Over a teal background with abstract pink circles, the words: "Flash Fiction Groups: Four Weeks. Four Stories. Limitless Possibilities." Registration Opens May 4." There's also the Clarion West logo, URL (clarionwest.org), and email (info@clarionwest.org).

Our popular Flash Fiction Groups are returning soon (June 3 to July 3). Delivered in a series of pre-recorded lectures (with 2 live meet-ups to ask questions and chat), participants also join Discord groups of like-minded peers to share their work and get and give feedback. Registration opens May 4.

This novel is the sum and summit of who Vonda was and what her work was about: all of us, imperfect, and doing our best. It’s an alt-history that feels like the beginning of the world. A world we could still have, if we’re lucky.

Thank you to @nicolaz.bsky.social for your insights into the final novel of Clarion West founder @vondanmcintyre.bsky.social. The Curve of the World will be published on May 15 by Aqueduct Press. nicolagriffith.com/2019/12/27/c...

I wrote my first two Aztec stories while I was there, and it was John Crowley who encouraged me to continue to pursue them. I also made a lot of really great friends while I was there. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone who can swing it.

Over a dark background of abstract circles and bubbles in white, pink, teal, green, and black, a photo of Benjamin Rosenbaum and the words, "Writing Is Half The Story: A Theory and Praxis of Being Critiqued with Benjamin Rosenbaum"

Deepen your understanding of receiving and giving critique with @benjaminrosenbaum.com during our April 26 online class, Writing Is Half the Story: A Theory and Praxis of Being Critiqued. Register here: secure.clarionwest.org/nx/portal/ne...

Over a teal background with abstract bubbles and circles, the words, "Clarion West News: Clarion West alumni are honored as Locus Award finalists. Horror Novels - The Possession of Alba Diaz, Isabel Canas (CW'18) (Berkley; Solaris UK). First Novels - Sour Cherry, Natalia Theodoridou (CW'18) (Tin House; Wildfire UK) [F]. Novelette - "We Begin Where Infinity Ends," Somto Ihezue (CW'24) (Clarkesworld 2/25). Collection - Call and Response, Christopher Caldwell (CW'07) (Neon Hemlock). Nonfiction - Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird: The Art of Eastern Storytelling, Henry Lien (CW'12) (Norton)."

Congratulations to our amazing Clarion West alumni who are finalists for @locusmag.bsky.social Awards, plus too many instructors to name. Full list: locusmag.com/2026/04/2026.... @isabelcanas.bsky.social @nassos.bsky.social @somtoihezue.bsky.social @seraph76.bsky.social @henrylienauthor.bsky.social

2026 Featured Artist Michelle Zhuang This year’s featured artist is Michelle Zuang! We’re excited to share the beautiful piece they created for Clarion West’s 2026 art.

Every year, Clarion West partners with a new artist to create an image that is used across our website, social media, and more. We’re excited to announce this year’s feature artist, @dooberlane.bsky.social! Learn more about Michelle and this breathtaking artwork: www.clarionwest.org/2026/04/12/2...

Over a teal background with lighter-colored tree outlines, the Clarion West logo followed by the words: "Two-Week Intensive Writing Camp, Ages 13-18. TEENS DESTROY SPECULATIVE FICTION. July 20-31, 2026, M-F, 10 A.M.-2 P.M. Daily. In-person in Seattle, multiple locations. Visit our website to register: clarionwest.org" There are also photos of teens and instructors working together and smiling at the camera.

Know a teen interested in writing sci-fi, fantasy, or horror? Teens Destroy Speculative Fiction in a 10-day experience in Seattle and kicks off July 20! Guided by @taracampbell.bsky.social, experience writing practice, field trips, and inspiring discussions. www.clarionwest.org/programs/tee...

Don't miss tomorrow's class on speculative poetry, taught by @therisingtithes.bsky.social on Saturday, April 11 at 10:30 AM Pacific Time. Register here: bit.ly/4uGI1RH

A photo of instructor Brandon O'Brien surrounded by geometric shapes and abstract bubbles primarily in a teal, white, and pink color scheme. The words say, "11 April online class with Brandon O'Brien. Alternate Verses: Unlocking Speculative Poetry." There's also the clarionwest.org URL and Clarion West logo in the top corners.

Understand speculative poetry in a fresh light, from the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh to poetry of the present day. Learn some tools that allow poetry to embody the speculative, and try your hand at writing speculative verse with @therisingtithes.bsky.social. Class space is limited: bit.ly/4uGI1RH

We loved seeing Clarion West alumni and associates, too—including @remymura.bsky.social (CW ‘10), Brenda Cooper (CW Board Member), @taracampbell.bsky.social (CW Instructor ‘26), @brigittewinter.bsky.social, @montelin.bsky.social (CW ‘19), @rashidajsmith.bsky.social (CW ‘05), and Elsia Raymond.

Photograph off the Clarion West table with brochures and two smiling people in chairs

Photo of a panel discussion with five people behind microphones

We had a great time at @norwescon.org this past weekend! From panels to tabling, connecting with other sci-fi and fantasy writers and fans was inspiring, as always. Thanks for another great year, Norwescon!

Over a black background with geometric shapes, the words: Fighting in Fiction: Writing a Knockout Scene. Wednesday, June 6, 10am - 2pm, Seattle, WA. In-Person Class with Jason Bond. There's also a photo of Jason and the Clarion West logo and Clarionwest.com website.

Over a black background with geometric shapes, the words: Join us for a four-hour, in-person course to develop your understanding of physical conflict and strengthen your ability to capture it in binge worthy prose.

Register for our in-person Fighting in Fiction class, taking place on June 6 with instructor Jason Bond. Using a combination of demonstration and video clips, learn about armed and unarmed techniques to foster technical accuracy when writing combat. secure.clarionwest.org/nx/portal/ne...

So, it would be real nice to go to this Alternate Verses @clarionwest.bsky.social workshop on Speculative Poetry with @therisingtithes.bsky.social! I have applied for a free seat but I think I missed the lottery draw.

Anyone feeling generous tonight? The helping hand ticket cost is 57$ USD.

Vonda was a friend and an inspiration. I can't wait to read this.

Over a teal background with abstract curves and circles, the words, "Alternate Verses: Unlocking Speculative Poetry. Online class. Saturday, April 11 at 10:30 AM PT with Brandon O'Brien."

Join @therisingtithes.bsky.social, author of the Elgin Award-winning poetry collection Can You Sign My Tentacles?, as he demystifies speculative poetry with examples from ancient Mesopotamia to the present day. Plus, try writing your own speculative poem. secure.clarionwest.org/nx/portal/ne...

Over a teal background with pine trees, the words: "Clarion West Two-Week Intensive Writing Camp, Ages 13-18: Teens Destroy Speculative Fiction. July 20-31, 2026. M-F, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. daily. In-person in Seattle, multiple locations. Visit our website to register: clarionwest.org. With instructor Tara Campbell." There's also a photo of Tara.

Taught by @taracampbell.bsky.social, the Clarion West 2026 Teen Writing Camp will include readings, discussions, and writing time. We'll also venture into art spaces throughout Seattle, and special instructors are on the docket, too. Learn more and register: www.clarionwest.org/programs/tee...

We want to give a big shout out to our friends at 4Culture for their generous support of Clarion West through the Free Access Program. This program supports free and reduced cost programming, allowing us to keep making the world of speculative fiction more accessible, inclusive, and equitable.

Over a teal background of abstract circles and bubbles, the words, "Vonda N. McIntyre's final novel: Coming May 15 from Aqueduct Press." There's a black and white photo of Vonda along with the cover of the novel, titled The Curve of The World.

@vondanmcintyre.bsky.social was a groundbreaking writer (and the founder of Clarion West!), and her final book, written before her death in 2019, is out on May 15. The Curve of the World is a remarkable bookend to a storied career. Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for further details.

Over a teal background with abstract curves and circles, the words, "Alternate Verses: Unlocking Speculative Poetry. Online class. Saturday, April 11 at 10:30 AM PT with Brandon O'Brien."

Over a teal background with abstract curves and circles, the words, "Explore the tools that allow poetry to embody the speculative and complete one poem during the session. Space is limited."

Did you know Gilgamesh is one of our earliest examples of speculative poetry? Even for savvy prose writers, speculative poetry can be a mystery. Award-winning poet @therisingtithes.bsky.social will demystify the craft in a one-hour online class. Ready to write some verse? Info here: bit.ly/4uGI1RH

Over a black background with geometric shapes, the words: Fighting in Fiction: Writing a Knockout Scene. Wednesday, June 6, 10am - 2pm, Seattle, WA. In-Person Class with Jason Bond. There's also a photo of Jason and the Clarion West logo and Clarionwest.com website.

Over a black background with geometric shapes, the words: Join us for a four-hour, in-person course to develop your understanding of physical conflict and strengthen your ability to capture it in binge worthy prose.

How do you describe an uppercut to an orc or snatch the pistol from the hands of a man in black? Join our in-person class on June 6 in Seattle, WA led by Jason Bond, best-selling military sci-fi author who holds formal rank in eight different fighting systems. secure.clarionwest.org/nx/portal/ne...

3) You can sign up for the next class I’m teaching at Clarion West Online, “Breaking the Rules” (where we will tell not show, write unprotagging protagonists, break POV and shake our fists at the sky) here:
secure.clarionwest.org/nx/portal/ne...

clarion west logo

#Fundraiserperk The kind folks of Clarion West have donated a $150 certificate to Clarion West to use toward any of their classes or workshops. Plus the April Locus e-issue and digital art by Francesca Myman.

Donate at http://locusmag.com/ or through our bio!

Donate to Support Speculative Fiction Programs Your contributions provide a much-needed source of funds for our workshops, classes, and other author events for the speculative fiction community

The Clarion West workshop changes lives, and they're also committed to fundraising scholarships (like the one that made it possible for me in 2001!) to make it accessible for everyone.

Even $5 from you can help change more writers' lives for the better!

www.clarionwest.org/get-involved...

Over a teal background with lighter-colored tree outlines, the Clarion West logo followed by the words: "Two-Week Intensive Writing Camp, Ages 13-18. TEENS DESTROY SPECULATIVE FICTION. July 20-31, 2026, M-F, 10 A.M.-2 P.M. Daily. In-person in Seattle, multiple locations. Visit our website to register: clarionwest.org" There are also photos of teens and instructors working together and smiling at the camera.

Registration is open for Teens Destroy Speculative Fiction, a two-week intensive writing camp in Seattle this summer for teens ages 13-18 with camp instructor @taracampbell.bsky.social. Learn more here: www.clarionwest.org/programs/tee...

J.M. Sidorova w/ Rashida J. Smith | Elliott Bay Book Company Full-service, general bookstore operating since 1973. Frequent author events, cafe, over 150,000 titles

Alumni news: J.M. Sidorova (CW'09) will be in conversation with @rashidajsmith.bsky.social at Elliot Bay Book Company in Seattle, WA on Thursday, April 2 at 7 PM PT. Sidorova's novel "The Witch of Prague" is brought to you by Homeward Books, cofounded by M. Huw Evans (CW'12).

If you're in the Seattle area and haven't picked up your ticket for the Sunday, March 30 Q&A with @sgj.bsky.social, this is your reminder that you can save 20% when you use the code SALJONES20 at checkout. lectures.org/event/stephe...

Over an abstract background of teal and hot pink circles, the words, "Breaking the Rules: A virtual class for writers. Sunday, March 29. 9:30-11:30 AM PT with Benjamin Rosenbaum." There's an accompanying headshot of Benjamin, along with the following contact information: clarionwest.com and info@clarionwest.org

Over an abstract background of teal and hot pink circles, the words, "Writing rules of thumb help avoid common newbie failure modes. But taken as laws, they shut us off from a world of possibility." There's the following contact information: clarionwest.com and info@clarionwest.org, along with the Clarion West logo.

Over an abstract background of teal and hot pink circles, the words, "Learn: Renewed flexibility and ambition. A deeper understanding of the distnictions between the rules--how to use them as tools rather than fences." There's the following contact information: clarionwest.com and info@clarionwest.org, along with the Clarion West logo.

From Butler to Borges, Le Guin to Asimov—writers who have moved speculative fiction forward know that defying convention can be necessary. For the next generation of writers ready to use defiance as inspiration, Saturday's class with @benjaminrosenbaum.com is a must. Info here: bit.ly/4scjlid.

Over a dark purple background, a photo of Stephen Graham Jones and the cover of Buffalo Hunter Hunter. Then the words, "Mar 30, 2026, 7:30 PM PT. Stephen Graham Jones Q&A with Sadie Hartmann. Town Hall Seattle #SALSGJones lectures.org. The Seattle Arts & Lectures logo is in the bottom right corner.

We're looking forward to being part of this @sgj.bsky.social Seattle Arts & Lectures event on March 30 in Seattle. Tickets starting at $7 are available here, and you can save 20% when you use the code SALJONES20 at checkout: lectures.org/event/stephe...

Over an abstract background of teal and hot pink circles, the words, "Breaking the Rules: A virtual class for writers. Sunday, March 29. 9:30-11:30 AM PT with Benjamin Rosenbaum." There's an accompanying headshot of Benjamin, along with the following contact information: clarionwest.com and info@clarionwest.org

There are a lot of rules (some written, some not) for writing. But do you always have to follow them? What could be possible when you explore defiance as inspiration and subversion as structure? Explore in a virtual class by @benjaminrosenbaum.com on March 29. Register here: bit.ly/4scjlid