Subject: Exploring Futuristic Events in 2025: A Guide for Speculative Fiction Writers

🚀 Specializing in supporting science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction writers. 🐉

Exploring Futuristic Events in 2025: A Guide for Speculative Fiction Writers ❤️

Poll: Which workbook shall I work on first? Poll is here in the Fellowship of the Pen Facebook group. (Click to join.) Thanks!

Livestream today!

I'll be part of a panel today Friday Jan. 24, 1pm PT/4pm ET with TBRCon 2025 on "What Writing Advice Do You Take & What Do You Leave Behind?" Join us to comment and ask questions!

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/7l0iUNhf_Y4

podcast highlight:

This week's How To Write The Future podcast episode:

Ep. 136: Exploring Futuristic Events in 2025: A Guide for Science Fiction Writers

https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2025/01/20/exploring-futuristic-events-in-2025-a-guide-for-science-fiction-writers/

Read the rest of this newsletter for news, upcoming events, tips, resources from Writer's Fun Zone blog, and more!

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This email uses lots of images because images are fun! You may need to click to open the full email or read online.

Friday, Jan. 24, 2025

Hi Friend,

For many years I felt alone in my writing journey and a bit lost among the sea of information out there on how to make it all happen.

Then finally I realized I need to get serious about my dream of writing fiction, and to do that I needed to find community of like-minded people.

So I did.

And once I gathered with other writers and heard their journeys, I realized I wasn't alone in my struggles and could find my through to write my first draft, edit my book, and publish, and market that novel.

There was no overnight success.

There was no one-and-done.

There were a lot of little ahas along the way that I translated into action with the certainty that step-by-step day-after-day I was living my dream of being a novelist.

Looking back at those early steps over 20 years ago, I thank my past self that I committed and who believed that one day I would get here.

Being a novelist is believing in the impossible everyday and then getting to work.

Alright!

Let's get to work!

On that note, read on for upcoming events!

But first, I want to let you know about a sale that's for only 1 more day!

❤️

FLASH SALE! Transform Your Writing with These Amazing Workshops! - Last day!

I’m so excited to share something special with you that will help you level up your writing craft!

My friend and fellow writing teacher Sue Brown-Moore has put together THREE amazing workshops, and for a limited time, they’re all 25% off! 🎨✨

As someone who’s passionate about helping writers tell their best stories, I can’t wait to tell you about these transformative workshops:

📷 The Story Snapshot Method Masterclass ($260.25, usually $347)
– Perfect for experienced writers who want to deeply connect with their characters’ emotional journeys without getting bogged down in heavy plotting
🔥 Liar, Liar, Plot on Fire ($147.75, usually $197)
– Ideal for newer writers who want to diagnose and fix common plot problems before they derail your story
🤓 Learn to Line Edit Like a Pro ($132.75, usually $177)
– For any writer ready to polish their prose and develop their unique author voice

Be sure to use the coupon code at checkout to get your discount: 25BETH2025

That way you get your discount and I get credited.

What I love about Sue’s teaching style is how she breaks down complex concepts into manageable, practical steps.

Whether you’re crafting your first novel or your fifteenth, these workshops will give you concrete tools to enhance your storytelling.

But don’t wait too long to decide – this special offer ends January 25, 2025, at midnight Mountain time! ⏰

Have questions about the workshops?

Feel free to email Sue’s team at hi@suebrownmoore.com

Also I posted the details here:

https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2025/01/09/flash-sale-transform-your-writing-with-these-amazing-workshops/

❤️

What's coming this quarter and beyond!

You're invited! Join us!

🛜

Feb. 1-4, Write Your Own Way Summit, registration open: https://bethbarany.com/writeyourownway

I'm excited to be sharing about rituals for getting to your writing during this event. Register to listen to my discussion on this topic and live chat with me. It'll be fun!

🚀

Feb. 17-21, AI Writing online Summit 2.0 - I'll be sharing all juicy details starting Monday, Feb. 3rd. Stay tuned!

I have lots of thoughts about the use of the AI tools available to us! I know we'll also learn a lot too.

❤️

Feb. 27, 4:15 – 6:45pm PT/7:15-9:45 PM ET, Heart-Centered Marketing For Fiction Writers: How To Develop And Sustain Your Author Presence and Sell Your Books (Without Social Media) workshop.

$39.

In this hands-on workshop, we’ll cover the core principles of heart-centered marketing so you can tailor marketing strategies to your life to sell books to readers and to agents and editors.

🎬

March 15, 4-7pm, Film Mixer and Fundraiser, Oakland, CA. Save the date!

We're raising money in our post-production phase of my proof-of-concept film, Henrietta The Dragon Slayer.
There will be dragons, a raffle, a teaser video, and more!
Stay tuned via our Instagram channel and dedicated email (sign up for that here). And here, of course.

📚

March 29, "Enhance your Scenarios with Fiction Writing Tools" workshop, Benicia, CA. Details forthcoming.

😻

April 30, Hosting Gala Russ "Writing the Romantic Subplot" online workshop. Details coming later.

❤️

Invite me to speak and teach to your group!

It's my highest calling to make art and help others do the same!

I'm available to speak to your writing group or organization for a dynamic, fun, and productive workshop.

✅ For more details and how to hire me, go to my speaking page here.

I love creating tailored events for you and your community.

❤️

On to the weekly podcast...

Exploring Futuristic Events in 2025

“Once or twice a year, I like to do an episode about upcoming events that you can participate in. And this is especially helpful if you’re looking for inspiration about how to think about the future, whether you’re a science fiction writer, you just want to get ideas, or you’re somebody who cares about the future and wants to come at it from a creative perspective.”

In this How To Write the Future episode titled “Exploring Futuristic Events in 2025: A Guide for Science Fiction Writers” I'm sharing foresight events that are taking place in the futurist community that you can get involved in. I also shares information on my World Building Workbook for Fiction Writers which is available to download for free.

To listen or read this episode's transcript, go here (Writer's Fun Zone):

Or listen on YouTube

Apple Podcast

Spotify

The How To Write The Future podcast is for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to write positive futures and successfully bring those stories out into the marketplace.

Enjoy!

Next in Ep. 137, I talk to developmental and line editor Kristin Noland about the definition of speculative fiction, the importance of setting, and so much more.

Stay tuned on How To Write The Future podcast.

(All previous episodes listed here.)

Like/Subscribe/Share/Review

Wherever you listen to your podcast, if you're so moved, please Like, Subscribe, or Share the How To Write The Future podcast.

YouTube!

And now How To Write The Future podcast is on YouTube here!

Please subscribe.

We now have 329 subscribers. Thank you! Help us get to 400!

And thanks for all your comments. (Bluesky share)

Thanks! And since we have an international listenership: Merci , Muchas Gracias, Obrigada, Prego, Arigatō

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Student Upcoming Events!

Fellowship of the Pen Writing Sprints

2nd and 4th Sundays

Next sprint: Jan. 26, 10am PT/1pm ET

Gather on Zoom to check in and write for 2 20-minute sprints.

-- I email you day-of and I post reminders in Fellowship of the Pen Facebook group. Click to join Fellowship of the Pen group, if you haven't already.

Next Monthly Q&A Office hours for Barany School of Fiction students

Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, 11am PT

-- I send reminder the day before and the day of.

Happy Writing!

Best,

Beth

PS. Get a written critique of your novel's first page, so that you can move your edits forward. Only $99.

https://bethbarany.com/page-one-assessment-for-novelists/

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When you're ready to work together, here's some more ways we can do that:

😁 Essential Character Traits Workbook

For fiction writers: planning tools to develop your main characters, secondary characters, and antagonists.

📚 Start (or Finish!) Your Novel 1-1 Mentorship Program

Go from sparkling idea to solid book plan so you can write your novel with confidence.

❤️ 12-month small group mastermind program for Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers!

Unleash Your Story's Potential: Transform Your Draft into a Publish-Ready Masterpiece!

🌟 If you find my resources helpful, please forward them to a friend who may need them too. Thanks!

Beth Barany
Creativity Coach for Writers

Teacher, Speaker, Workshop Facilitator

Creativity is the answer.

bethbarany.com

I not only teach and coach novelists, I am one too!

Author of *Magical Tales of Romance, Mystery, and Adventure*
author.bethbarany.com

Award-winning science fiction & fantasy novelist.

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Beth Barany is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy novelist, and certified creativity coach for writers.

She specializes in helping writers experience clarity, so they can write, revise, and proudly publish their novels to the delight of their readers.

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