Speculative fiction writers craft futures of hope and fear at Clarion West's annual write-a-thon

Cordyceps, AI, and 'Hope Punk': Speculative Fiction Writers Shape the Future at Clarion West's Annual Write-a-thon

Speculative fiction often mirrors current realities rather than distant futures. Themes like artificial intelligence, self-driving cars, and climate change once seemed like far-off ideas but now feel immediate. Writers in this genre are not just predicting what might happen—they're exploring what could be, what they hope for, and what they fear.

For writers looking to inject fresh perspectives into familiar themes, Seattle's Clarion West offers a valuable resource. This nonprofit specializes in speculative fiction and hosts an annual Write-a-thon starting July 12, 2025, aimed at supporting writers worldwide.

Rethinking Familiar Tropes

Clarion West’s executive director, Marnee Chua, acknowledges the challenge writers face: “There’s this idea that there’s no new story out there.” Yet, innovation comes from experimenting with how stories are told. For example, a few years ago, Cordyceps fungi became a popular motif—think of the parasitic zombies in The Last of Us. These stories blended horror with a strange optimism, imagining fungi cleansing the air.

More recently, a trend called "hope punk" has emerged. Instead of focusing on apocalypse and collapse, this sub-genre envisions hopeful futures. Writers ask: What does a positive future look like? How do we get there?

From Dystopia to Possibility

Dystopian fiction has long shaped speculative fiction. Classic works like Yevgeny Zamyatin’s We depict all-powerful authorities controlling society for the supposed good of its citizens. Reading these stories today reveals how certain fears persist across generations.

Yet, predicting bleak outcomes also opens the door to imagining hopeful ones. Chua points out that today’s speculative fiction often explores community, support, and alternative societal structures. She highlights works like Martha Wells’ The Murderbot Diaries, which features a post-capitalist planetary society, and N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth trilogy, which envisions new social connections beyond current divides.

Clarion West Write-a-thon: A Space to Build New Futures

From July 12 to 26, writers can participate in the Clarion West Write-a-thon. This event encourages writers to set and meet personal writing goals while raising funds through donations. Think of it like a walk-a-thon, but for writing. Donations support Clarion West’s classes, workshops, and panels that help emerging speculative fiction writers hone their craft.

Though based in Seattle, the Write-a-thon is open to writers everywhere, making it a global opportunity to engage with the speculative fiction community.

Fresh Voices and Diverse Stories

Chua notes a growing diversity of voices in speculative fiction today. New perspectives bring fresh stories and challenge existing narratives. For writers, this means a chance to explore different cultures, ideas, and futures.

For those looking to expand their reading beyond typical fare, consider Argentine author Agustina Bazterrica’s Tender is the Flesh. It offers a chilling vision of a future where animal meat is contaminated, forcing society to legalize cannibalism. While not hopeful, it’s a powerful example of speculative fiction’s ability to confront difficult topics.

Why Writers Should Engage

• Push your imagination by joining a supportive community.
• Experiment with new story structures and themes.
• Contribute to the future of speculative fiction by raising funds for emerging writers.
• Connect with global voices and fresh perspectives.

Interested writers can learn more and register for the Clarion West Write-a-thon on their official website. This event offers a practical way to build your writing discipline and support the next generation of speculative fiction authors.