Writing Futuristic Science Fiction for Young Readers
H.D. Hunter will guide participants through thinking and exercises designed to help them understand teen readers, choose the right sci-fi element for their story, and structure their narratives for maximum engagement. The learnings from this workshop can be applied to projects in-progress, or contribute to a fresh idea. Participants should also bring any specific questions about craft or the industry for the Q&A portion of the presentation.
About the Instructor:
Hugh authored the Futureland series, including Battle for the Park, which was named a Georgia Center for the Book 2023 Book All Young Georgians Should Read and the 2023-2024 VAReads Chapter Book of the Year. Battle for the Park is also a 2024 selection for the CORE Excellence in Children’s Science Fiction Notable list and the 2025 Read Across America selection for the state of Georgia. As of 2025, Battle for the Park is a finalist for both the Hawaii and Florida state reader’s choice awards. Futureland: The Nightmare Hour and Futureland: The Architect Games are the second and third books in the series.
Hugh is an alum of the inaugural Tin House Young Adult Fiction Workshop. He’s served as both a moderator and panelist at FIYAHCON. He’s a “cocoa” founder of the Voodoonauts Summer Fellowship for Black speculative fiction writers, and his teaching credits include Tin House, PocketMFA, Clarion West Online, Catapult, and a Writer-in-Residence position with the PEN/Faulkner Foundation.
Hugh is committed to stories about Black kids and their many expansive worlds. Connect with Hugh on Instagram (@hdhunterbooks), or his website: https://hughhdhunter.com
