And Then the Space Robots Attack: Craft Lessons from Genre Fiction with Manuel Gonzales
October 20th–24th
$75
$65
I loved this class. It helped enrich current stories and sparked new ones. The lessons were insightful and the exercises were a writer's playground. Highly recommend!
What can horror stories teach us about tension? What world-building techniques can we borrow from science fiction writing? In And Then the Space Robots Attack: Craft Lessons from Genre Fiction, you’ll spend five days exploring the wondrous and fun-filled world of genre fiction with award-winning author and One Story Contributing Editor Manuel Gonzales. Through close examination of the craft techniques brought to science fiction, thriller, horror, and fantasy storytelling, you’ll learn to build realistic worlds, create compelling story, and people your universe with complex characters. Designed for staunch realists and genre devotees alike, this class is ideal for any writer eager to learn about the basic elements of writing at the heart of every good story through the lens of genre fiction.
The methods taught in craft lectures, exercises, and in group discussions on the online message board will be ones that you can put to use across any number of genres long after the class ends.
About Manuel Gonzales:
Manuel Gonzales is the author of the collection, The Miniature Wife and other stories, as well as the novel, The Regional Office is Under Attack! He currently serves as the fiction editor for The Bennington Review and as a contributing editor for American Short Fiction and One Story magazine. He lives in New England where he teaches literature and creative writing at Bennington College and serves as a faculty member for the Bennington Writing Seminars.
FAQ
When can I register for this class?
Registration will open in August and close October 19th, 2022.
How does the class work?
Lessons will be posted nightly at 11:59pm UTC. Each lesson will comprise craft advice, writing assignments, and optional readings. The class also includes discussion boards where participants can interact with one another and with Manuel.
Is participation on the discussion board required?
No, it’s optional; participants are welcome to jump into the conversation or sit back and observe.
Is there homework?
The class includes optional reading assignments, writing exercises, and discussion questions. Students have the option of sharing their responses to the exercises for feedback from other students. The instructor will not be evaluating student work.
How much time will the class take?
Plan to spend about forty-five minutes per day reviewing the lessons and completing the exercises, plus however much time you choose to spend on the discussion board.
How many students are in the class?
One Story online classes are large, and tend to range from 100-250 students.
What if I want to take the class, but the dates don’t work for me?
The class is designed for participants to proceed at their own pace, on their own schedule, so if you miss a day or three, no problem. All class materials will be accessible online through 11:59pm UTC November 16th, 2022. Please note, however, that Manuel will be present on the discussion board only from October 20th-24th. Class material will not be available to students after November 16th. We are unable to offer extensions.
Can I take the class on my phone?
Yes, the class can be taken on a phone, but we recommend a computer or tablet to get the most out of the experience.
Can I save the material for later use?
There will be downloadable readings and writing exercises, but otherwise class content lives on the learning platform. To prevent distribution of the material without our knowledge, students are not permitted to copy/paste the lessons but are of course welcome to take notes.
What if I can’t wait to get started?
The discussion board will open on Tuesday, October 18th, two days before the class begins, so that participants can meet, mingle, and familiarize themselves with the learning platform.
Do you offer financial aid or scholarships for this class?
Yes. We offer a limited number of need-based scholarships that cover 50% of tuition. The window to request a scholarship is open now through April 25th. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please fill out this form.
Discounts & Policies
Our online classes are designed to be safe spaces for all who participate. One Story will not tolerate hate speech, bullying, or harassment directed toward instructors or fellow students, and reserves the right to remove participants who engage in such behavior from our classes.
Patron Discount: In order to qualify for our patron discount, you must be a member of our patron circle at the time of registration. Patrons commit to annual donations and receive benefits that allow them to participate in our non-profit organization in more meaningful ways. Not all One Story subscribers or supporters are patrons. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a patron, you can do so here.
Refund Policy: One Story class payment is non-refundable after the class’s start date. For questions about the refund policy, or if you are unable to take the class after you have registered, please contact maribeth@one-story.com.
If you have any questions, please contact edu.support@one-story.com.
