This year’s fundraiser is brand new, and is a web-based text adventure game and book recommendation engine called The Story Oracle. Written and designed by Nebula-award-winning game writers alongside Clarion West alumni and board members, the fundraiser runs from June 21st through August 1st, and supports Clarion West’s mission supporting emerging and underrepresented voices in speculative fiction.

Clarion West’s annual summer fundraiser is running through August 1st at The Story Oracle.

Clarion West has been a hub for inclusive writing workshops, author events, and meaningful connection for over 40 years and seeks to find an innovative path to maintaining its programs during a challenging time for arts organizations around the country! 

Every Story Oracle donation supports Clarion West’s work and concludes with up to 10 book recommendations in return. Players follow the game through an underground labyrinth where their choices create a custom list of recommended reading provided by Martha Wells, Fonda Lee, Sheree Renée Thomas, Cory Doctorow, Nisi Shawl, and other well-loved authors. Larger donation options are available for players who would like to receive copies of their recommended books in the mail. 

Participants can play twice with a donation as low as $5. More information and game links can be found here.

About Clarion West: Clarion West is a nonprofit literary organization that supports emerging and underrepresented writers with world-class instruction and opportunities for connection. The organization runs the acclaimed six-week workshop every summer, a nine-month novel writing workshop, online and in-person classes, a library of on-demand classes, public readings and panels, and other events throughout the year; the program provides year-round programs to over 1,500 writers annually.

[Based on a press release.]