Queer Writing Workshop with Stef Ferrari

Queer literature has come a very long way. It has at times been coded, condemned, erased, or completely non-existent, but today’s LGBTQ titles are far-reaching and wide-ranging, from romance and humor, to contemporary and historical, sci-fi and fantasy, and beyond.

Queer writers now have a chance to share stories of modern experiences, or revisit and revise old narratives, to see and be seen, and build community through storytelling. For writers who do not identify as queer, crafting characters and narratives calls for nuance, compassion, and curiosity, because visibility matters, but those stories must feel true in order to resonate.

In this one-hour workshop, we’ll explore queer writing in all its forms, for authors across the spectrum. We’ll take a look at examples of queer literature, past and present. We’ll run through exercises designed to open up space and encourage conversation, exploring the dynamic and evolving queer experience.

Sharing will be optional, and you don’t have to identify as queer, or even as a writer to participate. Whether your interest is in queer poetry, memoir, essays, fiction, or nonfiction, this is a safe space to share thoughts and ask questions, engage with community and learn from one another.

We'll look at the following works, among others:

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith

In the Dream House by Carmen Machado

This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour

Stef Ferrari is a New York Times bestselling author, and an Emmy-winning writer, producer, and artist. Her forthcoming debut novel is a queer YA rom-com set in Brooklyn amid the magic of the holiday season. As a journalist, she’s a contributing writer to publications including The New York Times, and covers her greatest obsession: women’s sports.

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