About this course
The videos included in this course are recordings of a live class. The instructor is not available for questions or feedback at this time.
This class provides an overview of some of the most common issues seen in climate fiction slush piles, unpacks why these are problematic, and encourages alternative structures and approaches that will lead writers toward creating fresher stories that incorporate authentic climate science and solarpunk values.
Topics Covered:
- Cliches and overused tropes of solarpunk and cli-fi
- Finding fresh approaches to cli-fi
- Balancing the tough issues of climate change with a compelling narrative
Student Takeaways:
- Awareness of cliches and problematic or overused tropes
- Resources and suggestions for alternative approaches
-
Clarification of climate fiction genre expectations.
Duration of Class
60 minutes
Example Curriculum
- 1. Introductions (6:00)
- 2. Framework of Climate Fiction (4:57)
- 3. Defining Solarpunk (3:24)
- 4. Common Tropes Climate Change Nuclear War (8:20)
- 5. Common Trope Technofix (5:36)
- 6. Common Tropes - Domes (6:49)
- 7. Common Tropes Grandparent Stories (3:24)
- 8. Examples of the Grandparent Story (8:13)
- 9. Questions to ask of your story (2:50)
About Your Instructor
Sarena Ulibarri is a speculative fiction writer and editor from the American Southwest. Her solarpunk novella, Another Life, was published by Stelliform Press in May 2023. She edited the Glass and Gardens solarpunk anthologies and is a story reviewer for Grist’s Imagine 2200 Climate Fiction contest.
