Creating Science Fiction with Nina Munteanu at George Brown College

I am again teaching my workshop-style course on how to write science fiction this fall at the St. James Campus of George Brown College in Toronto, Canada.

Called "Creating Science Fiction" the 12-week course runs Wednesday nights from 6:15 to 9:15 starting September 17 through to December 3. It costs $278.

I run the course like a workshop with lots of students input and feedback on their WIP.

Course Description: Learn about what is involved in writing science fiction and getting it published. Explore the essential tools used in this genre (including world building, research and plot approaches), and work toward a publishable original work by learning to generate and follow through with premise, idea and theme.

Here's what some students have said about the course:

Nina is:
“Sharing, open, lively.”
“Always willing to answer questions. Very supportive.”
“Very passionate about teaching, with a great logical presentation that makes it super easy to understand the concepts. Excellent teacher! I never mark all excellent.”
“She is helpful, makes us work on our writing, and cares about us.”
“She is a published author and gave us insight into the business & writing aspect of science fiction so she has a lot of hands-on knowledge & genuinely loves sci-fi.”
What other courses would you like us to offer?
“Science Fiction 2 with Nina—I’d pay double. She was (by far) the best instructor I have had in 2 years and several Writing Courses at George Brown.” 

Students can register here: http://coned.georgebrown.ca/owa_prod/cewskcrss.P_CrseGet?subj_code=LIBA&crse_numb=9351

George Brown College is located on 200 King Street, Toronto, Canada.

See you in class!

Nina

Nina Munteanu is an ecologist and internationally published author of novels, short stories and essays. She coaches writers and teaches writing at George Brown College and the University of Toronto. For more about Nina’s coaching & workshops visit www.ninamunteanu.me. Visit www.ninamunteanu.ca for more about her writing.

Nina Munteanu Teaching SF Writing Course at University of Toronto

My SF Writing Course at the University of Toronto (Continuing Ed) starts February 5th. The course runs every Wednesday night from 6:30 to 9pm from Feb 5 until March-end.

Register soon! Registration closes soon...

Go to this link for information on how to register for my SF course.

The course covers essential elements of science fiction writing such as:

• defining and knowing the genre
• world-building
• premise, idea and theme
• plot approaches & hero's journey
• creating believable scenarios and characters
• balancing believability with imagination
• storyboarding and story promise
• research

The course runs in a workshop-style; this includes interactive lecture using students' WIPs and relevant homework assignments.

See you there!
Nina

Nina Munteanu is an ecologist and internationally published author of novels, short stories and essays. She coaches writers and teaches writing at George Brown College and the University of Toronto. For more about Nina’s coaching & workshops visit www.ninamunteanu.me. Visit www.ninamunteanu.ca for more about her writing.

Nina Munteanu Teaches Writing at the University of Toronto & the 2013 Excellence in Teaching Awards

Osgoode Hall, University of Toronto

In February 2014 I will be teaching my first course with University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. Entitled, “Write and Publish Science Fiction”, the course will run on Wednesday evenings (6:30-9:00 pm) from February 5^th through to March 26^th.

The eight-week course will cover the essential tools of the genre including world-building, research, plot approaches and how to generate and follow through with premise, idea and theme toward a publishable work. Students are expected to bring in and discuss their own works.

enjoying a beer at the awards event

In my new role as instructor with UofT, I was invited to attend last night’s University of Toronto’s Event to celebrate the Excellence in Teaching Awards in the School of Continuing Studies for 2013.

This festive annual holiday reception was held in the administrative building for the School of Continuing Studies, 158 St. George Street, with lovely oeur d’oeuvres and choice of tasty light main courses.

The event celebrated the seven award-winners for excellence in teaching. Award winners included:

• ·      Catherine Graham in Creative Writing
• ·      John Greenwood in Arts & Science
• ·      John Kwak in Languages & Translation
• ·      Gerald McGroarty in Business & Professional Studies
• ·      Denise Newman in the English Language Program
• ·      Thomas Simko in Business & Professional Studies
• ·      Larry Yarmolinsky in Business & Professional Studies

Congratulations Teachers!

Nina Munteanu is an ecologist and internationally published author of novels, short stories and essays. She coaches writers and teaches writing at George Brown College and the University of Toronto. For more about Nina’s coaching & workshops visit www.ninamunteanu.me. Visit www.ninamunteanu.ca for more about her writing.

The Writer's Toolkit Workshop with Nina Munteanu

I'm giving the first of a series of writing workshops this coming Saturday, November 23rd 2013 from 6 pm to 8 pm in The Beaches, Toronto.

The Writer's Toolkit Workshop:

Every writer requires some necessary items in his/her toolkit to get published. This workshop introduces and discusses the most common challenges faced by writers serious about getting published. Areas covered include:

• getting started
• dealing with time management & writer’s block
• getting those ideas down and making a story out of them
• focusing and maintaining the staying power to finish
• incorporating all the elements of good storytelling like plot, character, theme and setting into a seamless story
• making your writing compelling, clear and exciting
• doing research and editing
• marketing, synopses & outlines, query letters
• overcoming fear (of failure, of success, of everything)

Cost is $30 and includes one of my writing guidebooks (valued at $27.95). Seating is limited so either register in advance or come early, buy one of Wunderland's excellent European-style coffees and grab a seat in the cafe.

Writers in Wunderland...

The Writer's Toolkit is the first of a series of monthly writing workshops I will be giving starting January 2014. You can register for any of them in advance once the schedule is finalized in early January.

Nina Munteanu is an ecologist and internationally published author of novels, short stories and essays. She coaches writers and teaches writing at George Brown College and the University of Toronto. For more about Nina’s coaching & workshops visit www.ninamunteanu.me. Visit www.ninamunteanu.ca for more about her writing.