Genre Hopping

When?

June 26th, 2022 1:00 PM — June 26th, 2022 4:00 PM

Where?

When?

June 26th, 2022 1:00 PM — June 26th, 2022 4:00 PM

Where?

Join Dr Damon Young for an exploration of genres: what are they? Why do they matter? And can we bend the 'rules' to create new pieces of work, blending one or two or even three genres?


Want to make readers daydream about love, or, give them nightmares? Get them worrying about robot revenge, or, wondering about interplanetary possibilities? Perhaps you're writing literary fiction that just might also be memoir. Or maybe you're a little confused about which genre you are writing in to begin with, stuttering over the answer to, ‘what's your book about’?

Your query letter to agents and publishers demands one single genre, as does the marketing department of every major publisher, but what if you want to write a romantic sci-fi? What if your book is a thriller with a paranormal element? In this workshop, participants will learn more about genre rules and conventions and what they offer us as creators, leaving the door open to break or bend them, and what that means when we query. We'll study examples from various genres and after a group discussion, participants will also practice writing their own short works in different genres, experimenting with form and content.

 

Participants will gain:

  • A clearer idea of what genres are
  • A better understanding of the role of genres in the industry
  • A greater familiarity with different genres
  • Practical writing skills in different genres
  • New possibilities for future projects

 

Suitable for aspiring and emerging writers, and authors who don't want to stay in their 'lane'.


 

—Online events are easy to access! You will need an internet connection and (ideally) a device with a camera – computers/laptops or even phones can be used to dial in. You will be sent a link to join a few days before the event. The link will take you to a private digital meeting where you can join the session. You can test the link at any time to ensure you can log in. Please respect the other participants in your event and mute your microphone at all times while the presenter is presenting. Background noise in houses such as TVs, pets and children can affect the sound quality.

About Damon Young

Dr Damon Young is an award-winning philosopher and author. Damon's thirteen books of nonfiction and children's fiction are published internationally, and translated into twelve languages. His most recent book is On Getting Off: Sex and Philosophy. He has published fantasy, science fiction and historical short fiction, and some poetry. Damon also writes for newspapers and magazines, and is a regular radio and festival guest. He is an Associate in the School of Philosophy at the University of Melbourne, and Founding Faculty at the School of Life, Melbourne.

A Melburnian by birth, Damon now lives in Hobart with his wife, sociologist & author Ruth Quibell, and their son and daughter.

 

Members $88 / Non-members $140

This program will be delivered online via Zoom

—Writers SA members must be logged in to receive the member discount. If you are a member of another state based writers centre, please contact [email protected] at least five working days before the event to get a code for the member price. Our staff don’t work full time and we don’t want you to miss out!

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  • opportunities to meet industry professionals
  • opportunities for publication and promotion

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