Workshops and Classes

KC Grifant offers an ongoing online class at UC San Diego Extended Studies and regular workshops at Reach Your Apex. Scroll below for updated information.

Writing Speculative Fiction at UC San Diego

Offered twice a year online, this 10-week course from KC Grifant is designed for students who wish to expand their fiction writing and explore the realms of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror in innovative ways.

Students will learn to refine their skills in speculative fiction writing, focusing on essential storytelling techniques such as world-building, character development, pacing, and atmosphere. 

Throughout the course, students will understand how to craft immersive worlds, skillfully subvert genre tropes, and balance familiar conventions with fresh ideas. Valuable insights into the publishing world are also offered, preparing students to navigate the journey from manuscript to publication in the realm of speculative fiction.

Sellable Short Stories (On-Demand Workshop)

My popular in-depth class at Reach Your Apex is available on-demand for a limited time!

This recording covers:

– A behind-the-scenes, detailed look at the selection process from slush pile to publication from an editor’s point of view
– Common and not-so-common pitfalls in openings and endings, and how to fix them
– How to use—and subvert—familiar genre tropes to make your work stand out
-Efficient techniques for self-editing
– A deep dive into trending markets and industry best practices

Details: https://reachyourapex.com/product/sellable-short-stories-what-editors-want-and-what-to-avoid-live-workshop/

Online workshop at the Temecula Valley Writers & Illustrators group – Feb 2026

I’ll be teaching “Crafting Sellable Short Stories” online on Feb 26, 2026 via the Temecula Valley Writers and Illustrators group. Register: https://www.temeculavalleywi.com/tvwi-calendar#!event/2026/2/26/kc-griffant-crafting-sellable-short-stories.

Past Workshops and Classes

Workshops at the Southern California Writer’s Conference – Jan 2026
“Creating Sellable Short Stories” at Reach Your Apex
Creating Weird West Stories that Sizzle and Sell – June 2025
Creating Horror Short Stories that Sizzle and Sell – May 2025
Workshop presenter at the Southern California Writer’s Conference Feb 14-16, 2025
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is workshop-2025-banner.png
Big Punch in a Little Package: Creating Short Stories that Sizzle and Sell with KC Grifant (Clarion West Community Class)