In this four part workshop, learn all aspects of the fantasy genre, from its history to its modern genres and sub-genres, as well as how to pursue writing in this field.
Course Description
Fantasy is a vast and often uninhibited genre. Its rich literary history and cultural significance lends itself to how we as humans dream and imagine. In this four-part workshop led by acclaimed author Kelley Skovron, we’ll explore every corner of the fantasy genre and sub-genres from its history to its modern avenues, and discover how our own lives can inform the fantastical stories we tell. We’ll look at the key elements of fantasy, world-building, magical systems, and more. In our final class, we’ll consider the ways one might go about publishing fantasy and additional resources as you move forward with your own writings.
This course is designed for writers of all levels who want to investigate the genre of fantasy; no prior experience is necessary.
Syllabus At A Glance
This course includes four total sessions, each lasting for 1.5 hours on four consecutive weeks beginning on Monday June 3.
Session 1 (Monday, 6/3, 7:30–9:00 PM ET): A Brief History of Fantasy
We’ll begin with a timeline of this genre, the origins of story and fantasy in prehistoric times all the way till present day.
Session 2 (Monday, 6/10, 7:30–9:00 PM ET): Modern Fantasy
Despite being the oldest genre, Fantasy is also the most flexible. In this session we'll examine some key elements that define it today.
Session 3 (Monday, 6/17, 7:30–9:00 PM ET): Considerations in Fantasy
We’ll explore the basics of writing considerations, and specifics of the fantasy genre. Including world building and magical systems. We’ll discuss what elements come easy to us and which present a challenge!
Session 4 (Monday, 6/24, 7:30–9:00 PM ET): Fantasy in the Real World
We'll look at the practical information of Fantasy publishing and move forward with additional resources for our fantasy writing journeys.
Between Sessions
Outside of class, additional materials will be provided by the instructor to engage with. Students may also choose to work on their own writings outside of class to share for feedback in our last class.
Course Materials
There are no required materials for this class.
Pricing Options
In addition to full-price tickets, a limited number of no-pay spots are available for this course. Please note that these tickets are reserved for those who would not otherwise be able to take this course and who expect to attend all sessions. No-pay spots are distributed via a randomized drawing two weeks before each course begins. For more information and to apply for a no-pay spot, please click here. To learn more about our pricing model and randomized selection process for no-pay spots, please visit our FAQ page.
Community Guidelines for Students
Please take a moment to review our community guidelines for students, which aim to share our classroom ethos and help set the stage for the best possible learning experience.
Atlas Obscura Online Courses
Atlas Obscura Courses offer opportunities for participants to emerge with new skills, knowledge, connections, and perspectives through multi-session classes designed and taught by expert instructors. To learn more about our current course offerings, please visit www.atlasobscura.com/online-courses. For answers to commonly asked questions, check out our FAQ page here.
Founded in 2009, Atlas Obscura created the definitive community-driven guide to incredible places across the planet and is now an award-winning company that shares the world’s hidden wonders in person and online.
Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite that will provide access to each class meeting. Please save the confirmation email as you’ll use it to access all sessions of your course via Zoom.
Kelley Skovron is the author of more than 15 novels for kids, teens, and adults published by Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, Scholastic, and Abrams. She hosted the Kid-Lit Writing Forum at the Arlington Public Library for several years, and was given the privilege of lecturing at the Library of Congress on the life and works of Mary Shelley. Before beginning her career as an author, she briefly worked as a professional stage actor. As a proud member of the LGTBQ+ community, she strives to create an atmosphere of warm enthusiasm and inclusivity for all. Now that her own kids are both in college, she and her cat live in a bread factory in Ohio, which is much more fun than it sounds.
Photo credit: Ryan Benyi.
This is an interactive, small-group seminar that meets over Zoom. Students may be encouraged to participate in discussions, work on assignments outside of class, and workshop projects with their instructor or classmates. Due to the interactive nature of this course, we strongly recommend students attend as many live sessions as possible. Within 72 hours after each session meets, students will receive access to a recording of the live session, which they can watch for up to two weeks after the course concludes.
Instructors may use Google Classroom to communicate with students outside of class. While students aren’t required to use Google Classroom, instructors may use this platform to post resources, discussion questions, or assignments. This platform also offers a space for students to connect with one another about course material between sessions.
We provide closed captioning for all of our courses and can share transcripts upon request. Please reach out to us at experiences@atlasobscura.com if you have any questions, requests, or accessibility needs.
There are 30 spots available on this experience.
