Writing Programs
Writing programs can be helpful, but are not necessary to getting published. The bottom line for editors is the quality of your writing. However, these programs can help you to refine your skills. Writing groups can also help you refine skills and get helpful feedback. Many writers have 'day jobs' in a variety of professions, and these work experiences inform and inspire their writing.
Bachelor's programs
Most colleges and universities offer a creative writing major or minor. These kinds of programs can provide you with some of the best editing and feedback on your writing. Most classes center around 'workshopping' and feedback from your professor. USA Today provides a list of the top 10 best American colleges for writing.
When researching programs:
When researching programs:
- Check out faculty within the writing program. This will help you discover the strengths of the programs and on which genres the faculty focus.
- If you find faculty you would really like to work with, that is a good indication that you will be satisfied with that particular program.
- Remember, the most expensive program is not necessarily the best for you.
- Email the professors, students, and alumni who have graduated from the programs in which you are interested. They will be able to tell you a lot more about the program than what you will find merely from searching the website. You can ask questions about the writing styles of faculty, what genres are strongly supported, and the success of graduating students
- Take all of these things into account when choosing your writing program.
Master of Fine Arts Programs
The MFA in creative writing is great for those who wish to teach creative writing at the college level. While going to college, you might discover that you want to mentor other young and emerging authors.
Listed below are a couple resources for finding programs:
Listed below are a couple resources for finding programs:
- US News and World Report has ranked MFA programs. Not only have they included up to 206 rankings, they have listed additional programs that have not been ranked.
- The Association of Writers & Writing Programs has an extensive database that you can search by location, school size, genre, or level of study.