The Writers Studio

The Original School of Creative Writing and Thinking, est. 1987

The Writers Studio New York

IN-PERSON CLASSES

NYC Level 1, 2, and Advanced Poetry classes will be held in person at the Village Community School at 272 West 10th Street in the West Village. Proof of vaccination and masks are required to attend in-person classes.

VIRTUAL CLASSES

For those NYC Level 1 students who prefer a virtual class, there will be a Thursday class held via Google Meet. NYC Level 3/4 and NYC Memoir classes will continue to meet at their scheduled times via Google Meet.

Any NYC classes that meet remotely are open to students from outside of the New York City area.

The Writers Studio, founded in 1987 by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Philip Schultz, offers ongoing writing workshops — both on site and online — designed to help students discover and nurture their own voices. We welcome students at all stages, from those who have only dreamed of writing fiction or poetry to those with MFAs hungry for additional serious, ongoing instruction. Students provide the desire to write and the willingness to learn, and we provide the structure, the technical know-how, the professional feedback and the friendly community to enable them to reach their full potential.

Our in-person New York City classes take place in an informal classroom setting in lower Manhattan. We understand how vulnerable students can feel sharing their words with a room full of strangers, so we take care to make everyone feel at home. In just a couple of weeks, a remarkable degree of solidarity and trust tend to develop in each workshop.

In Level 1, the emphasis is on building a solid foundation in craft as students do exercises designed to introduce them to a wide array of new narrative approaches. We also teach students to give constructive, supportive feedback. We work to assure that critiques build on each other, so that students never leave the class with a head full of conflicting reactions and suggestions. As students move up through the levels, the basic structure of the workshops remains the same, but the level of sophistication grows across the board. Assignments become more challenging to meet the increasing skill and understanding of the students. In the upper levels students are generally working on longer pieces, but they continue to do exercises, always honing their skills and deepening their understanding.

All students new to The Writers Studio in New York City start at Level 1. Since we approach teaching with our own method and vocabulary, even experienced writers with publications and/or MFAs will find plenty that is new and challenging in Level 1.

We also encourage our New York City students to take advantage of our other local events: the Craft Class and our ongoing reading series. Each year we showcase the work of favorite literary journals, new and established published authors, and the work of our own students and teachers. Students invite their families and friends to these events, which helps us introduce The Writers Studio to the larger community.

For more information, please call us at (212) 255-7075 or visit us on Facebook .

Available NYC Courses

The writers studio, online and local communities.

New to The Writers Studio? Start here .

San Francisco

Hudson river towns, craft class, tutorial program, all memoir courses.

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23 Best Creative Writing Classes in New York

Showing 23 courses that match your search.

Advanced Business Writing

Career Centers

This course teaches how to craft complex business documents, focusing on outlining, formatting, and using informative and persuasive techniques. It covers everything from determining the document's purpose and audience to planning and execution. Prior business writing proficiency is required, and the course is beneficial for those looking to enhance their professional writing skills​​​​​​.

Website: https://training-nyc.com/courses/advanced-business-writin...

Categories: Business

Start date:

Open all year round

Prerequisites: Business writing proficiency equivalent to our Effective Business Writing course is required.

Tucson Workshop (Mahaffey) - Spring 2024

The Writers Studio

The Writers Studio Tucson Workshop is open to both beginning and experienced writers eager to learn the elements of craft, including first- and third-person narrators, tone and mood. An important goal of the workshop is to help writers understand that a narrative voice is born out of conscious creation.

Website: https://courses.writerstudio.com/courses/tucson-workshop-...

Categories: Fiction and Poetry

April, 2024

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Playwriting Workshop Class

The Acting Studio

This class is an exploration of playwriting and its basic fundamentals. Our work is read aloud as a group, followed by discussion, and inspiring new writing of each other. The core focus of the class is on developing your voice as a writer.

Website: https://www.actingstudio.com/acting-classes/playwrights/b...

Categories: Playwriting

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Explode, Careen, Compress: Approaching the Poetic Line

Brooklyn Poets

For five weeks, we'll discuss the ways in which poets use the line to different effect. We'll read (and write) poems that deal in compression, poems that suspend time and air, poems that seem to careen off the page, and poems that defy all the poetic "rules" of the line.

Website: https://brooklynpoets.org/workshops/all/writing-desire/

Categories: Poetry

Prerequisites: A writing sample of 5 pages of poems is required.

Sports Storytelling

The School of The New York Times

This course delves into journalistic techniques to tell compelling sports stories. It includes writing exercises, class discussions, guest speakers, site visits, and attending sporting events. Students learn basic reporting and storytelling skills, focusing on news judgment, researching, and writing articles. The course also features visits to iconic sports locations in New York and lectures from renowned sports journalists​​​​​​.

Website: https://nytedu.com/courses/pre-college/sports-storytelling/

Categories: Sports

Prerequisites: Open to rising 10-12 students.

15-Week Screenwriting Workshop

New York Film Academy

NYFA’s Screenwriting School provides a range of programs for aspiring screenwriters, including degree programs (AFA, BFA, MFA) and workshops. Courses cover various media, like TV, web series, films, comic books, and playwriting. Students gain practical skills and develop a portfolio, with options for both in-person and online learning. Short-term workshops focus on specific skills like comedy writing, TV writing, and feature screenwriting​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

Website: https://www.nyfa.edu/screenwriting-school/

Categories: Screenplay

Technical Writing Course

Learning Tree International

This course is tailored for individuals seeking to improve their technical writing skills, particularly in technical communication. It covers techniques for planning, writing, and editing technical documents, focusing on audience assessment, document format selection, and effective use of visuals and graphics. The course aims to equip participants with the ability to convey complex subject matter clearly and create informative content for their readers.

Website: https://www.learningtree.com/courses/technical-writing-co...

Categories: Technical

Upright Citizens Brigade

UCB's Improv 101 course offers an introduction to the fundamentals of improv and comedy. It's ideal for those seeking to enhance their performance skills, public speaking, or just have fun. The course includes eight 3-hour sessions, a class show, and free access to UCB shows​​​​​​​​​​.

Website: https://ucbcomedy.com/courses/?eventtemplate=42-improv-10...

Categories: Comedy

Travel Writing

Gotham Writers

Ideal for beginners, this 10-week workshop delves into travel writing. Participants will engage in lectures, exercises, and student project critiques, gaining a solid foundation in the essential skills and techniques for effective travel writing.

Website: https://wp.writingclasses.com/courses/travel-writing/

Categories: Travel

Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing I

Tailored for aspiring writers of science fiction and fantasy, this 10-week workshop covers the basics of the genre. It includes lectures, exercises, and critiques, making it a great starting point for beginners or a refresher for those already familiar with the basics.

Website: https://wp.writingclasses.com/courses/science-fiction-fan...

Categories: Science Fiction and Fantasy

Playwriting I

A 10-week introductory course in playwriting, suitable for beginners. The workshop includes a series of lectures, practical writing exercises, and critiques of student projects, focusing on the fundamental techniques of playwriting.

Website: https://wp.writingclasses.com/courses/playwriting-i/

Memoir Writing I

This 10-week workshop is designed for beginners or those seeking to revisit the basics of memoir writing. It offers a blend of lectures, exercises, and student project critiques, providing a comprehensive introduction to memoir writing.

Website: https://wp.writingclasses.com/courses/memoir-writing-i/

Categories: Memoir and Nonfiction

So you’re looking for creative writing classes in New York

New York is a literary town. From the lauded Nobel Prize winners to the titanic authors that have emerged from New York City, there’s no denying its storied (pun intended) literary history, or the towering role that this city that never sleeps has played in shaping the landscape of our imagination. So there may be no better way to learn the craft of writing than by taking a creative writing class in New York.

This directory of the best writing courses in New York is meant to help you locate the right one for yourself.  We’ve included filters for price and genre so that you can quickly sort through the writing classes. And before you commit to any one writing class, consider the following questions:

  • Who is the instructor?
  • What is the price of the writing course?
  • How far away is the writing course in New York? Is there a remote alternative?
  • How long could the course last?

Got any questions about finding the right writing class in New York for you? Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] . Good luck!

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  • Program of Study
  • Course Offerings

Program in Creative Writing

as.nyu.edu/cwp Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House, 58 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10011-8702 • 212-998-8816

Professor Landau

The New York University Program in Creative Writing, among the most distinguished programs in the country, is a leading national center for the study of writing and literature. The undergraduate and graduate programs provide students with an opportunity to develop their craft while working closely with some of the finest poets and novelists writing today. The creative writing program occupies a lovely townhouse on West 10th Street in the same Greenwich Village neighborhood where so many writers have lived and worked. The Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House allows writers—both established and emerging—to share their work in an inspiring setting.

The program's distinguished faculty of award-winning poets and prose writers represents a wide array of contemporary aesthetics. Our instructors have been the recipients of Pulitzer Prizes, MacArthur Genius, Guggenheim, and NEA fellowships, National Book and National Book Critics Circle awards, Pushcart Prizes, the Whiting Writer's Award, and more.

Undergraduates are encouraged to attend the program's reading series, which brings both established and new writers to NYU. Writing prizes, special events, and our undergraduate literary journal,  West 10th , further complement our course offerings and provide a sense of community for undergraduate writers. If you have questions about the minor in creative writing, please contact us at  [email protected] .

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new york creative writing course

The 17 best writing classes in NYC

Harness your inner Zadie Smith at these stellar writing workshops for every type of writer on every type of budget

Whether you want to write the next murder mystery and hope it gets picked up by Hollywood directors, or  you want to ensure that your work emails and reports are concise, grammatically correct and rhetorically sound , these writing classes in NYC will help you put those ideas onto paper. And hopefully into some of the best independent bookstores and NYC libraries (fingers crossed!). The remarkable literary institutions employ authors-cum-teachers to teach courses in everything from personal essays to poetry, so you’re sure to find a discipline that suits you. And if you need inspiration, re-reading the best books about New York should do the trick. Enjoy.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to classes in NYC RECOMMENDED: The best BYOB painting classes in NYC

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our   affiliate   guidelines .

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NYC writing classes

Advanced Business Writing

1.  Advanced Business Writing

Once you have your grasp on the essentials of grammar and writing (like knowing what a semicolon actually does), you’ll want to enroll in a more advanced course to ensure every word you write is chosen with precision. In this course, you’ll learn how to analyze your audience, shape your tone and message for persuasion, education or communication and you’ll work on various strategies for planning your writing and ensuring that you are utilizing rhetorical tools and informative structures properly. At the end of the course, you’ll have sample writing projects that you can add to your job portfolio and you will be ready to use your writing as a tool to further your career.

Effective Business Writing

2.  Effective Business Writing

While creatives may want to learn how to write the next great American novel, there are a lot of professional reasons that one might want to improve their writing skills. Virtually every job will require some form of communication between individuals and departments and the ability to write coherent emails, proposals, memos or updates is an important skill if you want to survive in an office environment. Learning the fine art of grammar and the practical skills needed to communicate cleanly will pay dividends in the long-term.

3.  Creative Writing 101: 6 Weeks

One of the most inviting aspects of creative writing is how diverse of a field it is once you scratch the surface. Whether you are interested in writing poetry, short-fiction, long-form prose or even creative non-fiction or memoirs, you won’t need to look hard to find a vibrant community of fellow writers. In this introductory creative writing course, you can learn fundamental skills that can be applied to almost any genre of writing and you can get hands-on experience working in fictional and non-fictional styles to acclimate yourself to the variety of different styles of writing that you can learn and practice.

4.  Fiction Writing Level 1: 10 Week Workshop

If you are interested in flexing your creative muscles, you can enroll in an introductory fiction and poetry workshop to start looking for your own personal muse. In this course, students will all about the process of writing fiction and poetry. No one writes a world-changing poem on their first go and this class is about learning the art of revising, editing and expanding on your work in order to take the germ of an idea and turn it into a completed piece that expresses your own creative desires. Whether you are looking to write short form poetry or you want to write a 13-book series in your favorite brand of genre fiction, learning these basic techniques will be a vital boon to your work.

Grammar Essentials

5.  Grammar Essentials

English grammar is incredibly (and often needlessly complicated). Did you know that the reason you aren’t supposed to split infinitives is because someone in the 19th century wanted English to sound more like Latin? Well, if the basics of grammar continue to give you problems, you should consider enrolling in a course like this one. Here, you’ll get practical lessons in the art of writing clean sentences that clearly communicate your intended message and ensure that your writing isn’t giving readers the wrong impressions.

6.  Just Write

One of the biggest stumbling blocks that new writers face is that they overthink the preparation work and skimp on the writing work. Like any skill, you learn to write by practicing and the best way to do that is to write. In this regularly-held three-hour seminar, writers are encouraged to do just that: sit around a table and bang out some words while enduring the silent judgment of their peers (who are also using this as a time they are forced to write). While there is time for discussion, critique (and socializing), the outline of this program is simple: Just write.

Business Writing Bootcamp

7.  Business Writing Bootcamp

If you want a complete business writing education, consider enrolling in a business writing bootcamp. This course pairs the grammar lessons and technical writing skills of an introductory course with the rhetorical and persuasive writing training of an advanced writing course. This makes it a one-stop experience for students with minimal writing experience to start to master the important aspects of business writing. Improve your career opportunities and help improve the quality of your persuasive and informative projects with one of these immersive bootcamps.

Personal Essay Writing Intensive

8.  Personal Essay Writing Intensive

The personal essay has become a rather popular form of writing for mass consumption in recent years, particularly as the barriers to publishing short form content have been lowered (were one truly inclined, social media platforms make it almost effortless). In this class, you’ll learn how to brainstorm ideas and plan out the structure of the personal essay and how to build both pathos and ethos in your experiences and arguments. Similar to memoir writing, personal essay writing is about leveraging your own personal experience as a rhetorical tool and it is practical whether you are trying to persuade an audience, sell yourself to a company or institution or make a profession out of Op-Ed writing.

Stand-up Comedy One Day Intensive

9.  Stand-up Comedy One Day Intensive

Do you want to perform? Want to make people laugh? Want to tour the country? Well, consider learning stand-up comedy. While professional stand-up comedians make it look off-the-cuff, the process of writing a good stand-up routine involves a lot of fine-tuning and revision, particularly as you workshop jokes and tighten the set. In this intensive course, you’ll get a chance to try out some new material, get feedback and start the process of refining your jokes in front of professional comedy writers. Whether you are hoping to punch up a bit or start your first routine, this intrusive course will help you start refining your comedic voice.

The Editor’s Eye Intensive

10.  The Editor’s Eye Intensive

Not all aspects of writing are about being creative. Making sure that your work is properly edited, free of errors and written as tightly as you would prefer is an essential step to getting your work published. This course will help students learn the basics of editing so that they can identify things like improper grammar, incorrect word usage, clunky and awkwards sentences and overly verbose writing. This program also aims to help students develop the professional skills needed to work as an editor (since companies hire professional editors and freelance writers who don’t like editing will pay a pretty penny to have someone else handle it).

Screenwriting I: 10-Week Workshop

11.  Screenwriting I: 10-Week Workshop

If you have an idea that you think would be perfect for the big screen, you should consider enrolling in this immersive screenwriting workshop. Writing a screenplay isn’t like writing other forms of long-form fiction, so you’ll want to get focused training on how to write scripts that are cinematic, compelling and, most importantly, marketable. You’ll learn the art of writing dialogue, stage directions and providing actors and directors with the information they need to bring your vision to life. Whether you are interested in arthouse cinema or want to pen the next famous blockbuster, you’ll benefit from taking this course.

Memoir Writing Intensive

12.  Memoir Writing Intensive

If the personal essay aims to make an argument, then the memoir aims to tell a story. In this course, you’ll learn the art of transforming your personal experience into a compelling narrative that entices readers and helps make a broader point about how your experiences tell us something about the world. Slightly distinct from creative non-fiction, memoir writing is possibly the most personal style of writing that you can engage in. While memoirs have traditionally been associated with powerful heads of state and significant thinkers, the genre has become more welcoming to the perspective of the everyday, and in  this course, you’ll learn how your own lived experiences can become the thing of memoir greatness.

Songwriting Intensive

13.  Songwriting Intensive

Acclaimed songwriter Taylor Swift was recently named Time Magazine ’s Person of the Year, suggesting that writing music can have globe altering implications. If you want to learn the basics of professional songwriting and emulate your favorite music icon, consider enrolling in this songwriting course. This course will teach students how to write popular music, how to craft a perfect tune to go along with the lyrics and how to market the music to studios, producers and labels. This course covers a range of different genres, so whether you want to write R&B, pop, rockabilly, hip-hop or smooth jazz, this course will help you develop your skills and start writing the next great earworm.

Playwriting Intensive

14.  Playwriting Intensive

Live theater is one of the oldest forms of creative writing, dating back, at least to the early Grecians (and likely existed in some form even before the development of systematized writing). If you want to flex your inner Shakespeare, Beckett or Tennesse Williams, consider enrolling in this intensive playwriting course. You’ll learn how to transform the empty stage into a real world and you’ll learn how to write your plays to give the actors the tools they need to deliver the best performances possible. Writing for the stage is its own unique challenge and this course will give you the experience you need to start staging your own masterwork. Plus, for any aspiring Hammersteins, the course can also help you begin to write musicals.

Plot 1: Mechanics 3-week Intensive

15.  Plot 1: Mechanics 3-week Intensive

Hollywood screenplays, like all narrative, rely on structure to scaffold the story and build audience investment. Whether you are working with the traditional three-act structure most common to feature films, the five-act structures of classic stage plays or the one or two act structures common to modernist works, you’ll want to understand why narratives are structured in certain ways and how to use these structures to your advantage when writing a screenplay. This course will teach students the math that goes into writing a structured screenplay and give them hands-on practice scaffolding their story beats.

16.  Social Media Content Marketing: Blogs & Twitter at Noble Desktop

A lot of professional writing for mass audiences is now done online, with blogs and Twitter being important places to communicate and persuade your audience (like this article is doing now and in this class you’ll learn whether or not meta commentary like this helps your content marketing). In this class, you’ll get hands-on experience working with professional content writers to help you set goals, build marketing strategies and create a voice for your company or organization. You will also learn how to create a coherent brand identity for your online content and how to use platforms like Twitter to expand your reach, build a customer base and keep that base engaged with your content.

17.  Character Creation

Characters can really make or break a story. This Character creation class is a compact workshop for character creating and development, to help give you the skills to make your story work. The workshop will focus on areas like principles of characterization, consistency and effects of dialogue, plus more to help with your character-building and storytelling. It's a two-hour session with a teacher, working anywhere that suits you both and 1-2-1 to ensure you have thorough guidance and help. 

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Creative Writing Program

Creative Writing Hero

The New School invites you to join a community of diverse writers, become part of New York City’s publishing world, and build a network of support on campus and beyond. Our prestigious MFA Creative Writing program is designed to help you develop your writing in supportive workshops and literature seminars led by an internationally recognized faculty and renowned authors.

books published annually by alumni and faculty

annual writing events, including the National Book Awards Finalist Reading

of admitted MFA students awarded merit-based university scholarships (2020–2021)

MFA in Creative Writing

MFA in Creative Writing

As an MFA student at The New School, you can choose your concentration—in Arts Writing, Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, or Writing for Children and Young Adults—and receive personalized faculty mentorship and faculty and peer critiques. Innovative courses in publishing and multimedia storytelling engage you in the development of literature. Popular graduate minors include Impact Entrepreneurship and Transmedia and Digital Storytelling . Or you can apply to WriteOn NYC! , a New School–funded fellowship program providing MFA students with high-quality teaching experience in area middle schools and high schools. All students benefit from evening classes and events, which enable them to work or attend responsibilities during the day while enrolled in a  full-time program.

Related Programs

Undergraduate and Non-Credit Programs

In addition to the renowned MFA in Creative Writing, The New School offers other programs and opportunities for writing students. These include noncredit courses and summer intensives, as well as an undergraduate major in the Bachelor’s Program for Adults and Transfer Students, the Writing and Democracy Honors Program, and undergraduate minors in related fields. Summer Writing Intensive Continuing Education Courses Writing & Democracy Honors Program BA in Creative Writing Undergraduate Creative Writing Courses

Faculty

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The Writer’s Life in NYC

The Writer’s Life in NYC

Creative Writing students come to The New School from across the United States and around the world to live the writer's life in New York City. Evenings with agents and editors, offered exclusively for MFA students, provide informal opportunities to meet publishing professionals.

The New School Bookshelf

We are proud to feature books recently published by The New School's Creative Writing community.

The New School Bookshelf - The Friend

Sigrid Nunez, Faculty

The New School Bookshelf - Hurricane Child

Hurricane Child

Kacen callender, mfa '14.

The New School Bookshelf - The Impeachers

The Impeachers

Brenda wineapple, faculty.

The New School Bookshelf - The January Children

The January Children

Safia elhillo, mfa '15.

The New School Bookshelf - Good Talk

Mira Jacob, Faculty and MFA '01

Events & news.

Critical Essay: Margo Jefferson

Critical Essay: Margo Jefferson

In Conversation: Honor Moore and Brigid Hughes

In Conversation: Honor Moore and Brigid Hughes

School of Media Studies | Creative Writing Program Recognition Ceremony and Receptions

School of Media Studies | Creative Writing Program Recognition Ceremony and Receptions

  • The Vera List Center for Art and Politics Presents New School New Books Event Series
  • Adrian Madlener, History of Design and Curatorial Studies ’18, Explores Design Through Writing and Research
  • The Vera List Center for Art and Politics Hosts Reading Room Featuring Faculty Books
  • Richard Barone, School of Jazz and Contemporary Music Faculty Member, Debuts New Book about Music Scene in 1960’s Greenwich Village
  • New Faculty Achievements from Across The New School Include Fellowships, Grants, and More
  • Alexandra Kleeman, SPE Assistant Professor of Writing, Awarded Guggenheim Fellowship in Fiction

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To apply to any of our Master's, Doctoral, Professional Studies Diploma, and Graduate Certificate programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

Published September 13, 2023

A Tale of Three Cities: NYU’s Summer Creative Writing Programs

Staff Writer

  • Aspiring writers can spend a month honing their craft in Paris, Florence, or New York City.
  • These summer programs are open to current NYU undergrads as well as visiting students.
  • Writers immerse themselves in their cities and learn from leading literary and creative minds.

Writers draw inspiration from their own experiences, and for many, global cities become their muse. At NYU, aspiring poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers can enroll in a monthlong immersive summer program through the College of Arts and Science . Participants choose between Paris, Florence, and New York City, and then hone their creative writing skills against the backdrop of an iconic city. Below, three aspiring wordsmiths share their experiences living a writer’s life.

A group of students walking over a bridge in Paris on an overcast day.

Enjoy a Moveable Feast in Paris

NYU English and American Literature major Isean Bhalla chose to study in Paris because a friend completed the program and loved it. Their endorsement? “‘It was the greatest month of my life,’ word for word,” Isean recalls. “Plus, one does not say no to Paris. Ever.” Reflecting back, Isean credits growing as a creative writer to the program’s high-quality faculty and “excellent” nightly readings from “world-class writers.” “It gave me a greater understanding of my own voice as well as things I want to write about in the future,” Isean affirms.

Most importantly, however, Writers in Paris connected Isean to an inspiring community that was rich in writing talent and friendship. “The program put me in constant contact with other writers who were better than I was. They pushed me in ways I couldn’t. Being around writers 24/7 doesn’t sound like it’s that important, but I found it more stimulating for my writing than anything else. That’s all anyone ever talked about or thought about. So we’d feed off each other and get better.” And, of course, being in Paris didn’t hurt. Isean says, “Paris is a muse; Paris has always been a muse; and I suspect Paris will always be a muse.”

A student reading a book in their dorm room in Florence.

Get a Room with a View in Florence

Katherine Ertman always considered writing a hobby, but after attending Writers in Florence , she realized it could be a career. The NYU Vocal Performance major is training to be an opera singer, but in Florence, she found that “writing my own stories instead of performing stories written by others was a refreshing experience.” In fact, Katherine spent the past summer completing a Creative Writing minor by enrolling in both Writers in Florence and Writers in Paris. “It seemed like an amazing opportunity to complete all 16 credits while exploring two inspiring European cities,” she explains.

In Florence Katherine drew inspiration from a day trip to Castello di Fosdinovo, a Tuscan medieval castle. In Paris she attended readings by renowned authors outside the iconic Shakespeare and Company bookstore. “The locations really influenced me, and I ended up writing a few stories set in both locations,” Katherine says. In the end, she urges anyone interested to enroll, even if they’ve never shared their creative writing with others. “Just try it!” she exclaims. “Writing was a hobby for me, and I went in without any prior workshop experience. Also, I was intimidated because I’m not an English major. However, my fears were unfounded because the faculty and students alike were so supportive. It’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world.”

A group of students spending time on the lawns in Washington Square Park in New York City.

A Writer Grows in New York City

Esmé Warmuth grew up close to New York City, admiring the city from afar but never spending much time there. So when the English major learned that she could join NYU’s Writers in New York program as a visiting student , she jumped at the chance. “I’ve been a longtime admirer of NYU’s creative writing faculty,” she adds. Living in Greenwich Village, Esmé connected with published authors, literary agents, and magazine editors, gaining valuable professional experience. She particularly enjoyed a panel with program alumni. “It was helpful to hear from authors who had started where we were and wound up with book deals, jobs teaching creative writing, and overall successful careers,” she explains.

During her month in New York City, Esmé sharpened her skills as a writer and gained confidence in her abilities. “Receiving, giving, and listening to advice in class helped me grow my craft and gave me the opportunity to share my writing with a receptive and positive audience,” she says. All in all, the experience was better than she could have imagined. “The Writers in New York program was like nothing I ever experienced before,” she concludes. “Being among students my age who were just as passionate about books and writing as I am was wonderful. Plus, everyone came in with a great attitude and a willingness to learn. I’m very grateful.”

A Creative Writing Minor Complements Any Major

Across majors and around the world, NYU students find the value in a Creative Writing minor.

A Guide to Writing Majors at NYU

At NYU, English and creative writing aren’t the only options for aspiring writers!

Find Joie de Vivre at NYU Paris

At NYU Paris, you can practice your French, take courses at local institutions, and soak in the French capital’s storied culture.

CCNY English Department

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Program overview.

The Creative Writing Program at The City College of New York is in its fourth decade. Since its inception some of the most distinguished writers in America have taught here at our West Harlem campus, including Donald Barthelme, Gwendolyn Brooks, Kurt Vonnegut, Marilyn Hacker, William Matthews, Grace Paley and Susan Sontag. The mission of our program is simple: We want every student to find his or her unique voice, whether through fiction, nonfiction, drama, screenwriting, experimental or genre fiction and/or poetry, while simultaneously preparing them for life beyond graduate school as writers, teachers and scholars. Graduates of the Creative Writing Program at The City College of New York have gone on to win the Pulitzer Prize, the Pushcart Prize, the Guggenheim Fellowship, the Fulbright Award, the O. Henry Award, a Grammy Award and more.

The legacy continues with recent alumni having work published by Simon & Schuster, St. Martin’s Press, Ampersand, Lyons Press, as well as having a presence on the New York Times Best Sellers list. In a program curriculum of advanced writing workshops and courses in English and American Literature, our distinguished faculty is dedicated to the intellectual growth and literary success of our students.

Finally, despite its prime location and storied past, the City College’s MFA program is dedicated to remaining at a fraction of the cost of similar programs in New York City. We welcome our MFAs to attend the program at their own pace as full-time or part-time students. We believe in access and opportunity not for just a select few, but for all those who believe in the life of literature and who take the craft of writing seriously.

Feature:  ‘The Blue-Collar Harvard’ INSIDE HIGHER ED article features CCNY’s MFA program

Feature:  MFA Program Profile: Emily Raboteau on CCNY Recent MFA project, funded by the LUCE Foundation: Archives as Muse: A Harlem Storytelling Project A podcast interview on the MFA Program in Creative Writing on Indoor Voices, Episode 65.

For more information about the MFA in Creative Writing program, course offerings, and distinguished faculty, please visit our  CUNY Commons website .

Creative Writing (Minor)

Program description , minor declaration.

The New York University Program in Creative Writing, among the most distinguished programs in the country, is a leading national center for the study of writing and literature. The undergraduate and graduate programs provide students with an opportunity to develop their craft while working closely with some of the finest poets and novelists writing today. The creative writing program occupies a lovely townhouse on West 10th Street in the same Greenwich Village neighborhood where so many writers have lived and worked. The Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House allows writers—both established and emerging—to share their work in an inspiring setting.

The program's distinguished faculty of award-winning poets and prose writers represents a wide array of contemporary aesthetics. Our instructors have been the recipients of Pulitzer Prizes, MacArthur Genius, Guggenheim, and NEA fellowships, National Book and National Book Critics Circle awards, Pushcart Prizes, the Whiting Writer's Award, and more.

Undergraduates are encouraged to attend the program's reading series, which brings both established and new writers to NYU. Writing prizes, special events, and our undergraduate literary journal,  West 10th , further complement our course offerings and provide a sense of community for undergraduate writers. If you have questions about the minor in creative writing, please contact us at  [email protected] .

To request declaration of a minor, CAS students should visit the host department. To request declaration of a cross-school minor, CAS students should complete the online Minor Application available in their Albert Student Center. Students may also use the  Minor Application  in Albert to request cancellation of a CAS or cross-school minor.

Program Requirements

The minor requires the completion of 16 credits, comprised of the following:

General Information

The introductory workshop CRWRI-UA 815 Creative Writing: Intro Prose & Poetry , or the study away course CRWRI-UA 9815 Creative Writing , is generally the required foundational course, to be followed by 12 additional credits from the program's CRWRI-UA course offerings.

However, students who begin their minor by taking one of the program's 8-credit summer intensives—Writers in New York (CRWRI-UA 818, 819, or 835), Writers in Paris (CRWRI-UA 9818 or 9819), or Writers in Florence (CRWRI-UA 9828 or 9829)—are not required to take the introductory workshop (CRWRI-UA 815, CRWRI-UA 9815, or equivalent). Following completion of one of these 8-credit intensives, students may take advanced coursework in the same genre as their summer intensive and/or move directly into an intermediate workshop in an alternative genre. Students may also repeat an 8-credit summer intensive to complete the 16-credit minor. Intermediate and advanced workshops may be taken three times for credit.

Students wishing to begin the creative writing minor while studying away at an NYU site should register for CRWRI-UA 9815 Creative Writing or, if studying away in the summer, for one of the 8-credit intensives offered in Paris and Florence (CRWRI-UA 9818, 9819, 9828, or 9829). These courses are not considered outside courses and will automatically be counted toward the creative writing minor. All other creative writing courses taken away require a petition for substitution and are subject to approval by the program.

Policies Applying to the Minor

Policy on course substitutions, nyu policies, college of arts and science policies.

The creative writing minor must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (C). No credit toward the minor is granted for grades of C- or lower, although such grades will be computed into the grade point average of the minor, as well as into the overall grade point average. No course to be counted toward the minor may be taken on a Pass/Fail basis.

Students may petition to apply a maximum of one outside course toward the minor, either as the introductory prerequisite (equivalent to CRWRI-UA 815 or 9815) or as an elective. An outside course is any NYU creative writing course without a CRWRI-UA rubric. To petition to substitute an outside course, students must complete the course substitution petition form (available on the program's website) and provide the course syllabus (as described on the petition form). The undergraduate programs manager will review the submitted syllabus to verify course level and determine substitution eligibility. Students must petition for course substitution prior to registration.

If the program pre-approves a non-NYU course for substitution, it can only be counted toward the minor if 1. the Office of the Associate Dean for Students in CAS has also approved the course credit for transfer, and 2. the student receives a grade of C or better.

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages .

A full list of relevant academic policies can be found on the CAS Academic Policies page . 

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Brooklyn College

Creative Writing, B.F.A.

School of humanities and social sciences, program overview.

As a creative writing major, you will join a community of students, faculty, and mentors who will help you develop as an imaginative writer and a bold thinker. You’ll pursue a course of study that combines training in the art and craft of writing alongside literary scholarship. Working closely with our active, publishing, and award-winning faculty, you’ll sharpen your expertise in reading and analyzing literature and develop your skills at creating meaningful, transformative narratives.

Creative Writing, B.F.A.

Where You'll Go

The skills you will learn as a creative writing major—how to read and think critically, how to write with precision and ingenuity, how to do research—will prepare you well to be a creative writer, grants writer, content strategist, editor, copywriter, social media manager, and more.

Major Details

The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2023–24 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here .

Major Requirements (47–52 Credits)

I. english 2120 and 2121 (8 credits).

English 2120 and 2121 are required. Creative writing majors should complete either English 2120 or 2121 , or be enrolled in one or the other, before continuing in other electives. No ENGL course numbered lower than 2115 may count toward the major.

II. Creative writing courses (16 credits)

  • English 2301 .
  • English 3301 , 3302 .
  • English 3304 , 3305 .
  • English 3306 , 3307 .
  • One additional creative writing courses in the English Department: ENGL 2302 , or any of the courses 3301–3307 that has not been used to satisfy requirement (ii)b.

III. Periods of Study (10-12 credits)

One course from from 900–1800 and two from 1800 to the present:

  • 900–1500: English 3111 , 3112 , 3520 , 4101 ; Comparative Literature 3614 .
  • 1500–1660: English 3120 , 3121 , 3122 , 3123 , 3124 , 3125 , 4102 ; Comparative Literature 3615 .
  • 1660–1800: English 3131 , 3132 , 3133 , 3234 , 4103 ; Comparative Literature 3616 .
  • 1800–1900: English 3140 , 3141 , 3142 , 3143 , 3145 , 3151 , 3156 , 3157 , 3158 , 3160 , 4104 , 4107 ; Comparative Literature 3606 , 3617 .
  • 1900–1950: English 2402 , 3152 , 3153 , 3156 , 3159 , 3160 , 3161 , 3162 , 3163 , 3164 , 3165 , 3170 , 3171 , 3172 , 3173 , 3193 , 4110 , 4107 , 4108 ; Comparative Literature 3607 , 3608 , 3610 , 3618 , 3622 , 3623 , 3624 , 3625 .
  • 1950–the Present: English 2402 , 3154 , 3161 , 3162 , 3166 , 3167 , 3174 , 3180 , 3187 , 3193 , 3194 , 3254 , 4109 , 4112 , 4113 , 4114 ; Comparative Literature 3609 , 3611 , 3619 , 3621 , 3622 , 3623 , 3625 , 4601 , 4602 .

IV. Electives (13-16 credits)

  • A) A course that addresses race/ethnicity or empire/post-colonialism (e.g., English 3158 , 3160 , 3161 , 3162 , 3166 , 3169 , 3182 , 3194 , 3234 , 3240 , 3526 , Comparative Literature 3620 , 3623 , 3625 , 3632 , or another course with permission of the chair)
  • B) A genre course, or a thematic studies course (addressing a theme such as memory, migration, environmental humanities, literature and psychology, gender and sexuality), or an interdisciplinary studies course (English 3156 , 3157 , 3158 , 3159 , 3163 , 3181 , 3182 , 3183 , 3184 , 3185 , 3186 , 3188 , 3189 , 3190 , 3191 , 3192 , 3265 , 3281 , 3282 , 3286 , 3287 , 3288 , 3292 , 4107 , 4110 , 4111 , Comparative Literature 3601 , 3602 , 3603 , 3604 , 3605 , 3608 , 3612 , 3613 , 3628 , 3629 )
  • Capstone seminar: ENGL 4301
  • Three to four additional credits in advanced English Department courses. Related courses offered by other departments may be substituted with permission of the English Department chair.

Student Learning Outcomes

Department goal 1: read and think critically..

Program Objective 1: Learn to read literature with a focus on the ways in which form serves content.

Program Objective 2: Use close reading effectively to identify literary techniques, styles, and themes.

Program Objective 3: Learn to read and comment constructively and critically on the creative writing of peers in the workshop context.

Department Goal 2: Understand how language operates.

Program Objective 1: Demonstrate knowledge of literary tropes and techniques (e.g., metaphor, simile, metonymy, synecdoche, word play, and sonic effects such as alliteration, assonance, consonance, and rhythm, etc.)

Department Goal 3: Express ideas—both orally and in writing—correctly, cogently, persuasively, and in conformity with the conventions of the discipline.

Program Objective 1: Create original examples of creative writing that demonstrate complexity through attention to rhetoric, syntax, and tone.

Program Objective 2: Comment and write cogently and persuasively about classmates’ writing in the workshop context.

Program Objective 3: Demonstrate the ability to respond to constructive criticism from instructor and peers by effectively revising writing assignments.

Program Objective 4: Demonstrate the ability to use the currently accepted conventions of standard English mechanics and grammar, with an eye toward how those standards can be stretched in order to achieve innovative modes of expression.

Department Goal 4: Conduct research

Program Objective 1: Learn how to research and seek out historical and contemporary literary voices relevant to their individual voice.

Program Objective 2: Make use of the opportunities that Brooklyn College and New York City afford by attending readings, plays, literary panel discussions, and submitting to literary magazines.

Outcomes for demonstrating achievement of objectives

Written work (including poems/stories/plays, in-class writing exercises, short written reflections on literary techniques used by published writers, workshop responses for peers, revised writing samples, etc.)

Contributions to class discussions and workshops

Attendance at readings, panels, performances or a related research project (such as researching literary magazines/submitting one’s work); documented via written summary of the activity handed into instructor

Degree Maps

View all past degree maps .

Contact the  English Department for information on academic advisers and office hours.

Or contact:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center 2900 Bedford Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11210 E:  [email protected]

To make an appointment with an undergraduate admissions counselor, visit:

Virtual Admissions Counselor Appointments

The Support You’ll Find

Brooklyn College is an integral part of the cultural and artistic energy of New York City. Our faculty members in English offer incomparable expertise and tremendous talent, and each brings a unique perspective to their teaching and mentoring in and out of the classroom.

Helen Phillips

Helen Phillips

Helen Phillips is the author of six books, including the novel THE NEED (Simon & Schuster, 20...

Tanya L. Pollard

Tanya L. Pollard

Tanya Pollard trained in Classics, English, and Comparative literature, at Oxford and Yale. She t...

Karl T. Steel

Karl T. Steel

For Karl Steel’s CV, see

Dorell Thomas

Dorell Thomas

Dorell Thomas earned master’s degrees in both English Adolescent Literature, Grade 7-12 and...

Monica De La Torre

Monica De La Torre

Simanique Moody

Simanique Moody

Eric Alterman

Eric Alterman

Eric Alterman is a CUNY Distinguished Professor of English and Journalism. He was the “The ...

Sophia Bamert

Sophia Bamert

Matthew Burgess

Matthew Burgess

Matthew Burgess began teaching at Brooklyn College in 1999 while pursuing his M.F.A. in Poetry. H...

Joseph Entin

Joseph Entin

Joseph Entin teaches in the English Department and the American Studies program at Brooklyn Colle...

Nicola Masciandaro

Nicola Masciandaro

The Whim (blog) Current Projects: Appalling Melodrama, ...

Roni Natov

Roni Natov has lived her entire life (almost) at Brooklyn College, where she was a student and ha...

Jonathan Nissenbaum

Jonathan Nissenbaum

Jon Nissenbaum earned his Ph.D. under the supervision of Noam Chomsky and David Pesetsky. Before ...

Ellen Tremper

Ellen Tremper

Native New Yorker Ellen Tremper has taught at New York University and joined the Brooklyn College...

Internships and Employers

Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the creative writing B.F.A. program access to career opportunities at a wide variety of employers, including:

Student Resources

The Brooklyn College campus with a view of the Library and East Quad

Take the Next Step

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Brooklyn. All in.

Creative Writing

Hone writing skills and explore contemporary creative works as readers and writers, using New York and its rich, cultural universe as a habitat.

Developing their critical reading and thinking skills, students will survey a wide body of work to understand the past, present and potential futures of creative writing. Students will discuss and analyze these works as readers while simultaneously learning to read like writers, honing their skills at understanding the underlying architecture of notable work.

The course will also function as a writers’ salon, an informal, free-flowing conversation designed to help generate and foster ideas as a group, increasing the depth in our work both individually and collectively. The salon environment challenges students to discuss complex themes such as identity and social change maturely and dive deeply into text.

Over the course of the term, students’ interests will develop into the high-quality proposals and pitches that are necessary to pursue commissioned work. Thus, the course is customizable with each student given individual attention to pursue personal literary goals.

Site Visits Visits will vary based on the instructors and terms. Students have previously visited:

Speakers and Lecturers Speakers and lecturers will vary with the instructors and terms. Previous speakers include:

Contact Admissions [email protected] 646-438-7269

Course Highlights

Summer Academy enables students to dive deep into a course of study, sharpening skills for their academic and professional futures. Each course is carefully designed to suit student interests and encourage intellectual curiosity.

Be immersed in genres of the sprawling creative writing market and learn how to read, analyze, discuss and critique notable work.  

Investigate the most recent literary trends and learn about industry developments that have shaped the contemporary literary scene, hearing directly from industry practitioners.  

Expand your capacity to consider complex ideas with increased clarity and sophistication in reading, writing and editing; interact professionally and intellectually with peers and gain skills and fluency for college-level seminar discussions.

Term dates and course availability depend heavily on instructors’ schedules.

June 9 - 21

Rising 10-12, Graduating Seniors

June 23 - July 5

July 7 - July 19

July 21 - Aug 2

Rising 10-12

We foster a culture of diversity, equity and inclusiveness. Our goal is to provide affordable educational opportunities to as many qualified applicants as possible. Explore financial aid and scholarships.

“This course exposed me to all forms of writing and expression — from classic literature to opinion pieces, from Broadway to The Moth. ” Daniella , Ontario, Canada

Live & Learn in NYC

You have the option of living on campus in a university dormitory or commuting to class from your local residence.

Join A Diverse Community

We are committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusiveness. Our goal is to provide affordable educational opportunities to as many qualified applicants as possible.

Be Inspired

Times journalists and industry experts guide you through every step of your journey of exploration and discovery.

Hear From Alumni

Read first-person accounts from Summer Academy alumni about their experiences in and outside of the classroom.

Related Courses

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Learn the fundamentals of filmmaking through workshops and hands-on moviemaking exercises with everyday equipment, working to bring an idea to production.

Photojournalism as Art

Build creative and technical skills in order to visually express an artistic and narrative perspective through studying photojournalism both as a practical and an aesthetic venture.

Sports Management

Learn the business of sports firsthand from professionals, experiencing exciting sectors of the ever-changing sports industry through site visits and sporting events.

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MFA in Creative Writing

At Adelphi University, we offer residencies in New York City and semester-long creative mentorships with accomplished and devoted faculty.

Our MFA in Creative Writing program allows you to tailor a flexible and practical curriculum to your artistic goals. In addition, to help with tuition, all accepted students will receive partial scholarships.

Each step of the way, our NYC Creative Writing program aims to prepare you for the life of a working writer, especially as you navigate today’s shifting and vital literary landscape.

new york creative writing course

Writing in New York City

We see the writer’s life as an ongoing conversation and adventure. At the five-day New York City residencies in August and January , you’ll work closely with distinguished writers, and you’ll also be introduced to editors, literary agents and leaders at literary nonprofits. Our August residency will be held at the Center for Fiction in downtown Brooklyn. We offer concentrations in Fiction, Poetry and Creative Nonfiction, with workshops that culminate in the final thesis course, in which students complete a book-length manuscript. You may choose to focus on any one genre; you may design a path that explores two or more genres; or you may decide to work in a hybrid form.

Our MFA in Creative Writing program focuses intently on craft, with an emphasis on revision and close reading. We also offer practical guidance in publishing, teaching and building a sustainable life as a writer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse writing community, and our goal is to help you find your own best approach to craft.

Women standing with New York City in the background.

What are the benefits of a low-residency MFA?

A low-residency MFA Creative Writing program takes into account the complexity of each writer’s life and welcomes students who may have demanding work schedules or family obligations. This academic framework includes in-person learning at the intensive five-day residencies in New York City, and—during the semester—with small online classes and individualized mentorship. By the end of the two-year, 39-credit program, you’ll complete a thesis, your own book-length manuscript.

Why choose to do your MFA at Adelphi University in New York?

The low-residency structure, which features exciting and innovative creative writing residencies in New York City, is a convenient option for students who may already have established careers in other fields, or who aren’t able to relocate to pursue an advanced degree.

Also, Adelphi’s MFA is one of the most affordable low-residency programs at a private university. To help with tuition, all accepted students will receive partial scholarships.

The low-residency program is a transformation of Adelphi’s long-standing traditional MFA program, whose alumni have gone on to publish books, found literary organizations and enter publishing and teaching careers.

Adelphi’s faculty are accomplished, award-winning writers who are active in the literary world, and they are devoted and innovative teachers.

Our MFA in Creative Writing program features our core creative writing faculty:  Jan-Henry Gray ,  Katherine Hill ,  Maya Marshall ,  Igor Webb , and  René Steinke . They are joined every year by distinguished guest writers as well as visitors from the literary and publishing world.

Meet Our MFA in Creative Writing Faculty

Dedicated and successful writers themselves, our MFA faculty are all gifted teachers and highly skilled mentors for our writing students. Their goal is to help each student explore — and perfect — their own literary style and voice.

Jan-Henry Gray

Assistant Professor

new york creative writing course

He has received fellowships from Kundiman  and  Undocupoets as well as awards from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, the Juniper Summer Writing Institute and the Academy of American Poets. In 2019, he co-organized Writers for Migrant Justice, a nationwide reading and fundraiser for Immigrant Families Together. He also served as a mentor for the Asian Prisoner Support Committee, a teaching artist for City Lore (New York City) and a co-curator for Meanwhile (Chicago). Born in the Philippines and raised in California, he currently lives in New York.

Katherine Hill

Associate Professor

new york creative writing course

Maya Marshall

new york creative writing course

René Steinke

Professor, Director

new york creative writing course

Just three years after earning a master's degree in creative writing, Robin Gow, MFA ‘20, has sold three books to major publishers.

I came to Adelphi for my MFA in Creative Writing because even though I’d been working as a journalist before I joined the program, I wanted to learn the art of storytelling from a different perspective. I’m happy to say the program has made me a more confident storyteller.

new york creative writing course

The Residency, “Manhattan Week”

The residencies  take place over five days in mid-August and mid-January, when students meet with the creative writing faculty, guest writers and New York-based literary and publishing professionals. Students reside in a local NYC hotel for the duration of the residency. In addition to workshops, lectures, individual conferences, publishing presentations and readings, faculty and students meet together for meals, and there is also time set aside for connecting with peers.

Highrise building - Center for Fiction in downtown Brooklyn.

Center for Fiction in downtown Brooklyn

Our August residency will be held at the Center for Fiction in downtown Brooklyn.

Fall and Spring Semesters

Our MFA Creative Writing curriculum offers you the chance to chart your own path. You can choose to focus on writing a novel, for instance, or you may choose to write poetry one semester and nonfiction the next, as you work toward a thesis that combines both. Our program also offers practical courses in helping you create a working writer’s life, with guidance in publishing, teaching, literary advocacy and creating your own literary community.

Program Info

Application requirements.

We accept applications on a rolling basis.  The priority deadline for Fall 2024 is May 1 . All students who apply by May 1 will be considered for partial scholarships. After that date, we will still consider applications, and potential funding will be reviewed depending on spaces available.

Applicants should submit the following:

Related Programs

Awards & recognition.

new york creative writing course

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new york creative writing course

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new york creative writing course

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Creative Writing, Master of Fine Arts

The Master in Creative Writing, (MFA)  is a 42 credit program, which prepares students to be professionals in dissecting contemporary, modern, and classic literature as well construct literature pieces of their own.

Our students are published in literary journals and by publishers. Students often explore jobs in teaching from middle school to graduate level.

The MFA in Creative Writing offers students a chance to improve their stories, poems, scripts and non-fiction writing.  The ideal students are those passionate about improving their creative writing skills and would like to explore becoming a writer.

Additional Requirements:

Program Director:  Professor Michelle Valladares [email protected]  

Last Updated: 03/05/2024 16:08

MFA students in class at Barat House

Creative Writing

Creative writing program overview.

Our Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing degree program at Manhattanville University prepares well-rounded and versatile writers who are ready for today’s creative opportunities, from traditional publishing and editing careers to freelance writing and teaching.

As a student in our creative writing master’s program, you’ll raise your writing potential, hone your craft, challenge convention, meet real authors, and connect with a nurturing literary community in New York City and the Tri-State Area.

Through a minimally structured combination of workshops, craft courses, independent study, and a culminating thesis, you’ll develop your unique voice, learn how to revise and publish your work, critique various mediums, and learn teaching strategies, all in weeknight or weekend courses and at your own pace.

Flexible, Self-Paced Master’s in Creative Writing Program in New York  

MFA in Creative Writing candidates immerse themselves in their chosen genres, taking focused workshops and craft courses.  We also believe in genre freedom: our students can concentrate in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, or screenwriting, or they can take a mixed approach, writing in several genres. You’ll never have to choose and stick to one concentration alone. 

Full-time students can finish the MFA in two years, while many take one or two courses per semester, earning their 36 credits while working or caring for family. Students on our three-year Teaching Pathway complete the degree while also gaining valuable in-classroom experience to help launch their academic careers.  

No two writers find their voice and develop their style in the same way or at the same pace. Therefore, our master’s in creative writing program is designed to give students the latitude to grow as writers in any traditional or experimental genre.

Connect With a Vibrant Literary Community  

Beyond the flexible curriculum, the MFA in Creative Writing degree program is dedicated to building community both on campus and in the thriving Lower Hudson Valley literary scene. 

Through gathering for BBQs, visiting local galleries, attending readings at local arts centers and libraries, connecting with local writers, and celebrating our students’ and alums’ writing, we forge tight, sustaining bonds.  MFA students also engage in the literary and writing community of New York City, the cultural capital of the world and home to hundreds of your favorite writers, just a train ride away. Scribbling away at your desk is made less lonely in this scene of like-minded writers, readers, and artists.

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A uniquely flexible course structure empowers our MFA candidates to focus on one genre, blend genres, or write in multiple genres. The 36-credit master’s in creative writing degree program curriculum has only two required components:

Students in the MFA in Creative Writing degree program also participate in regular workshop courses in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, and YA/Middle-Grade fiction.  They also take classes on special craft topics like organizing a novel, experimenting with form, episodic writing, and issues of representation. The program also works to pair students with gifted mentors to pursue independent study on writing topics that are important to them.

With the help of gifted faculty and mentors, pursue independent or experiential study opportunities for course credit. Elective courses are chosen to fit your current interests and long-term goals, including Research Across Genres, MFA internship opportunities, and intensives such as the Writers’ Week conference.

Review complete curriculum information in the College Catalog.

Students in the undergraduate BA in English program can pursue a dual degree pathway to add the MFA in Creative Writing to their bachelor’s degree in an accelerated time frame.

Explore the dual degree program and all English and writing programs at Manhattanville.

Our beautiful location and facilities contribute to the vitality and creativity of our community. Our Creative Writing Center, Barat House, is a hive of activity where classes, programs, and social events take place. Reid Castle, the centerpiece of Manhattanville’s campus, is a fitting venue for the literary figures who join us for special events. 

We are dedicated to bringing dynamic visiting writers to campus and to engaging our students in the conversations that drive contemporary literature. Our annual events include:

For more details and registration information, please visit our events page.

Since 1995, Inkwell has been a proud part of Manhattanville University’s literary tradition. The publication has a dual mission: to find new literary voices and to provide established writers with a venue for further developing their work. With every issue, we seek to publish work that upholds the highest literary standards and meaningfully contributes to the national literary conversation. 

Inkwell continues to launch careers, inspire writers, and delight readers through the varied mix of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction that grace our pages. We’ve read what the greats from multiple traditions have said, and in the pages of Inkwell, we publish writers who answer.  

Learn More About Inkwell

Director of the M.F.A. in Creative Writing Program

Professor of Creative Writing

Teaching Pathway Our Teaching Pathway allows students to gain valuable classroom experience while also developing their creative writing skills.  The pathway requires a three-year commitment.  During the first year, students in the Teaching Path take one pedagogical training course per semester and round out their schedules with MFA classes.  They receive  a three-credit tuition waiver per semester for this year. Then, in the second and third years of the pathway, students teach one course per semester in Manhattanville’s undergraduate Academic Writing program, receiving support and mentorship from our Academic Writing faculty.  This teaching load leaves students plenty of time to take MFA classes and focus on their own writing.  In return for their teaching, students’ final two years of tuition are covered with waivers–financial assistance and real-world experience!

Graduate Assistantship Opportunities Students in the MFA in Creative Writing program may have the opportunity to complete graduate assistantships to help manage the cost of their degree. As graduate assistants, students earn a three-credit tuition waiver in return for employment with the campus writing center, the MFA program office, or Inkwell editorial staff. Up to six creative writing students can work in graduate assistantships.

Graduate assistantships are a great benefit to students’ resumes, building demonstrable experience and skills in teaching, publishing, or marketing while also  earning tuition credit.

Financial Aid and Graduate Housing Our tuition rates are reasonable–you shouldn’t have to break the bank to hone your writing craft–and qualified students are eligible to apply for financial assistance during their application process.  The MFA Program has several scholarship funds dedicated to supporting the growth of your writing.

Explore complete financial assistance information.

Graduate housing is available for students in the master’s in creative writing degree program. Contact program administration to inquire.

Students may apply for admission to begin in the spring or fall semesters. When you enroll, you’ll begin meeting with an academic advisor to finalize your course list according to your goals and that semester’s course offerings.

Application requirements for the graduate creative writing program include:

The autobiographical essay should be reflective, responding to these questions:

You should try to submit finished essays, stories, or poems as your writing sample. You may submit both poems and prose pieces as your sample as long as you adhere to the page limit. Your writing sample can be a portion of a longer work, but please indicate that on page one.

Letters of recommendation should be from recommenders who can speak to your intellectual and academic ability, your writing and your ability to work in groups, and your potential for graduate-level literature and writing studies.  We prefer letters from recommenders who have known you in an academic setting but also accept professional recommendations.

Reach out to admissions with any questions . If you want to speak with someone who has gone through the process before, we’re happy to connect you with current or former MFA writing students. Contact us to facilitate .

Learn More and Visit Manhattanville Get to know our program by visiting Manhattanville’s picturesque, 100-acre campus just 30 miles from New York City.  To learn more, meet current students, or sit in on a course, sign up to attend the next MFA in Creative Writing information session.   Or, email us to schedule a visit at a time that works for you.

Contact the MFA in Creative Writing program at any time at [email protected],  or 914.323.7211  Or, request more information.

Apply to the MFA in Creative Writing Program at Manhattanville Manhattanville University offers an accessible Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing degree program where candidates tailor their coursework to their talents, interests, and career aspirations.

Ready to move through a dynamic creative writing program and learn from published authors? Review graduate admissions requirements and begin your online application.

School of Arts and Sciences

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PLUS ULTRA: Character-Based Gaming & Writing

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Our TTRPG series. We'll be designing our own characters drawing on the world of My Hero Academia, using game mechanics from Dungeons & Dragons and Mutants & Masterminds. Use writing and (optional) art to create a character's abilities, backstories, and play mechanics, drawing on library materials and collections. Create a character and send them on adventures as a student at U.A. Bronx. Get ready to go beyond!

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COMMENTS

  1. Creative Writing Classes

    The Gotham WritersChildren's LitConferenceSep 28-29. Each Gotham class puts you in a community of writers, and we also offer ways to join the writing community beyond our classes. Writing is a solo act, but it's helpful, even necessary, to connect with fellow writers.

  2. Creative Writing Program

    The NYU Creative Writing Program. is among the most distinguished programs in the country and is a leading national center for the study of writing and literature. ... Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House 58 West 10th Street New York, NY 10011 Get Directions Faculty Spotlight. Terrance Hayes ...

  3. The Writers Studio New York

    Each year we showcase the work of favorite literary journals, new and established published authors, and the work of our own students and teachers. Students invite their families and friends to these events, which helps us introduce The Writers Studio to the larger community. For more information, please call us at (212) 255-7075 or visit us on ...

  4. 23 Writing Classes in New York in 2024

    A comprehensive directory of 23 writing classes in New York in 2024, vetted by the team at Reedsy. Filter for the perfect writing course by genre, location, and more!

  5. New York City Writing Classes

    Class size is limited, so that all students get personal attention: Most classes - maximum 14 students. One-Day Intensives - maximum 18 students. Explore our catalogue of writing courses. And here you will find information on Gotham's various class formats and our teaching philosophy. We also offer free events in NYC (and on Zoom).

  6. Writing Undergraduate Major

    Welcome. To study creative writing at Columbia University's School of the Arts, in New York City, is to join a distinguished group of writers who arrived at a prestigious university in the nation's literary capital to explore the deep artistic power of language. J.D. Salinger enrolled in a short story course here in 1939.

  7. Creative Writing 101

    Creative Writing 101 is a 6-week class, which includes a mixture of lectures and exercises. ... Course components: Lectures Writing exercises New York City/Zoom classes The syllabus varies from teacher to teacher, term to term. Many topics will be similar to those covered in the Online classes. Online classes Week 1

  8. Course Offerings

    Creative Writing (2022 - 2024) In addition to the on-campus creative writing courses offered throughout the year, special January term and summer programs offer students a chance to study intensively and generate new writing in Florence, New York, and Paris. CRWRI-UA 815 Formerly Creative Writing: Introduction to Fiction and Poetry.

  9. Creative Writing Classes NYC: Best Courses & Activities

    Gotham Writers Workshop @ 555 8th Ave, New York, NY. Unlock the secrets of crafting captivating fiction with the Fiction Writing Intensive. Learn the art of storytelling, delving into the time-tested elements of fiction craft and gaining insight into the human experience. (745) All levels 18 and older.

  10. Program in Creative Writing

    as.nyu.edu/cwp Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House, 58 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10011-8702 • 212-998-8816. Director. Professor Landau. The New York University Program in Creative Writing, among the most distinguished programs in the country, is a leading national center for the study of writing and literature.

  11. Best Writing Classes in NYC for 2024

    Book now. 4. Fiction Writing Level 1: 10 Week Workshop. If you are interested in flexing your creative muscles, you can enroll in an introductory fiction and poetry workshop to start looking for ...

  12. Creative Writing MFA Program in New York

    The New School offered the first academic creative writing workshop in 1931 and pioneered a new philosophy of education. The idea: Students would make their own lives and their own stories part of their education. Today, The New School continues to celebrate and cultivate daring and diverse new voices through its creative writing program. Learn ...

  13. Creative Writing (MFA)

    The MFA Program in Creative Writing consists of a vibrant community of writers working together in a setting that is both challenging and supportive. This stimulating environment fosters the development of talented writers of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. The program is not defined by courses alone, but by a life built around writing.

  14. A Tale of Three Cities: NYU's Summer Creative Writing Programs

    Writers draw inspiration from their own experiences, and for many, global cities become their muse. At NYU, aspiring poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers can enroll in a monthlong immersive summer program through the College of Arts and Science.Participants choose between Paris, Florence, and New York City, and then hone their creative writing skills against the backdrop of ...

  15. Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

    Program Overview The Creative Writing Program at The City College of New York is in its fourth decade. Since its inception some of the most distinguished writers in America have taught here at our West Harlem campus, including Donald Barthelme, Gwendolyn Brooks, Kurt Vonnegut, Marilyn Hacker, William Matthews, Grace Paley and Susan Sontag. The mission … Read more "Master of Fine Arts in ...

  16. Creative Writing (Minor)

    The New York University Program in Creative Writing, among the most distinguished programs in the country, is a leading national center for the study of writing and literature. ... An outside course is any NYU creative writing course without a CRWRI-UA rubric. To petition to substitute an outside course, students must complete the course ...

  17. Creative Writing, B.F.A.

    Creative writing courses (16 credits) English 2301. One of the following sequences: English 3301, 3302. English 3304, 3305. English 3306, 3307. ... Program Objective 2: Make use of the opportunities that Brooklyn College and New York City afford by attending readings, plays, literary panel discussions, and submitting to literary magazines. ...

  18. Creative Writing

    Summer Academy enables students to dive deep into a course of study, sharpening skills for their academic and professional futures. Each course is carefully designed to suit student interests and encourage intellectual curiosity. Be immersed in genres of the sprawling creative writing market and learn how to read, analyze, discuss and critique ...

  19. Master's in Creative Writing

    Our MFA in Creative Writing program allows you to tailor a flexible and practical curriculum to your artistic goals. In addition, to help with tuition, all accepted students will receive partial scholarships. Each step of the way, our NYC Creative Writing program aims to prepare you for the life of a working writer, especially as you navigate ...

  20. Creative Nonfiction 101

    This course explores the major types of creative nonfiction, and the techniques that go with them. Course components: Lectures Writing exercises New York City/Zoom classes Week 1 Introduction to Creative Nonfiction: What is Creative Nonfiction? The difference between articles and essays. The role of the angle. Imagination in nonfiction writing.

  21. Creative Writing, Master of Fine Arts

    Visual Course Roster ... The Master in Creative Writing, (MFA) is a 42 credit program, which prepares students to be professionals in dissecting contemporary, modern, ... The City College of New York 160 Convent Avenue New York, NY 10031 p: 212.650.7000. Students. Email

  22. Creative Writing

    Flexible, Self-Paced Master's in Creative Writing Program in New York . MFA in Creative Writing candidates immerse themselves in their chosen genres, taking focused workshops and craft courses. We also believe in genre freedom: our students can concentrate in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, or screenwriting, or they can take a mixed ...

  23. Course Catalog

    The course catalog for The New School. The New School in New York City offers degrees in liberal arts, music, design, social sciences, as well as certificate programs. ... Master's Seminar in Critical and Creative Writing. 3. New School for Social Research. Liberal Studies. ... Walking in New York: Multi-genre, Multi-media Writing. 3. Schools ...

  24. 351:212 Introduction to Creative Writing (Spring 2024)

    Spring 2024. 4Introduction to Creative Writing (351:211 in fall semesters; 351:212 in spring semesters) is the foundational and prerequisite course to all other creative writing courses.. This course satisfies an SAS Core Requirement Area of Inquiry: Arts and Humanities; Critical and Creative Expression [AHr] Practice in creative writing in various forms (fiction, poetry, drama, essay ...

  25. PLUS ULTRA: Character-Based Gaming & Writing

    Our TTRPG series. We'll be designing our own characters drawing on the world of My Hero Academia, using game mechanics from Dungeons & Dragons and Mutants & Masterminds. Use writing and (optional) art to create a character's abilities, backstories, and play mechanics, drawing on library materials and collections. Create a character and send them on adventures as a student at