Writing for the Real World: Speculative Fiction, Taught by Alex Jennings
Event Information
About this event
INSTRUCTOR
Alex Jennings
DATES AND TIMES
Saturdays from 1pm-3pm, from July 10 - August 14 (6 classes)
LOCATION
In-person class. Classes meet at 5 Press Gallery, 600 Homer Plessy Way (between Royal and Chartres in the Faubourg Marigny).
ABOUT THIS CLASS
Speculative fiction is any fiction that includes elements not found in the real world, recorded history, nature, or the present universe. Even so, some of the most effective speculative fiction uses these elements to comment on reality. In this course, students will learn how to write speculative fiction that matters! We will draw on world news, science writing, and other speculative fiction to inform our approach to writing.
This class is part of The NOCCA Institute's Creative Class series, an ongoing array of arts workshops for adults.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
You'll leave this class with a complete draft of a speculative short story.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
The instructor will supply students with links/reading material. Students will need access to a word processing program (e.g. Microsoft Word, Google Docs, etc.) and a means of taking notes.
PREREQUISITES
Like all Creative Class offerings, this class is limited to adults 18 and older.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Alex Jennings is a writer, teacher, and performer living in New Orleans. His speculative fiction has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies including New Suns: Speculative Fiction by People of Color, Strange Horizons, and PodCastle. His debut novel, The Ballad of Perilous Graves will be published by Orbit/Red Hook in the Spring of 2022. He is a graduate of Clarion West, and has taught at The Homer A. Plessy Community School, Duke TIP, and Delgado Community College.
NOTE
A minimum number of students must enroll in this class for it to "make". If fewer students enroll than are necessary, the class will be cancelled and full refunds will be issued. If we have to cancel the class, we'll make every effort to notify students at least one week before the first class meeting.
WAIVER, RELEASE, AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT
By registering for this class ("the Activity"), which is offered by The NOCCA Institute, you represent, covenant, and agree, on behalf of yourself and your heirs, assigns, and any other person claiming by, under, or through you, as follows:
1. You acknowledge that participating in the Activity involves certain risks (some of which you may not fully appreciate), and that injuries, death, property damage or other harm could occur to yourself or others. You accept and voluntarily incur all risks of any injuries, damages, or harm which arise during or result from your participation in the Activity, including any associated travel, regardless of whether or not caused in whole or in part by the negligence or other fault of The NOCCA Institute, NOCCA, and/or its or their departments, trustees, affiliates, employees, officers, agents, or insurers ("Released Parties").
2. You waive all claims against any of the Released Parties for any injuries, damages, losses, or claims, whether known and unknown, which arise during or result from your participation in the Activity, regardless of whether or not caused in whole or part by the negligence or other fault of any of the Released Parties. You release and forever discharge the Released Parties from all such claims.
3. You agree to indemnify and hold the Released Parties harmless from all losses, liabilities, damages, costs, or expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees and other litigation costs and expenses) incurred by any of the Released Parties as a result of any claims or suits that you (or anyone claiming by, under, or through you) may bring against any of the Released Parties to recover any losses, liabilities, costs, damages, or expenses which arise during or result from your participation in the Activity, regardless of whether or not caused in whole or part by the negligence or other fault of any of the Released Parties.
4. You have carefully read and reviewed this Waiver, Release, And Hold Harmless Agreement. You understand it fully, and you execute it voluntarily by registering for the Activity.
This class is hosted by The NOCCA Institute, NOCCA's nonprofit support and advocacy organization. Proceeds support an array of programs for NOCCA students, faculty, and the community.
Organizer NOCCA Foundation
Organizer of Writing for the Real World: Speculative Fiction, Taught by Alex Jennings
Founded in 1973, the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts is Louisiana’s arts conservatory for high school students. NOCCA offers intensive instruction in Classical Music, Creative Writing, Culinary Arts, Dance, Drama, Jazz, Media Arts, Musical Theatre, Theatre Design, Vocal Music, Visual Arts, and academics. Students come from across Louisiana, attending via full-day, afternoon, and after-school sessions. Admission to NOCCA is by audition, and there is no tuition.
The NOCCA Foundation is NOCCA’s nonprofit partner, providing supplemental funding for NOCCA and advocacy for its world-class program. Some of the Foundation's more notable endeavors include: a comprehensive Student Success Program, which funds students’ supplies and fees associated with important summer training programs across the country; an Artists-in-Residence Program that brings more than 100 professional visiting artists into NOCCA’s classrooms each year; the capital campaign for NOCCA’s current home and expansion projects along the Press Street corridor, including Press Street Gardens; and concert, gallery, and literary events for the community. The Foundation also oversees rentals of the NOCCA campus, making it available to arts organizations, individuals, corporations, and other groups.
Unless otherwise noted, we're unable to issue refunds. If an event takes place over multiple days, however, we'll do our best to honor such requests by switching tickets to a different time.
