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 16 - 25, 2008 in conjunction with Pittsburgh's science fiction convention, Confluence, July 25 - 27th.
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:
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Michael A. Arnzen is a English professor by day and a horror writer by night. He has won three Bram Stoker Awards and an International Horror Guild award for his disturbing and often humorous horror and dark fantasy fiction, poetry, and literary experiments. His latest works include Audiovile (a spoken word CD) and a collection of his best stories and poems to date (Proverbs for Monsters). |
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Christopher McKitterick is a science-fiction author, editor, technical writer, college professor, and back-yard engineer. He is also Associate Director of the Center for the Study of Science Fiction and serves as a juror for the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for best SF novel of the year. Chris has published short work in Analog, Artemis, Captain Proton, E-Scape, Extrapolation, Mythic Circle, Ruins: Extraterrestrial, Synergy SF, Tomorrow, various TSR publications, Visual Journeys, a bowling poem anthology, and elsewhere. |
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Tamora Pierce is the author of over twenty young adult fantasy novels, including Terrier and Trickster's Choice. |
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Timothy Zahn is the author of several fast-paced series set in the Star Wars universe, including Heir to the Empire and Dark Force Rising. He is also known for his military SF. |
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.
2008 will be Alpha's seventh 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.
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, 2008 (Applications for 2008 are no longer being accepted)
Admissions Decisions for Alpha 2008 have gone out. If you applied to Alpha and have not received your admissions decision please contact us.