Events › Developmental Story Discussion: Your Sci-Fi & Fantasy Ideas

Not your typical writing group! Join an in-depth discussion of your story's world, characters and core ideas.

This is not a critique session or a writing accountability group. Instead, we provide a 45-minute facilitated discussion focused on a single submitter’s story concept. Whether your novel is brand new, half-written or nearly complete, this is your chance to explore the questions that shape your world, characters and plot.

Each session follows a structured format:
The submitter presents their story and key questions (5 minutes)
Roundtable discussion with guided prompts to develop ideas (up to 3 submitters) (30 minutes)
Submitter reflects on key takeaways (5 minutes)

What we discuss:
Worldbuilding: Unique settings, speculative science, alternate dimensions
Characters: Names, motivations, abilities, conflicts
Technology & AI: Ethics, capabilities, future implications
Monsters & Aliens: Creatures, pathogens, intelligence, threats
Conflict & Story Tension: Political struggles, survival stakes, moral dilemmas


Please review the guidelines for discussion.



To submit for discussion:
https://docs.google.com/docume...

Make a copy of the sample submission.

Include details of your own piece you’d like to discuss:
https://docs.google.com/docume...
Locate the folder with the date of the event you are attending.

Add your submission to that folder:

https://drive.google.com/drive...
Submissions are chosen based who submitted first (subject to change).

Please register. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows.

Reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities is available by request. Email access@kcls.org at least seven days before the event. Automated closed captioning is always available for online events.