Intro to Worldbuilding

We'll be looking at how to immerse your readers into your setting. While creating short stories for an anthology, we'll also try and explore genres of fantasy and science fiction. One of those stories will also be featured in our magazine.

Your story’s setting is an unspoken yet omnipresent character. It gives context to the characters’ actions and how the audience interprets them. This workshop will give a brief overview of worldbuilding, the process of creating a setting, with an emphasis on developing fictional worlds for science fiction and fantasy.

Facilitated by:

Cathy Burkholder Vargas- A Colombian-American mother of three, Cathy is the former head of the writing department for Worldbuilding Magazine. After a youth spent in mathematical research, computer programming, and internet development, she now enjoys escaping the real world to create her own.

Zaivy Luke-Aleman- While pursuing a Master in Publishing at Pace University, Zaivy also edits articles for Worldbuilding Magazine. Zaivy is a first generation Dominican immigrant native to New York.

B.H Pierce- A compulsive worldbuilder and self-published author hailing from the state of Maine. Has spent the last few years creating an interconnected setting, writing books and hosting panels on writing and worldbuilding at conventions.

Agenda:

• What is worldbuilding? What’s the difference between creating a setting and worldbuilding?
• How worldbuilding helps creators achieve their literary goals and market their work
• Using personal experience and culture as part of your worldbuilding
• Q&A