Workshops for people who are serious about writing
Clarion West is a nonprofit literary organization that runs an acclaimed six-week residential workshop every summer, online classes and workshops, one-day and weekend workshops, a reading series every summer, and other events throughout the year.
At Clarion West, you’ll be among award-winning and best-selling writers in science fiction, fantasy, games, horror, and more. Our workshops and classes are taught by world-class instructors from across the field of speculative fiction. Wherever you may be in your career, whether novice or sage, we offer a diverse listing of classes that is packed with valuable information to take your writing to the next level.
Every summer, the Clarion West Six-Week Workshop offers time away from everyday distractions and encouragement to experiment and take artistic risks. The critique sessions are the heart of the workshop: students learn not only by receiving critiques, but by reading others’ work and constructing their own critiques. Instructors work directly with attendees to present group critiques of newly written stories, participate in discussions about writing techniques or professional concerns, and hold individual or small-group conferences. Learn more about the Six-Week Workshop.
In addition, we offer instruction throughout the year with workshops and classes that vary in intensity, topic, and number of sessions. We invite prominent authors from across a broad range of speculative fiction to teach our classes and workshops. A few of our most recent instructors include N. K. Jemisin, Samit Basu, Cat Rambo, Ted Chiang, P. Djèlí Clark, Karen Lord, Daniel Abraham, Elizabeth Hand, Cadwell Turnbull, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Amal El-Mohtar, Nicola Griffith, Karen Joy Fowler, Kij Johnson, and Nisi Shawl. Learn more about our online classes and workshops.
You can support Clarion West’s mission to forge new voices in speculative fiction in many different ways. Learn how you can get involved with the Clarion West community!
Latest News
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Sales Tax Changes on Classes & Events for Washington State Residents
The 2025 Washington State Legislature passed Senate Bill (ESSB) 5814, which added new business activities to the definition of retail sales. As a result, businesses…
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In Memory of Jon Lasser
November 10, 1975 – September 23, 2025 It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of our friend and colleague, Jon Lasser,…
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Call for Flash Fiction Submissions
Clarion West is calling for submissions of flash fiction stories! This call is open to our Six-Week Alumni and to participants from the Flash Fiction Groups. Submissions from…
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Now Hiring: Communications Specialist
Status: Part-time (hourly, non-exempt, anticipated 10-15 hours per week) Location: Remote Reports to: Executive Director Salary: $25-28/hour, commensurate with experience About Clarion West Clarion West…
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The 2026 Workshops & Instructor Announcements!
Novel Writing Workshop Our sincerest thanks to the amazing Samit Basu for kicking off our first Novel Writing Workshop and working with our first class…
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Funded! The Greg Bear Memorial Instructorship 2025
Funded! We’re pleased to announce that the 2025 Greg Bear Memorial Instructorship has been funded for another year! With support from Astrid Bear, Jeff and…
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