookstore.
- Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame/ Locus Awards weekend: frequently the workshop coincides with the yearly Locus Awards and Science Fiction Hall of Fame weekend events. This is a chance for students to participate in events that typically draw writers and professionals from around the globe.
Clarion West Traditions
[edit]There are a number of class traditions passed down from one class to the next in the manner of a secret society. Traditions that are publicly known include the yearly Clarion West class shirt (designed by the class and limited only to the classmates and teachers of that year), and the practice of presenting unusual gifts to each of the visiting instructors. Some notable gifts include the two headed 'Chernobyl Kitty' crafted for Ellen Datlow (2006)[5], The monogrammed red cape and goggles tailored for Cory Doctorow (2008)[6], and the scalpel and large teddy bear stuffed with blood-packs (containing the actual undisclosed gift) presented to Chuck Palahniuk (2008)[7]. Classes often come up with new and more elaborate traditions to pass on to the next year's class.
Application To the Workshop
[edit]Space in the workshop is awarded to the top 18 applicants of all submissions received. The average number of applications is not disclosed and varies year to year. While selection is competitive, many people accepted into the workshop initially expressed doubts they would get in. All interested applicants are encouraged to apply.
Application guidelines can be found on the Clarion West Writers Workshop web site. Guidelines must be followed to be considered for entry.
The application window typically opens January 1st and runs through March 1st for the year attending. Students are usually selected and informed of acceptance by mid march.[8]
Although Clarion West, Clarion, and Clarion South are run independently and offer unique experiences, they follow the same workshop method and are considered sister schools. Since both Clarion West and Clarion workshops run concurrently, students are often encouraged to apply to both workshops to increase their chances of attending that year. Students accepted to both programs must choose their preferred workshop. Note that each of the schools has similar but distinct guidelines. Follow the specific guidelines for each school when applying.
Students that graduate one of the Clarion workshops are considered alumni of all the Clarion programs, and may not re-apply for any other Clarion Workshop.
Clarion West Instructors
[edit]Many notable instructors have taught Clarion West over its long history, including: Peter S. Beagle, Greg Bear, Terry Bisson, Octavia E. Butler, Orson Scott Card, Ellen Datlow, Samuel R. Delany, Gardner Dozois, Charles de Lint, Harlan Ellison, Joe Haldeman, Elizabeth Hand, James Patrick Kelly, Ursula K. Le Guin, Kelly Link, George R.R. Martin, Vonda N. McIntyre, China Mieville, Lucius Shepard, John Shirley, Robert Silverberg, Norman Spinrad, Gene Wolfe, Roger Zelazny, and many others.
2009 Instructors
[edit]2008 Instructors
[edit]Clarion West Students
[edit]Many notable students have attended Clarion West that have gone on to have budding and successful writing and editing careers, including: Daniel Abraham, Greg Cox, Kathryn Cramer, Andy Duncan, Richard Garfinkle, Kathleen Ann Goonan, Caren Gussoff, Vylar Kaftan, Fiona Kelleghan , David D. Levine, Carlton Mellick III, Susan Palwick, Mary Anne Mohanraj, Cat Rambo, Mary Rosenblum, Nisi Shawl, Lawrence Schimel, Amy Thomson, Gordon Van Gelder, and many others.
Class of 2008
[edit]- Pritpaul Bains
- Marguerite Croft
- Theresa DeLucci
- Caren Gussoff
- Tracy J. Harford
- Shane Hoversten
- Kristen Janz
- Rajan Khanna
- Douglas Lucas
- Carlton Mellick III
- An Owomoyela
- Pamela Rentz
- Christopher Reynaga
- Eden Robins
- Carol Ryles
- Owen Salisbury
- Jim Stewart
- Kira Walsh
- ^ Locus Magazine, Page 5, Issue 572, September 2008
- ^ Wilhem, Kate Storyteller, pages 32-35.
- ^ About Clarion West: http://www.clarionwest.org/about
- ^ Clarion West Introductory Information for Students Handout, 2008
- ^ Ellen Datlow's Chernobyl Kitty: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35025258@N00/204862956/in/set-72157594214437664/
- ^ Cory Doctorow's Red Cape: http://www.boingboing.net/2008/08/26/cape-goggles-and-xkc.html
- ^ Chuck Palahniuk's Bloody Bear: http://picasaweb.google.com/rose.m.okeefe/ChuckPalahniukGiftClarionWest2008#5231231502802287794
- ^ Workshop Application Guidelines: http://www.clarionwest.org/workshop/apply
Further Reading
[edit]Wilhelm, Kate (2005). Storyteller: Writing Lessons and More from 27 Years of the Clarion Writers' Workshop. Small Beer Press. ISBN 1-931520-16-X.