Science Fiction & Fantasy Novel Writers Workshop

Information Map
2012 Novel Writers Workshop
"Repeat Offenders" Novel Writer's Workshop
Housing for the Novel Writers Workshops
Costs
Enrollment Information and Registration Form
Transportation from Airport to Lawrence
Maps
Lawrence in the Summer

The Science Fiction Novel Writers Workshop will meet from June 24 through July 6, and the Campbell Conference, July 5 - 8. If you are coming from out of town, plan to arrive on Sunday, June 24, by 6:00pm in our dorm lobby space where we'll be meeting, and stay through the end of the Conference. We will have an informal get-together with the short SF Writers Workshop on Sunday evening to get acquainted.

The Campbell Conference plans to bring the winners of the Campbell and Sturgeon Awards to the campus as special guests, as well as others. Several special SF-writer guests and more are also scheduled for the special Campbell Conference this year. We always ask our special guests to come and talk to us on Friday afternoon about "The Secrets of Successful Science Fiction" - always a great experience!

Housing information is available below. Participants will have time for writing, for recreation, for socializing, and for individual conferences.

2012 Novel Writers Workshop Offered June 24 - July 6

This summer, in conjunction with the Center for the Study of Science Fiction and James Gunn's SF Writer's Workshop, Kij Johnson teaches a two-week intensive workshop on writing novels. The goals of this workshop are to generate the best possible chapters and an outline for a writer's submission packet; to learn what will be necessary to complete or revise the novel with an eye toward publication; and to have fun in one of the prettiest and most likable towns in the Midwest build bonds with other members of the writing community.

Kij at the whiteboard during her 2008 Novel Writer's Workshop.

This workshop is targeted at the new novelist with a novel begun but not completed. The minimum coming in is a solid working outline or synopsis (probably 5-10 pages or more) and the first 15-30 pages. It seems to work best for people who have somewhat more than the minimum but less than half of the work they want to workshop.

The Workshop typically runs each morning from 9:00am–noon, and the rest of your time is free for writing, study, consultation, and recreation. Note: For 2012, the schedule might change, possibly with two workshop sections. Contact Kij for more information. 

The Workshop is in two segments. We workshop the novel chapters or segment in traditional round-robin workshop style, with the emphasis on writing and characterization. We also do what I call, for want of a better term and in the tradition of “kit-bashing,” novel-bashing: Starting with an outline, synopsis, or scene breakdown, we deconstruct and reconstruct the plot, looking for holes or flaws and for ways to deepen the novel's structure and storyline. Then, taking these notes, workshoppers revise either the outline or the chapters and resubmit the material to the workshop for further discussion.

We may also select a published SF/F novel, read it before the workshop, and analyze it for insights into successful novel plotting. We are likely to turn to Sock Monkey Action Theatre™ as a blocking tool.

"Repeat Offenders" Novel Writer's Workshop Offered July 8 - 19, 2012

Kij is again offering something new this year, a weeklong workshop for people who have attended one of my novel workshops before this. It runs July 8 - 19, but because the workshop starts on Sunday afternoon, as the Campbell Conference winds down, consider showing up for the conference.

Repeat Offenders is basically a chance to work with similarly trained writers on whatever project is underway. I’ll probably lead a few discussions and work with y’all on fishbowling and development as needed. We’ll leave the numbers open on this one, since there’s a top-limit based on how many of you have attended. Cost is $250, with a deposit of $100 due by May 1.

To apply:

By April 15, contact Kij at kijjohnson@gmail.com. Be sure you:

• Include "repeat offenders" in your subject line.
• Describe the project you’re working on and what’s blocking you.
• Note: This date is for the Repeat Offenders workshop only; the deadline for the regular novel workshop is March 15.
  

Our official dorm housing will likely be the 3rd floor of Templin Hall, a renovated residence located at the top of the hill. Most rooms in these dorms have a private bathroom as well as a sink and counter space for a microwave or other small kitchen equipment. The Workshops meet in a lounge area on our dorm floor.

Dormitory rooms are available - probably at the following rates (we'll have final prices in early June):

• Double room (Sunday night through Thursday night): $240. To settle in and meet your fellow workshoppers, we recommend arriving early on Sunday. If you want the double rate, you need to work out a roommate in advance, because the Center is charged per room, not per occupant, and we cannot choose roommates for you. 
• Single room:$480. To settle in and meet your fellow workshoppers, we recommend arriving early on Sunday.
• If you plan to arrive a day early or stay a day late, add $20 per night for a double room, $40 per night for a single room. Be sure to indicate on your registration form if you wish to check in earlier or check out a later. Most attendees arrive a day early for our Sunday-evening gathering and to prepare for the coming weeks.
• To stay for the Campbell Conference weekend, add $40 or $80 for Friday and Saturday night. This is a great opportunity to meet our Campbell and Sturgeon Award winning authors, so we recommend staying through the Conference weekend.
• Note: Housing cannot accomodate check-ins earlier than Saturday, June 23. You must request to check in early and pay for an extra day if you wish to arrive early.

Participants must make dorm reservations by June 1. Please pay for your room in advance and make this check payable to CSSF (you may combine checks for CSSF) once you hear from Lydia Ash about this year's final rate.

Use this form to reserve a dorm room.

The SF Novel Writing Workshop of 2005
Standing: Chuck Marsters, Larry Taylor, Erick King, Leonid Korogodski.
Sitting: Maria Zannini, Robert Hamm, Kij Johnson, Lane Robins.

See this map of the University of Kansas to find your way to the dorm: http://www.ku.edu/~parking/ParkingMap.pdf

Check out VisitLawrence.com for local hotel information.

Meals are available in a variety of wonderful restaurants, and Lawrence offers at least one fine micro-brewery. Check out Lawrence.com for a list of just a few of the local eating establishments.

Costs

Tuition for the Workshop is $500, exclusive of meals and housing, payable to CSSF (including a $100 deposit payable on acceptance). Those also taking the main Writers Workshop must pay tuition for that Workshop, as well. Dorm and meal costs rise the longer you stay, of course, so plan appropriately. Meals vary in cost depending on where you eat. Please send a check payable to KU Housing before you arrive.

Tuition for the "Repeat Offenders" Workshop is TBD. Contact Kij for more info.

A limited number of reduced-cost scholarships are available for those in financial need. To be considered for the reduced rate, please request it and explain your need when contacting us. Typical reductions are $100 for promising candidates.

The 2012 Novel Writing Workshop is now full. Depending on the applicants, Workshop enrollment is between eight and eleven attendees each year. The novel workshop always has more applicants than slots for them, so not everyone gets in. Kij is interested in putting together a group of writers who are talented and (she hopes) will mesh productively and positively. It’s imperative that people work well together.

• Include "2013 Novel Workshop" in your subject line.
• Describe your experience with workshops, if any.
• Talk about your goals as a writer generally and for this workshop in specific.
• Describe the project you wish to work on, either in the synopsis/outline you will be submitting to the workshop, or a shorter document.
• Include 5-10 sample pages of your novel at the end of your email. (Don’t attach documents if you can help it.) If you do not have pages of the novel, you may be able to apply using other fiction writing, but ask first!

You may be asked for additional information. Those applying early will be informed of acceptance by April 1. Deadlines for housing, etc., come up after this.

If you are accepted, fill out this registration form; your packet will be due May 21. This deadline needs to be firm, since workshop participants may be reading and preparing notes on 400 or more pages of material. This packet can be electronic and will include:

• A 5-20 page synopsis, outline, or scene breakdown. This should be your best effort at describing the novel. This is not a pitch; it is the functional tool you are using to write the book.
• The first three chapters or 15-30 pages of the novel.
• Whatever additional materials are essential to the reader’s understanding of your goal.

To clarify: The workshop is designed for writers in the early stages of a novel: 25-100 pages of first draft, and an outline or synopsis of 5+ pages (or a spreadsheet; we had one of those, too). With very rare exceptions, it's not as effective for the later stages.

Participants often exchange full manuscripts during or after the Workshop, so bring the entire manuscript if you have one, and be prepared to share more if you find interested readers!

Contact us for any logistical help you might need in getting settled for your stay. More logistical information is available on the CSSF LiveJournal.

Transportation from Airport to Lawrence

The shuttles most people use to get to and from the Kansas City International (MCI) airport to Lawrence are:

• KCI Express Shuttle offers pickup and delivery right to our dorm for only $5 more than the normal rate. Phone Reservations: (816)645-1815. After 8:00 PM CST (816)372-1556.
• KCI Airport Shuttle (also known as the "Roadrunner Shuttle"). Full information here (scroll to the bottom of the page for rates). Toll-free phone contact number: (800)747-2524 or call your travel agent.
• Ground Transportation, Inc, is a local Lawrence business. (888)467-3729 or (785)838-4500. See a schedule here.

Maps

Here's a cropped map of the University of Kansas (click the image to see it in full-screen size):
 

Here's a map showing where KU is located in Eastern Kansas:
 

University of Kansas map (in .pdf format):
http://www.ku.edu/visit/maps.shtml

Kansas Union map (in .pdf format):
http://www.union.ku.edu/kansasuniondirect.pdf

Lawrence map (a bus-route map, but very useful, in .pdf format):
http://www.lawrencetransit.org/maps/ltspage2.pdf 

Google Maps (just input where you wish to go and it will provide the maps).

Lawrence in the Summer

For anyone who hasn't visited, Lawrence is wonderful, a lively small city in the Kaw River valley, filled with art, events and activities. The location of the University of Kansas, Lawrence is situated about 40 miles from Kansas City and 20 miles from Topeka. Summers can be hot, but classrooms and housing are air-conditioned.

Among its many amenities, the University of Kansas has a large science-fiction collection and good reference collections; museums of natural history and art; and sports, theater, and concerts. Lawrence has many excellent restaurants and shopping and recreational opportunities. Kansas City is less than an hour away. Nighttime opportunities include movies, dinner, concerts, star-gazing sessions, and more.

The nearest major airport is Kansas City International, about 55 miles from Lawrence. Transportation to Lawrence from Kansas City International can be arranged through one of several airport shuttle services. By car, Lawrence is at the intersection of U.S. 59 and I-70 (Kansas Turnpike). The west interchange is closer to campus. Lawrence can also be reached along the lovely Kansas Highway 10.

Find out all about Lawrence - its history, stores, museums, observatories, and SFnal activities - here.

Contact us for any logistical help you might need in getting settled for your stay:
        Kij Johnson (kijjohnson@gmail.com), Chris McKitterick (cmckit@ku.edu), or James Gunn (jgunn@ku.edu).