Creative Writing Minor

Creative writing is for anyone who wishes to engage with communication and storytelling.

Through the creative writing minor you'll acquire the tools you'll need to express your own unique voice. You'll share your stories, experiences and truths in a supportive environment. You'll be empowered to explore literary traditions through stories, poems and creative nonfiction. Prepare to share your voice with the world.

What will I learn?

Creative writing courses encourage you to critically engage with texts. You will learn strategies for creative expression through clarity, concision and audience engagement. You'll gain the tools and strategies to revise your work for publication. You will become familiar with the publishing world and renowned authors. We bring internationally renowned visiting writers and editors to campus.

  • Hadara Bar-Nadav
  • Stephanie Burt
  • Jennifer Chang
  • Dana Levin
  • Rachel Eliza Griffiths
  • T. Geronimo Johnson
  • Donika Kelly
  • Rebecca Makkai
  • Curtis Sittenfeld
  • Natasha Trethewey

View Curriculum: Creative Writing Minor

 

Program Highlights

Creative writing is for the aspiring novelist, memoirist or poet. It is also for anyone who wants to communicate or tell stories in a variety of contexts.
  • Hands-On Learning

    You will sharpen your skills by working directly with faculty on your creative writing. You will attend readings by national award-winning authors. You will also have opportunities to attend panels and talks by literary agents, writers and teachers for advice. You will learn how to apply your skills to various sectors and careers, and receive support on applying to M.F.A. and Ph.D. programs, writing residencies, fellowships and internships. 

  • Senior Project

    Our program offers two capstone courses. You may take the advanced workshop in fiction writing or the advanced workshop in poetry writing. Both courses are designed for you to write, revise and complete a portfolio of creative writing suitable to be submitted for publication. Capstone courses are also designed to help you gain confidence and expertise. You'll be prepared for a career in writing, editing or publishing.

  • Careers & Outcomes

    Alumni have been accepted to top-tier M.F.A. and Ph.D. programs in creative writing, including Cornell University and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. They’ve published books with presses, including W.W. Norton/Liveright and Autumn House Press. Recent students have won national writing awards, including a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Literature. Graduates have landed jobs as editors at literary journals and commercial magazines. They have also earned tenure-track teaching jobs.