The Speculative Literature Foundation is pleased to announce Deirra Clyburn as the winner of the 2023 Working Class Writers Grant.
The Working Class Writers Grant intends to support speculative fiction writers who are working class, blue-collar, financially disadvantaged, or homeless, who have been historically underrepresented in speculative fiction due to financial barriers which make it hard to access the writing world. Such lack of access might include an inability to purchase a computer, books, and tuition, or to attend conventions or workshops. Often, these writers, many of whom work more than one job, have less time to write. The SLF seeks to bring more of these marginalized voices into speculative fiction.
Clyburn’s winning piece is called “A Second Skin.”
Deirra Clyburn is a writer and illustrator based in Richmond, Virginia but has roots in Newark, New Jersey. In her writing, diversity is a driving force and inspiration. She loves to explore themes of estrangement, found family and romantic love through a speculative and supernatural lense. When she’s not writing, she spends her free time crocheting, drawing and making zines. And sometimes watching The Nanny reruns. She is a recipient of the 2016 silver key in the Scholastics art and writing award. She is currently working on her very 1st novel Nova and has a handful of short stories posted on her website www.deirrawrites.Wordpress.com.
