Writing the Horror Novella: Genre, Structure, and Writing to Deadline with Cynthia Pelayo

This class meets on Wednesdays, September 17, 24, October 1,8,15, 29,  November 5,  & 12 (no class 10/22) from 6:00 - 8:00 PM Pacific.

Does completing a drafted novella in eight weeks feel like a terrifying goal? 

In this 8-week workshop, we will work to bypass our inner critics through weekly target writing goals, regular feedback sessions, and lectures designed to support your understanding of what makes a horror novella tick. Designed for beginning and intermediate writers looking to deepen their knowledge of horror as a genre and the structure of the novella, the class covers elements and history of the genre, as well as using recent novellas in the horror genre to break down mechanics.

Be prepared to:

• Read and discuss two to three published novellas,
• Challenge yourself with weekly word count goals to reach a completed novella draft (approximately 16,000 words), and
• Give constructive feedback on stories in progress, using the “Asking Method” to help your cohort get to the bloody hearts of their stories.

While we cannot guarantee that you will finish your draft, this class is designed to provide you with structure, a starting point, and a path to completion!

Student Takeaways: 

• A better understanding of the genre
• A completed novella draft (approximately 16,000 words)

Content Notice: This class may include discussions and readings including but not limited to graphic depictions / discussions of death, murder, gore, dismemberment, abuse, suicidal ideation, grief, parent death, child death, child trauma, and more. The instructor will ensure they provide a content reminder before the beginning of each lecture and reading to indicate topics that are to be discussed that day.

This class meets online for eight, two-hour sessions.

Limited to 12 attendees.

Though a portion of each session is lecture-based, attendees will be asked to participate in discussion via chat, voice, and/or video.

Required Reading List:

• The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor Lavalle
• Linghun by Ai Jiang 
• Kill Your Darling by Clay McLeod Chapman

Additional Recommended Reading:

• Ring Shout by P. Djeli Clark
• Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin
• The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw
• Coup de Grâce by Sofia Ajram

About the Instructor: 

Cynthia Pelayo is a Bram Stoker Award–winning author. Her novels include Vanishing Daughters, Forgotten Sisters, Children of Chicago and The Shoemaker’s Magician. She is also the editor of Ghosts of Where We Are From, a Latinx Horror anthology featuring today's bestselling Latin American authors upcoming from Simon & Schuster. In addition to writing genre-blending novels that incorporate elements of fairy tales, mystery, detective, crime, and horror, Pelayo has written numerous short stories and the poetry collection Crime Scene. The recipient of the 2021 International Latino Book Award, she holds a master of fine arts in writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She lives in Chicago with her family. 

 Website

This event will be held in Zoom. By registering for this class, you agree to follow the Clarion West Code of Conduct and Zoom policies. 

Limited Free Seating: 

We offer a percentage of seats in every class to People of the Global Majority (Asian, Black, African, Latina/o/x, Middle Eastern, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, and/or have been racialized as 'ethnic minorities') for free, regardless of financial need. 

Eligible folks should complete this form to enter the lottery for free seats.  If a seat is available, we will email you 7-10 days before the class begins. For more information, see our equity and inclusion policies.

Sliding Scale Pricing:

The Supporting Tuition rate is shown for each class or workshop for folks who can pay it. Paying the Supporting Tuition rate enables us to continue to pay our staff and instructors equitably, as well as support access to classes for others who may be in a different situation. 

The Helping Hands rate is available to folks under more limited economic circumstances, no matter your background.

For more information, see our financial aid policies.

Our Refund Policy:

Clarion West will refund all class fees if the request is made 30 days before the class date. Refund requests made within 30 days of the class will be honored if we can fill the seat.

Any exceptions are subject to approval by our workshop staff.