GOTHLAND WRITING WORKSHOPS
The Gothic Story
A Nine-Week Online Writing Workshop
Beginning January 7, 2027 · Live Online · Limited to Eight Writers
What makes a story Gothic? Is it the haunted house, the ancestral ruin, the secrets buried beneath ordinary life? Or something more elusive—the feeling that the familiar world has become suddenly, unsettlingly strange?
In this nine-week online writing workshop, we'll explore the Gothic imagination through close reading, literary discussion and the writing and critique of original fiction. From the Brontës and Edgar Allan Poe to Shirley Jackson, Angela Carter and contemporary writers, we'll examine how authors create atmosphere, build suspense and explore the darker dimensions of human experience.
A Workshop for the Gothic Imagination
What We’ll Explore
Atmosphere & Setting
Creating worlds charged with mystery, dread and psychological tension.
Suspense & Revelation
Using uncertainty, secrets and narrative structure to engage readers.
Tradition & Reinvention
Tracing the Gothic from its literary origins to contemporary fiction.
The Uncanny
Finding the strange, disturbing and unfamiliar within everyday life.
The Gothic Character
Exploring obsession, isolation, desire and psychological complexity.
Writing & Revision
Developing original stories through experimentation, critique and revision.
Course Outline
Week 1: The Gothic Imagination
Origins, conventions and the enduring appeal of Gothic fiction.
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Introductions & Workshop Schedule
Week 2: The Haunted Landscape
Setting, atmosphere and the relationship between place and emotion.
Week 3: The Uncanny & Supernatural
Ambiguity, the unexplained and the unsettling.
Week 4: The Gothic Psyche
Fear, obsession, repression and psychological conflict.
Week 5: Suspense & Narrative Tension
Secrets, pacing, uncertainty and revelation.
Week 6: Women & the Gothic
Domestic spaces, confinement, power and resistance.
Week 7: The Contemporary Gothic
Modern approaches to Gothic themes and conventions.
Week 8: Writing Workshop
Discussion and critique of participants' original fiction.
Week 9: Revision & The Story Ahead
Further critique, revision strategies and next steps.
REGISTRATION
Join The Gothic Story
Our inaugural workshop begins January 7, 2027. Enrollment is limited to eight participants to ensure meaningful discussion, individual attention and thoughtful critique.
Reserve your place with a 1,000 SEK deposit or pay the full tuition at registration.
The remaining 3,500 SEK is due before the workshop begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should attend?
The Gothic Story welcomes writers at all stages of their creative practice, from those beginning to explore fiction to more experienced writers interested in the Gothic tradition. No previous publication or formal creative writing education is required. Participants should come prepared to read, write, share their work and engage thoughtfully with the work of others.
Will I be expected to share my writing?
Yes. Writing and thoughtful group critique are central to the workshop. Participants will have opportunities to share original fiction, receive constructive feedback and discuss the work of fellow writers.
Will there be reading assignments?
Yes. Each week will include selected literary readings that we'll discuss together, examining how different writers approach the techniques and traditions of Gothic fiction.
How will the online sessions work?
The workshop meets live online once per week for nine weeks. Participants will receive instructions for joining the sessions before the course begins.
Can I reserve my place with a deposit?
Yes. A deposit of 1,000 SEK reserves your place, with the remaining 3,500 SEK due before the workshop begins. You may also pay the full tuition of 4,500 SEK when registering.
What if the workshop is full?
Enrollment is limited to eight participants. Once the workshop is full, you may join the waitlist to be contacted if a place becomes available or when registration opens for a future session.