Worldbuilding in Any Genre

Class Description

Setting is a collection of details describing your character’s world—the right details in the right amount—that will captivate readers. Worldbuilding is important in every genre. It touches every aspect of your story from characters to plot. Through excerpts from published authors such as Andrew Sean Greer, Akwaeke Emezi, Deesha Philyaw, and Paul Harding, this class will show you how to immerse the reader in the world of your story through sensory images, emotional connection, and word choices. We'll discuss techniques to make the setting act as another character in your story, and there will be opportunities in class to incorporate these techniques in your story.

After this seminar, you will know how to implement vivid description, atmosphere, and concrete details to build your narrative’s world. Prose writers of any genre welcome.

Class Format

This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting!

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.