Workshops

The Reality of Speculative Fiction: Horror as a Progressive Tool

When it comes to the speculative fiction genre, people emphatically speak of science fiction and fantasy works as if they alone possess speculative elements; however, this disregards a plethora of excellent horror that achieves impressive feats in content, craft, and societal impact, also falling under the umbrella of the speculative genre. Therefore, in this workshop, I deep dive into speculative literature, how it responds to the elitism of literary fiction, what genres of speculative horror exist and what their various elements look like, and the integral role of supernatural fiction in providing catharsis to its readers. 

(2025) Presented at Stony Brook University

Learning Self-Acceptance Amongst Cut-Throat Literary Magazines

Have you ever wondered what happens once you send poetry to a literary magazine? Do the poems evaporate into thin air or undergo grueling scrutiny from a circle of close-minded academics? In this workshop, I use my inside knowledge working on two literary magazines to walk poets through the behind-the-scenes process of assessing, rating, and selecting poems for literary magazines. Additionally, I provide insider tips and tricks to elevate one’s chances of publishing poetry while learning to value one's own work despite inevitable rejection letters from an increasingly competitive industry.

(2024) Presented at Stony Brook University

(2022) Presented at the Annual OPA Conference