Clarion West

09/01/2026

Research is an essential part of the writing process. It’s how you construct believable worlds, rich characters, and complex narratives that draw the reader in and keep them turning pages. Do you avoid the research part? Get pulled down endless rabbit holes in the process? If you’ve got research woes, we’ve got a class to solve them.

Research Skills for Fiction Writers is full of tools and techniques to make research productive and fun—and reference librarian Melody Steiner leads it, so you know it's legit.

The class is available on demand—dive in here: https://clarion-west-online.teachable.com/p/research-skills-for-fiction-writers



Image description: Clarion West and Writing the Other: On-Demand Courses. "Research Skills for Fiction Writers" with Melody Steiner. Research is a necessary part of the creative process for every fictional narrative, no matter the genre. You don't have to be a scholar to learn how to find the information you need to craft great stories. Reference librarian Melody Steiner will help you become more confident in your understanding of research techniques, how to integrate research into your narratives, and more comfortable navigating the resources available to you. Please note, as this is an on-demand course, the instructor is not available for questions or feedback, nor is there an organized group story/feedback exchange included. You can begin watching as soon as you register.

08/31/2026

Congratulations to all of the Hugo Award Winners, including Clarion West instructors and alumni!

The full list of winners announced at Los Angeles Worldcon is here: https://www.lacon.org/2026hugos/.

Los Angeles Worldcon: The 2026 World Science Fiction Convention

08/31/2026

What are your plans for September 3?

Partner highlight!One of Dr. Shiying D**g's pieces appeared in the Seattle Universal Math Museum (SUMM) Intersections: Math, Art, Truth, + Humanity show in 2024, and this summer, she was the featured artist in MoMath's art exhibition at the International Congress of Mathematics.

Now she is coming to Seattle for an evening exploring how mathematics and crochet can become tools for learning, creating, bonding, and even healing. And this Math Out Loud comes with a chance to create alongside her!

5:30 pm — Topological Crochet Workshop: Come early for a hands-on craft workshop led by Shiying.
6:30 pm — Math Out Loud: Learning, Creating, Bonding, and Healing with Topological Crochet

Math Out Loud is free and designed for a broad audience. So bring a friend or two. The workshop is filling up fast but there are plenty of spaces for the lecture.

https://seattlemathmuseum.org/events/math-out-loud-shiying-dong-workshop

Image description: Seattle Universal Math Museum: Math Out Loud presents, "Learning, Creating, Bonding, and Healing with Topological Crochet," featuring Dr. Shiying D**g. September 3, 6:30 PM. Auditorium at Seattle Central Library, 1000 4th St, Seattle, Washington 98104. There is also a QR code to scan and a photo of Dr. Shiying D**g.

08/31/2026

How might A.I. change the face of medicine? What happens if it proliferates in the field unchecked?

From data privacy to lifesaving innovation, join author Justin C. Key and physician Dr. Lakshmi Krishnan for a candid conversation about both the potential and danger.

The conversation will close out this year’s Deep Dives series! Join us: https://bit.ly/4zJPLVK

As part of our Clarion West Deep Dives Author Conversation Series, this conversation is hosted in partnership with The Seattle Public Library, King County 4Culture Public Free Access Grant, Third Place Books, and the Amazon Literary Partnership.



Image description: Deep Dives Author Conversation Series, a program of Clarion West. A photo of Justin C. Key and Dr. Lakshmi Krishnan above the discussion title: "A.I. in Medicine: A Conversation with Justin C. Key and Lakshmi Krishnan." October 15, 2026. VIP Reception 6:00 PM. Conversation and Signing: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Seattle Library - Central Branch, 1000 4th Avenue, Seattle, Washington, 98104. Hosted in partnership with The Seattle Public Library, 4Culture, Third Place Books, Amazon Literary Partnership. Get tickets at Clarion West dot org.

08/28/2026

Our Clarion West Deep Dives kick off on September 12! This year’s theme is Futures Less Dystopian.

We’re conjuring visions of the world ahead that move beyond doom toward the possibility of a freer future.

Join us and a mix of writers and scientists, including Mary Robinette Kowal, T. Kingfisher, Justin C. Key (CW ‘15), Dr. Sian Proctor, Daniel Winkler, Lakshmi Krishnan, and more, for conversations that embrace possibility.

Look to the future with us: https://www.clarionwest.org/upcoming-events/

Image description: Deep Dives Author Conversation Series, a program of Clarion West. Hosted in Partnership with The Seattle Public Library, 4Culture, Third Place Books, and Amazon Literary Partnership. Get tickets at Clarion West dot org. Under this information are three colorful bars, each with information about an upcoming Deep Dive. The first is September 12, 2026: Post-Dystopia Space Exploration, a conversation with Mary Robinette Kowal and Dr. Sian Proctor, moderated by K Wilson (The Astro Stud). The second is September 24, 2026: Mycology, Decay, and Metaphors for Community, a conversation with T. Kingfisher and Daniel Winkler, moderated by Dominica Phetteplace. The third is October 15, 2026: A.I. in Medicine, a conversation with Justin C. Key and Lakshmi Krishnan.

08/27/2026

Our friends at Common AREA Maintenance are hosting the hosts of Writing Excuses on September 3 for an evening event at Common Objects.

Learn more and RSVP at https://camseattle.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F55726



Image description: Writing Excuses live in Seattle. Mary Robinette Kowal, Erin Roberts, D**gWon Song, Howard Tayler. Join the hosts of the Hugo award-winning podcast Writing Excuses! Community building, zine making, live podcast episode, writing prompts, community building, in-depth conversations. CAM: Thursday, September 3. 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Pacific Time. Common Objects, 2601 1st Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98121. Register at cam seattle dot org.

08/27/2026

Metaphors of decay and renewal. Hive-mind-like intelligence. Alien ecosystems. Creeping invasions.

The world of fungus is rich territory for speculative fiction writers!

And on September 24, we’ll be guided through it by none other than Hugo-, Nebula-, and Mythopoeic Award-winning writer and illustrator T. Kingfisher. Joining her in conversation will be naturalist and writer Daniel Winkler, moderated by Dominica Phetteplace.

Explore the world of fungus with us: https://www.clarionwest.org/event/deep-dives-t-kingfisher/



Image description: Deep Dives Author Conversation Series: A program of Clarion West. Under photos of the three speakers, the following info: "Mycology, Decay, and Metaphors for Community. A conversation with T. Kingfisher and Daniel Winkler, moderated by Dominica Phetteplace. September 24, 2026. VIP Reception 6 PM. Conversation and Signing 7 to 8:30 PM. Seattle Library - Central Branch, 1000 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. Hosted in partnership with The Seattle Public Library, 4Culture, Third Place Books, and Amazon Literary Partnership. Get tickets at Clarion West dot org.

08/26/2026

We are holding our first class of the fall on September 13.

Taught by Hugo Award-winning editor + Ignyte Award-nominated writer Aigner Loren Wilson, Crafting Your Story’s Atmosphere helps writers evoke emotion and set the stakes in their speculative fiction through the many devices included under the umbrella of “atmosphere.”

Register and learn with us: https://secure.clarionwest.org/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F52745



Image 1 description: Clarion West presents Crafting Your Story's Atmosphere. Virtual: September 13 at 10 AM PT with Aigner Loren Wilson. Register at Clarion West dot org.

Image 2 description: Make readers feel your story by crafting its atmosphere in a multilayered way, from the sentence structure and word choice to the micro tension of your piece. In this 90-minute class, you’ll learn what contributes to a story’s atmosphere by analyzing published short stories and craft different levels of atmosphere using exercises and prompts. Register at Clarion West dot org.

08/25/2026

That unique world you’re building? You should protect it!

Copyright law may seem intimidating, but it’s very useful for speculative fiction writers.

On September 19, intellectual property attorney and educator Grace Carlson will teach you the basics of copyright law and how it applies to your fiction. You’ll walk away empowered to keep inventing lands, characters, and plots.

Register for the virtual class here: https://secure.clarionwest.org/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F52748



Image 1 description: Clarion West presents Copyright for Speculative Fiction Writers. Virtual: September 19 at 10 AM PT with Grace Carlson. Register at Clarion West dot org.

Image 2 description: Speculative fiction writers build impossible worlds, invent unfamiliar technologies, and imagine futures that don't yet exist—but copyright law was written for our current reality. Knowing how those laws apply to your stories can help you protect your work, avoid costly mistakes, and write with greater confidence. This webinar is informational in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Register at Clarion West dot org.

08/24/2026

The Pocket Workshop is Clarion West’s totally free Patreon blog where we interview great writers on everything from how they craft their novels to how to get acquainted with a genre. Think of it as a mini writer’s workshop!

And this month we have Chris Campbell on the Workshop with a primer on Afro-cosmicism and more than a dozen recommended reads in the genre.

Join the Workshop: https://www.patreon.com/ThePocketWorkshop/posts/afro-cosmicism-166332435



Image description: A Pocket Anthology: Afro-cosmicism, an introduction by Chris Campbell. Pocket Workshop: Essays on living as a writer. Brought to you by Clarion West. Join for free: patreon dot com slash c w slash The Pocket Workshop