Writing Gothic Horror

The horror genre is devoted to matters of ultimate concern: life/death, good/evil, justice/injustice, power imbalances, etc. Gothic horror approaches these matters in subtle, sidelong ways. Things appear okay, but then suddenly something feels off. Something in the air, the building, or the community doesn't sit right, and it's hard to put a finger on it. If you have a taste for slow-burn, spooky, suspenseful, place-based stories, this is the writing workshop for you. We'll learn about the history of the genre, review examples of Gothic horror through the centuries, and do some writing springs.

Bring your favorite writing implements, whether it's a charged laptop or pen and paper. Please also bring a symbol of your interest in the Gothic horror genre.

Hosted by our Writer-in-Residence, M. Kate Allen. M. Kate Allen is the award-winning author of numerous books, essays, short stories, and poems. She writes the Sticky Ones series, a series of spooky, standalone books for middle readers. Some of her other works include Memory Stands (adult fiction), Playing Gauche (YA fiction), and The Thean Psalter.