Masterclass: Lessons from Speculative Fiction

Speculative fiction isn’t just for sci-fi writers: in fact, whatever genre of fiction you’re writing, from literary to historical, thinking speculatively can prove fruitful. Giving yourself permission to imagine freely, to think outside the constraints of realism, and to conjure worlds and scenarios where things are different can give your work a freshness and a new perspective. This masterclass with Sophie Mackintosh, Man Booker-nominated author of The Water Cure, will prompt you to see the everyday world in a more uncanny way, full of possibility, encouraging you to approach image, character, and setting from engaging new angles. You’ll be given the means to create original and vivid settings, move past creative blocks, and reconnect with the pure delight of writing without restraint.

Online: £35

Concessions: £17.50

As part of our effort to increase participation in the arts, a limited number of half-price concessions are available for this course at checkout. There are a limited number of free subsidised places for those who cannot afford the concession price.

We are committed to making our Arvon at Home programme accessible to as many people as possible.

Across all of Arvon at Home

• All sessions will have auto-generated captioning.
• During sessions we will have a text version available via screen share.
• There is a Chat facility to ask any questions.

Masterclasses and Online Writing Day

• A recording of the Masterclass will be available to view for one month after it is aired live.
• There is a Chat and Q & A facility to ask any questions.
• Zoom webinar format (your video and audio will remain off throughout, & your name will not be visible to other participants so it is a ‘relaxed’ event).

How I Write

• There is a chat and Q&A facility to ask any questions.
• Zoom webinar format (your video and audio will remain off throughout, & your name will not be visible to other participants so it is a ‘relaxed’ event).

Online Writing Weeks / Weekends

• Courses have much smaller groups than Masterclasses and How I Write events, and are also more interactive with your fellow course participants and tutors, so cameras and audio are usually on (though both are completely optional). If you would prefer your camera and audio to be off, it would be helpful to let your course host know this in advance.

Subject to funding/permissions (please contact us for more details)

• Recording of Writing Weeks and Weekends.
• Downloadable transcripts.
• BSL interpretation.
• Live captioning.

If you have any access issues that we have not covered here, please contact us on access@arvon.org

See here for more access information.