Many contemporary novels and short stories draw inspiration from fairy-tales, folk tales, and mythology. In this class, we will read excerpts from works that grapple overtly with fairy tale traditions, such as The Bloody Chamber, and others that are more loosely inspired, such Helen Oyeyemi’s Boy, Snow, Bird, and Joyce Carol Oates’ Beast. Discussion will include identifying the core characteristics of fairy tales; how to balance taking inspiration from fairy tales with your own unique story ideas; the benefits and drawbacks of using traditional structures; frequently recurring topics in fairy tales such as gender, sexuality, violence; how to subvert traditional tropes; and more. The goal of the class is to write and workshop two fairy-tale inspired stories.

Instructor: Arshia Simkin

Dates: Begins Monday, May 13, 2024 and runs every Monday for six weeks

Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Location: online (hosted on Zoom)

Level: Beginner and above

8 spots max

Cost: $349 for new students; $319 for returning students

Note: the Redbud Writing Project offers sliding scale pricing. At check-out, you will be given the option of choosing a donor price. If you choose one of these prices, the extra $25, $50, or $100 will go towards scholarships for students who would not be able to afford our classes otherwise. Thank you in advance for considering making a contribution to inclusivity and access!

Read the fine print, including our refund policy, here.