Writing the Monstrous

Are you afraid of the monster under the bed? What about the one lurking in the darkest corners of your mind? In “Writing the Monstrous,” Carina Bissett and Fija Callaghan will lead you through the world of classic monsters across the ages. You’ll dive into myth, history, and folklore to explore why we’ve been drawn to these shadowy figures for so long, and what they can teach us about our own inner natures. Finally, you’ll learn some practical tips and techniques for bringing monsters to life in your own writing.

In this two-hour, synchronous remote (held on Zoom) workshop we’ll examine the symbolism behind the monsters we most easily recognise from film, literature, and TV, and discuss what these storytellers were really afraid of. Through the lens of genre fiction and folklore, we’ll discover why monsters are such a great tool for communicating powerful social themes. You’ll emerge with a deeper understanding and some new tools for creating literary monsters of your own.  

This course is perfect for creatives looking to spice up their storytelling, poets eager to tap into the monster mania, and anyone eager to understand the human fascination with the macabre.

Carina Bissett is a writer and poet working primarily in the fields of dark fiction and fabulism. She has written numerous short stories, many of which are featured in her debut collection Dead Girl, Driving and Other Devastations (2024), and she is also a co-editor of the award-winning anthology Shadow Atlas: Dark Landscapes of the Americas (2021). Her poetry has been nominated for the Rhysling Award, the Pushcart Prize, and Sundress Publications Best of the Net. Her nonfiction has been nominated for a Bram Stoker Award®. Carina is the President and Director of the Storied Imaginarium.

Fija Callaghan is a storyteller and poet who has been recognised by a number of awards, including shortlisting for the HG Wells Short Story Prize in 2021. Her writing can be found in Seaside Gothic, Gingerbread House, Howl: New Irish Writing, and elsewhere. Her debut collection is forthcoming from Neem Tree Press in early 2025. Originally from the Cascadia region, she now lives in Dublin, Ireland with her books.