Please write a complete short story (no pieces of longer work) in the genre of Coming-of-Age
Heist. This story should be between 5000 and 15000 words (give or take a bit). Your story is
due by 6am on the Friday before your workshop date; check the updated syllabus for a
reminder of what that date is.
The way you interpret this genre mix is up to you. If I can see how the story could fit into this
mix, you will get credit for adhering to that part of the assignment. If I can’t, we’ll have a chat.
Trigger warnings for sensitive content are up to the author. Surprise is an important part of
fiction, but remember that most times a reader can just put a book down if it starts to bother
them. It’s a bit different when work is required reading for a class. Please let me know if you
have questions or concerns about this.
Stories are graded on:
Effort (as perceived by me). I’ll be looking primarily at the care taken in constructing the
story. Among other things: Are motivations clear? Does the setting and
description support the emotion of the scene (or contrast with it in an
interesting way)? Is the point of view consistent, or (at least) not
confusing?
Timeliness. In other words, meeting the due date. Points will be deducted based on
how late the story is; if you get a story in after your workshop date without
an excuse you might still get a C, but I won’t be happy.
Adherence to the assignment (genre, length, and completeness).
