Writing for Trans and Non-Binary Narratives | Master Class

Writing the Other
Writing for Trans and Non-Binary Narratives with Ashley Lauren Rogers, Keffy R.M. Kehrli, and JY Yang

When: October 12 – 20, 2018
Where: Online — Available everywhere and at your own pace
Price: $100
Register Now

An increasing amount of media from novels to movies features trans and non-­binary characters, but often the cisgender authors writing them don’t know how to avoid falling into harmful tropes or creating offensive stereotypes. In this class, trans playwright Ashley Lauren Rogers, trans editor and writer Keffy R.M. Kehrli, and non-binary writer JY Yang will provide writers with an understanding of the issues around creating trans and non-binary characters and narratives that can help you avoid common pitfalls.

Topics include:

  • Explanations of and the difference between…
    • Gender Identity
    • Biological Sex
    • Sexual orientation
  • Transitioning
  • Appropriate language (including pronouns)
  • The realities and dangers trans and non-binary people face
  • Crafting characters that are whole people

This Master Class includes an hour long video lecture by Ashley Lauren Rogers and a week long Q&A/discussion of the topic with Ashley, Keffy R.M. Kehrli, and JY Yang. Students will come away with resources for further study as well as access to a database of sensitivity readers.

Attending Class & Schedule

The course begins Friday, October 12th when all students receive the lecture video. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the issues brought up in the lecture with all instructors as well as ask detailed questions via a private forum through Sunday, October 20. The course does not have set meeting times. You can access class material and discussion and participate in class at any time, day or night, from anywhere in the world as long as you have an Internet connection. 

Accessibility

The lecture video is closed captioned and transcribed; the text will be available to all students. The private forum uses WordPress with a theme specifically geared to accessibility and compatibility with screen readers. We strive to make all classes as accessible as possible, but if you need any extra considerations or have a question about accessibility, please contact us.

Who Should Take This Master Class?

Writers of all genres — Literary, YA, Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Children’s Books, Romance — and all mediums — Prose, Playwriting, Screenwriting, Comics/Graphic Novels, Games — at any point in their career from newbie to professional. These classes are designed so that any writer who wants to write inclusive fiction well and create characters who aren’t caricatures will find them beneficial.

However, if you haven’t taken a Writing the Other class before, you should read the book and get through as many of the resources offered on this website before the Master Class begins. 

Scholarship Opportunities

There are several spots available in this class for Sentient Squid Scholarship recipients. If you do not have the financial means to take this class and feel that you will benefit from it, we encourage you to apply. We have a broad definition of financial need that ranges from writers who do not have the money at all to writers who have the funds but can’t afford to use them for a writing class. Please don’t hesitate to apply wherever you exist on that spectrum.

(Still not sure whether you should apply? Read this post.) 

To apply, send an email to writingtheother+squid@gmail.com with the subject WtO Trans/Non-Binary Scholarship Applicant, and include in the body:

  • A brief (300 or fewer words) statement of financial need
  • A brief (500 or fewer words) description of a work or works in progress that you hope the class will help you write.

Deadline: 11:59PM Pacific September 28. We will notify all applicants of their standing by October 5. If you have any questions, please use our contact form to ask!

Refund Policy

If you find that you need to drop the class, you may do so by contacting our GMail or emailing via the website.

If you drop by September 12, you will receive a full refund minus a service fee.

If you drop by September 24, you will receive an 80% refund minus a service fee plus a chance to enroll in future Writing the Other Master Classes at a discount before general tickets go on sale.

If you drop by October 1, you will receive an 40% refund minus a service fee plus a chance to enroll in future Writing the Other Master Classes at a discount before general tickets go on sale.

If you drop on October 2 or after you will not have your registration fee refunded. However, you will be able to enroll in a future class for a discount.

Register Below

If the class sells out before you have a chance to register, there is a waiting list option. We do sometimes have students drop, so please add yourself. 

Alumni, before you register check your emails or the Slack for the code.