Event Details
Here’s a challenge: build a believable world from scratch in 3,000 words. Or 1,000. Or less! It’s a tough ask even before you throw goblin
Event Details
Here’s a challenge: build a believable world from scratch in 3,000 words. Or 1,000. Or less! It’s a tough ask even before you throw goblin court politics or ancient monsters or far-future warp technology into the mix. These authors are experts in creating worlds that suit the needs (and tight word counts) of short stories, all while immersing readers in complex fantastical settings. Join Suzan Palumbo, Paola Ferrante, and Gary Barwin, with moderator Anuja Varghese, as they get into what makes a speculative short story feel—well—real!
Speakers for this event
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Anuja Varghese
Anuja Varghese
Anuja Varghese (she/her) is an award-winning writer of literary fiction, fantasy, and erotica/romance where women of color get leading roles! In 2023, her short story collection, titled CHRYSALIS, won the Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction, and in 2024, was longlisted for the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction, among others. Her debut novel, A KISS OF CRIMSON ASH, the first in a new medieval India-inspired romantasy trilogy, came out earlier this year, with book two scheduled for release in spring 2027. Anuja lives in Hamilton with her partner, two kids, and two cats.
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Gary Barwin
Gary Barwin
Gary Barwin is a writer and multimedia artist and the author of 36 books of poetry, fiction and essays. His novel, Yiddish for Pirates was a national bestseller, was shortlisted for the Giller Prize and the Governor General’s Award (in fiction and in French translation) and won the Leacock Medal for Humour and the Canadian Jewish Literary Award. Nothing the Same, Everything Haunted was chosen for Hamilton Reads, also won the Canadian Jewish Literary Award and was shortlisted for the Vine Award. His latest novel is The Comedian’s Book of the Dead (Book*hug). He lives in Hamilton, Ontario. garybarwin.com
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Paola Ferrante
Paola Ferrante
Paola Ferrante is a writer living with depression. Her debut fiction collection, Her Body Among Animals (Book*hug Press, 2023), was nominated for the Shirley Jackson Award, a runner-up for the Danuta Gleed Award, a Silver Medal Winner in Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards, and is forthcoming in August 2024 in the UK from Influx Press. Her debut poetry collection, What To Wear When Surviving a Lion Attack (Mansfield Press, 2019), was shortlisted for the Gerald Lampert Memorial Award. She was born, and still resides in, Toronto with her partner Mat and their son.
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Suzan Palumbo
Suzan Palumbo
Suzan Palumbo (she/her, they/them) is a Trinidadian – Canadian, dark speculative fiction writer and editor whose short stories have been nominated for the Nebula, Aurora, World Fantasy and Locus awards. Countess, her queer, Caribbean, space opera novella, will be published by ECW Press in September 2024. Skin Thief: Stories, her debut collection, is available now from Neon Hemlock Press. She is represented by Michael Curry of the Donald Maass Literary agency and can be contacted via her website at suzanpalumbo.carrd.co
Books
Chrysalis
AuthorAnuja Varghese
Her Body Among Animals
AuthorPaola Ferrante
Scandal at the Alphorn Factory
AuthorGary Barwin
Skin Thief
AuthorSuzan Palumbo