Clarion West

Celebrate the publication of Clarion West Founder Vonda N. McIntyre’s final novel this July in Seattle!

On July 16, we’ll host an in-person event at Elliott Bay Book Company wherein Nisi Shawl—one of the individuals responsible for the book’s publication—will read a selection from the book. The reading will be followed by a conversation with Theo Downes-Le Guin, head of the Ursula K. Le Guin Foundation.

Register here: https://www.clarionwest.org/event/vonda-n-mcintyres-the-curve-of-the-world-reading-conversation/



Image description: "Clarion West presents: Reading & Conversation - The Curve of the World by Vonda N. McIntyre. With Nisi Shawl and Theo Downes-Le Guin. July 16, 7:00 P.M. Pacific Time, Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98122." The image also features photos of Nisi and Theo, as well as the cover of the book.

Congratulations to the Clarion West alumni and instructors recognized by the Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy (BASFF) in 2026!

Please give them a follow and pick up the anthology when it is available.

Read the full list: https://www.johnjosephadams.com/projects/best-american-science-fiction-and-fantasy-2026/2026-notable-stories/



Image description: Clarion West News: Clarion West alumni and instructors honored among the Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy (BASFF). Alumni: Isabel Cañas (CW ‘18), Somto Ihezue (CW ‘24), Justin C. Key (CW ‘15), Wen-yi Lee (CW ‘22), Stephanie Malia Morris (CW ‘17), Kristina Ten (CW ‘19), and Cadwell Turnbull (CW ‘16). Instructors: Elizabeth Bear, Tobias S. Buckell, John Chu, P. Djèlí Clark, Joe Hill, Matthew Kressel, Annalee Newitz, Sarah Pinsker, and Martha Wells."

Octavia Butler once said, “Writers use everything. We can’t help it. Whatever touches us touches our writing.”

Find some inspiration and use it in your writing at Earthseed this June, an event celebrating Octavia Butler’s legacy!

It’s happening on Thursday, June 25 from 5:30-9pm PT at Third Place Commons in Seattle. It’s being led by three incredible PNW-based speculative fiction writers: Amber Flame, Rashida J. Smith, and Imani Sims and also features the debut of music inspired by Parable of the Sower, new artwork, and an open mic!

Shout out to all the organizations joining Clarion West in making this possible: Third Place Commons, Two Hour Transport, The Bushwick Bookclub, Terry Morgan, King County Metro, and the Lake Forest Park in Action Book Club/Lake Forest Park Climate Club.

Attend, sign up for the mic, and celebrate Octavia Butler’s legacy by RSVPing here: https://bit.ly/4ntaE1v



Image description: Over a teal and pink background of abstract circles, the words: "Earthseed 2026: Honoring the Past and Future of Feminist Science Fiction, celebrating Octavia butler and her legacy. Event includes: original music, open mic, and featured readers: Amber Flame, Rashida J. Smith (CW '05), and Imani Sims. June 25 | 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. at Third Place Commons. Brought to you by: Third Place COmmons, Clarion West, Two Hour Transport, The Bushwick Bookclub, Third Place Books, Terry Morgan, King County Metro, and the Lake Forest Park in Action Book Club/Lake Forest Park Climate Club."

Award-winning writer and martial artist Jason Bond is joining us in Seattle on June 6 to teach Fighting in Fiction. During this 4-hour class, Jason will demonstrate techniques and discuss the realities of fighting—all to help writers deliver a knockout scene.

How does a person lose consciousness? How can a villain be disarmed of their weapon? Jason has the answers!

It’s going down on June 6, in-person in Seattle. Don’t worry—no IRL dueling or physical contact required. Find out more here: https://bit.ly/4wdbyTP



Image description: Over an artistic background of winged figures in teal and pink, the Clarion West logo and the words, "Fighting in Fiction: Writing a Knockout Scene. Saturday, June 6. 10am - 2pm, Seattle, WA. In-person class with Jason Bond."

The Curve of the World, the final novel by Clarion West founder, Vonda N. McIntyre, has officially been on shelves and in readers’ hands for a week!

Last Saturday, we hosted a virtual launch party with the team that brought the book to publication after Vonda’s passing in 2019. It was truly one to remember—thank you to all who came!

Nisi Shawl said during the event, "The book is so enormously pleasurable from cover to cover.... The most arresting scenes to me were not the action scenes or fighting the sea monsters, but the ones of every day life, the idea that we're not in a palace, but an apartment building.... The gentle, but firm, negotiations taking place throughout the book play a significant role and are so important to see how they could be done in today's world."

Pick up a copy for yourself, and 30% of your purchase will go straight to Clarion West: bit.ly/3P4QdLR

Watch the replay of the event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9TYaaDKqJU

We’ve delighted in the conversations and responses that readers have shared with us so far. We can't wait to hear your thoughts.



Image description: "Catch the Replay: Book launch event for The Curve of the World by Vonda N. McIntyre. A conversation with Nisi Shawl, L. Timmel Duchamp, Debbie Notkin." There's also a screenshot of the event and the cover of the book.

We’re just a little more than a month out from Earthseed 2026!

Earthseed celebrates the legacy of Octavia Butler, who made such a profound impact on the world through her speculative fiction that centered race, gender, the impacts and uses of power, and environmental justice.

Earthseed is happening on Thursday, June 25 from 5:30-9pm PT at Third Place Commons in Seattle. And it’s being led by three incredible PNW-based speculative fiction writers: Amber Flame, Rashida J. Smith, and Imani Sims.

The event includes the reveal of new bus stop artwork, a performance of original music inspired by The Parable of the Sower, an open mic, reception, and, of course, readings from Amber, Rashida, and Imani.

Join us by RSVPing here: https://bit.ly/4ntaE1v



Image description: Over a purple and green background: "Earthseed 2026: Honoring the Past and Future of Feminist Science Fiction, celebrating Octavia butler and her legacy. Event includes: original music, open mic, and featured readers: Amber Flame, Rashida J. Smith (CW '05), and Imani Sims. June 25 | 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. at Third Place Commons. Brought to you by: Third Place COmmons, Clarion West, Two Hour Transport, The Bushwick Bookclub, Third Place Books, Terry Morgan, King County Metro, and the Lake Forest Park in Action Book Club/Lake Forest Park Climate Club." The image includes logos of Clarion West and Third Place Commons, as well as photos of the three readers, Amber Flame, Rashida J. Smith, and Imani Sims.

Rebecca Roanhorse writes it all—comics, novels, even television scripts! She’s the author of the epic fantasy series Between Earth and Sky and the post-apocalyptic The Sixth World series. She’ll be with us in Seattle on July 23rd to discuss her process, her inspiration, and more.

She’s joined in conversation with the award-winning writer, editor, and teacher, Tara Campbell at the The Seattle Public Library Central Branch.

Listen in by RSVPing here: https://bit.ly/4u8IX0w



Image description: Over an abstract background of teal wings, the words, "Clarion West presents: Rebecca Roanhorse in conversation with Tara P. Campbell. July 23, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Pacific Time, Seattle Central Library." There are labeled photos of Rebecca and Tara, along with the logos of The Seattle Public Library and Third Place Books.

Sometimes your characters have to roll up their sleeves and mix it up.

If you don’t know the difference between a jab and a parry—or a front kick and a roundhouse—that can be intimidating! Never fear, writer and martial artist Jason Bond has you covered.

Jason will be teaching his class, Fighting in Fiction, on June 6, in-person in Seattle. This four-hour course is designed for writers who want to develop their understanding of physical conflict and write truly binge-worthy fight scenes.

Bring dramatic action to life with us! More information here: https://bit.ly/4wC1mok



First image description: Over an artistic background of winged figures in teal and pink, the Clarion West logo and the words, "Fighting in Fiction: Writing a Knockout Scene. Saturday, June 6. 10am - 2pm, Seattle, WA. In-person class with Jason Bond."

Second image description: Over a dark background, 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."

What story could you tell in up to 1,000 words?

Master the art of brevity this summer in our popular Flash Fiction Groups. This is the last week for registration!

The groups run from June 3 to July 3, and in that time participants receive weekly prompts and lectures, access to small Discord groups, and two live Q&A sessions with this year’s Flash Mastermind, Juan Martinez (CW Instructor ‘25).

At the end, you’ll have four flash stories (and maybe some new friends!).

Let’s keep it brief this summer. More info and registration here: https://bit.ly/4uQwlv8



Image description: Over an artistic background in teal and pink of winged figures, the words, "Flash Fiction Groups. Four weeks. Four stories. Limitless possibilities. Register Now." The Clarion West logo is also included.

RSVP now for this free, virtual event: https://bit.ly/48L9p7V

Vonda N. McIntyre meant so much to many different people. She is Clarion West’s founder and a trailblazing Hugo and Nebula-winning writer who published many beloved books before she passed away in 2019. She was part of a movement that reshaped speculative fiction to include more feminist, political, and ecological themes.

Her final novel—which is officially released today—is the capstone to an incredible life.

Will you join us in an online celebration to honor the publication of Vonda’s final novel, The Curve of the World?

The event is online, free, and open to all—just let us know you’re coming with an RSVP: https://bit.ly/48L9p7V



Image description: Clarion West presents: A Virtual Book Launch Event. The Curve of the World by Vonda N. McIntyre. A conversation with Nisi Shawl, L. Timmel Duchamp, & Debbie Notkin. May 16, 11:00 A.M. Pacific Time. Virtual + Free. Please RSVP.