Creating Fictional (or Fantastical!) Worlds

Description: Creating Fictional (or Fantastical!) Worlds offers participants a chance to work with Dr. Karin Hooks and Author Mari LaRoche in creating their own fictional and/or fantastical worlds. It will cover subjects such as how to decide on which world to use, if you will include any fantastical elements, how to create those elements if you do include them, and how to populate that world so that it's realistic to your readers. This class is open to writers of all levels, from emerging to expert.

Instructors:

Dr. Karin Hooks earned a BA in English from Middle Tennessee State University, an MA in English from University of Delaware, and her PhD in English from The Ohio State University. She is an associate professor of English at LCCC, where she teaches a range of courses, including American literature, African American literature, Women’s Fiction, Exploring the Bible, Great Books, Introduction to Fiction, and Composition. Her research areas include American literary history, periodical studies, and women’s fiction. Her publications have appeared in journals (Legacy: A Journal of American Women Writers; Tulsa Studies in Women’s Literature; and American Literary Realism) and in edited collections: (American Literary History and the Turn to Modernity and Yours for Humanity: New Essays on Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins).

MaryBeth Yates/Mari LaRoche is an emerging fantasy and paranormal author who has been making up stories since she could talk. Her early stories have been featured in anthologies such as Seven Deadly Sins: Avarice, Seven Deadly Sins: Lust, and Secrets in Our Cities. "Secrets and Gold" has been republished in a textbook currently in use at a local community college. She is a member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association and the Association of Writers and Writing Programs. Mari graduated from Johns Hopkins University with her MA in Writing with a concentration in Fiction in May 2023. She also presents workshops to local community college students on the challenges and rewards of creative writing. When not found with a book, camera, or laptop in her hands, Mari loves to cuddle her three cats (The Catxels), travel through Canada, and collect tattoos (mostly of the feline variety).

---

Details: Creating Fictional (or Fantastical!) Worlds takes place Saturdays October 21 & 28 and November 4 & 11 from 10am-12pm remotely online via Zoom.

Prerequisites: None

Genre: Fiction

Level: All Levels

Format: Generative and feedback workshops with craft elements.

Location: This class takes place remotely online via Zoom.

Size: Limited to 12 participants (including scholarships).

Scholarships: Two scholarship spots are available for this class for writers in Northeast Ohio. Apply by August 21.

Cancellations & Refunds: Cancel at least 48 hours in advance of the first class meeting to receive a full refund. Email info@litcleveland.org.

Registration Fee *

$120 - Non-Member Registration

$80 - Registration with Member Discount

I'd also like to help out other writers with a donation to the Word for Word Scholarship Fund. (This fund provides low- and limited-income writers in NE Ohio with access to our classes)

Contact Information - Required

Name *

First Name

Last Name

Email *

Verify Email *

Phone *

Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Country

Voluntary Demographic Information

NEW: As part of our ongoing efforts to make programs and classes more inclusive and accessible, we are now collecting voluntary demographic information during the registration process. The following information is entirely voluntary and will remain anonymous. It will only be used in aggregate to assess and improve services and inclusive practices to ensure we are serving our entire community equitably. Thank you!

Age Range

Under 18

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

Gender Indentification

Household Income

Under $25,000

Between $25,000 and $34,999

Between $35,000 and $49,999

Between $50,000 and $74,999

Between $75,000 and $99,999

More than $100,000

Ethnicity/Race

(Select one or more)

American Indian or Alaska Native

Asian or Asian American

Black or African American

Hispanic or Latino

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

White or Caucasian

Other

Have you served on active duty in the US Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard?

Yes

Do you identify as appalachian?

Yes

Do you identify as LGBTQIA+?

Yes

Ability

Invisible disability

Observable/physical disability

Typically Abled

Prefer not to say

Add 3% to my total amount to help cover the payment processing fees