David Farrow teaches Horror Fiction Workshop

Horror is a genre that challenges and transgresses. It’s a mirror that reflects the ugliest parts of the world back at us, daring us not to avert our eyes. Writers who engage with the frightening and grotesque are free to explore those darkest of areas, whether through mundane horrors (like serial killers) or supernatural ones (like ghosts and demons). By confronting these fears in the safe space of a story, writers of dark fiction may release pent-up tensions or challenge real-world norms that perpetuate such horrors. For these reasons, horror can, paradoxically, often be a genre of comfort.

Throughout the month of October, students will read examples of horror fiction from a variety of subgenres (including psychological horror, cosmic horror, and supernatural horror). We will discuss what makes a story “scary” and how to implement strategies that create atmospheres of dread and terror in our work.

This course is open to writers of any level who are interested in horror fiction.

DAVID FARROW is best known for his Neverglades paranormal mystery series, which was a #1 bestseller on Amazon. His work has appeared in Mythaxis Magazine, Haven Speculative, and the NoSleep Podcast, among others. He holds an MFA in Fiction from Lesley University and teaches with the GrubStreet writing community in Boston, MA. You can find him at davidfarrowwrites.com.