- Online
- $695
Speculative fiction asks what if? and encompasses several genres of fiction, including science fiction, fantasy and horror, in which writers change the rules of our world and speculate on the possible outcome.
In addition to the artistic challenges faced by writers of any genre, speculative fiction writers must create realistic worlds and teach their readers how to navigate these new realities through the eyes of compelling characters.
This course equips writers with the tools to tell memorable, character-driven stories within the context of a world of their making. The course is designed to support writers at every level: from beginners in need of the basics to professionals looking to review and grow.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Grasp the core tenets of different genres within speculative fiction
- Create compelling characters
- Identify and employ world-building and craft techniques used to establish dynamic and complex settings
- Write short stories that use speculation to engage with narrative themes
Learning activities will include online lectures on craft and technique, real-time discussions, and a mixture of real-time instructor-led and self-paced writing exercises. Course materials include readings, films and workbooks.
Course outline
Week 1: What is speculative fiction?
Week 2: The anatomy of a short story
Week 3: World-building 101
Week 4: Character and conflict
Week 5: Scene and dialogue
Week 6: Bringing setting to life
Instructor
Ulysses Mugavazi is a Zimbabwean writer living on unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ land. He was a recipient of the Mozilla Foundation’s 2023 Creative Media Awards, a keynote speaker at the Science Fiction Foundation’s 2024 Annual Conference, and a McCormack Writing Center Winter Online 2026 nonfiction scholar. He graduated from UBCs MFA in Creative Writing in 2025. His work has appeared in Level Ground’s SKEW and was shortlisted for the Malahat Review’s Open Season Awards.
Meet Ulysses Mugavazi.
How am I assessed?
This course is marked complete/incomplete. Completion is based on attendance, in-class participation, completion of reading reflections, and completion of a final short story.
Your instructor will provide written feedback on your in-class assignments, and written and verbal feedback on your final short story.
Record of completion
Students who have successfully completed a course can access completion documents two weeks after the course ends. Course completion means 80% attendance and/or 80% completion of mandatory assignments.
Expected effort
Expect to spend four hours a week, including attending the weekly lecture and completing independent coursework and readings.
Technology requirements
To take this course, and for the best experience, we recommend you have access to:
- an email account
- a computer or laptop using Windows or macOS or a tablet
- the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
- a reliable internet connection.
For virtual office hours, you’ll also need:
- a video camera and microphone.
One day before the start of your course, we’ll email you step-by-step instructions for accessing your course.
Course format
This course is 100% online, with weekly instructor-led lectures. Coursework will be done independently within set deadlines. Your instructor will hold an optional weekly drop-in office hour.
