2 X 4: Two Weeks, Four Fantastical Story Seeds

This generative course features readings and prompts to help you jumpstart four new pieces of speculative short fiction (e.g., science fiction, fantasy, dystopian, magical realism, or supernatural). In each session we’ll discuss published work you’ll read in advance, by writers such as N.K. Jemisin, Lesley Nneka Arimah, Amber Sparks, Rion Amilcar Scott, and Silvia Park. We’ll then use the readings as inspiration to explore new ways of unlocking our own narratives — what-ifs, rituals and traditions, discovering story in setting, and hermit crab fiction (stories in an unusual format, such as a scientific study). Suitable for all levels of writers, from those new to speculative fiction to experienced authors looking for a little burst of inspiration or a break from a stalled WIP.

Members save $30 on this class. Log in as a member or join to receive the discount.

Thanks to generous donors, limited need-based scholarships are available for all our classes: https://charlottelit.org/scholarships/

Tara Campbell is a writer, teacher, Kimbilio Fellow, and fiction co-editor at Barrelhouse. Publication credits include Masters Review, Wigleaf, Electric Literature, CRAFT Literary, Uncharted Magazine, Daily Science Fiction, Strange Horizons, and Escape Pod/Artemis Rising. She's the author of the eco sci-fi novel TreeVolution, two hybrid collections of poetry and prose, two short story collections, and a chapbook of sestinas. Her second novel, City of Dancing Gargoyles(SFWP), was a finalist for the 2025 Philip K. Dick Award. She's taught creative writing at venues such as Johns Hopkins University, American University, Clarion West, The Writer's Center, and Hugo House. Find her at www.taracampbell.com