{"product_id":"the-horror-imaginary-writing-workshop-online","title":"The Horror Imaginary: Writing from Horror for Inspiration, Subversion, and Delight 4-Week Intensive (Zoom) with Syr Hayati Beker Starts on Tuesday, September 8th, 2026","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sqs-block-content\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003eBegins Tuesday, September 8, 2026\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003eClass will meet weekly via Zoom on Tuesdays, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eNow Enrolling! Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstructor Bio\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eInstructor Syr Hayati Beker (they\/them) is a writer, horror nerd, and experience creator. Their BSFA-longlisted novella in mutated fairy tales, \u003cem\u003eWhat A Fish Looks Like\u003c\/em\u003e, was praised by Kate Folk as \"fearlessly innovative… shattering the boundaries of climate fiction,\" and by Natalia Theodoridou as \"unexpected and brilliant – a deeply queer and riotously joyful lament.\" Syr is the co-founder of Queer Cat Productions immersive theater company and The Escapery Collective. They are an associate editor at \u003cem\u003ePseudopod\u003c\/em\u003e and have taught horror classes for over seven years. They are a graduate of Clarion West. Their work appears in \u003cem\u003eFoglifter\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eJoyland\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eFairy Tale Review\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eF(r)iction\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eMichigan Quarterly Review\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eSpunk\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eGigantic Sequins\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eHome is Where You Queer Your Heart\u003c\/em\u003e (Foglifter Press, 2021), and in theaters, pirate ships, galleries, and queer bars near you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeet the Teaching Artist:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/blogs\/news\/syr-hayati-beker-horror-imaginary-writing-workshop\" title='Syr Hayati Beker on Horror as Permission: Writing Toward the Biggest \"What If\"'\u003e\u003cem\u003eSyr Hayati Beker on Horror as Permission: Writing Toward the Biggest \"What If\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho is this class for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eScaredy cats and all-genre writers are equally welcome at this all-levels exploration of horror for inspiration, subversion, and delight. Whether you're finding your way through the haunted house of a longer project or hunting for your next story or poem, this generative creative writing workshop meets you where you are. No prior experience with the genre required — just curiosity and a willingness to peer into the dark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat to expect:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis online writing class invites you to borrow from horror theory and tropes to find new ideas, new inspirations, and new permissions. Together we'll explore what makes horror irresistible and indelible — the horror image, the monster, the jumpscare, the trope — and use those elements as fuel for pages of new writing and the permission to reach for the biggest, wildest \"what if\" imaginable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eYou don't have to be writing horror to benefit. The craft and study of the genre offer a permissive sense of delight and subversion that can open new possibilities in any kind of writing, whether you work in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or across forms. Whether you already know your project, are ready for something brand new, or want to bring a dark charge to a manuscript that has nothing to do with horror, you'll find a method here for drawing from that deep well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eDrawing on Syr's years as a Clarion West graduate, an associate editor at \u003cem\u003ePseudopod\u003c\/em\u003e, and a teacher of horror in film and fiction since 2015, this seminar blends craft discussion with hands-on experimentation. You'll receive instructor writing feedback on submitted work, with weekly office hours available for anyone developing a longer project, discussing their writing, or preparing to submit for publication.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are the writing goals?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIn this course, students will develop language and a framework for understanding what makes horror work — and how to access its permissive \"what if.\" You'll generate pages of new writing and produce a mid-sized draft of your own (a short story, long poem, poetry cycle, chapter, or game outline) along with one or more new beginnings, while developing your own theory of what horror and dark fantasy can do right now. There are two opportunities to submit work for written feedback (Classes 2 and 4), returned within one week, plus weekly office hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReadings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eReadings may include excerpts from: Sigmund Freud, \"The Uncanny\"; Christine Brooke-Rose, \"Red Rubber Gloves\"; Isabel Cañas, \"All the Things I Know About Ghosts, by Ofelia, Age 10\"; Tobi Ogundiran, \"The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library\"; A. C. Wise, \"Scrimshaw\"; and Marilyn Nelson, \"The Floating Baby.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE OUTLINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClass 1: What Is Horror? \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eThe Horror Image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClass 2: Monsters \u0026amp; Other Characters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e — \"When All You Ever Wanted Is Just a Little Too Much.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClass 3: The Bad Place \u0026amp; the Haunted House\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e — horror story architecture, graveyard plots, and the jump scare.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClass 4: Experiments, Tropes, and the Monster Rises Again.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE TAKEAWAYS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLanguage and a framework for understanding what makes horror work — and how to access its permissive \"what if\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eA repeatable method for drawing on horror's imagery and inspiration across any genre\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eA mid-sized draft of your own: a short story, long poem, poetry cycle, chapter, or game outline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOne or more new beginnings and pages of fresh writing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eYour own developing theory of horror — what you believe the genre can and should do now\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTESTIMONIALS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\"Throughout my time working with Syr, they supported me and my writing with extraordinary care, thoughtfulness, and enthusiasm. They are a brilliant and joyful human… I could not recommend Syr more highly.\" — C. H., Novelist\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\"I have spent many weeknights in Syr's workshops, feeling inspired to think less and write more. These welcoming, supportive classes have shown me how to unwind the creative process and see what pours out by engaging in creative experimentation. Their classes not only motivated me to take my work further by pursuing my MFA in creative writing, but also served as an artistic refuge when I needed a break from writing in academic settings. I'm so grateful this space exists and continues to grow as I know that as long as I write in San Francisco, I'll be at their workshops finding new possibilities for my art.\" — Kimberly Gomes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\"I have participated in several workshops with Syr and am incredibly grateful for all of the generative exercises and thought-provoking discussions they entailed. These workshops have all influenced my evolution as a writer and contributed to my personal growth. I had not written much since completing my MFA, and provided the inspiration, guidance, and support I needed to restart and cultivate my writing practice. This empowered me to climb out of an existential depression, as well as to transition to the next stage of my career. As a QTPoC cross-genre writer with an interdisciplinary background in the arts and humanities, I often find myself in between (and\/or part of multiple) conversations and communities. Syr's workshops offered an inclusive space where I was free to explore these intersectionalities (alongside my quirky and eclectic interests) through writing, which has informed my queer non-binary feminist sensibility.\" — Deni, PhD Student in Theatre and Performance Studies\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\"Syr's mode of reading is deeply generous and helps surface themes in my writing that I didn't even realize. Having that trust in my fellow readers helps me lean into drafting as early, messy, but still with kernels in it of something bigger, because I know it will be taken for what it is and will be, not what it isn't… Syr's care and attentiveness with my work makes me feel like a writer whose work matters.\" — V. U., Nonfiction Writer \u0026amp; Novelist\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\"Syr is like an artist's life raft — they will buoy you with empathy, encouragement, inspiration, and opportunity. If you have the chance to work with Syr, TAKE IT!\" — Jordan Godwin\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\"After attending several of Syr's workshops over the years, I realized that some of my most powerful writing had emerged from those experiences. So when I faced what felt like the 10,000th rewrite of my novel, I knew in my heart that I needed to work with Syr. Their guidance wasn't just helpful — it felt essential to getting where I needed to go. And I was right. Syr provides unwavering, limitless support. As a writer overflowing with self-doubt, it meant everything to have someone care about my story as deeply as I did. They validated my ideas, made my wildest concepts feel possible, and believed in me in ways I didn't even realize I needed. Without Syr, my novel might still be stuck in rewrite purgatory. But with their insight and encouragement, I found the tools and confidence to push beyond what I thought was possible. If any writer asks me for a recommendation on a writing editor or coach, my answer will always be Syr. They helped me elevate my work in ways I never imagined, and I couldn't have asked for a better guide.\" — Eming Piansay\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\"Syr pushes writers to tear down their limiting beliefs about what they can and can't do, and shows them how to rebuild their creative cities to accommodate the new and wildly born being taking root inside. With Syr's help, writers don't just find their creative genius, they wrestle it to the ground and then learn how to make it fall in love with them.\" — Lauren Sapala, Writer and Writing Coach\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\"Syr is an incredible writing teacher, mentor and editor. There is absolutely no way I would have been able to complete a first draft of my memoir without their ongoing support, enthusiasm for my project, and creative generosity. Syr helps me stay accountable to myself and to my creative process by creating structure and realistic deadlines, yet is always flexible and positive and affirming when life happens. Our sessions are so dynamic and inspiring and I often leave having generated more work. Having Syr in my life is an invaluable lifeline as a creative.\" — M. S.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAYMENT OPTIONS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eTuition is $330 USD. You can pay for the course in full or use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. Both options are available at checkout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eInstructor: Syr Hayati Beker\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBegins Tuesday, September 8, 2026\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eClass will meet weekly via Zoom on Tuesdays, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eTuition is $330 USD.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45394182340856,"sku":null,"price":288.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/SyrBekerHeadshot2026_2e5c4397-2990-4569-81a3-6cba4bcda01e.png?v=1779381804","url":"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/en-fr\/products\/the-horror-imaginary-writing-workshop-online","provider":"Writing Workshops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}