This is kind of nifty, especially coming on the heels of my finding and posting several articles and reviews of Brian Evenson on our Facebook page. Apparently this summer he will be leading a horror writing workshop… in Transylvania. A perfect location, right?

Here are some links regarding Evenson, his writing, and his newest work, in case you haven’t dropped by our Facebook page recently.

The Dark Fiction of an Ex-Mormon Writer from The New Yorker

Brian Evenson’s Writing Is As Beautiful As It Is Brutal  from VICE

How Do You Live In A World That Is Not The World You Thought It Was? An Interview With Brian Evenson from Tinhouse.com

A Master At Work: A Collapse of Horses by Brian Evenson (review) from Electric Literature

I’m not endorsing anything, and I haven’t read his work, but he sounds like a fascinating guy, with writing worth checking out, even if you don’t have the money or desire to spend a week hanging out with him in Dracula country.

Anyway, the press release is below.
Transylvania workshop lets writers explore the ‘Mecca of Horror’

Transylvania has been synonymous with horror since Bram Stoker penned his opus
back in 1897.

Writers & Publishers International <http://www.writersandpublishers.org/about/>
(WPI) offers writers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work on a novel or
short story in Transylvania, the birthplace of the infamous Vlad the Impaler.

Running from August 7th to 14th, the Horror Writer’s Workshop is the ultimate
summer vacation for any writer of dark fiction, from extreme horror to
paranormal romance and everything in between. Attendees will dramatically
improve their writing skills while exploring the darkness lurking behind the
beautiful castles and fairytale villages of Romania.

Between visits to some of the region’s most notorious sites, including the
reputedly haunted Bran Castle—one of the inspirations for Stoker’s Dracula,
writers will benefit from the experience and knowledge of instructor Brian
Evenson. Evenson, a multi award-winning horror writer and professor, has
published over a dozen novels and translated many others.

The professor of literary arts at Brown for over a decade, he is now inspiring
students at the California Institute of the Arts.

“Brian has a way of making all the things that stifle writing disappear,
including fear and self-doubt, leaving only stories to be written,” says K.
Scott Forman, a former student of Evenson’s. “His teaching style is conducive to
creativity, to experimentation, and most importantly, is focused on the
individual writer finding his or her own voice.”

The weeklong retreat takes place at Mama Cozonacilor, a charming family-owned
inn located in the stunning mountainous region of Bran, Transylvania. It’s
impossible to remain uninspired while walking the cobblestone streets of
Sighişoara, where Vlad the Impaler was born, or while exploring the eerie Râșnov
Fortress, where two Turkish well diggers met their doom.

“The biggest misconception people have about horror is that it’s gratuitous.
They hear horror and think SAW—the most visceral movie they’ve ever heard of,”
says Evenson. “Most great horror is a serious investigation about the
strangeness of the world. There’s a lot of really interesting, sophisticated
writing going on in the world of horror right now.”

Those interested are encouraged to reserve their spot with a deposit, as there
is limited space available and the workshop will sell out quickly. During the
month of February, WPI is offering a special two-for-one discount—those who book
with a spouse, friend, or family member will get 50 percent off their
registration fees. This deal ends on February 29th.

For more information, please contact:

Tausha Johnson, Program Director

info@workshopwriters.com <mailto:info@workshopwriters.com>

+34 682798328