Deadline looms for Clarion Writers' Workshop applications
Clarion instills good work habits, good artistic sensibilities, and good professional attitudes in its graduates, and has served as a springboard for the careers of writers like Bruce Sterling, Octavia Butler, Tobias Buckell, Ted Chiang, Nalo Hopkinson, Pat Murphy, Kim Stanley Robinson, Jeff Vendermeer, and many others.
I've been privileged to attend, teach and oversee Clarion. It's one of the best shortcuts I know for promising writers looking to turn their passion into a career.
The 2009 Clarion Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers' WorkshopThe 2009 Clarion Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers' Workshop
June 28 through August 8, 2009 at University of California, San Diego
2009 Writers in Residence:
Holly Black
Larissa Lai
Robert Crais
Kim Stanley Robinson
Elizabeth Hand
Paul Park
Clarion West (similar workshop, in Seattle)
(Disclosure: I am proud to volunteer as a Director of the nonprofit Clarion Foundation, which oversees the workshop)
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It will be interesting to see how the numbers for this camp will reflect the current economy. I would expect attendance to be lower. Short cut or not, it's still expensive. I wonder, out of all the people that have graduated from this workshop, what percent go on to be published? As compared with non-participants that get published?
I hope Clarion is still going strong in another decade. Once I retire I hope to be able to attend.
me buy hansome ski mask, go learn be good riter.
Or rob likker store.
I'm not a professional writer, nor do I have the drive to be one, but I know plenty of clarion grads, and they do sell stories. What Cory isn't mentioning is that it's a great way to network as well. Many Clarion grads end up being rising stars in the industry, and many Clarion teachers are doing things like getting movie deals (Holly Black) or are Cory Doctorow. If Cory likes your work, and lies you, you might well get a mention in BB, which can surpass the limited attention that your publisher will give your work for marketing.
And yes, I also believe that the workshop its self is as helpful as Corey says it is. All of the Clarion grads I know insist that it improved their writing. Having read pre and post Clarion stories by Clarion alums, I agree. Charlie Stross thinks it's about 30% - 50% who "go on to make it big". Keep in mind though that "make t big" is not synonymous with quality. Clarion improves quality. It's a good investment, if you like quality F and SF.
Oh, and many of hte people I know who go to Clarion are not "rich". They take sabbaticals from middle class jobs, time off from school, take out loans, etc. It's not "writers camp for rich kids".
Were I a millionaire, I'd probably support them somehow.
Oh, and make sure the current students have secure rooms, OK?. I can't afford to help replace laptops again this year.
I'm CW2008, and I can tell you that aside from the considerable writing-specific benefit you'll accrue from attending the workshop, every single one of us felt like it was a seminal event in our lives. That sounds like utter bullshit, I know, but it isn't. If you know a Clarion alum, ask if you don't believe me.
And can I say, again, to JJasper, and to everyone else who helped us recover from the clusterfuck laptop thefts: the difference you made was staggering. It's the sort of generosity none of us will ever forget. Thank you.
Well, I think I'll start saving up now for maybe 2012's event. Wish there were more scholorships for shlubs like me- but it does sound absolutely fantastic.
The Clarion Workshop site seems to be down at the moment. Somebody in San Diego: please turn the electricity back on!