Writing Prompt: Write an ecotopia!

Inspired by our readings.

We recently studied three socialist utopias: Edward Bellamy’s Looking Backward, William Morris’ News from Nowhere, and Troy Vettese and Drew Pendergrass’ Half Earth Socialism.

Each book shares a unique utopian vision using socialist ideas but as many of you pointed out in the comments they all seem pretty far-fetched today.

But that’s why this is a great opportunity for us to think through one aspect of these utopian visions that we do find relevant and/or important today, and that we’d be interested in bringing into our future. And I’d love to invite you to write a short story that takes place in that world.

Maybe you were interested in:

• The absence of land ownership

• Protected wilderness

• A world without work

• A world without technology

• Self-education through books

• Equal pay

• A world without capitalism

• Communal housing

• Communal cooking

• Garden cities

• Preserving the earth

• Universal healthcare

• Voting on plans instead of politicians

Or any other theme from those books that caught your eye! Whatever inspired you in our quick study of socialist utopias, I’d love to invite you to write a short story set in that more beautiful future.

Write and publish the story in your Substack newsletter and then share the link to it in the comments:

You have the month of July to write/publish your stories. Link your story the comments—I’ll be sharing mine (and yours) soon!

Thanks for writing a better future into existence with me,

Elle Griffin