Sponsors

Celebrating speculative fiction in all its forms

Clarion West was founded on the belief that writers from diverse backgrounds need an opportunity to be heard – and to experiment with new forms of storytelling. Writers are crucial to today’s conversations because they inspire future generations of thoughtful readers, thinkers, and leaders.

The Nerdlesque, Clarion West's first annual dinner and gala event, will raise unrestricted funds to support our mission and growing community of writers. By attending the event and donating to Clarion West, you help us to provide more opportunities for emerging and marginalized writers, including BIPOC, disabled, LGBTQ+, and low-income writers, and you help to evolve our workshop culture towards equity, empowerment, and innovation. Join us! 

Nerdlesque was an amazing success, THANKS TO YOU!

Together, with the main event auction, we raised over $41,000 for Clarion West, smashing our $30k goal! After the additional book auction closes this Saturday, we anticipate raising over $42k in donations, auction bids, and ticket sales. You, our incredibly supportive community, made this happen!


Your generosity directly supports: 

  • Scholarships for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, and other underrepresented writers in science fiction, fantasy, and horror;
  • Providing accessible classrooms and facilities for all of our programs; 
  • Free public panels for writers, including the last two editor's panel events on May 16 and May 17; 
  • Paying for world-class instructors year-round; and 
  • Creating paid staff positions with health benefits.

A word from the editor of the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction

The Nerdlesque was made possible by our sponsors, auction donors, literary guests of honor, and performers!

A huge thank-you to all of our generous auction item donors; title sponsor The Breneman Jaech Foundation; additional sponsors Choice of Games, Hydra House Books, Paper Boat Booksellers, Clarion West Class of 2017 and 2012, and the Dustin Kyle Rose Charitable Fund; our literary guests of honor Seanan McGuire, Shiv Ramdas, Premee Mohamed, and Brooks Peck; our event runner, Sasha Summer Cousineau of Revel Rouser Events; our fierce emcee, Sailor St. Claire; the stunning talents of performers Briq House, Mx. Pucks A'Plenty, Tootsie Spangles, Al Lykya, and Crystal Storm; the staff of Theater Off Jackson for their expertise in staging, recording, and editing these performances during a pandemic; and Chef Logan Niles and her team at Pot Pie Factory.

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Our Mission

We support emerging and underrepresented voices by providing writers with world-class instruction to empower their creation of wild and amazing worlds. Through conversation and public engagement, we bring those voices to an ever-expanding community.

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