On the Speculative First Page
Saturday, December 12, 2026, 1:15 to 2:30 p.m.
The first page of a novel or story is the place where the reader and author meet. In this class we’ll explore the power of the first page, where the acceleration begins, where the characters first show their fear and their love, where the sound and rhythm is revealed, where the key to the rest of the book can be found. And by the time we reach the bottom of the page, we have likely felt the first pain, seen the first swerve, and been introduced to every element of the story, though we do not know it yet.
In the case of speculative or sci-fi, you’ll also have the first clues of the world we’re in. The tensions may be tinged with global significance, or we may have a hint of the uncanny. Or we may already be immersed in a very different time and place.
In this generative workshop, we will study together six first pages of great speculative stories and novels. Then we will use them as models to try our own.
First page of “The Earthling,” by Yuri Herrera
First page of Beautyland, by Marie-Helene Bertino
First page of Bunny, by Mona Awad
First page of “Exhalation,” by Ted Chiang
First page of The Trial by Franz Kafka
First page of “Inventory” by Carmen Maria Machado
Please read all the pages carefully and make observations in the margin or in a notebook. Select your favorite one or two. If you are joining in person, please bring the packet to class, printed if at all possible. If you are joining on zoom, please have it available.
Writing
We will do two exercises. Here is what you can do to prepare.
Bring a notebook to write a new opening page
Bring a first page of a story of your own that you aren’t quite happy with yet.