Clarion West

Clarion West is a nonprofit literary organization based in Seattle, Washington.

We serve and support writers of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, focusing especially on underrepresented voices in these genres. Clarion West Writers Workshop is a nonprofit literary organization based in Seattle, Washington, with a mission to improve speculative fiction by providing high quality education to writers at the start of their careers. As an extension of its primary mission, Clari

on West also makes speculative fiction available to the public by presenting readings and other events that bring writers and readers together. Clarion West also has an active Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2424444143/ Join us there today!

08/27/2026

Metaphors of decay and renewal. Hive-mind-like intelligence. Alien ecosystems. Creeping invasions.

The world of fungus is rich territory for speculative fiction writers!

And on September 24, we’ll be guided through it by none other than Hugo-, Nebula-, and Mythopoeic Award-winning writer and illustrator T. Kingfisher. Joining her in conversation will be naturalist and writer Daniel Winkler, moderated by Dominica Phetteplace.

Explore the world of fungus with us: https://www.clarionwest.org/event/deep-dives-t-kingfisher/

Image description: Deep Dives Author Conversation Series: A program of Clarion West. Under photos of the three speakers, the following info: "Mycology, Decay, and Metaphors for Community. A conversation with T. Kingfisher and Daniel Winkler, moderated by Dominica Phetteplace. September 24, 2026. VIP Reception 6 PM. Conversation and Signing 7 to 8:30 PM. Seattle Library - Central Branch, 1000 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. Hosted in partnership with The Seattle Public Library, 4Culture, Third Place Books, and Amazon Literary Partnership. Get tickets at Clarion West dot org.

08/26/2026

We are holding our first class of the fall on September 13.

Taught by Hugo Award-winning editor + Ignyte Award-nominated writer Aigner Loren Wilson, Crafting Your Story’s Atmosphere helps writers evoke emotion and set the stakes in their speculative fiction through the many devices included under the umbrella of “atmosphere.”

Register and learn with us: https://secure.clarionwest.org/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F52745

Image 1 description: Clarion West presents Crafting Your Story's Atmosphere. Virtual: September 13 at 10 AM PT with Aigner Loren Wilson. Register at Clarion West dot org.

Image 2 description: Make readers feel your story by crafting its atmosphere in a multilayered way, from the sentence structure and word choice to the micro tension of your piece. In this 90-minute class, you’ll learn what contributes to a story’s atmosphere by analyzing published short stories and craft different levels of atmosphere using exercises and prompts. Register at Clarion West dot org.

08/25/2026

That unique world you’re building? You should protect it!

Copyright law may seem intimidating, but it’s very useful for speculative fiction writers.

On September 19, intellectual property attorney and educator Grace Carlson will teach you the basics of copyright law and how it applies to your fiction. You’ll walk away empowered to keep inventing lands, characters, and plots.

Register for the virtual class here: https://secure.clarionwest.org/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F52748

Image 1 description: Clarion West presents Copyright for Speculative Fiction Writers. Virtual: September 19 at 10 AM PT with Grace Carlson. Register at Clarion West dot org.

Image 2 description: Speculative fiction writers build impossible worlds, invent unfamiliar technologies, and imagine futures that don't yet exist—but copyright law was written for our current reality. Knowing how those laws apply to your stories can help you protect your work, avoid costly mistakes, and write with greater confidence. This webinar is informational in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Register at Clarion West dot org.

08/24/2026

The Pocket Workshop is Clarion West’s totally free Patreon blog where we interview great writers on everything from how they craft their novels to how to get acquainted with a genre. Think of it as a mini writer’s workshop!

And this month we have Chris Campbell on the Workshop with a primer on Afro-cosmicism and more than a dozen recommended reads in the genre.

Join the Workshop: https://www.patreon.com/ThePocketWorkshop/posts/afro-cosmicism-166332435

Image description: A Pocket Anthology: Afro-cosmicism, an introduction by Chris Campbell. Pocket Workshop: Essays on living as a writer. Brought to you by Clarion West. Join for free: patreon dot com slash c w slash The Pocket Workshop

08/21/2026

Our first class of the fall is September 13! Taught by Hugo Award-winning editor + Ignyte Award-nominated writer Aigner Loren Wilson, Crafting Your Story’s Atmosphere helps writers evoke emotion and set the stakes in their speculative fiction through the many devices included under the umbrella of “atmosphere.”

From sensory details and word choice to environment and just plain old “vibes,” this class has all the tools you need to enhance atmosphere at the line and narrative levels.

Register for the virtual class here: https://secure.clarionwest.org/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F52745

Image description: Clarion West presents: Crafting Your Story's Atmosphere. Virtual: September 13 at 10:00 AM PT. With Aiger Loren Wilson. Register at Clarion West dot org. Make readers feel your story by crafting its atmosphere in a multilayered way, from the sentence structure and word choice to the micro tension of your piece. In this 90-minute class, you'll learn what contributes to a story's atmosphere by analyzing published short stories and craft different levels of atmosphere using exercises and prompts. Register at Clarion West dot org.

08/20/2026

Revision is hard. Revision in your second language is harder. Whether you’re struggling to address vocabulary range or the wild world of idioms, there are habits and tools that can smooth the way to that final draft.

And lucky for you, Jana Bianchi and Diogo Ramos, two multilingual writers and editors, know the struggle and have collected tips, tools, and guidance in one 55-minute class.

It's available on-demand, so we’re ready when you are: https://clarion-west-online.teachable.com/p/revising-in-english-as-a-speculative-language

Image description: Clarion West on-demand courses. Revising in English as a Second Language with Jana Bianchi and Diogo Ramos. Jana and Diogo will share tools and tips they use when revising a draft in English—simple habits that, besides allowing writers to overcome recurrent obstacles (like vocabulary range, false cognates, untranslatable words, and problems with idioms, collocations, grammar, and punctuation, among others), also help them to gain confidence in writing in English. Please note, as this is an on-demand course, the instructor is not available for questions or feedback, nor is there an organized group story/feedback exchange included. You can begin watching as soon as you register.

08/19/2026

Has a blank page been feeling like your personal enemy lately? Writer’s block can create a frustrating cycle of self-doubt. Never fear! Eden Robins is here to help you get unstuck.

In this three-session class, award-winning writer Eden shares strategies to address the heart of the problem and get your writing done, despite the obstacles that come up along the way. Take on the blank page with us starting September 23.

Information + registration here: https://secure.clarionwest.org/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F51498

Image description:
Image 1: Clarion West presents: Get Unstuck. Virtual Writing Class. Wednesdays, September 23, 30, and October 7. 5:30 - 7:00 PM Pacific Time. With Eden Robins. Register at Clarion West dot org.

Image 2: Writer’s block. Messy middles. Characters that just won’t do what they’re supposed to do. We’ve all been there! In this multi-session live class, we’ll shake ourselves loose of that “stuckness” with generative exercises, forced failure, injections of randomness, and even some (gasp!) journaling to see what’s at the heart of the problem. Register at Clarion West dot org.

08/18/2026

Starting on September 12, we’re getting deep.

Clarion West’s Deep Dives author conversation series is where science and fiction meet. These talks put speculative fiction writers in dialogue with scientists to go deep on a subject they work in.

Our first of 2026 brings writer Mary Robinette Kowal to the stage with retired astronaut and afrofuturist Dr. Sian Proctor, in a conversation moderated by K Wilson (The Astro Stud).

They’ll talk about the current state of space exploration and all the possibilities that lie ahead.

Everything you need to know to RSVP is right there: https://bit.ly/4bhgmPq

Image description: Deep Dives author conversation series: A program of Clarion West. Photos of Mary Robinette Kowal (with The Martian Contingency), K Wilson, and Dr. Sian Proctor (with Space Poet). The event title is "Post-Dystopia Space Exploration: A conversation with Mary Robinette Kowal and Dr. Sian Proctor, Moderated by K Wilson (The Astro Kid). September 12, 2026. VIP Reception 6:00 PM. Conversation and Signing 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM. Town Hall Seattle. Learn more at Clarion West dot org.

08/17/2026

On July 23, Six-Week Workshop instructors Rebecca Roanhorse and Tara Campbell sat down for a conversation at the Seattle Public Library.

If you missed it, we have good news! The recording is available for free on YouTube.

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dXkweoDW9A

This event was made possible, in part, by the King County 4Culture Public Free Access Grant.

Image description: Now on YouTube: A video header image of the July 23rd 2026 Rebecca Roanhorse in conversation with Tara P. Campbell event. Presented by Clarion West.

08/14/2026

As a speculative fiction writer, you are an inventor of new worlds, unfamiliar technologies, and one-of-a-kind characters. As an inventor, it’s important to protect your creations. That’s what copyright law is all about!

If that sounds intimidating—don’t stress! Attorney Grace Carlson is going to walk us through everything we need to know in one hour on September 19. And in clear language. With real-world examples.

The result? You’ll write and publish with greater confidence.

Register for the virtual class here: https://secure.clarionwest.org/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F52748

Image description: a two-image carousel.

First image: Clarion West presents Copyright for Speculative Fiction Writers. Virtual: September 19 at 10:00 AM PT with Grace Carlson. Register at Clarion West dot org.

Second image: Speculative fiction writers build impossible worlds, invent unfamiliar technologies, and imagine futures that don’t yet exist—but copyright law was written for our current reality. Knowing how those laws apply to your stories can help you protect your work, avoid costly mistakes, and write with greater confidence. This webinar is informational in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Register at Clarion West dot org.

Address

Seattle, WA

Telephone

+12063229083

Website

http://www.clarionwest.org/

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