SCIENCE FICTION WRITER
ROBERT J. SAWYER
Best Novel Hugo and Nebula Award Winner

SFWRITER.COM > About Rob > Workshops

Writing Workshops with Rob!

Rob has cleared his schedule to concentrate on his writing. He is not scheduled to run any workshops in 2008. Check here for news about 2009.

That said, Rob will be teaching a three-hour "Master Class" at the Surrey International Writers' Conference on Thursday, October 23, 2008, on "The Intimately Human and the Grandly Cosmic" — making your science fiction appeal not just to the mind but to the heart as well. The number-one reason mainstream readers don't even try science fiction is they think it has nothing to offer them emotionally: they wrongly believe that it's either too dry and intellectual, or that any character development is sketchy and any character drama is simplistic and juvenile. But the best science fiction is as emotionally complex, as heart-wrenching, as moving, and as uplifting as the best mainstream fiction. Learn how to balance both halves of the term "science fiction" without giving short-shrift to either.

In addition, he will be doing a 75-minute workshop on Sunday, October 25: "Showing, Not Telling." Everyone knows you're supposed to show, not tell — but what does that mean exactly? How do you convey information without coming out and saying it? How can you show emotion without naming it? And when should you tell instead of show?

And he'll be appearing on panels on "Speculative Fiction" and "Writing Best Sellers," plus giving a keynote address.

Robert J. Sawyer has taught writing at:

Banff Centre in their "Writing with Style Program"
Odyssey Writers Workshop in New Hampshire
University of Toronto
Ryerson University
Humber School for Writers Summer Program

He has also run workshops for writers groups such as:

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers
Imaginative Fiction Writers' Association (twice!)
Canadian Authors Association

You can see what Rob's students have had to say about him.

E-mail Rob to be notified — with no obligation, of course! — when new information is available about workshops with Rob, or if you would like Rob to run a workshop for your writing group.

Check out what Rob's writing students have to say about workshopping with Rob!

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SCIENCE FICTION WRITER ROBERT J. SAWYER Best Novel Hugo and Nebula Award Winner

Writing Workshops with Rob!

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SCIENCE FICTION WRITER
ROBERT J. SAWYER
Best Novel Hugo and Nebula Award Winner