The most resonant speculative fiction is that which uses a speculative element as metaphor for a real emotional truth: fear of the future as apocalypse, mute mermaid as silenced woman, alcoholism as the Overlook Hotel. In this generative session, we will read and discuss science fiction and fantasy stories through this lens before moving on to draft our own pieces. The workshop will conclude with time to discuss our drafts and consider angles for future writing.

Mary Berman (she/her) is a Philadelphia-based writer of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Her work has been published in Fireside, Cicada, PseudoPod, and elsewhere, and she holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Mississippi, where she received a Graduate Excellence Fellowship. Find her online at www.mtgberman.com.