Wofford College is once again offering “Shared Worlds”, a two-week workshop in fantasy and science fiction worldbuilding for students in grades eight through twelve. Applications are now being accepted for the “camp”, which will run from 19 July to 1 August 2009.
The program will be held on the campus of Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and offers “an intensely creative atmosphere in which students learn all aspects of building their own fictional world through instruction in creative writing, history, art, philosophy, and physics, and then apply that knowledge by creating fiction, games, and more.” This year’s instructors include assistant director and two time World Fantasy Award winning author Jeff VanderMeer, Weird Tales fiction editor Ann VanderMeer, role playing game designer Will Hindmarch, Spiderwick Chronicles creator Holly Black, and New York Times bestselling author Tobias Buckell, plus Wofford’s Dr. Christine Dinkins (philosophy professor), and Jeremy Jones (lecturer and camp director).
Although the emphasis of this think tank for teens is on fantasy, according to Jeff VanderMeer the things that the participants learn will be very useful in real life. “This really is a unique opportunity for talented teens to mix having fun and flexing their imaginations with developing skills that will serve them well no matter what they decide to do with their lives.”
Tuition is $2,250, which includes room, board, instruction, and all needed program material (but not transportation to/from Wofford). Students who pay in full before 1 May will receive a $250 discount. There are a limited number of $500 scholarships available. For more information, including an application, see the Shared Worlds web site.