Let’s explore the wild and wonderful world known as Speculative Fiction. This genre is a wide umbrella which can include stories that engage with elements of magical realism, sci-fi, fantasy, fairytale, and the gothic, while maintaining a foot in the traditional world of literary realism. We will discuss the genre, its strengths and pitfalls, and then dive into exploring the craft tools we have as writers to create magical worlds within our fiction. All writers, genres, and levels of experience welcomed.

*******ABOUT THE AUTHOR******

Alexander Weinstein is the author of the short story collections, Universal Love and Children of the New World, which was chosen as a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, and a best book of the year by NPR, Google, and Electric Literature. His fiction and interviews have appeared in Rolling Stone, World Literature Today, Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy, and Best American Experimental Writing. He is the founder and director of The Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing.

Awards:
Best American Experimental Writing, Understanding Great Art, 2018
Pushcart Prize Honorable Mention, Fall Line, 2018
Etching-Whirling Fiction Prize, Children of the New World, 2018
Drake Emerging Writer Prize, Children of the New World, 2018
Short List for the Story Prize, Children of the New World 2017
Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy, Openness, 2017
Devil’s Kitchen Fiction Prize, Children of the New World, 2017
New York Times Book Review Notable Books of the Year, 2016
Michigan Notable Book Award, Children of the New World, 2016
NPR Book of the Year, Children of the New World, 2016
Electric Literature Book of the Year, Children of the New World, 2016
Google Play Book of the Year, Children of the New World, 2016
Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Reads, Children of the New World, 2016
Indies Introduce/Indies Next Selection, Children of the New World, 2016
Lascaux Prize in Flash Fiction for Children of the New World, 2016
Hamlin Garland Short Fiction Prize (Beloit Fiction Journal), 2016
New Millennium Short Fiction Prize, 2016
Sustainable Arts Foundation Award in Fiction, 2015
Gail Crump Fiction Prize (Pleiades), 2014
Lamar York Fiction Prize (Chattahoochee Review), 2014