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What Is Creative Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 20 Examples)

Creative writing begins with a blank page and the courage to fill it with the stories only you can tell.

I face this intimidating blank page daily–and I have for the better part of 20+ years.

In this guide, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of creative writing with tons of examples.

What Is Creative Writing (Long Description)?

Creative Writing is the art of using words to express ideas and emotions in imaginative ways. It encompasses various forms including novels, poetry, and plays, focusing on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes.

Table of Contents

Let’s expand on that definition a bit.

Creative writing is an art form that transcends traditional literature boundaries.

It includes professional, journalistic, academic, and technical writing. This type of writing emphasizes narrative craft, character development, and literary tropes. It also explores poetry and poetics traditions.

In essence, creative writing lets you express ideas and emotions uniquely and imaginatively.

It’s about the freedom to invent worlds, characters, and stories. These creations evoke a spectrum of emotions in readers.

Creative writing covers fiction, poetry, and everything in between.

It allows writers to express inner thoughts and feelings. Often, it reflects human experiences through a fabricated lens.

Types of Creative Writing

There are many types of creative writing that we need to explain.

Some of the most common types:

• Short stories
• Screenplays
• Flash fiction
• Creative Nonfiction

Short Stories (The Brief Escape)

Short stories are like narrative treasures.

They are compact but impactful, telling a full story within a limited word count. These tales often focus on a single character or a crucial moment.

Short stories are known for their brevity.

They deliver emotion and insight in a concise yet powerful package. This format is ideal for exploring diverse genres, themes, and characters. It leaves a lasting impression on readers.

Example: Emma discovers an old photo of her smiling grandmother. It’s a rarity. Through flashbacks, Emma learns about her grandmother’s wartime love story. She comes to understand her grandmother’s resilience and the value of joy.

Novels (The Long Journey)

Novels are extensive explorations of character, plot, and setting.

They span thousands of words, giving writers the space to create entire worlds. Novels can weave complex stories across various themes and timelines.

The length of a novel allows for deep narrative and character development.

Readers get an immersive experience.

Example: Across the Divide tells of two siblings separated in childhood. They grow up in different cultures. Their reunion highlights the strength of family bonds, despite distance and differences.

Poetry (The Soul’s Language)

Poetry expresses ideas and emotions through rhythm, sound, and word beauty.

It distills emotions and thoughts into verses. Poetry often uses metaphors, similes, and figurative language to reach the reader’s heart and mind.

Poetry ranges from structured forms, like sonnets, to free verse.

The latter breaks away from traditional formats for more expressive thought.

Example: Whispers of Dawn is a poem collection capturing morning’s quiet moments. “First Light” personifies dawn as a painter. It brings colors of hope and renewal to the world.

Plays (The Dramatic Dialogue)

Plays are meant for performance. They bring characters and conflicts to life through dialogue and action.

This format uniquely explores human relationships and societal issues.

Playwrights face the challenge of conveying setting, emotion, and plot through dialogue and directions.

Example: Echoes of Tomorrow is set in a dystopian future. Memories can be bought and sold. It follows siblings on a quest to retrieve their stolen memories. They learn the cost of living in a world where the past has a price.

Screenplays (Cinema’s Blueprint)

Screenplays outline narratives for films and TV shows.

They require an understanding of visual storytelling, pacing, and dialogue. Screenplays must fit film production constraints.

Example: The Last Light is a screenplay for a sci-fi film. Humanity’s survivors on a dying Earth seek a new planet. The story focuses on spacecraft Argo’s crew as they face mission challenges and internal dynamics.

Memoirs (The Personal Journey)

Memoirs provide insight into an author’s life, focusing on personal experiences and emotional journeys.

They differ from autobiographies by concentrating on specific themes or events.

Memoirs invite readers into the author’s world.

They share lessons learned and hardships overcome.

Example: Under the Mango Tree is a memoir by Maria Gomez. It shares her childhood memories in rural Colombia. The mango tree in their yard symbolizes home, growth, and nostalgia. Maria reflects on her journey to a new life in America.

Flash Fiction (The Quick Twist)

Flash fiction tells stories in under 1,000 words.

It’s about crafting compelling narratives concisely. Each word in flash fiction must count, often leading to a twist.

This format captures life’s vivid moments, delivering quick, impactful insights.

Example: The Last Message features an astronaut’s final Earth message as her spacecraft drifts away. In 500 words, it explores isolation, hope, and the desire to connect against all odds.

Creative Nonfiction (The Factual Tale)

Creative nonfiction combines factual accuracy with creative storytelling.

This genre covers real events, people, and places with a twist. It uses descriptive language and narrative arcs to make true stories engaging.

Creative nonfiction includes biographies, essays, and travelogues.

Example: Echoes of Everest follows the author’s Mount Everest climb. It mixes factual details with personal reflections and the history of past climbers. The narrative captures the climb’s beauty and challenges, offering an immersive experience.

Fantasy (The World Beyond)

Fantasy transports readers to magical and mythical worlds.

It explores themes like good vs. evil and heroism in unreal settings. Fantasy requires careful world-building to create believable yet fantastic realms.

Example: The Crystal of Azmar tells of a young girl destined to save her world from darkness. She learns she’s the last sorceress in a forgotten lineage. Her journey involves mastering powers, forming alliances, and uncovering ancient kingdom myths.

Science Fiction (The Future Imagined)

Science fiction delves into futuristic and scientific themes.

It questions the impact of advancements on society and individuals.

Science fiction ranges from speculative to hard sci-fi, focusing on plausible futures.

Example: When the Stars Whisper is set in a future where humanity communicates with distant galaxies. It centers on a scientist who finds an alien message. This discovery prompts a deep look at humanity’s universe role and interstellar communication.

Watch this great video that explores the question, “What is creative writing?” and “How to get started?”:

What Are the 5 Cs of Creative Writing?

The 5 Cs of creative writing are fundamental pillars.

They guide writers to produce compelling and impactful work. These principles—Clarity, Coherence, Conciseness, Creativity, and Consistency—help craft stories that engage and entertain.

They also resonate deeply with readers. Let’s explore each of these critical components.

Clarity makes your writing understandable and accessible.

It involves choosing the right words and constructing clear sentences. Your narrative should be easy to follow.

In creative writing, clarity means conveying complex ideas in a digestible and enjoyable way.

Coherence ensures your writing flows logically.

It’s crucial for maintaining the reader’s interest. Characters should develop believably, and plots should progress logically. This makes the narrative feel cohesive.

Conciseness

Conciseness is about expressing ideas succinctly.

It’s being economical with words and avoiding redundancy. This principle helps maintain pace and tension, engaging readers throughout the story.

Creativity is the heart of creative writing.

It allows writers to invent new worlds and create memorable characters. Creativity involves originality and imagination. It’s seeing the world in unique ways and sharing that vision.

Consistency

Consistency maintains a uniform tone, style, and voice.

It means being faithful to the world you’ve created. Characters should act true to their development. This builds trust with readers, making your story immersive and believable.

Is Creative Writing Easy?

Creative writing is both rewarding and challenging.

Crafting stories from your imagination involves more than just words on a page. It requires discipline and a deep understanding of language and narrative structure.

Exploring complex characters and themes is also key.

Refining and revising your work is crucial for developing your voice.

The ease of creative writing varies. Some find the freedom of expression liberating.

Others struggle with writer’s block or plot development challenges. However, practice and feedback make creative writing more fulfilling.

What Does a Creative Writer Do?

A creative writer weaves narratives that entertain, enlighten, and inspire.

Writers explore both the world they create and the emotions they wish to evoke. Their tasks are diverse, involving more than just writing.

Creative writers develop ideas, research, and plan their stories.

They create characters and outline plots with attention to detail. Drafting and revising their work is a significant part of their process. They strive for the 5 Cs of compelling writing.

Writers engage with the literary community, seeking feedback and participating in workshops.

They may navigate the publishing world with agents and editors.

Creative writers are storytellers, craftsmen, and artists. They bring narratives to life, enriching our lives and expanding our imaginations.

How to Get Started With Creative Writing?

Embarking on a creative writing journey can feel like standing at the edge of a vast and mysterious forest.

The path is not always clear, but the adventure is calling.

Here’s how to take your first steps into the world of creative writing:

• Find a time of day when your mind is most alert and creative.
• Create a comfortable writing space free from distractions.
• Use prompts to spark your imagination. They can be as simple as a word, a phrase, or an image.
• Try writing for 15-20 minutes on a prompt without editing yourself. Let the ideas flow freely.
• Reading is fuel for your writing. Explore various genres and styles.
• Pay attention to how your favorite authors construct their sentences, develop characters, and build their worlds.
• Don’t pressure yourself to write a novel right away. Begin with short stories or poems.
• Small projects can help you hone your skills and boost your confidence.
• Look for writing groups in your area or online. These communities offer support, feedback, and motivation.
• Participating in workshops or classes can also provide valuable insights into your writing.
• Understand that your first draft is just the beginning. Revising your work is where the real magic happens.
• Be open to feedback and willing to rework your pieces.
• Carry a notebook or digital recorder to jot down ideas, observations, and snippets of conversations.
• These notes can be gold mines for future writing projects.

Final Thoughts: What Is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is an invitation to explore the unknown, to give voice to the silenced, and to celebrate the human spirit in all its forms.

Check out these creative writing tools (that I highly recommend):

Read This Next:

• What Is a Prompt in Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 200 Examples)
• What Is A Personal Account In Writing? (47 Examples)
• How To Write A Fantasy Short Story (Ultimate Guide + Examples)
• How To Write A Fantasy Romance Novel [21 Tips + Examples)

Top 5 Best Creative Writing Courses

Want to jump straight to the answer? The best creative writing course for most people is Masterclass : Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing or Coursera : Creative Writing Specialization.

Creative writing courses help develop your writing skills, build conscious writing habits, and teach you how to build a professional portfolio for your writing career. Most creative writing courses offer educational and practical assignments that help you advance your creative writing abilities. 

Whether you’re a complete beginner or just want to sharpen your creative writing tools, the courses below have you covered.

The Top 5 Best Creative Writing Courses 

• Masterclass : Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing – Best for writing development
• Coursera : Creative Writing Specialization – Best for experiential learning
• Udemy : Complete Creative Writing Course – Best for portfolio creation
• Gotham Writers : Creative Writing 101 – Best for building a writing habit
• Reedsy Learning : Understanding Point of View – Best for beginners 

Continue reading for our in-depth reviews on the five best creative writing courses to help you become a better writer today. 

Masterclass: Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing – Best for Writing Development 

If you’re an experienced writer looking to develop your writing abilities, the Masterclass course Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing is an excellent option for you. 

This course compiles advanced material that Atwood simplifies with 23 slow-paced video lessons that span across about four hours. 

Author of The Handmaid’s Tale and instructor of this creative writing course, Atwood takes you on a journey of the creative writing process from getting started to getting published. Her first-ever online class will teach you to develop your writing with advanced material and personal advice. 

Whether you already have a first draft or a half-written book, this in-depth course teaches all about core writing elements. Atwood discusses how to write a compelling story, create structure, develop nuanced characters, keep your readers interested, and how to stay motivated while writing—helping you turn your work into a masterpiece. 

The best part about this specific creative writing course is how participatory it is. You get access to a class workbook that includes additional writing assignments you can complete after each lesson, as well as helpful resources for writers. 

The course also comes with a community hub for all students to interact with each other. The community page gives you a place to discuss lessons, share your work, get feedback, and network—creating a sense of classroom-like community. 

The structure of the Masterclass course is easy to navigate, with all 23 lessons being split into three to five sections and are around 10 minutes long each. 

Lessons one through 16 are about the general elements of writing, like story and plot, structure, characters, and point of view. Lessons 17 through 23 discuss the business side of writing, including getting published and working within different genres. 

Masterclass offers one membership fee to receive access to every class on its website. The fee is $10 per month, billed at $120 per year.

A Masterclass membership gives you access to more than 180 classes, audio-only lessons, offline viewing, downloadable instructor guides, and new classes added every month. 

Masterclass also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscriptions.

Coursera: Creative Writing Specialization – Best for Experiential Learning 

Not every creative writing course offers practical and interactive assessments, but the Creative Writing Specialization courses offered by Wesleyan University for Coursera stands out because of its experiential learning experience. This is a set of five courses within one larger specialization, all leading to a capstone project.

As a creative writing course with extensive hands-on projects, each specialization will teach you how to master a different writing technique that successful writers use in the three major writing genres. 

There are more than 113,000 students already enrolled in this set of courses, and for a good reason. The course structure has helped many people understand the short story, narrative essay, and memoir genre. 

What makes this course so experiential is during the last lesson, where you have the chance to write and edit your own original story. 

Using the elements and techniques you learn throughout the five courses taught by different instructors, you will draft a short story, narrative essay, or memoir. With the help of your peer readers and instructors, you will revise, rewrite, and complete the story in whichever genre you choose. 

Each course within the overall Specialization focuses on a different element for each genre. During this course, you will learn the craft of plot (course one), crafting characters (course two), settings and descriptions (course three), and style (course four) before you put these skills to the test and write your story in course five. 

Even though this Specialization is more in-depth, it’s still flexible, as you can take each of the first four courses in any order (ending with the course five capstone). It’s also 100% online, so you don’t need to show up to a classroom, and you can access all course material via a desktop or mobile device. 

The Creative Writing Specialization currently takes one month to complete at 10 hours a week, which you should keep in mind. However, Coursera lets you set and maintain flexible deadlines, even though you cannot change the course duration to be any shorter than it already is. 

Currently, Write-Bros, Scrivener, and Scribophile are sponsors of the Creative Writing Specialization course and are offering discounts for all students who complete their assessments.

Upon completing your first assignment, you receive an 80% discount from Write-Bros, a 30% discount on your first purchase from Scrivener, and a 30% off membership pricing for Scribophile’s online writing community. 

You can enroll in the course for free to read and view the course content. However, if you want access to all courses in the Specialization and receive a certificate upon completion, you need to sign up for Coursera Plus. Coursera Plus offers both monthly and annual subscriptions. The cost is $59 per month or $399 per year with a 14-day money-back guarantee.

With each Specialization course, you get access to shareable course certificates, course videos and readings, practice quizzes, graded assignments with feedback, graded quizzes with feedback, and graded programming assignments. 

Coursera also offers financial aid and a seven-day free trial of Coursera Plus.

Udemy: Complete Creative Writing – Best for Portfolio Creation 

If you want to learn about the four writing genres and create a strong portfolio with your writing samples, the Complete Creative Writing course by Udemy is an excellent option. 

Creating an outstanding portfolio can be difficult for many writers, especially beginners, but this course will help you create a digital portfolio in just five concise sections. 

Instructed by teacher and author Trace Crawford, this course delves deep into the world of fiction, poetry, drama, and creative nonfiction. In the fifth and final section, you’ll learn how to create a digital portfolio.

Including the introduction, the course has 162 lectures and a running time of about 12 hours. By the end of this course, you will understand the ins and outs of all things creative writing. 

Crawford breaks down the course into four subsections: Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Creative Non-Fiction. You will receive a writing journal prompt for every lesson, 145 downloadable resources, and a certificate of completion. Each subsection offers between 20-50 lectures that range between one and four hours in length in total.

The final course section focuses only on the digital portfolio. Many creative writing courses don’t touch on portfolio creation, even though it’s an essential aspect of a writer’s career. These lectures will leave you feeling ready to pursue a career in writing. 

This course is also flexible, as you can complete it at your own pace and receive lifetime access for one price. If you have the time, you can complete this course within a day or two, which is helpful to retain as much information as possible. 

The course comes with 37 online quizzes, 145 downloadable resources, and journal prompts. You also receive a daily writing assignment, a lesson covering the course content, and a practical application project. 

Crawford aims to further develop and perfect your voice by teaching you about the four genres. You will also learn about writing techniques, writing concepts, how to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your writing projects, and of course, you will build a portfolio. 

The regular price is $109.99 for the Complete Creative Writing course, and Udemy often has discounts throughout the year. This specific course usually goes on sale each month, so look out for this. 

Udemy also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Gotham Writers: Creative Writing 101 – Best for Building a Writing Habit 

Are you struggling to build a writing habit and don’t know where to start? The Creative Writing 101 six-week course by Gotham Writers is an excellent place to start. 

This level one online six-week class focuses on slowly building a writing habit while teaching you about the show and tell of writing, individuality, fiction, nonfiction, and how to get better at the craft. 

This course is unique because each class size is limited for students to get enough personal attention from the instructor. There are a maximum of 16 students in each Creative Writing 101 class, which is 100% online. 

Creative Writing 101 helps you slowly build a writing habit by encouraging you to complete daily observation exercises and free writing. These writing activities help stimulate the brain and create a way to write freely without the burden of writer’s block. 

The course also offers weekly writing assignments that the instructor grades and provides feedback for, which will help you feel more confident about your writing abilities as you progress through the course. 

Because this course is online, Gotham Writers provides the Lounge feature for all students to meet weekly for a one-hour live chat. The Lounge is open 24/7 for all students to chat and get to know each other, network, and discuss feedback. 

You also get access to a weekly planner, class roster, guidelines, and syllabus. The notebook, booth, library, and blackboard are other essential features that store lectures, assignments, resources, and student feedback.  

The course layout is the most similar to an online classroom, especially for collaboration purposes, making it easy to navigate and complete tasks. Each class session lasts for a week, and you have the flexibility to complete tasks at any time of day during the week. 

Gotham Writers offers this course online, on Zoom, or one-on-one (either in NYC or long distance) for different prices. 

• Online: $319 
• Zoom: $319 
• One-on-One: $1,195

There is also a $25 registration fee that you pay once per term. All course dates are listed on the website and are subject to availability.

Reedsy Learning: Understanding Point of View – Best for Beginners 

Beginners need to start somewhere, and there’s no better place to start than enrolling in the free Reedsy Learning course, Understanding Point of View. 

Taught by TEDx speaker and author Gabriela Pereira, this course focuses on the technical element of point of view, which challenges many writers in the beginning stage. If this sounds like you, you will be delighted to hear that this course is free and gets delivered to your inbox every morning for 10 days. 

This is a quick and easy 10-day course. Each lesson is just five minutes, and Pereira takes you on an immersive journey through the challenges of establishing the correct point of view in your creative writing. 

This course will familiarize you with each primary POV, including first, second, and third person. With the help of practical writing exercises, you will complete the course understanding how to master each point of view within your writing. 

During this course, you will also learn: 

• The differences between third-person limited and third-person omniscient 
• The strengths and weaknesses of second person 
• How to work with multiple points of view
• Epistolary and Journal forms 

To enroll, include your name, email address, and time zone so that Pereira can deliver each lecture to your inbox on time. You can start each morning on the right foot by completing a quick five-minute lesson and go about your day, making it a simple course for the complete beginner to follow and get used to writing each day. 

Reedsy Learning offers this and many other free online courses to help you establish your career and transform your writing skills. 

How to Find The Best Creative Writing Course For You 

There are a few factors that go into finding the best creative writing course for you. Sometimes it can be challenging to choose the right course, especially since there are many different goals you may want to achieve. So we put together this methodology of the three most essential elements to consider before investing in a creative writing course. 

Schedule and Flexibility

The first thing to consider before investing in a creative writing course is the flexibility of your schedule. Consider the duration of each writing course, as some can go for days, weeks, or even months. 

The Complete Creative Writing Course by Udemy is a flexible option, as it allows you to go at your own pace and offers 12 hours of content you can complete in as little as a day or two.

However, some courses aren’t as flexible with timing, such as the Creative Writing Specialization by Coursera and Wesleyan University—which takes one month to complete. 

Make sure you check whether the timing is flexible, or you might need to change your schedule to fit in with your studies. 

Payment Method

Each course offers different prices depending on the duration, topic, and how in-depth the content is. Some writing courses have a subscription-based payment method, while others are one-off payments for lifetime access. 

It’s crucial to look for lifetime access, as you don’t want to invest in a course that will expire, and you lose all access to the materials. The course Understanding Point of View by Reedsy Learning is a free course perfect for beginners or anyone who isn’t sure where to start. 

You can enroll in a free course to learn the ropes of online studying, or you can choose one that offers a one-off payment, as most of the courses on this list. We wouldn’t recommend paying for a subscription unless you are dedicating a few months to learning or are interested in multiple courses from the same company. 

Learning Community 

A learning hub or community page can help you reinforce the learning materials, network, and build on your overall learning experience. Courses like Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing by Masterclass and Creative Writing 101 by Gotham Writers offer community hubs or lounges for students to interact and connect. 

Although not required, a central hub is essential for building a community and connecting with other writers. It can make your learning experience feel more like a classroom, even when it’s online. 

You might even complete the course with a few fellow writer friends along with the knowledge you obtained from the writing course. 

The Top Creative Writing Courses in Summary 

Overall, the Masterclass and Coursera courses are our top two recommendations for the best creative writing courses on the market today. 

With workbooks, learning hubs, video content, and downloadable resources, you can learn how to become a successful and confident writer using the courses reviewed in this guide.

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• 74% 82% 78% n/a 76% 74% 72% n/a 78% 66% n/a 76% 76% n/a n/a 78% 60% 78% 92% 64% 62% n/a 58% 62% n/a 64% 68% n/a 66% 68% 56% 56% 54% 64% 64% 62% 54% 46% n/a 58% 70% 40% 60% 58% 66% 60% 60% 54% 72% 46%

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15 Best Creative Writing MFA Programs in 2024

May 15, 2024

Whether you studied at a top creative writing university or are a high school dropout who will one day become a bestselling author , you may be considering an MFA in Creative Writing. But is a writing MFA genuinely worth the time and potential costs? How do you know which program will best nurture your writing? If you’re considering an MFA, this article walks you through the best full-time, low residency, and online Creative Writing MFA programs in the United States.

What are the best Creative Writing MFA programs?

Before we get into the meat and potatoes of this article, let’s start with the basics. What is an MFA, anyway?

A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a graduate degree that usually takes from two to three years to complete. Applications typically require a sample portfolio, usually 10-20 pages (and sometimes up to 30-40) of your best writing. Moreover, you can receive an MFA in a particular genre, such as Fiction or Poetry, or more broadly in Creative Writing. However, if you take the latter approach, you often have the opportunity to specialize in a single genre.

Wondering what actually goes on in a creative writing MFA beyond inspiring award-winning books and internet memes ? You enroll in workshops where you get feedback on your creative writing from your peers and a faculty member. You enroll in seminars where you get a foundation of theory and techniques. Then, you finish the degree with a thesis project. Thesis projects are typically a body of polished, publishable-quality creative work in your genre—fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.

Why should I get an MFA in Creative Writing?

You don’t need an MFA to be a writer. Just look at Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison or bestselling novelist Emily St. John Mandel.

Nonetheless, there are plenty of reasons you might still want to get a creative writing MFA. The first is, unfortunately, prestige. An MFA from a top program can help you stand out in a notoriously competitive industry to be published.

The second reason: time. Many MFA programs give you protected writing time, deadlines, and maybe even a (dainty) salary.

Third, an MFA in Creative Writing is a terminal degree. This means that this degree allows you to teach writing at the university level, especially after you publish a book.

Fourth: resources. MFA programs are often staffed by brilliant, award-winning writers; offer lecture series, volunteer opportunities, and teaching positions; and run their own (usually prestigious) literary magazines. Such resources provide you with the knowledge and insight you’ll need to navigate the literary and publishing world on your own post-graduation.

But above all, the biggest reason to pursue an MFA is the community it brings you. You get to meet other writers—and share feedback, advice, and moral support—in relationships that can last for decades.

Types of Creative Writing MFA Programs

Here are the different types of programs to consider, depending on your needs:

Fully-Funded Full-Time Programs

These programs offer full-tuition scholarships and sweeten the deal by actually paying you to attend them.

• Pros: You’re paid to write (and teach).
• Cons: Uprooting your entire life to move somewhere possibly very cold.

Full-Time MFA Programs

These programs include attending in-person classes and paying tuition (though many offer need-based and merit scholarships).

• Pros: Lots of top-notch non-funded programs have more assets to attract world-class faculty and guests.
• Cons: It’s an investment that might not pay itself back.

Low-Residency MFA Programs

Low-residency programs usually meet biannually for short sessions. They also offer one-on-one support throughout the year. These MFAs are more independent, preparing you for what the writing life is actually like.

• Pros: No major life changes required. Cons: Less time dedicated to writing and less time to build relationships.

Online MFA Programs

Held 100% online. These programs have high acceptance rates and no residency requirement. That means zero travel or moving expenses.

• Pros: No major life changes required.
• Cons: These MFAs have less name recognition.

The Top 15 Creative Writing MFA Programs Ranked by Category

The following programs are selected for their balance of high funding, impressive return on investment, stellar faculty, major journal publications , and impressive alums.

FULLY FUNDED MFA PROGRAMS

1) johns hopkins university , mfa in fiction/poetry.

This two-year program offers an incredibly generous funding package: $39,000 teaching fellowships each year. Not to mention, it offers that sweet, sweet health insurance, mind-boggling faculty, and the option to apply for a lecture position after graduation. Many grads publish their first book within three years (nice). No nonfiction MFA (boo).

• Location: Baltimore, MD
• Incoming class size: 8 students (4 per genre)
• Admissions rate: 4-8%
• Alumni: Chimamanda Adichie, Jeffrey Blitz, Wes Craven, Louise Erdrich, Porochista Khakpour, Phillis Levin, ZZ Packer, Tom Sleigh, Elizabeth Spires, Rosanna Warren

2) University of Texas, James Michener Center

The only MFA that offers full and equal funding for every writer. It’s three years long, offers a generous yearly stipend of $30k, and provides full tuition plus a health insurance stipend. Fiction, poetry, playwriting, and screenwriting concentrations are available. The Michener Center is also unique because you study a primary genre and a secondary genre, and also get $4,000 for the summer.

• Location : Austin, TX
• Incoming class size : 12 students
• Acceptance rate: a bone-chilling less-than-1% in fiction; 2-3% in other genres
• Alumni: Fiona McFarlane, Brian McGreevy, Karan Mahajan, Alix Ohlin, Kevin Powers, Lara Prescott, Roger Reeves, Maria Reva, Domenica Ruta, Sam Sax, Joseph Skibell, Dominic Smith

3) University of Iowa

The Iowa Writers’ Workshop is a 2-year program on a residency model for fiction and poetry. This means there are low requirements, and lots of time to write groundbreaking novels or play pool at the local bar. All students receive full funding, including tuition, a living stipend, and subsidized health insurance. The Translation MFA , co-founded by Gayatri Chakravorti Spivak, is also two years long but with more intensive coursework. The Nonfiction Writing Program is a prestigious three-year MFA program and is also intensive.

• Incoming class size: 25 each for poetry and fiction; 10-12 for nonfiction and translation.
• Acceptance rate: 2.7-3.7%
• Fantastic Alumni: Raymond Carver, Flannery O’Connor, Sandra Cisneros, Joy Harjo, Garth Greenwell, Kiley Reid, Brandon Taylor, Eula Biss, Yiyun Li, Jennifer Croft

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs (Continued) 

4) university of michigan.

Anne Carson famously lives in Ann Arbor, as do the MFA students in UMichigan’s Helen Zell Writers’ Program. This is a big university town, which is less damaging to your social life. Plus, there’s lots to do when you have a $25,000 stipend, summer funding, and health care.

This is a 2-3-year program in either fiction or poetry, with an impressive reputation. They also have a demonstrated commitment to “ push back against the darkness of intolerance and injustice ” and have outreach programs in the community.

• Location: Ann Arbor, MI
• Incoming class size: 18 (9 in each genre)
• Acceptance rate: 2%
• Alumni: Brit Bennett, Vievee Francis, Airea D. Matthews, Celeste Ng, Chigozie Obioma, Jia Tolentino, Jesmyn Ward

5) Brown University

Brown offers an edgy, well-funded program in a place that only occasionally dips into arctic temperatures. All students are fully funded for 2 years, which includes tuition remission and a $32k yearly stipend. Students also get summer funding and—you guessed it—that sweet, sweet health insurance.

In the Brown Literary Arts MFA, students take only one workshop and one elective per semester. It’s also the only program in the country to feature a Digital/Cross Disciplinary Track.  Fiction and Poetry Tracks are offered as well.

• Location: Providence, RI
• Incoming class size: 12-13
• Acceptance rate: “highly selective”
• Alumni: Edwidge Danticat, Jaimy Gordon, Gayl Jones, Ben Lerner, Joanna Scott, Kevin Young, Ottessa Moshfegh

6) University of Arizona

This 3-year program with fiction, poetry, and nonfiction tracks has many attractive qualities. It’s in “ the lushest desert in the world, ” and was recently ranked #4 in creative writing programs, and #2 in Nonfiction. You can take classes in multiple genres, and in fact, are encouraged to do so. Plus, Arizona’s dry heat is good for arthritis.

This notoriously supportive program is fully funded. Moreover, teaching assistantships that provide a salary, health insurance, and tuition waiver are offered to all students. Tucson is home to a hopping literary scene, so it’s also possible to volunteer at multiple literary organizations and even do supported research at the US-Mexico Border.

• Location: Tucson, AZ
• Incoming class size: usually 6
• Acceptance rate: 1.2% (a refreshingly specific number after Brown’s evasiveness)
• Alumni: Francisco Cantú, Jos Charles, Tony Hoagland, Nancy Mairs, Richard Russo, Richard Siken, Aisha Sabatini Sloan, David Foster Wallace

7) Arizona State University 

With concentrations in fiction and poetry, Arizona State is a three-year funded program in arthritis-friendly dry heat. It offers small class sizes, individual mentorships, and one of the most impressive faculty rosters in the game. Moreover, it encourages cross-genre study.

Funding-wise, everyone has the option to take on a teaching assistantship position, which provides a tuition waiver, health insurance, and a yearly stipend of $25k. Other opportunities for financial support exist as well.

• Location: Tempe, AZ
• Incoming class size: 8-10
• Acceptance rate: 3% (sigh)
• Alumni: Tayari Jones, Venita Blackburn, Dorothy Chan, Adrienne Celt, Dana Diehl, Matthew Gavin Frank, Caitlin Horrocks, Allegra Hyde, Hugh Martin, Bonnie Nadzam

FULL-RESIDENCY MFAS (UNFUNDED)

8) new york university.

This two-year program is in New York City, meaning it comes with close access to literary opportunities and hot dogs. NYU also has one of the most accomplished faculty lists anywhere. Students have large cohorts (more potential friends!) and have a penchant for winning top literary prizes. Concentrations in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction are available.

• Location: New York, NY
• Incoming class size: ~60; 20-30 students accepted for each genre
• Acceptance rate: 6-9%
• Alumni: Nick Flynn, Nell Freudenberger, Aracelis Girmay, Mitchell S. Jackson, Tyehimba Jess, John Keene, Raven Leilani, Robin Coste Lewis, Ada Limón, Ocean Vuong

9) Columbia University

Another 2-3 year private MFA program with drool-worthy permanent and visiting faculty. Columbia offers courses in fiction, poetry, translation, and nonfiction. Beyond the Ivy League education, Columbia offers close access to agents, and its students have a high record of bestsellers. Finally, teaching positions and fellowships are available to help offset the high tuition.

• Incoming class size: 110
• Acceptance rate: not publicized (boo)
• Alumni: Alexandra Kleeman, Rachel Kushner, Claudia Rankine, Rick Moody, Sigrid Nunez, Tracy K. Smith, Emma Cline, Adam Wilson, Marie Howe, Mary Jo Bang

10) Sarah Lawrence 

Sarah Lawrence offers a concentration in speculative fiction in addition to the average fiction, poetry, and nonfiction choices. Moreover, they encourage cross-genre exploration. With intimate class sizes, this program is unique because it offers biweekly one-on-one conferences with its stunning faculty. It also has a notoriously supportive atmosphere, and many teaching and funding opportunities are available.

• Location: Bronxville, NY
• Incoming class size: 30-40
• Acceptance rate: not publicized
• Alumni: Cynthia Cruz, Melissa Febos, T Kira Madden, Alex Dimitrov, Moncho Alvarado

LOW RESIDENCY

11) bennington college.

This two-year program boasts truly stellar faculty, and meets twice a year for ten days in January and June. It’s like a biannual vacation in beautiful Vermont, plus mentorship by a famous writer. The rest of the time, you’ll be spending approximately 25 hours per week on reading and writing assignments. Students have the option to concentrate in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Uniquely, they can also opt for a dual-genre focus.

The tuition is $23,468 per year, with scholarships available. Additionally, Bennington offers full-immersion teaching fellowships to MFA students, which are extremely rare in low-residency programs.

• Location: Bennington, VT
• Acceptance rate: 53%
• Incoming class: 25-35
• Alumni: Larissa Pham, Andrew Reiner, Lisa Johnson Mitchell, and others

12)  Institute for American Indian Arts

This two-year program emphasizes Native American and First Nations writing. With truly amazing faculty and visiting writers, they offer a wide range of genres, including screenwriting, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. In addition, each student is matched with a faculty mentor who works with them one-on-one throughout the semester.

Students attend two eight-day residencies each year, in January and July, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. At $12,000 in tuition a year, it boasts being “ one of the most affordable MFA programs in the country .”

• Location: Santa Fe, NM
• Incoming class size : 21
• Alumni: Tommy Orange, Dara Yen Elerath, Kathryn Wilder

13) Vermont College of Fine Arts

VCFA is the only graduate school on this list that focuses exclusively on the fine arts. Their MFA in Writing offers concentrations in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction; they also offer an MFA in Literary Translation and one of the few MFAs in Writing for Children and Young Adults . Students meet twice a year for nine days, in January and July, either in-person or online. Here, they receive one-on-one mentorship that continues for the rest of the semester. You can also do many travel residencies in exciting (and warm) places like Cozumel.

VCFA boasts amazing faculty and visiting writers, with individualized study options and plenty of one-on-one time. Tuition for the full two-year program is approximately $54k.

• Location : Various; 2024/25 residencies are in Colorado and California
• Incoming class size: 18-25
• Acceptance rate: 63%
• Alumnx: Lauren Markham, Mary-Kim Arnold, Cassie Beasley, Kate Beasley, Julie Berry, Bridget Birdsall, Gwenda Bond, Pablo Cartaya

ONLINE MFAS

14) university of texas at el paso.

UTEP is considered the best online MFA program, and features award-winning faculty from across the globe. Accordingly, this program is geared toward serious writers who want to pursue teaching and/or publishing. Intensive workshops allow submissions in Spanish and/or English, and genres include poetry and fiction.

No residencies are required, but an optional opportunity to connect in person is available every year. This three-year program costs about $25-30k total, depending on whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident.

• Location: El Paso, TX
• Acceptance rate: “highly competitive”
• Alumni: Watch alumni testimonies here

15) Bay Path University

This 2-year online, no-residency program is dedicated entirely to nonfiction. Featuring a supportive, diverse community, Bay Path offers small class sizes, close mentorship, and an optional yearly field trip to Ireland.

There are many tracks, including publishing, narrative medicine, and teaching creative writing. Moreover, core courses include memoir, narrative journalism, food/travel writing, and the personal essay. Tuition is approximately $31,000 for the entire program, with scholarships available.

• Location: Longmeadow, MA
• Incoming class size: 20
• Alumni: Read alumni testimonies here

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs — Final Thoughts

Whether you’re aiming for a fully funded, low residency, or completely online MFA program, there are plenty of incredible options available—all of which will sharpen your craft while immersing you in the vibrant literary arts community.

Hoping to prepare for your MFA in advance? You might consider checking out the following:

• Best English Programs
• Best Colleges for Creative Writing
• Writing Summer Programs
• Best Writing Competitions for High School Students

Inspired to start writing? Get your pencil ready:

• 100 Creative Writing Prompts 
• 1 00 Tone Words to Express Mood in Your Writing
• 60 Senior Project Ideas
• Common App Essay Prompts

Best MFA Creative Writing Programs – References:

• https://www.pw.org/mfa
• The Creative Writing MFA Handbook: A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students , by Tom Kealey (A&C Black 2005)
• Graduate School Admissions

Julia Conrad

With a Bachelor of Arts in English and Italian from Wesleyan University as well as MFAs in both Nonfiction Writing and Literary Translation from the University of Iowa, Julia is an experienced writer, editor, educator, and a former Fulbright Fellow. Julia’s work has been featured in  The Millions ,  Asymptote , and  The Massachusetts Review , among other publications. To read more of her work, visit  www.juliaconrad.net

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the 12 best creative writing colleges and programs.

College Info

Finding a dedicated creative writing program at a school you're excited about can be a real challenge, and that's even before you start worrying about getting in. Nonetheless, there are some great options. In order to help you find the best school for you, this list rounds up some of the best colleges for creative writing in the United States .

The Best Creative Writing Programs: Ranking Criteria

You should never take college rankings as absolute truth —not even the very official-seeming US News ones. Instead, use these kinds of lists as a jumping-off place for your own exploration of colleges. Pay attention not just to what the rankings are but to how the rankings are determined.

To help with that, I'll explain how I came up with this highly unscientific list of great creative writing colleges. I started by narrowing my search down to schools that offered a specific creative writing major. (If you don't see a school you were expecting, it's likely because they only have a minor.)

In ranking the schools, I considered five major criteria:

• #1: MFA Ranking —If a school has a great graduate creative writing program, it means you'll be taught by those same professors and the excellent graduate students they attract. Schools with strong MFA programs are also more likely to have solid alumni networks and internship opportunities. However, many schools with great undergrad programs do not offer MFAs, in which case I simply focused on the other four options.
• #2: General School Reputation —The vast majority of your classes won't be in creative writing, so it's important that other parts of the school, especially the English department, are great as well.
• #3: Extracurricular Opportunities —One of the key advantages of majoring in creative writing is that it can provide access to writing opportunities outside the classroom, so I took what kind of internship programs, author readings, and literary magazines the school offers into consideration.
• #4: Diversity of Class Options —I gave extra points to schools with a variety of genre options and specific, interesting classes.
• #5: Alumni/Prestige —This last criterion is a bit more subjective: is the school known for turning out good writers? Certainly it's less important than what kind of education you'll actually get, but having a brand-name degree (so to speak) can be helpful.

The Best Creative Writing Schools

Now, let's get to the good stuff: the list of schools! The exact numbering is always arguable, so look at it as a general trend from absolutely amazing to still super great, rather than fixating on why one school is ranked #3 and another is ranked #4.

#1: Northwestern University

Northwestern's undergrad creative writing program boasts acclaimed professors and an unparalleled track record of turning out successful writers (including Divergent author Veronica Roth and short-story writer Karen Russell).

Outside the classroom, you can work on the student-run literary journal, intern at a publication in nearby Chicago, or submit to the Department of English's yearly writing competition . The university is also home to a top journalism program , so if you want to try your hand at nonfiction as well, you'll have plenty of opportunities to do so.

#2: Columbia University

Like Northwestern, Columbia is home to both a world-class creative writing program and a top journalism school (plus one of the best English departments in the country), so you have a wide range of writing-related course options. Columbia also benefits from its location in New York City, which is bursting at the seams with publishing houses, literary journals, and talented authors.

#3: University of Iowa

The University of Iowa's big draw is the infrastructure of its graduate Writers' Workshop, which is often considered the best MFA program in the country.

As an English and Creative Writing major here, you'll take classes from great young writers and established professors alike, and get to choose from a wide range of topics. This major provides transferable skills important for a liberal arts major with a creative focus. You'll also have access to the university's impressive literary community, including frequent readings, writing prizes and scholarships, and the acclaimed literary journal The Iowa Review .

#4: Emory University

Emory is renowned for its dedicated undergrad creative writing program , which draws the very best visiting scholars and writers. Students here have the chance to attend intimate question-and-answer sessions with award-winning authors, study a range of genres, compete for writing awards and scholarships, and work closely with an adviser to complete an honors project.

#5: Oberlin College

A small liberal arts school in Ohio, Oberlin offers very different advantages than the schools above do. You'll have fewer opportunities to pursue writing in the surrounding city, but the quality of the teachers and the range of courses might make up for that. Moreover, it boasts just as impressive alumni, including actress and writer Lena Dunham.

#6: Hamilton College

Hamilton is another small college, located in upstate New York. It's known for giving students the freedom to pursue their interests and the support to help them explore topics in real depth, both inside and outside the classroom. Hamilton's creative writing program takes full advantage with small classes and lots of opportunities to intern and publish; it also has one of the best writing centers in the country.

#7: Brown University

Brown's Literary Arts program offers one of the top MFAs in the US as well as an undergraduate major . For the major, you must take four creative writing workshops and six reading-intensive courses, which span an array of departments and topics, from music and literature to Middle East studies and Egyptology.

#8: Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University has an excellent creative writing MFA program, lots of super specific class options, and a number of scholarships specifically earmarked for creative writing students. This school’s undergraduate English program also offers a concentration in creative writing that allows students to specialize in a specific genre: poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. If you’re interested in exploring your potential in a specific writing genre, Washington University could be a great pick for you.

#9: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT might not be a school you generally associate with writing, but it actually has an excellent program that offers courses in digital media and science writing, as well as creative writing, and provides plenty of guidance on how graduates can navigate the tricky job market.

Not to mention the school is located in Cambridge, a haven for book lovers and writers of all kinds. Though it probably isn’t a good fit for students who hate science, MIT is a great place for aspiring writers who want to build writing skills that are marketable in a wide range of industries.

#10: University of Michigan

University of Michigan is one of the best state universities in the country and has a top-notch MFA program. This school’s undergrad creative writing sub-concentration requires students to submit applications for admittance to advanced creative writing courses. These applications give students crucial practice in both building a writing portfolio and articulating their interest in creative writing to an audience who will evaluate their work. If you're looking to attend a big school with a great creative writing major, this is a fantastic choice.

#11: Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins is another school that's known more for engineering than it is for writing, but, like MIT, it has a dedicated writing program. As a major here, you must take not only courses in prose, poetry, and literature, but also classes on topics such as philosophy and history.

#12: Colorado College

Colorado College is a small liberal arts school known for its block plan , which allows students to focus on one class per three-and-a-half-week block. The creative writing track of the English major includes a sequence of four writing workshops and also requires students to attend every reading of the Visiting Writers Series.

Bonus School: New York University

I didn't include NYU in the main list because it doesn't have a dedicated creative writing major, but it's a great school for aspiring writers nonetheless, offering one of the most impressive creative writing faculties in the country and all the benefits of a Manhattan location.

How To Pick the Best Creative Writing School for You

Just because Northwestern is a great school for creative writing doesn't mean you should set your heart on going there. (The football fans are completely terrifying, for one thing.) So where should you go then?

Here are some questions to ask yourself when looking at creative writing programs to help you determine the best school for you:

Does It Have Courses You're Interested In?

Look at the course offerings and see whether they interest you. While you can't predict exactly what classes you'll love, you want to avoid a mismatch where what you want to study and what the program offers are completely different. For example, if you want to write sonnets but the school focuses more on teaching fiction, it probably won't be a great fit for you.

Also, don't forget to look at the English courses and creative writing workshops! In most programs, you'll be taking a lot of these, too.

What Opportunities Are There To Pursue Writing Outside of Class?

I touched on this idea in the criteria section, but it's important enough that I want to reiterate it here. Some of the best writing experience you can get is found outside the classroom, so see what kind of writing-related extracurriculars a school has before committing to it.

Great options include getting involved with the campus newspaper, working on the school's literary journal, or interning at the university press.

Who Will Be Teaching You?

Who are the professors? What kind of work have they published? Check teacher ratings on Rate My Professors (but make sure to read the actual reviews—and always take them with a grain of salt).

If you're looking at a big school, there's a good chance that a lot of your teachers will be graduate students. But that's not necessarily a bad thing: a lot of the best teachers I had in college were graduate students. Just take into consideration what kind of graduate program the school has. If there's a great creative writing MFA program, then the graduate students are likely to be better writers and more engaged teachers.

What Are the Alumni Doing Now?

If you have a sense of what you want to do after you graduate, see if any alumni of the program are pursuing that type of career. The stronger the alumni network is, the more connections you'll have when it comes time to get a job.

What About the Rest of the School?

Don't pick a school for which you like the creative writing program but dread everything else about it. Most of your time will be spent doing other things, whether hanging out in the dorms, exploring off campus, or fulfilling general education requirements.

Many schools require you to apply to the creative writing major, so make doubly sure you'll be happy with your choice even if you aren't accepted to the program.

What's Next?

Are you sure a creative writing major is the right fit for you? Read our post on the pros and cons of the major to help you decide what path to take in college.

For more general advice about choosing a college, check out our complete guide to finding the right school for you. Some major factors to consider include deciding whether you're interested in a small college or a big university , an in-state or out-of-state institution , and a public or private school .

Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.

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After weeks of deliberating over the right words and fine-tuning your creative nonfiction piece , you’re ready to begin submitting to literary nonfiction journals. The only problem is finding the right home for your creative nonfiction submission. What journals or literary nonfiction magazines should you prioritize submitting your work to?

Find your answer here: we’ve searched the net for great creative nonfiction journals, and any of the following 24 publications is a wonderful home for creative nonfiction—guaranteed.

If you’re looking to submit multiple genres of work, take a look at the best places to submit poetry and the best places to submit fiction , too!

24 Creative Nonfiction Magazines to Submit To

Just like our other guides on the best literary journals to submit to, we’ve divided this article into three different categories:

• Great journals to secure your first publications in
• Competitive journals for writers with previous publications
• High-tier creative nonfiction journals at the summit of publishing

Any publication in the following 24 journals is sure to jumpstart your literary career. So, let’s explore the best nonfiction magazines and journals!

Creative Nonfiction Magazines: Great First Publications

The following eight journals sponsor creative nonfiction from both emerging and established writers, making them great opportunities for writers in any stage of their journey.

1. Sundog Lit

Sundog Lit loves the weird and experimental, and it regularly seeks innovative nonfiction for its biannual journal. All submitted works should be well-researched and play with both form and content. Submit your hybrid content to this great creative nonfiction journal!

2. River Teeth Journal

River Teeth Journal specializes in narrative nonfiction. The journal operates with the motto “Good Writing Counts and Facts Matter,” which captures their preference for well-researched and thoughtfully composed CNF. Literary nonfiction submissions are open twice a year, typically between September and May.

3. Atticus Review

Atticus Review posts daily nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. They publish work that is unabashed and resilient, finding hope in even the toughest of situations. All published works after September 19th, 2020 receive a $10 award from this creative nonfiction journal!

4. Barren Magazine

Barren Magazine publishes nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and photography, preferring works with grit and muster. Each publication of this creative nonfiction magazine includes prompts: for their 17th issue, the prompts are “unorthodox, sensational, kinetic, quixotic, & transcendent.”

5. The Offing

The editors at The Offing look for work that’s innovative, genre-bending, and challenges conventions. The Offing is especially keen to support both new and established authors, making them a welcome home for your creative nonfiction submissions.

6. Crazy Horse

Crazy Horse sponsors emerging and diverse voices in its biannual publication. Submissions for this journal remain open between September and May, and they typically range between 2,500 and 5,000 words. This is a great literary journal to submit to for writers of all styles and narratives!

7. Dogwood: a Journal of Poetry and Prose

Dogwood is a journal of poetry and prose based out of Fairfield University. This annual publication only opens for submissions in the Fall, and each edition includes prizes for top pieces. Literary nonfiction from all walks of life are welcome here.

8. Montana Mouthful

Straight out of the Treasure State, Montana Mouthful seeks “just a mouthful” of fiction and nonfiction. Creative nonfiction submissions should not exceed 2,000 words but should still deliver a cogent, memorable story.

Creative Nonfiction Magazines: Reputable Literary Journals to Submit To

The following literary magazines and creative nonfiction journals can be tough competition, but with a few previous publications under your belt and a special story ready for print, the following journals could jumpstart your literary career. All of these journals have fantastic literary nonfiction examples!

9. Conjunctions

Conjunctions publishes daring works of poetry and prose, living by its motto to “Read Dangerously!” Submitted works should provoke, excite, and linger with the reader. Conjunctions publishes both a biannual magazine and a weekly online journal, both of which house fantastic literary journalism.

10. Black Warrior Review

Black Warrior Review is a biannual literary journal run by the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. This Whiting Awarded journal nurtures groundbreaking literary nonfiction, fiction, and poetry, with many of its authors going on to win Pushcarts and Best of the Net prizes!

11. Hippocampus

Hippocampus Magazine is one of the best creative nonfiction magazines out there, as it focuses solely on the publication of personal essays and nonfiction stories. Their strictly digital publication is highly literary and has many great creative nonfiction examples and pieces. Despite being a highly competitive journal, both new and emerging writers can find a home at Hippocampus .

12. American Literary Review

The American Literary Review , run out of the University of North Texas, publishes engaging and precise stories and poetry. The journal is currently on hiatus, but read some of its back issues and you’ll understand why it’s a great literary journal to submit to.

13. Fourth Genre

Fourth Genre is a biannual creative nonfiction journal published through Michigan State University. The journal amplifies diverse and powerful voices, seeking stories that are refreshing, earnest, and imaginative. Fourth Genre only publishes nonfiction, so read its back issues for some great creative nonfiction examples!

14. The Cincinnati Review

The Cincinnati Review is interested in literary nonfiction that can “knock your socks off.” Submissions for personal essays are open between September and January; writers can also submit flash nonfiction year-round to its miCRo series.

15. Creative Nonfiction

“True stories, well told” is the motto of Creative Nonfiction , the aptly-named journal of all things CNF. Creative Nonfiction celebrates a diverse range of voices and experiences, championing both new and established essayists. Between its literary publications and its creative nonfiction blog, writers can learn a lot from this journal. Send your creative nonfiction submissions to Creative Nonfiction !

16. Witness

Witness publishes prose and poetry that examines and analyzes the modern day. They seek stories about modern issues and events, often publishing bold and eclectic takes on serious issues. Witness is a more politically-oriented journal, making it a leader in contemporary literary journalism.

Creative Nonfiction Magazines: The Summit of Literary Nonfiction

The following journals are notoriously difficult to publish in, as writers often have to have a name built for themselves in the literary world. Nonetheless, the following publications exist at the summit of CNF, so keep these publications on your radar as top literary journals to submit to.

AGNI , a highly literary publication run at Boston University, publishes fiery, transformative prose and poetry. Creative nonfiction submissions should be polished, inventive, and highly original. Be sure to read their previous publications for an idea of what they look for!

18. The Atlantic

The Atlantic is well-respected for its literary journalism, making it a premier publisher of creative nonfiction. Though many of its published pieces are solicited, The Atlantic is always looking for fresh, bold stories and poetry, so it’s a premier place for nonfiction magazine submissions.

Salon does not present itself as a creative nonfiction journal, but many of its previous magazine issues are highly literary in nature, examining current issues with a sharp, educated lens. If you have nonfiction stories that are both personal and global in nature, Salon accepts queries for articles and editorials, so check them out!

20. The Antioch Review

The Antioch Review is a real page-turner, as their past publications can attest to. This highly literary journal publishes fantastic prose and poetry, and if you have a creative nonfiction piece that’s riveting and influential, The Antioch Review is looking for your creative nonfiction submissions.

21. The Colorado Review

The Colorado Review is a tri-annual publication steeped in history, with original issues featuring poetry and prose from Langston Hughes, E. E. Cummings, Henry Miller, etc. The journal is committed to contemporary literature, seeking voices that are transformative and capture today’s (or tomorrow’s) zeitgeist. The Colorado Review is a fantastic space for literary journalism and will certainly welcome your creative nonfiction.

22. The Virginia Quarterly

The Virginia Quarterly publishes a wide array of literary nonfiction, fiction, and poetry, promising both ample readership and ample pay. VQR seeks inventive and imaginative stories, and it accepts both personal essays and nonfiction pieces on literary and cultural criticism. Submissions are generally open in July, but keep tuned for any special announcements or brief reading periods!

23. New England Review

New England Review is a quarterly publication of all things literary. The journal is dedicated to publishing both emerging and established voices, though it remains a highly competitive journal for creative nonfiction. NER is a great literary journal to submit to for stories that are engaged, critical, and sparkling.

24. North American Review

The North American Review is the oldest literary magazine in the United States. Since its inception in 1815, it remains one of the best nonfiction magazines to submit to, publishing strong literary voices with imaginative story arcs and moving messages. Nonfiction magazine submissions at North American Review are always spectacular—go check them out!

Tips for Publishing Your Creative Nonfiction Submissions

“How do I get my nonfiction published with so many other voices in the room?” This is a question we hear often, and as writers in the modern day, we can’t help but notice how diverse the publishing world is, and how everything “has already been written.” How can you make sure your story gets published in the right creative nonfiction magazines?

Of course, no story is guaranteed publication, but if you’ve written an earnest, sparkling story with grit, character, and truth, then the right literary journals to submit to are in this list. Additionally, you can boost your chances of success with the following publishing tips:

Start With a Powerful Title

Your creative nonfiction submissions should draw the reader in right away, which means starting with an attention-grabbing title. Your title could be a singular and obscure word, or it could be a long description, or anything in-between—the goal is to stand out while representing your story faithfully.

Here are some great titles we saw from a brief glance at the literary nonfiction examples from Hippocampus :

• Bar Bathroom Graffiti in New Orleans: A One Year Catalog by Kirsten Reneau
• Necrokedeia for Children by Mark Hall
• Ford Motor Company Tells Me About Perseverance by Alexis Annunziata

These titles give you an idea about the story itself while also drawing you in with wit, humor, or obscurity. Literary editors have thousands of stories to read each year; give them something to notice so you can stand out among the rest!

Follow the Creative Nonfiction Journal’s Formatting Guidelines

A surefire way to receive rejections on your literary nonfiction is to ignore the formatting guidelines. Each journal has its own requirements, though they often align with MLA formatting requirements, but be sure you follow the journal’s instructions faithfully, or else they may discard your submission without even reading it.

Read the Creative Nonfiction Magazine’s Past Issues

The 24 publications mentioned in this article are some of the best nonfiction magazines in the world, in part because they adhere so strongly to their tastes and preferences. As such, no two journals are alike, and each publication has its own expectations for the nonfiction they read and publish. Before you submit your creative nonfiction, be sure to read some past publications and gauge whether your essay will fit in with the journal’s literary tastes.

Keep Track of Your Submissions

Many creative nonfiction journals allow simultaneous submissions, meaning you can submit the same piece to multiple journals. However, if one journal accepts your work, you need to notify the other journals that it has been accepted and is no longer available for consideration.

Keeping track of your creative nonfiction submissions in a spreadsheet or personal organizer is essential: if multiple journals publish your story, it could harm your chances of getting published in the future.

Aim High—But Not Too High

Your personal essay deserves to be read, but if you’re only submitting to journals like VQR or The Atlantic, it might never see the light of day. Part of the publishing process means building your publication history and portfolio.

Your literary journalism will one day get published in Salon or the New York Times, but until then, focus on getting recognized in smaller and medium sized journals—and don’t let rejections bring you down, because it’s only up from here!

Fine-Tune Your Creative Nonfiction Submissions with Writers.com

Looking for extra help on writing your personal essay, lyric essay, or hybrid nonfiction piece? The instructors at Writers.com are ready to assist you. Gain valuable insight and diverse perspectives on your nonfiction stories before submitting them to the 24 creative nonfiction magazines we’ve listed.

Good luck, and happy writing!

Sean Glatch

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The 10 Best Creative Writing MFA Programs in the US

The talent is there. 

But the next generation of great American writers needs a collegial place to hone their craft. 

They need a place to explore the writer’s role in a wider community. 

They really need guidance about how and when to publish. 

All these things can be found in a solid Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree program. This degree offers access to mentors, to colleagues, and to a future in the writing world. 

A good MFA program gives new writers a precious few years to focus completely on their work, an ideal space away from the noise and pressure of the fast-paced modern world. 

We’ve found ten of the best ones, all of which provide the support, the creative stimulation, and the tranquility necessary to foster a mature writer.

We looked at graduate departments from all regions, public and private, all sizes, searching for the ten most inspiring Creative Writing MFA programs. 

Each of these ten institutions has assembled stellar faculties, developed student-focused paths of study, and provide robust support for writers accepted into their degree programs. 

To be considered for inclusion in this list, these MFA programs all must be fully-funded degrees, as recognized by Read The Workshop .

Creative Writing education has broadened and expanded over recent years, and no single method or plan fits for all students. 

Today, MFA programs across the country give budding short story writers and poets a variety of options for study. For future novelists, screenwriters – even viral bloggers – the search for the perfect setting for their next phase of development starts with these outstanding institutions, all of which have developed thoughtful and particular approaches to study.

So where will the next Salinger scribble his stories on the steps of the student center, or the next Angelou reading her poems in the local bookstore’s student-run poetry night? At one of these ten programs.

Here are 10 of the best creative writing MFA programs in the US.

University of Oregon (Eugene, OR)

Starting off the list is one of the oldest and most venerated Creative Writing programs in the country, the MFA at the University of Oregon. 

Longtime mentor, teacher, and award-winning poet Garrett Hongo directs the program, modeling its studio-based approach to one-on-one instruction in the English college system. 

Oregon’s MFA embraces its reputation for rigor. Besides attending workshops and tutorials, students take classes in more formal poetics and literature.  

A classic college town, Eugene provides an ideal backdrop for the writers’ community within Oregon’s MFA students and faculty.  

Tsunami Books , a local bookseller with national caché, hosts student-run readings featuring writers from the program. 

Graduates garner an impressive range of critical acclaim; Yale Younger Poet winner Brigit Pegeen Kelly, Cave Canem Prize winner and Guggenheim fellow Major Jackson, and PEN-Hemingway Award winner Chang-Rae Lee are noteworthy alumni. 

With its appealing setting and impressive reputation, Oregon’s MFA program attracts top writers as visiting faculty, including recent guests Elizabeth McCracken, David Mura, and Li-young Lee.

The individual approach defines the Oregon MFA experience; a key feature of the program’s first year is the customized reading list each MFA student creates with their faculty guide. 

Weekly meetings focus not only on the student’s writing, but also on the extended discovery of voice through directed reading. 

Accepting only ten new students a year—five in poetry and five in fiction— the University of Oregon’s MFA ensures a close-knit community with plenty of individual coaching and guidance.

Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)

Cornell University’s MFA program takes the long view on life as a writer, incorporating practical editorial training and teaching experience into its two-year program.

Incoming MFA students choose their own faculty committee of at least two faculty members, providing consistent advice as they move through a mixture of workshop and literature classes. 

Students in the program’s first year benefit from editorial training as readers and editors for Epoch , the program’s prestigious literary journal.

Teaching experience grounds the Cornell program. MFA students design and teach writing-centered undergraduate seminars on a variety of topics, and they remain in Ithaca during the summer to teach in programs for undergraduates. 

Cornell even allows MFA graduates to stay on as lecturers at Cornell for a period of time while they are on the job search. Cornell also offers a joint MFA/Ph.D. program through the Creative Writing and English departments.

Endowments fund several acclaimed reading series, drawing internationally known authors to campus for workshops and work sessions with MFA students. 

Recent visiting readers include Salman Rushdie, Sandra Cisneros, Billy Collins, Margaret Atwood, Ada Limón, and others. 

Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ)

Arizona State’s MFA in Creative Writing spans three years, giving students ample time to practice their craft, develop a voice, and begin to find a place in the post-graduation literary world. 

Coursework balances writing and literature classes equally, with courses in craft and one-on-one mentoring alongside courses in literature, theory, or even electives in topics like fine press printing, bookmaking, or publishing. 

While students follow a path in either poetry or fiction, they are encouraged to take courses across the genres.

Teaching is also a focus in Arizona State’s MFA program, with funding coming from teaching assistantships in the school’s English department. Other exciting teaching opportunities include teaching abroad in locations around the world, funded through grants and internships.

The Virginia C. Piper Center for Creative Writing, affiliated with the program, offers Arizona State MFA students professional development in formal and informal ways. 

The Distinguished Writers Series and Desert Nights, Rising Stars Conference bring world-class writers to campus, allowing students to interact with some of the greatest in the profession. Acclaimed writer and poet Alberto Ríos directs the Piper Center.

Arizona State transitions students to the world after graduation through internships with publishers like Four Way Books. 

Its commitment to the student experience and its history of producing acclaimed writers—recent examples include Tayari Jones (Oprah’s Book Club, 2018; Women’s Prize for Fiction, 2019), Venita Blackburn ( Prairie Schooner Book Prize, 2018), and Hugh Martin ( Iowa Review Jeff Sharlet Award for Veterans)—make Arizona State University’s MFA a consistent leader among degree programs.

University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX)

The University of Texas at Austin’s MFA program, the Michener Center for Writers, maintains one of the most vibrant, exciting, active literary faculties of any MFA program.

Denis Johnson D.A. Powell, Geoff Dyer, Natasha Trethewey, Margot Livesey, Ben Fountain: the list of recent guest faculty boasts some of the biggest names in current literature.

This three-year program fully funds candidates without teaching fellowships or assistantships; the goal is for students to focus entirely on their writing. 

More genre tracks at the Michener Center mean students can choose two focus areas, a primary and secondary, from Fiction, Poetry, Screenwriting, and Playwriting.

The Michener Center for Writers plays a prominent role in contemporary writing of all kinds. 

The hip, student-edited Bat City Review accepts work of all genres, visual art, cross genres, collaborative, and experimental pieces.  

Recent events for illustrious alumni include New Yorker publications, an Oprah Book Club selection, a screenwriting prize, and a 2021 Pulitzer (for visiting faculty member Mitchell Jackson). 

In this program, students are right in the middle of all the action of contemporary American literature.

Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)

The MFA in Creative Writing at Washington University in St. Louis is a program on the move: applicants have almost doubled here in the last five years. 

Maybe this sudden growth of interest comes from recent rising star alumni on the literary scene, like Paul Tran, Miranda Popkey, and National Book Award winner Justin Phillip Reed.

Or maybe it’s the high profile Washington University’s MFA program commands, with its rotating faculty post through the Hurst Visiting Professor program and its active distinguished reader series. 

Superstar figures like Alison Bechdel and George Saunders have recently held visiting professorships, maintaining an energetic atmosphere program-wide.

Washington University’s MFA program sustains a reputation for the quality of the mentorship experience. 

With only five new students in each genre annually, MFA candidates form close cohorts among their peers and enjoy attentive support and mentorship from an engaged and vigorous faculty. 

Three genre tracks are available to students: fiction, poetry, and the increasingly relevant and popular creative nonfiction.

Another attractive feature of this program: first-year students are fully funded, but not expected to take on a teaching role until their second year. 

A generous stipend, coupled with St. Louis’s low cost of living, gives MFA candidates at Washington University the space to develop in a low-stress but stimulating creative environment.

Indiana University (Bloomington, IN)

It’s one of the first and biggest choices students face when choosing an MFA program: two-year or three-year? 

Indiana University makes a compelling case for its three-year program, in which the third year of support allows students an extended period of time to focus on the thesis, usually a novel or book-length collection.

One of the older programs on the list, Indiana’s MFA dates back to 1948. 

Its past instructors and alumni read like the index to an American Literature textbook. 

How many places can you take classes in the same place Robert Frost once taught, not to mention the program that granted its first creative writing Master’s degree to David Wagoner? Even today, the program’s integrity and reputation draw faculty like Ross Gay and Kevin Young.

Indiana’s Creative Writing program houses two more literary institutions, the Indiana Review, and the Indiana University Writers’ Conference. 

Students make up the editorial staff of this lauded literary magazine, in some cases for course credit or a stipend. An MFA candidate serves each year as assistant director of the much-celebrated and highly attended conference . 

These two facets of Indiana’s program give graduate students access to visiting writers, professional experience, and a taste of the writing life beyond academia.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI)

The University of Michigan’s Helen Zell Writers’ Program cultivates its students with a combination of workshop-driven course work and vigorous programming on and off-campus. Inventive new voices in fiction and poetry consistently emerge from this two-year program.

The campus hosts multiple readings, events, and contests, anchored by the Zell Visiting Writers Series. The Hopgood Awards offer annual prize money to Michigan creative writing students . 

The department cultivates relationships with organizations and events around Detroit, so whether it’s introducing writers at Literati bookstore or organizing writing retreats in conjunction with local arts organizations, MFA candidates find opportunities to cultivate a community role and public persona as a writer.

What happens after graduation tells the big story of this program. Michigan produces heavy hitters in the literary world, like Celeste Ng, Jesmyn Ward, Elizabeth Kostova, Nate Marshall, Paisley Rekdal, and Laura Kasischke. 

Their alumni place their works with venerable houses like Penguin and Harper Collins, longtime literary favorites Graywolf and Copper Canyon, and the new vanguard like McSweeney’s, Fence, and Ugly Duckling Presse.

University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN)

Structure combined with personal attention and mentorship characterizes the University of Minnesota’s Creative Writing MFA, starting with its unique program requirements. 

In addition to course work and a final thesis, Minnesota’s MFA candidates assemble a book list of personally significant works on literary craft, compose a long-form essay on their writing process, and defend their thesis works with reading in front of an audience.

Literary journal Great River Review and events like the First Book reading series and Mill City Reading series do their part to expand the student experience beyond the focus on the internal. 

The Edelstein-Keller Visiting Writer Series draws exceptional, culturally relevant writers like Chuck Klosterman and Claudia Rankine for readings and student conversations. 

Writer and retired University of Minnesota instructor Charles Baxter established the program’s Hunger Relief benefit , aiding Minnesota’s Second Harvest Heartland organization. 

Emblematic of the program’s vision of the writer in service to humanity, this annual contest and reading bring together distinguished writers, students, faculty, and community members in favor of a greater goal.

Brown University (Providence, RI)

One of the top institutions on any list, Brown University features an elegantly-constructed Literary Arts Program, with students choosing one workshop and one elective per semester. 

The electives can be taken from any department at Brown; especially popular choices include Studio Art and other coursework through the affiliated Rhode Island School of Design. The final semester consists of thesis construction under the supervision of the candidate’s faculty advisor.

Brown is the only MFA program to feature, in addition to poetry and fiction tracks, the Digital/Cross Disciplinary track . 

This track attracts multidisciplinary writers who need the support offered by Brown’s collaboration among music, visual art, computer science, theater and performance studies, and other departments. 

The interaction with the Rhode Island School of Design also allows those artists interested in new forms of media to explore and develop their practice, inventing new forms of art and communication.

Brown’s Literary Arts Program focuses on creating an atmosphere where students can refine their artistic visions, supported by like-minded faculty who provide the time and materials necessary to innovate. 

Not only has the program produced trailblazing writers like Percival Everett and Otessa Moshfegh, but works composed by alumni incorporating dance, music, media, and theater have been performed around the world, from the stage at Kennedy Center to National Public Radio.

University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA)

When most people hear “MFA in Creative Writing,” it’s the Iowa Writers’ Workshop they imagine. 

The informal name of the University of Iowa’s Program in Creative Writing, the Iowa Writers’ Workshop was the first to offer an MFA, back in 1936. 

One of the first diplomas went to renowned writer Wallace Stegner, who later founded the MFA program at Stanford.

 It’s hard to argue with seventeen Pulitzer Prize winners and six U.S. Poets Laureate. The Iowa Writers’ Workshop is the root system of the MFA tree.

The two-year program balances writing courses with coursework in other graduate departments at the university. In addition to the book-length thesis, a written exam is part of the student’s last semester.

Because the program represents the quintessential idea of a writing program, it attracts its faculty positions, reading series, events, and workshops the brightest lights of the literary world. 

The program’s flagship literary magazine, the Iowa Review , is a lofty goal for writers at all stages of their career. 

At the Writers’ Workshop, tracks include not only fiction, poetry, playwriting, and nonfiction, but also Spanish creative writing and literary translation. Their reading series in association with Prairie Lights bookstore streams online and is heard around the world.

Iowa’s program came into being in answer to the central question posed to each one of these schools: can writing be taught? 

The answer for a group of intrepid, creative souls in 1936 was, actually, “maybe not.” 

But they believed it could be cultivated; each one of these institutions proves it can be, in many ways, for those willing to commit the time and imagination.

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Bride, 23, Slammed for Charging Guests $10 to Attend Utah Wedding and Posting Registry on Social Media

In an anonymous post on Reddit, the woman defended her choice of venue despite the entrance fee, but users still found her at fault

• A Utah-based bride took to a popular Reddit forum to ask users whether she was at fault for charging guests to attend her wedding, which was held in a canyon with a $10 entrance fee.
• The poster defended her choice of venue, claiming she and her fiancé "had [their] hearts set" on the specific canyon, as opposed to another location without a cost of entry.
• Online critics also slammed the couple for asking attendees to bring their own camping chairs, and while they only invited 20 people to the actual event, they shared their registry on social media.

A bride is on the receiving end of online criticism after sharing some of her controversial wedding details.

In an anonymous post on Reddit , the then-23-year-old woman wondered whether she was in the wrong for asking her guests to pay $10 to attend her wedding at a canyon location in southern Utah. The cost, she explained on the forum, matched the fee park rangers charge for entry into the canyon.

The $10 price of attendance was noted on the invitation, and the bride wrote that her sister was quick to voice her displeasure upon receipt. She noted that her sister called her a “cheapskate” because other canyons wouldn’t necessarily charge a fee.

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“But me and my fiance already have our hearts set on this specific canyon and view,” the post’s author wrote in her own defense. 

The bride goes on to say her sister then “started to nitpick our whole wedding plan,” criticizing details like how the couple asked guests to bring their own camping chairs and hosted a small dinner instead of a large reception. Her sister also pointed out how the couple shared their registry “all over social media” even though they only invited 20 people to their nuptials.

Overall, Reddit users determined the bride was at fault, and her sister was justified in calling out the inconveniences thrust upon the wedding guests.

The nearly newlywed admitted that she was indeed looking to save money by selecting an outdoor venue, and she didn’t see anything wrong with her limited guest list reserved for an intimate crowd of family and friends.

She also claimed to have asked rangers about alternative ideas for guests’ entry into the canyon.

“We asked them if we could buy passes or slips or give them a list of names ahead of time in order to pay for our guests, but none of those solutions worked. We decided informing our guests that there would be a $10 fee as a heads up would be the best way to go,” the bride wrote, adding, “I guess we should have been more creative but we already sent out the invites.”

In response, one Reddit user said they were largely sympathetic until the author mentioned sharing her registry online. “I was trying to be open minded but you lost me at posting your registry on social media, soliciting gifts from people who aren’t invited,” the person commented. 

Another agreed, writing, “That's not normal folks, people who don't come to your wedding shouldn't be expected to give you gifts.”

The original poster did defend her choice to upload her registry on social media, claiming she wasn’t aware it was “such a faux pas.”

“Everybody posts everything now a days [sic] online and many people (who already knew they weren't invited) had asked me about the registry so I posted it,” the bride elaborated.

But her social media blast wasn’t the only error on which Reddit users focused in their replies. One person said they were also married at a park with an entrance fee but employed a more guest-friendly way of covering the charges.

“We included a card with the invitation that our guests could present at the park to be allowed in. We put a deposit at the gate to cover their parking charges, and they calculated the actual amount due based on the cards they collected,” they explained, concluding, “It’s not that difficult. Don’t charge your guests.”

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Creative Writing Prompts

When the idea to start a weekly newsletter with writing inspiration first came to us, we decided that we wanted to do more than provide people with topics to write about. We wanted to try and help authors form a regular writing habit and also give them a place to proudly display their work. So we started the weekly Creative Writing Prompts newsletter. Since then, Prompts has grown to a community of more than 450,000 authors, complete with its own literary magazine, Prompted .  

Here's how our contest works: every Friday, we send out a newsletter containing five creative writing prompts. Each week, the story ideas center around a different theme. Authors then have one week — until the following Friday — to submit a short story based on one of our prompts. A winner is picked each week to win $250 and is highlighted on our Reedsy Prompts page.

Interested in participating in our short story contest? Sign up here for more information! Or you can check out our full Terms of Use and our FAQ page .

Why we love creative writing prompts

If you've ever sat in front of a computer or notebook and felt the urge to start creating worlds, characters, and storylines — all the while finding yourself unable to do so — then you've met the author's age-old foe: writer's block. There's nothing more frustrating than finding the time but not the words to be creative. Enter our directory! If you're ready to kick writer's block to the curb and finally get started on your short story or novel, these unique story ideas might just be your ticket.

This list of 1800+ creative writing prompts has been created by the Reedsy team to help you develop a rock-solid writing routine. As all aspiring authors know, this is the #1 challenge — and solution! — for reaching your literary goals. Feel free to filter through different genres, which include...

Dramatic — If you want to make people laugh and cry within the same story, this might be your genre.

Funny — Whether satire or slapstick, this is an opportunity to write with your funny bone.

Romance — One of the most popular commercial genres out there. Check out these story ideas out if you love writing about love.

Fantasy — The beauty of this genre is that the possibilities are as endless as your imagination.

Dystopian – Explore the shadowy side of human nature and contemporary technology in dark speculative fiction.

Mystery — From whodunnits to cozy mysteries, it's time to bring out your inner detective.

Thriller and Suspense — There's nothing like a page-turner that elicits a gasp of surprise at the end.

High School — Encourage teens to let their imaginations run free.

Want to submit your own story ideas to help inspire fellow writers? Send them to us here.

After you find the perfect story idea

Finding inspiration is just one piece of the puzzle. Next, you need to refine your craft skills — and then display them to the world. We've worked hard to create resources that help you do just that! Check them out:

• How to Write a Short Story That Gets Published — a free, ten-day course by Laura Mae Isaacman, a full-time editor who runs a book editing company in Brooklyn.
• Best Literary Magazines of 2023 — a directory of 100+ reputable magazines that accept unsolicited submissions.
• Writing Contests in 2023 — the finest contests of 2021 for fiction and non-fiction authors of short stories, poetry, essays, and more.

Beyond creative writing prompts: how to build a writing routine

While writing prompts are a great tactic to spark your creative sessions, a writer generally needs a couple more tools in their toolbelt when it comes to developing a rock-solid writing routine . To that end, here are a few more additional tips for incorporating your craft into your everyday life.

• NNWT. Or, as book coach Kevin Johns calls it , “Non-Negotiable Writing Time.” This time should be scheduled into your routine, whether that’s once a day or once a week. Treat it as a serious commitment, and don’t schedule anything else during your NNWT unless it’s absolutely necessary.
• Set word count goals. And make them realistic! Don’t start out with lofty goals you’re unlikely to achieve. Give some thought to how many words you think you can write a week, and start there. If you find you’re hitting your weekly or daily goals easily, keep upping the stakes as your craft time becomes more ingrained in your routine.
• Talk to friends and family about the project you’re working on. Doing so means that those close to you are likely to check in about the status of your piece — which in turn keeps you more accountable.

Arm yourself against writer’s block. Writer’s block will inevitably come, no matter how much story ideas initially inspire you. So it’s best to be prepared with tips and tricks you can use to keep yourself on track before the block hits. You can find 20 solid tips here — including how to establish a relationship with your inner critic and apps that can help you defeat procrastination or lack of motivation.

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9 Books to Spark Your Creativity

Reading Lists

Struggling to come up with ideas here's how to find inspiration.

Of all the craft books I’ve read in my life, perhaps none have stuck with me quite as clearly as the assertion, at the beginning of Mary Oliver’s  A Poetry Handbook , that, rather than waiting for inspiration to strike, an aspiring writer must sit down regularly for an appointment with the muse. If you do this, Oliver suggests, inspiration will follow: “if you are reliably there, it begins to show itself—soon it begins to arrive when you do.” And if not, “if you are only there sometimes and are frequently late or inattentive,” the inspiration you’re seeking “will appear fleetingly, or it will not appear at all.”

Even twenty years past the introduction to poetry class in which I first read Oliver’s book, I don’t think this is necessarily bad advice. I don’t write every day, as some scolds insist you must to be a real writer, whatever that means, but I do write regularly, and I’ve got a notebook and a pen stashed in every purse, my gym bag, and my glove compartment, so I can catch inspiration whenever it does strike. (My newsletter,  Write More, Be Less Careful , is  full of tips  for  scratching out time to write  in the midst of a busy life.) 

But what happens when you sit down to write and inspiration doesn’t follow? What do you do when you’ve dutifully held up your side of the bargain and that creative spark remains elusive?

Below, I’ve rounded up a collection of books that will spark your creativity and make you want to write. They mostly aren’t craft books in the conventional sense—they’re less about learning about line breaks or point of view and more about how to seize on unlikely sources of inspiration and crack open your brain to make space for creative work. 

Make Your Art No Matter What: Moving Beyond Creative Hurdles by Beth Pickens

In  Make Your Art No Matter What , Pickens, a therapist and artist coach, guides readers through exercises to overcome common creative hurdles, ranging from the philosophical like time, fear, and other people, to the downright practical, including money and marketing. I  interviewed Pickens , a therapist and artist coach, when her book first came out in the summer of 2021, and it’s has remained a warm source of encouragement since then. (It was that interview with Beth that inspired me to finally stop cackling nervously about how anxious I was about the business and self-promotion arm of writing and actually find a therapist, which helped enormously, in case anyone else needs a nudge to stop following therapists on Instagram and see one in real life.) Like a good therapist, she’s sympathetic to your struggles—and she’s also got lots of great resources to help you make your art and get out of your own way.

Syllabus: Notes From An Accidental Professor   and  Making Comics by Lynda Berry

Even—or maybe  especially  if—you’re someone who thinks of yourself as “not artistic,” the exercises in Lynda Barry’s books will likely unlock something in your creative brain.  Syllabus: Notes From An Accidental Professor , provides a peek into Barry’s classroom at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where she’s an Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Creativity, and the follow-up,  Making Comics , includes exercises like “Scribble Monster Jam” that can be done in a group as a round robin or on your own. Several of her exercises pair drawing with narrative, a combination that will likely prove fruitful for lots of writers. What I love about Barry’s work is her insistence on practice and playfulness. Once we’ve abandoned something because we fear we’re bad at it, Barry writes, “a certain capacity of the mind is shuttered.” Barry’s exercises point the way toward cracking that creative capacity open again. Even if you, like me, never manage to make a piece of real art through her exercises, there’s something about working visually that can shake out new ideas. 

Gathering Voices: Creating a Community-Based Poetry Workshop by Marty McConnell

So often, our image of the writer is someone weeping into their notebook alone, and Marty McConnell’s  Gathering Voices  provides a useful counter to this image of the solitary artist, reminding us that writing doesn’t have to be a lonely pursuit. Her book, a collection of poems and writing exercises meant to be used in community-based poetry workshops, provides lots of points of entry for collaborative writing and discussion. McConnell developed the Gathering Voices approach through nearly twenty years of creating community writing workshops, including The louderARTS Project in New York and Vox Ferus in Chicago. The exercises, based on poems by Ocean Vuong, Terrance Hayes, Jericho Brown, and more, focus on curiosity, careful reading, and experimentation. Each poem is followed by a series of discussion questions that are open-ended enough to be accessible to even new readers of poetry an exercise related the poem. The exercise that’s paired with Kwame Dawes’s “Death: Baron Samedi,” for example, asks writers to “invent a minor god, deity or demon” then use a Mad Libs-kind of structure to begin their freewrite. It sounds like a little wacky, but it’s a mix of structure and freedom that can be really generative. You could use these exercises with your writing group or just pick them up for your own practice and be reminded that, even if it’s just you and your notebook right now, you’re not actually alone.

1000 Words: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round by Jami Attenberg

Like many writers, I found Jami Attenberg on twitter through the #1000words project, in which writers sign up to get a daily email of encouragement and write 1000 words a day for 14 days.  Since Attenberg began the project in the summer of 2018, it’s grown to a newsletter,  Craft Talk , with more than 37,000 subscribers and a book, published this past January. The magic of the #1000words project is the sense of companionship, that even as you’re sitting down at your desk alone, you can also feel writers all around the world settling in for the same word work. On social media and in the comments on the newsletter, writers chime in to share their word counts, celebrate little breakthroughs, and commiserate on tough days. The book, which includes essays by Attenberg and contributors including Roxane Gay, Lauren Groff, Celeste Ng, Carmen Maria Machado, and more on topics ranging from making writing friends to handling distractions and persisting through rejection, captures that energy. The book works best, I’ve found, as a friendly companion to a writing practice. I keep mine on my desk and flip through it when I need a little burst of encouragement or a reminder to get back to work. 

You MUST Use The Word Smoothie: A Craft Essay in 50 Writing Prompts by Chen Chen

In the introduction to this collection, available as a free digital download in Sundress’s Craft Chaps series, Chen writes that he hopes the prompts will “spark some unexpected new writing for you.” Across the sections, which Chen describes as “potential windows,” readers will find prompts ranging from “Write more love poems” to “Rest” and “If you can afford to: go to therapy. (Art can be therapeutic, but is not a substitute for therapy.)” It’s hard to write about this set of prompts without feeling like I’m either giving away the pleasure of its many surprises or making light of how it interweaves the playful and the politically attuned. Perhaps it will be enough to say that these prompts, either worked through individually as you’re inspired, or taken up as a whole across several weeks of writing, will take you on a journey from rest to rage and back.

The Book of Delights and The Book of (More) Delights by Ross Gay

Ross Gay’s  Book of Delights  and  Book of (More) Delights  are all about finding delight in the everyday. The brief essays in these two books, which cover experiences ranging from carrying a tomato on a plane and pulling carrots to watching two people share a bag, feel like a kind of field guide to the pleasures of re-engaging with the world around us. (If you haven’t had the chance to see Ross Gay read in person, check out  this brief video  of him reading “Tomato on a Plane” so you can get that voice and smile in your mind and carry it with you as you read. And then see him read in person the next chance you get!) Though they’re not exercises, reading these essays always inspires me to look for more delight in my own life. Read a couple, then use the guidelines he created—“write them daily, write them quickly, and write them by hand”—to start crafting your own delights. 

Millions of Suns: On Writing and Life by Sharon Fagan McDermott and M. C. Benner Dixon

Millions of Suns  is the closest thing in this collection to a conventional craft book, but it distinguishes itself within that category through its expansive approach. Each chapter features a pair of essays written by McDermott and Dixon, followed by a range of prompts that are sure to spark your creative energy. It’s useful for writers working in genres from poetry to prose, and its chapters include topics ranging from imagery and inspiration to metaphor, structure, and revision. It ends not with the advice on publishing or facing rejection or finding a writing group that often seems to end craft books, but with a chapter on Beauty, and McDermott’s essay, which suggests that “beauty is a projection and a reality, both.” The book begins by insisting that “there is joy in writing,” and the essays and writing prompts it includes point the way toward cultivating more of that joy in your own creative life.

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The best town on the East Coast to retire to, based on data. Plus, see the rest of the top 50.

Posted: May 21, 2024 | Last updated: May 21, 2024

Best places to retire on the East Coast

The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College reports that, as of 2022, the average man will spend almost 20 years in retirement based on a median retirement age of 64.67 and a life expectancy of 84.07 years. That's almost a quarter of one's life—a pretty significant figure. Given this, choosing where to retire is arguably just as important as choosing where to raise a family. You need to ensure your savings will stretch, and both your needs (affordable housing, proximity to medical care) and desires (climate, access to preferred activities) are met.

To that end, Stacker compiled a list of the best places to retire on the East Coast. Using Niche's 2022 Best Places to Retire , we've highlighted 50 incredible cities to spend your golden years. Rankings were determined using variables such as weather, safety, housing expenses, and access to places like eateries, golf courses, recreation facilities, and health care. So whether you're on the brink of retiring or merely fantasizing about your life after the rat race, check out these ideal locales. There's sure to be something for everyone, from golf aficionados to beach bums to avid skiers to those just looking for a quiet break from it all.

#50. Roslyn, New York

- National rank: 60th best place to retire - Population: 2,888

In Long Island's Gold Coast hills, Roslyn is a vibrant village boasting lovely restored houses and buildings, historic landmarks, and a bustling downtown. Its library hosts lectures, events, and exhibits, while a 16-acre green space in the village center offers year-round activities.

#49. South Sarasota, Florida

- National rank: 59th best place to retire - Population: 4,993

An hour south of Tampa, South Sarasota is home to some of the country's most beautiful, white sandy beaches. A thriving art scene (the city has the state's official art museum, The Ringling), an abundance of interesting dining options, and more golf courses than even the biggest golf aficionado would know what to do with are among the area's biggest draws. A relatively low cost of living seals the deal.

#48. Charlotte Harbor, Florida

- National rank: 58th best place to retire - Population: 4,619

Those looking for a more active retirement would do well to check out Charlotte Harbor, Florida. Just north of Fort Myers, the coastal city has several golf courses, the Charlotte Sports Park (the Tampa Bay Rays spring training site), the third largest state park in Florida, a 500-seat cultural center with regular programming, and a host of dining and shopping options, meaning there's always something to do.

#47. Gulfport, Florida

- National rank: 57th best place to retire - Population: 12,334

A small village on Boca Ciega Bay, Gulfport offers residents a bit of old-school Florida charm: Massive oak trees covered in Spanish moss line brick streets crowded with tiny, colorful cottages. It's a true "everyone knows your name" sort of place with a slower pace of life. Colorful art and performance scenes keep things interesting, as does the city's large community of LGBTQIA+ folks .

#46. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

- National rank: 56th best place to retire - Population: 40,000

Hilton Head Island, known for its beaches and golf courses, is a great place to retire. Planned developments known as "plantations" dot the area. South Carolina's low country is a popular place to retire, thanks to its low cost of living and warm climate.

#45. Chevy Chase, Maryland

- National rank: 55th best place to retire - Population: 9,801

Founded as a streetcar suburb, Chevy Chase is an affluent and friendly town located in Montgomery County. The small town has great access to museums, malls, restaurants, and parks. It's also close to Washington D.C., making it a good spot for a day trip into the city.

#44. Cocoa Beach, Florida

- National rank: 54th best place to retire - Population: 11,663

Cocoa Beach is a quintessential surf town, with a laid-back vibe, miles of public beaches, and a thriving outdoor activities scene. Located near major theme parks like Disney World and Epcot as well as the Kennedy and Cape Canaveral Space Launch Centers, there are plenty of bigger attractions nearby that make for excellent day trips.

#43. Belleair, Florida

- National rank: 53rd best place to retire - Population: 4,198

A waterfront city, Belleair is meticulously maintained with breathtaking views. There's a rich history here. For example, a local property, the Belleview-Biltmore Resort, a hotel built in the early 1800s, is one of the largest wooden structures in the world). The area also offers several public parks and trails locals can enjoy.

#42. Miramar Beach, Florida

- National rank: 51st best place to retire - Population: 8,815

Some of the best things about Miramar Beach, Florida are white sand beaches, turquoise water, fabulous shopping, and an exciting food scene. The city is also home to a golf course, public swimming pool, world-renowned tennis club, and a 3-mile biking and hiking trail that runs along a section of Scenic Highway 98.

#41. Redington Shores, Florida

- National rank: 49th best place to retire - Population: 2,115

Located on a barrier island between Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach, Redington Shores is one of the quieter and less touristy areas in this semi-tropical zone. With 360 days of sunshine each year , residents will have plenty of opportunity to get outside and enjoy all of the stunning beaches, fishing, and boating the area has to offer.

#40. Hypoluxo, Florida

- National rank: 48th best place to retire - Population: 2,800

Halfway between Boca Raton and West Palm Beach, Hypoluxo is beloved for its slower pace of life, abundant natural beauty, and weird history. Residents love to show off the main park, which is landscaped almost entirely with indigenous plants and regale you with the story of the barefoot mailmen (who are honored with a 14-foot statue along a local trail system).

#39. Woodbury, New York

- National rank: 47th best place to retire - Population: 8,901

Dubbed the "Gateway to Orange County," Woodbury is a community brimming with natural beauty and lots of shopping. Schunnemunk Mountain and Woodbury Creek that weave through the valley create an ideal backdrop. It is the home of Woodbury Premium Outlets, which features 250 upscale shops.

#38. Estero, Florida

- National rank: 46th best place to retire - Population: 33,450

A quiet, safe community, Estero, Florida, has 35 gated neighborhoods and a median age of 62 . Many of the city's residents are seasonal, but those who live there year-round enjoy a mild climate, four public golf courses, and two of the most interesting state parks in the country, Mound Key Archeological State Park (accessible by boat only) and the Estero Bay Aquatic Reserve.

#37. Roseland, Florida

- National rank: 45th best place to retire - Population: 1,554

Roseland, Florida, shares a border with Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, the first national wildlife refuge in the United States. Its proximity to the sanctuary makes it a great place to pick up a birdwatching hobby (15 distinct threatened and endangered species call the reserve home) and an ideal retirement location for naturalists.

#36. Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina

- National rank: 44th best place to retire - Population: 1,284

Pine Knoll Shores is best known for its pristine beaches and natural beauty. Those who enjoy kayaking, hiking, and exploring nature will adore this coastal town. Favorite things to do include a visit to the aquarium and Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area.

#35. Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

- National rank: 43rd best place to retire - Population: 9,292

Murrells Inlet is a quaint fishing village brimming with history and natural beauty located 13 miles south of Myrtle Beach. This slice of paradise awaits golfers, art enthusiasts, fishing enthusiasts, antique collectors, and naturalists.

#34. Bonita Springs, Florida

- National rank: 42nd best place to retire - Population: 57,755

Bonita Springs' two biggest offerings are golf and the Gulf. Located between Naples and Fort Myers, the city boasts miles of well-maintained beaches (including one of the state's only off-leash beaches) and a handful of world-class golf courses and golf communities.

#33. Manhasset, New York

- National rank: 41st best place to retire - Population: 7,792

About 20 miles away from Manhattan, Manhasset is a town brimming with community spirit and home to family-friendly parades. Along with a bustling downtown, Manhasset also has boutiques and a shopping center.

#32. Iona, Florida

- National rank: 39th best place to retire - Population: 13,588

An undesignated census area, Iona, Florida, is defined by its exclusive communities. There are two gated, member-owned golf & country club communities, a 79-home, gated boating community, and, most famously, a 700-acre retirement community called Shell Point. Retirees looking for an exclusive, close-knit neighborhood to call home should definitely check out this South Florida gem.

#31. North Palm Beach, Florida

- National rank: 38th best place to retire - Population: 13,090

Founded by philanthropist John D. McArthur, North Palm Beach is one of the quieter cities in the Palm Beach area. It has the region's only state park and one of the only golf courses in the country designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus.

#30. Bee Ridge, Florida

- National rank: 37th best place to retire - Population: 10,283

A truly tiny area just outside Sarasota and Siesta Key, Bee Ridge is named after the many bees that can be spotted buzzing around the dry stretch of land. While the town has no beachfront of its own, it is home to a number of popular breweries and restaurants and is just a short drive from the water should you find yourself inclined to take a dip. Given its lack of waterfront homes, the property is much more affordable in the area than in some of the surrounding neighborhoods.

#29. Great Neck Plaza, New York

- National rank: 36th best place to retire - Population: 6,980

Great Neck Plaza has a lot going on for a village that is only about a third of a square mile. Easy to access via the Long Island Railroad, the village features over 260 retail stores, upscale shops, and restaurants.

#28. North River Shores, Florida

- National rank: 35th best place to retire - Population: 3,895

The small town of North River Shores boasts great weather and amazing value. Martin County is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts and a desirable place to retire for its year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, and various community events.

#27. Belle Isle, Florida

- National rank: 34th best place to retire - Population: 7,139

A part of the Orlando metro area, Belle Isle is just removed enough from the hubbub of the city that it feels quiet but not so far that Orlando's biggest attractions are out of reach. The neighborhood is serviced by SunRail, Orlando's mass transit train system, meaning residents wouldn't necessarily have to have their own vehicles if they didn't want to.

#26. Piermont, New York

- National rank: 32nd best place to retire - Population: 2,541

Tourists love to visit this beautiful Hudson Valley river town for its waterfront, shops, restaurants, art galleries, and more. Located under an hour from LaGuardia Airport, Piermont offers endless entertainment options and remarkable views at every turn.

#25. Southgate, Florida

- National rank: 31st best place to retire - Population: 6,617

A suburb of Sarasota, Southgate was primarily built in the 1950s and '60s, and nearly all of its homes have maintained their retro exteriors. Southgate's proximity to the beaches, shopping, and downtown district make it one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the area.

#24. St. Pete Beach, Florida

- National rank: 29th best place to retire - Population: 9,603

In 2021, St. Pete Beach was named the best beach in the United States by Tripadvisor. Despite that accolade and the sheer number of tourists it welcomes each year, the South Florida city maintains a laid-back feel and sense of community. It also averages 361 days of sunshine a year, making it the perfect destination for folks who want to spend their retirement in an endless summer.

#23. Englewood, Florida

- National rank: 28th best place to retire - Population: 19,332

One of Florida's best-kept secrets, Englewood is a quiet village on the state's west coast. It gets a fraction of the visitors that places like Sarasota and Siesta Key (cities just north of Englewood) get, but residents like it that way. Its ability to fly under the radar allows the area to keep its golf courses, beaches, and wildlife reserves all to itself.

#22. Naples, Florida

- National rank: 27th best place to retire - Population: 21,750

Often called the crown jewel of Southwest Florida, Naples is chock full of golf courses, premier shopping centers, and untamed outdoor areas. Sandwiched between the Everglades and the Gulf of Mexico, there's an adventure for every type of explorer, whether you prefer a laid-back day at the beach or a trek through the wilds.

#21. Brookridge, Florida

- National rank: 26th best place to retire - Population: 4,881

Retirees looking to settle in an affordable city populated with residents in a similar place would do well to check out Brookridge, Florida . The median age here is 68.5, meaning the vast majority of residents are either retired or nearing retirement, and the median property value is around $85,000 (significantly below the national average), which means owning a home won't be a stretch for even the most budget conscious.

#20. Longboat Key, Florida

- National rank: 25th best place to retire - Population: 7,299

Longboat Key is another city that's primarily composed of retirees ( the median age here is 71.3 ), though it's more luxurious than Brookridge. With 12 miles of beaches, plenty of waterfront properties, and premier dining, golf, tennis, and shopping, it would make a great fit for folks looking to spend their golden years in a comfortable, affluent (the median household income is more than $100,000) place.

#19. Garden City, South Carolina

- National rank: 23rd best place to retire - Population: 11,193

Garden City is blooming with many reasons to retire there, including the fact it's a tax-friendly area for South Carolina retirees. Residents can enjoy golfing, fishing, shopping, and sandy beaches.

#18. High Point, Florida

- National rank: 21st best place to retire - Population: 3,966

High Point is a planned, over-55 retirement community on Florida's natural coast. The gated neighborhood has 1,600 homes, a 24-hour manned security and information booth, an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, an on-site library and community center, and a heated pool, among other things. It's also just a short drive to Tampa, Orlando, and the Gulf of Mexico.

#17. Surfside, Florida

- National rank: 19th best place to retire - Population: 5,665

Surfside may only span 1 square mile of Miami-Dade County, but it's overflowing with charm. Steps away from the Atlantic Ocean, the area's quaint downtown is easily walkable, filled with local shopping and dining options, and home to some of the most luxurious resorts and apartment buildings in the wider area.

#16. Villas, Florida

- National rank: 18th best place to retire - Population: 14,421

Part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers suburbs, Villas' main appeal is its affordable cost of living. Residents have easy access to everything the neighboring cities offer—museums and observatories, nature reserves, or historical points of interest—without having to shell out for astronomically high property values and rents.

#15. Timber Pines, Florida

- National rank: 16th best place to retire - Population: 5,076

Timber Pines is an over-55 retirement community that prides itself on its country club lifestyle, resort-worthy amenities, and safety. At 1,400 acres, there is plenty of room for residents to spread out while still being able to access the community's plethora of activities, which include four golf courses, an activity center, a dining hall, a performing arts center, and various other public spaces.

#14. Cape Canaveral, Florida

- National rank: 15th best place to retire - Population: 10,411

Cape Canaveral, located between Jacksonville and Miami, is one of this list's most touristy locations. Home to the Kennedy Space Center, the Brevard Zoo, and one of the country's busiest cruise ship ports, there is always something going on here. For residents after a less commercial experience, the Canaveral National Seashore (24 miles of undeveloped beach that's home to more than 1,000 plant species and 300 bird species) is a major draw.

#13. Whiskey Creek, Florida

- National rank: 14th best place to retire - Population: 5,508

Whiskey Creek, in South Fort Myers, is a deed-restricted community, which means certain restrictions come with purchasing a home. Lush landscapes and lakes grace the neighborhood, home to golf, entertainment, retail shops, and restaurants. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy boating and nature walks.

#12. Jensen Beach, Florida

- National rank: 13th best place to retire - Population: 13,592

An annual pineapple festival is held each year in Jensen Beach, once known as "The Pineapple Capital of the World." Located between Fort Pierce and West Palm Beach, this coastal town offers endless shopping and seafood restaurants galore.

#11. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

- National rank: 12th best place to retire - Population: 1,588

Dolphins, birds, and beaches are just some reasons retirees flock to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Only about 1 square mile, the popular beach area has a small-town feel and was named a best place to retire by the AARP.

#10. Cypress Lake, Florida

- National rank: 11th best place to retire - Population: 12,766

Cypress Lake is located in the Fort Myers area of Florida. It's a great spot for those who enjoy nature and beaches. Safe, quiet, and peaceful are often used to describe the neighborhoods in Cypress Lake. Nearby are trails, parks, wineries, and golf courses.

#9. Siesta Key, Florida

- National rank: 9th best place to retire - Population: 5,587

If retiring to a world-famous beach is on your bucket list, check out Siesta Key in Sarasota. Crescent Beach on Siesta Key boasts a popular sand beach. Mild weather, no income taxes, low property taxes, and 99% pure quartz sand are just a few more benefits.

#8. Gulf Stream, Florida

- National rank: 8th best place to retire - Population: 885

Gulf Stream, Florida, may be tiny, but it's a dream for many. An entirely residential and recreational city, no big businesses clog up the city's main drags. Instead, a polo field and invite-only golf course are the primary time occupiers for the area's residents ( who have a median age of 59 ).

#7. Hillsboro Beach, Florida

- National rank: 7th best place to retire - Population: 1,964

Hillsboro Beach, located on a peninsula between the Intracoastal Waterway, is just 3 miles long and 900 feet wide. The mainly residential town is a paradise for beach lovers who delight in sea turtle sightings and lighthouses.

#6. Dutch Island, Georgia

- National rank: 6th best place to retire - Population: 1,338

For true resort living, Dutch Island is a private, gated community with no rentals and just under 500 single-family homes ranging in price from the mid $300,000s to over $1 million. The community is managed by a board of directors and includes a swimming pool, tennis courts, boat ramp, pier, and dock for residents.

#5. South Palm Beach, Florida

- National rank: 5th best place to retire - Population: 1,855

Located on the same barrier island as Manalapan, South Palm Beach is only five-eighths of a mile long. For those who love great weather and pristine beaches, this tiny slice of paradise is a great spot to consider.

#4. Indian River Shores, Florida

- National rank: 4th best place to retire - Population: 4,255

Just west of Tampa is Indian River Shores, a smaller, quieter beach locale perfect for folks searching for a slow-paced retirement. Miles of white sandy beaches, the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, and a supremely affordable cost of living are some of the small town's biggest draws.

#3. Highland Beach, Florida

- National rank: 3rd best place to retire - Population: 3,907

Retirees make up 80%  of the 1-square-mile Highland Beach. The population doubles in the winter, when northern retirees travel to their southern homes along the coast. There are plenty of restaurants and parks for residents to enjoy in Boca Raton, which is 5 miles away.

#2. Lake Success, New York

- National rank: 2nd best place to retire - Population: 3,228

The name Lake Success is brimming with positivity. The village town in Great Neck is also a medical field hub while still being close to New York City.

#1. Pelican Bay, Florida

- National rank: 1st best place to retire - Population: 6,257

Pelican Bay, a luxury community in Naples, is the ultimate spot to retire. Surrounded by 88 parks and leisure areas, its peerless amenities include an electric-powered tram system and exclusive access to lifestyle activities, including golf, tennis, sailing, and fine arts.

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• Study Abroad

9 Best Places to Study Abroad for Creative Writing

Alayna credits her passions for travel, culture, and history to her Greek background and many tra...

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Are you having writer’s block in your classes, or do you feel like you’re lacking the motivation to propel your writing career? Channel your energy and ideas elsewhere and study creative writing abroad! By changing your scenery, you will surely be inspired and are almost guaranteed to get those creative juices flowing again. But where are the best places to study abroad for creative writing?

You can count on travel to get the creative juices flowing.

The opportunity to study creative writing abroad could take you around the world—and definitely out of your comfort zone. It’ll provide you with new experiences to draw ideas from, and will bring you new perspectives on things. What’s better writing inspo than sipping coffee outside a cafe, writing materials in hand, while people-watching?

Or maybe you prefer sitting at a beach, the smell of saltwater in the air. Or maybe you like being all bundled up with a view of majestic mountains through your window? Whatever your preference, there are a bunch of international creative writing programs to choose from!

Sign up for GoAbroad’s 20 Days of Travel Inspo for your daily dose of wanderlust! 

Why study creative writing abroad.

Now that we have your brilliant writer’s mind at attention, you may be wondering why traveling overseas can be more beneficial than remaining at your home campus. However, this may be obvious; writers need something to write about, and there are few things that can provide more real-world experience and inspiration than travel.

In general, studying creative writing abroad will provide you with incomparable experiences and skills. What’s even better is that you will be able to create your own custom experience and tailor classes to your own interests, all while getting to live in a cool new place!

Getting out of your comfort zone by studying abroad will push you to grow in so many ways. Living in a new place with different ways of life, and a different culture than your own, will force you to learn how to be adaptable and flexible. You will also gain new perspectives on things, and maybe it will inspire you to push your writing in a new, creative direction.

Studying creative writing abroad will provide the experience of a lifetime. So now that you know the why , let’s talk about where to study creative writing.

9 best places to study abroad for creative writing

French cafes are basically *made* for writers.

• Why? There are so many reasons to say oui to studying creative writing abroad in France! France offers a wide range of different programs and universities for you to choose from. From a more tactical standpoint, because there are so many options to choose from, you’re bound to find a program that’s perfect for you!
• A country full of enchanting cities and towns (Paris is the city of love of course!), France is arguably one of the best places to stimulate your mind and your creative writing skills. From your strolls through the romantic city of Paris, to the lavender fields in Provence, rolling hills of wine country Bordeaux, and the relaxing ocean front on the French Riviera, we dare you to not feel inspired to pick up that pen and paper.
• When? Anytime! Most universities and courses allow you to choose when is best for you: Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall terms. Typically Fall and Spring semesters are most popular for semester study abroad trips.
• Try this program: Study or Earn Your Degree in Aix-en-Provence, France

READ MORE: Why Study Abroad in France?

2. thailand.

• Why? Located in Southeast Asia, Thailand is a beautiful country full of hospitable people, great culture, and beautiful landscapes. Take a leap of faith and travel to Thailand to study abroad, where you’ll experience new foods and amazing scenery. You may even get to learn more about Buddhism and develop a whole new type of lifestyle to instill in your everyday routine.
• You will definitely find your creative writing inspiration in this tropical paradise. From the rainforests to the beaches, and everything in between, you will have plenty of time to roam and discover new lands in Thailand’s gorgeous outdoors. You’ll also see the world through new perspectives, which means new writing inspiration.
• When? There are a few programs offered for creative writers, but most are offered in Fall or Spring semesters. Some are also offered on a monthly basis. We recommend going at any time that is best for you!
• Try this program: Carpe Diem Education: Southeast Asia Semester

3. Argentina

Perk up with yerba mate every morning and get to work.

• Why? Pack your writing utensils and consider heading to Argentina to study abroad for creative writing! Argentina is known for having a combination of European and South American flare, making it a unique place rich in culture. While living abroad in Argentina, you will be able to taste all of the amazing food and experience Argentina’s love for art, all while not breaking the bank!
• You will be able to pick between programs that are offered at both large and small universities and will have no problem in finding a program that’s right for you. Better yet, Argentina is the best place for writers and book lovers as its capital, Buenos Aires, is known to have more book shops than any other country in the world. Sounds like the perfect place to get your creative writing skills up to par!
• When? Most universities and programs have year-round availability, so you can’t go wrong.
• Try this program: IFSA: Future-Focused Study Abroad

4. Australia

• Why? Boasting (mostly) warm temperatures and sun year-round, Australia is a great place to further your creative writing studies. Australia is also home to a variety of different animal species and varying landscapes (from deserts to beaches). You’ll be rushing to write all about your adventures hanging ten in the ocean, or hanging in the Outback with kangaroos.
• Australia also welcomes thousands of international students every year where you will be able to meet individuals from all over the world, and further your professional skills and connections! There shouldn’t be much of a language barrier for most, as English is primarily spoken in Australia. As a result, you’ll assimilate to your new day-to-day more easily.
• When? Most universities offer year-round and semester programs. However, keep in mind that seasons are opposite those of the Northern Hemisphere.
• Try this program: IES Abroad: University of New South Wales

READ MORE: Why Study Abroad in Australia?

Clear your mind in the English countryside.

• Why? England is famous for birthing the careers of a plethora of famous authors across decades. We can’t think of a better place to study abroad for creative writing! But if you need more convincing, we got you. England houses thousands of international students every year and its capital, London, is one of the most multicultural cities in the world.
• When studying abroad in England, you will be exposed to plenty of historical museums, castles, towns, and monuments where you’ll never be short of a history lesson. From the peaceful and ethereal English countryside, to the bustling and diverse cities, you will be able to find inspiration anywhere.
• When? With so many quality universities and programs to choose from, you can essentially choose a program and go at any time that works for you! Just don’t forget to pack yourself an umbrella no matter when you go!
• Try this program: ISA: Study Abroad in London, England
• Why? There may not be a lot we have to do to convince you to study abroad in Italy—the food, gelato, history, landscapes, people... need we go on ? When studying creative writing abroad in Italy, you will never be short of inspiration and resources to help improve and grow your career.
• Walking around Italy, no matter where you are, is like being transported back in time in one of your old history books. It’s easy to get lost in the beautiful art, history, and culture that Italy has to offer. As a creative writer in Italy, you will find yourself excited to write and learn from the moment you wake up!
• When? You will be able to go during an academic year, or during any of the four season terms.
• Try this program: CEA: Study Abroad in Rome, Italy

7. South Africa

If you’re inspired by incredible views, you’re in the right place!

• Why? In South Africa, you won’t be short of good food, beautiful scenery, and hospitable people. Over the years, students from all around the world have chosen South Africa as their study abroad destination and it has become one of the top places for an international education experience.
• For a creative writer, South Africa is an attractive study abroad location for many reasons. The wildlife, scenery, food, history, and lifestyle may differ on some levels from how you’re used to living. But, that’s what will make it a pivotal educational experience for you! South Africa is also one of so many different and diverse countries throughout the African continent.
• When? Weather-wise, South Africa is hot to temperate year-round and there is no wrong time to go. You’ll be able to choose from a full academic year or semester program.
• Try this program: AIFS: Study Abroad in South Africa Semester or Year
• Why? In a country where the old mixes with the new, you will be able to draw upon some of Israel’s greatest historical lands and nuances, as well as its new, modern cities and technology. With world-renowned and high-quality educational systems, you will already know before you start your first class that you will be receiving a great education.
• If you intend on going abroad to study creative writing, Israel has some great programs and schools to choose from. Even though it’s a small country, Israel is a place rich in history , political significance, and one that attracts people of many different backgrounds.
• When? You can find study abroad programs in Israel during the academic year and all seasons! You can’t go wrong with any time you choose.
• Try this program: Masa Israel Journey: Study Abroad in Israel

Earn your degree by day and explore a new city by night.

• Why? A country known for its rich history, and developments in the arts and mathematics (among many other things), Greece is the perfect place to study abroad where you’ll never get bored! When many think of Greece, their minds go to tall those gorgeous islands. But, there is more to Greece than its idyllic islands.
• From the ancient ruins scattered around the country, to the mountainous region in the north, and bustling metropolis of Athens, you will find yourself always busy. As a writer, you will love Greece and find inspiration everywhere you go. With some great universities and study abroad programs, your education will be in good hands while studying in Greece.
• When? Greece offers plenty of programs throughout the year, no matter if you prefer a semester or a whole year.
• Try this program: College Year in Athens: Study Abroad in Greece Semester/Academic Year

Sign up for a FREE MyGoAbroad account and compare creative writing programs side-by-side!

See the world and enhance your writing skills.

Now that you may have a better understanding of where to study creative writing abroad, it’s time to start planning ! As a writer, nothing enhances and revamps your writing skills more than drawing on new experiences. And what’s better than traveling the world and living among different cultures and people to help inspire you?

No matter where you’ll go, there is a program for you where you will be able to get out of your comfort zone and grow. Although you’ll be abroad for your academics, you will also be learning how to interact with different cultures, you’ll become more adaptable, and you’ll learn so many new things about yourself and the world.

• Talk to our FREE Online Advisor and get personalized study abroad recommendations
• Find, compare, and save programs with a free MyGoAbroad account
• Explore ALL creative writing study abroad programs on GoAbroad.com
• Read more study abroad articles

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The Best British Dark Comedy Movies Ever Made

From social satire to self-aware serial killer thrillers, here are the greatest ever dark comedy movies to come out of the British Isles.

Dark Comedy is all about finding humor in life’s bleakest moments. The genre is known for touching on taboo and dark themes like death, violence, and moral ambiguity then turning them into sources of laughter. Eliciting both amusement and discomfort in audiences for decades, the genre’s roots can be traced back 1940s movies like Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator and Frank Capra’s Arsenic and Old Lace .

Culturally, Britain has a long tradition of using humor to tackle uncomfortable topics. Its use of self-deprecation and gallows humor as coping mechanisms translates perfectly into dark comedy movies. Below we look at some of the greatest ever dark comedy movies to come out of the island.

10 Four Lions (2010)

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From the creative mind of British comedy icon Chris Morris, Four Lions is a scathing satire looking at the complexities of extremism using pitch black humor and wit. It follows a group of bumbling British would-be jihadi terrorists as they attempt to plan a major London attack.

Four Lions Is Utterly Absurd Yet Uncomfortably Realistic

Four Lions is full of laugh-out-loud moments as audiences bear witness to the dimwitted extremists on their ill-fated quest for martyrdom. Scratch beneath the surface, though, and some very real and uncomfortable truths are being addressed. Highlighting the roles disenfranchisement, social alienation and radicalization play in extremism, the movie was a huge hit with critics and earned Morris the BAFTA award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer.

9 Death at a Funeral (2007)

Featuring a strong cast of talented British actors, including Peter Dinklage, Alan Tudyk and Krish Marshall, Death at a Funeral is a hilarious story of a dysfunctional family trying to resolve a number of issues set against the backdrop of a dead relative’s funeral. Infusing a dark, somber atmosphere with moments of utter chaos makes for the perfect juxtaposition.

Death at a Funeral Later Received an American Makeover

Death at a Funeral was praised for its dark humor and was considered a critical and commercial hit. It was later remade in America, this time around starring Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, Martin Lawrence, and Peter Dinklage reprising his role from the original (although this time under a different name).

8 Sightseers (2012)

Before Ben Wheatley had hundreds of millions of dollars at his disposal, directing huge Hollywood blockbusters like The Meg 2 , he was making quirky British indie movies. Among them is Sightseers . It follows a British couple on a sightseeing expedition of England’s national parks as they leave a trail of death wherever they go.

Sightseers Is Britain’s Understated Counterpart to Natural Born Killers

Take away the hyper-stylized freneticism of Oliver Stone’s controversial hit Natural Born Killers and replace it with a slower, more introspective approach and you’ve got Sightseers. While both movies follow a traveling couple who develop an unquenchable thirst for blood, Sightseers finds humor in the banality of evil in everyday life which allows the audience to relate to the characters’ deadly descent into madness on a more personal level.

7 Three and Out (2008)

After accidentally hitting and killing two people on the tracks, train driver Paul, played by Mackenzie Crook, is led to believe that if three civilians are killed within a month whilst he’s driving, he would be entitled to early retirement and a hefty payout. The movie then follows Paul as he attempts to persuade a depressed, suicidal man to take his own life on the train track, as it would be mutually beneficial for both.

Despite the Crass Nature of its Premise, Three And Out Is Full of Heart

Due to its extremely dark subject matter, the movie failed to win over most critics and struggled at the box office, with many deeming it ‘tasteless.’ Despite these initial reactions, the movie actually deals with these sensitive topics rather delicately with a blend of sensitivity, humor and plenty of heart, offering a unique and thought-provoking take on depression, mortality and human connection.

6 The Ladykillers (1955)

Released in 1955, The Ladykillers tells the story of a criminal gang who rent rooms from an old lady to use to prepare a daring heist. Things get complicated, though, once the heist has taken place and the old lady has figured out what has gone down. As tensions mount, the criminals are forced to make life-changing decisions in order to protect their freedom.

The Ladykillers Was Later Remade by The Coen Brothers

Originally starring Alex Guinness, Peter Sellers, and Katie Johnson, the movie was later remade by the Coen Brothers with Tom Hanks being cast in the lead role. While the remake has its merits, the original is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time and stands as one of the only movies to have a perfect 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It was praised for its plot twists, dark humor, and the stellar performances of its star-studded cast.

5 Withnail & I (1987)

Withnail and i.

Released in 1987 and starring Richard E Grant and Paul McGann, Withnail & I tells the story of two heavy-drinking unemployed actors as they take a vacation at a dilapidated cottage in the English countryside. From there on, the film takes a turn for the absurd as the pair’s drunken shenanigans escalate.

Withnail & I Has Left an Indelible Mark on the Dark Comedy Genre

Often cited as one of the finest movies in the genre, Withnail & I ’s exploration of an unlikely couple of friends' hazy escapades has been cited as an influence on a plethora of movies that followed, from David Gordon Green’s Pineapple Express to Shane Black's The Nice Guys. It currently stands at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and is still enjoyed by its cult fanbase to this day.

4 A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

A fish called wanda.

Full of twists and turns, this farce heist film was released to critical acclaim in 1988 and stars John Cleese, Michael Palin, Kevin Kline, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Finding humor in the criminal groups’ morally questionable behavior, A Fish Called Wanda manages to jump between silly slapstick shenanigans and pitch-black, witty dialogue without ever missing a beat.

A Fish Called Wanda Is Considered by Many as One of the Funniest Movies Ever Made

The movie was showered with praise and accolades, including a Best Supporting Oscar for Kevin Kline and a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for John Cleese, to name but a few. Critics praised its humor and it was named in a plethora of ‘best movie’ lists. Additionally, according to Cleese himself, the movie was so funny a man was actually reported to have laughed to death whilst watching it .

3 Trainspotting (1996)

Trainspotting.

Director Danny Boyle’s major breakthrough movie Trainspotting is a grim, bleak, and disturbing exploration of the lives of a group of heroin addicts in Scotland. Yet, amongst all the darkness and despair, Boyle manages to inject the movie with an undercurrent of pitch-black humor.

Trainspotting Is a One-of-a-Kind Exploration of Addiction and Youth Culture

Featuring breathtaking cinematography, memorable characters, and a raw and unflinching look at addiction, Trainspotting captivates audiences by somehow managing to seamlessly combine humor and heroin-induced horror. Critics lauded its gutsy approach to serious subject matter whilst still maintaining a sense of humor.

2 Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

Lock, stock and two smoking barrels.

Eddy (Nick Moran) convinces three friends to pool funds for a high-stakes poker game against local crime boss Hatchet Harry (P.H. Moriarty). Harry cheats and Eddy loses, giving him a week to pay back 500,000 pounds or hand over his father's pub. Desperate, Eddy and his friends wait for their neighbors to rob some drug dealers, then rob the robbers in turn. After both thefts, the number of interested criminal parties increases, with the four friends in dangerously over their heads.

Often considered the British equivalent of Quentin Tarantino, Guy Ritchie made a name for himself directing a slew of gritty British gangster movies before becoming one of Hollywood’s most sought-after directors, helming huge-scale movies like Aladdin and the Sherlock Holmes series. The boldest and best of his early output is arguably Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels , which takes viewers deep into the seedy underbelly of London’s criminal fraternity.

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels Was Guy Ritchie's Debut Feature Film

Viewers are thrown back and forth into various interweaving stories filled with gangsters, deception, guns, drugs, and dogs. It manages to keep audiences on the edge of their seats with its use of crash zooms, involuntary camera movements, visual storytelling, wonderful needle drops, and witty, profanity-filled dialogue.

1 Shaun of the Dead

Shaun of the dead.

The Citizen Kane of zom-coms , Shaun of the Dead is as funny as it is gory. Set during a zombie apocalypse, viewers are treated to a slew of gloriously gory zombie slayings at the hands of an unlikely group of friends as they strive for survival. It received universal acclaim and has been cited by Quentin Tarantino as being one of his favorite movies. It currently holds an impressive 92% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Shaun of the Dead Is the Perfect Combination of Horror and Comedy

Full of blood, guts, gore, and genuine frights, the movie also features some of the funniest movie moments ever committed to film. Whether arguing over what vinyl records are worth sacrificing to be used to decapitate oncoming zombies (apparently Dire Straits can go but New Order is too precious) or holing up at the ‘Winchester pub for it to all ‘blow over,’ there’s never a dull moment.

30 Father-Daughter Date Ideas for a Memorable Bonding Experience

From concerts to home cooked meals.

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A solid parent-child relationship is of supreme importance when it comes to the healthy development of a child, and fathers and daughters are known to share a particularly special bond. As such, fathers who are looking to spend more quality time with their kids might benefit from our roundup of father-daughter date ideas, which features everything from quick and low-key activities that can be done at home to more involved outings and even weekend-long camping trips . Read on to find the date idea that’s best suited to your parental relationship and personal schedule; then, let the bonding begin.

The 25 Best Father-Son Activities

At-Home Father-Daughter Date Ideas

1. Have a Game Night

Whether you’re playing cards (Uno and Blackjack come to mind), playing a classic board game like chess or trying something creative and new like Azul , this daddy-daughter date promises plenty of entertainment and the kind of friendly competition that will bring you closer.

2. Enjoy a Backyard Picnic

If you don’t have enough time to pack a picnic and head to a local park or other scenic spot, the backyard will suffice. Just throw a blanket down on the lawn and enjoy some tea sandwiches and snacks together on a sunny day. It’s a perfect way to maximize a lunch break and schedule in some bonding time on a busy day.

3. Watch a Movie

There’s nothing sweeter than daddy-daughter time spent curled up on the couch together watching a new film of mutual interest or returning to a nostalgic favorite. This cozy date idea is perfect for rainy days and pairs well with a takeout dinner. Here are some of our favorite family movies to get you started.

4. Cook a Meal Together

Skip the takeout and get your hands dirty in the kitchen together. Cooking is an excellent way to bond and spend quality time, since it requires teamwork and yields a very fine reward—namely a delicious home cooked meal that lends itself to a lovely one-on-one dinner date when the work is done.

5. Start a Scrapbook

Fathers and daughters can enjoy a particularly sentimental at-home date whilst reliving fond memories and sorting through photos to include in a scrapbook. Make sure to procure the necessary crafting materials (and the scrapbook itself) ahead of time and then dive right in. Bonus: This one also boasts the added benefit of encouraging recurring daddy-daughter dates, since chances are the scrapbook won’t come together in just one sitting.

6. Have an At-Home Dinner Date

You can cook the meal together (see above) or keep it simple and order in from your favorite restaurant—either way, a cozy dinner between father and daughter is an ideal way to catch up and enjoy each other’s company.

Active Father-Daughter Date Ideas

7. Go Bowling

If you’ve ever been bowling before, this one requires little explanation—namely because it’s just a ton of fun. Plus, there’s not a lot of exertion or competition involved so fathers and daughters can really just cheer each other on and enjoy casual conversation between turns. It’s not always the cheapest activity, but places like Bowlero , a nationwide chain, have frequent deals and specials you can take advantage of (and I have it on good authority, having recently been there myself, that the food they serve up is pretty damn tasty, too).

8. Take a Hike

Lace up those hiking boots and head to a trail at a local park or nearby nature preserve for an outdoor daddy-daughter date that provides plenty of time for leisurely conversation and an endorphin-boosting workout, to boot. Be sure to pack a picnic lunch so no one ends up hangry and, if possible, pick a hike that ends at a scenic lookout point so you can both chow down together and take in the view.

9. Ride Bikes

Maybe the daughter in question has just shed her training wheels and simply wants to bike around the cul-de-sac with dad, or it’s a teenager who’s skilled enough on two wheels to tour the town with her father. Either way, the fresh air and light exercise provides an excellent opportunity for daddy-daughter bonding.

10. Go Indoor Rock Climbing

Find an indoor rock climbing gym near you and spend a couple hours scaling the walls together. The adrenaline rush will boost both your moods and the (perfectly safe) activity is a whole lot of fun. Who knows, maybe you’ll both discover a new hobby and rock climbing will become a standing date.

11. Take a Camping Trip

I remember camping with my dad as one of my favorite pastimes and still have the photos to prove it. If you’re both prepared to go all in on a father-daughter date, why not make a whole weekend out of it? Gather the necessary gear and head to a nearby campsite where you can enjoy some quality time together in the Great Outdoors, complete with hiking, grilling and conversation over the campfire.

12. Do Mini Golf

Head to a miniature golf course near you for a low-stakes sport that’s mighty entertaining whilst still being conducive to conversation. The carefree fun will surely strengthen the father-daughter bond in a way that isn’t too heavy-handed.

13. Play Tennis

For a particularly active daddy-daughter date idea, head to the tennis courts to practice your serve and engage in a little competitive play. You’ll both break a sweat, for sure, but you can cool off and catch up afterwards over a frosty drink (and a turkey club perhaps).

14. Go Ice Skating

You don’t need to be a pro to enjoy a couple hours out on the ice skating rink. In fact, the worse you both are, the better the bonding. We see hand holding, laughter and possibly the occasional cry for help in your future.

15. Play Laser Tag

Teamwork, communication, strategy and sportsmanship are all essential when it comes to a successful laser tag game, which is why it’s such an excellent way for fathers and daughters to connect. It’s also an activity that’s filled with fun and excitement, so if you’re looking to avoid a snoozefest on your daddy-daughter date, this one fits the bill.

16. Visit a Trampoline Park

This one is particularly well-suited to dates with daughters who are actually still children and have a lot of energy to spare. Schedule a few hours at a trampoline park like Sky Zone —just keep in mind that dads would be wise to get in on the bouncing action, at least for a while, in order to ensure a more memorable daddy-daughter date.

17. Go Kayaking

If there’s a body of water nearby—even just a local park with an artificial lake—kayaking or paddle boating is a great way for fathers and daughters to connect, while enjoying the fresh air and natural surroundings. Pro tip: Get a double kayak so the father-daughter duo can navigate the water as a team.

18. Take a Nature Walk

It’s like a hike, but more leisurely—and potentially more conducive to conversation as well. Pack some trail mix, perhaps a pair of binoculars for viewing avian life and dad’s Forager’s Guide to Wild Mushrooms; then, enjoy a stroll in a park or nature preserve that promises good company and an up-close look at the local flora and fauna.

19. Go Fishing

Time out on the water is always serene and relaxing. Fathers and daughters will find it easy to connect and catch up in this context…and the hope of catching a whopper will keep some low-key excitement going, too.

Father-Daughter Outings

20. Visit a Museum

Enjoy an educational experience together by checking out an art, science or history museum in your city. Most museums have pay-what-you-can days, so if you plan accordingly, this is a budget friendly way to soak up some culture. It’s also an activity that unfolds at a leisurely pace and permits for plenty of one-on-one conversation that doesn’t feel forced.

21. Go to a Sporting Event

Nothing brings two people closer than rooting for the home team. Pick a sport of mutual interest and score some tickets so fathers and daughters can enjoy the lively atmosphere, stadium food and exciting action together.

22. See a Concert

Scientific research shows that music facilitates social (and presumably familial) bonding in a pretty powerful way. Whether it’s a dad taking his daughter to a Taylor Swift concert and opening his mind to the Swiftie craze or a daughter going along to a performance of one of her father’s favorite artists, the end result will be a memorable and scrapbook-worthy experience for both parties.

23. Go to an Arcade

Get your game on at an arcade for hours of entertainment that will delight daughters of all ages and fathers alike. Just be sure to earn those tickets so together you can win some keepsake prizes that will remind you of the quality time you shared.

24. Go Stargazing

I remember taking a couple night time trips to the mountains with my dad when meteor showers were going to occur and, to this day, it remains a very vivid and special memory. If you live somewhere with lots of light pollution, it will be a bit of a road trip, so be sure to pack your sleeping bags and snacks. Then, just enjoy the quiet time and magic of the night sky together for a daddy-daughter date you won’t forget.

25. Go Shopping

There’s nothing like a little retail therapy to bring fathers and daughters together. We’re getting Clueless -style daddy vibes from this one, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun and a decent opportunity to connect.

26. Get Ice Cream

Here, a nostalgic daddy-daughter date idea that’s quick, cheap and oh-so sweet. Head to the ice cream parlor and enjoy a cone on a park bench before you head back home and tend to your affairs.

27. Pottery Painting

Try something novel on your father-daughter date and explore your creative side with a pottery painting session. Most ceramic studios allow customers to paint pre-made pottery items at a very reasonable rate and will fire your finished work of art for you so you can bring home a glossy keepsake that reminds both of you of the special time spend together,

28. Go to a Bookstore

Browsing a bookstore with your daughter is a quiet and low-key way to enjoy each other’s company, explore one another’s interests and perhaps even pick out some prized reading material to suggest (or gift) to one another.

29. Go on a Food Crawl

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly and less formal father-daughter date idea than a fancy restaurant dinner, head into town on a beautiful day and explore the local food truck scene. The street eats are sure to be tasty and the casual nature of the food crawl is more carefree and fun than other dining options.

30. Go Fruit Picking

A day spent together on a beautiful farm that offers a seasonal pick-your-own (PYO) option is a lovely outdoor activity for fathers and daughters to share. Best of all, the fruits of their labor can be brought home and cooked or baked into a delicious dinner or dessert.

Why Is Quality Father-Daughter Time Important?

General research published in Frontiers of Psychology on the subject of parent-child bonds confirms that a stronger connection between parent and child is associated with better outcomes for the child, When it comes to daddy-daughter time, the Huffington Post says that  “a healthy relationship between father and daughter is paramount in how a girl relates to members of the opposite sex,” and when it comes to healthy relationships with a parent, quality of time is more important than quantity. That means that even if a father is absorbed with work and other responsibilities, carving out the time once a week or once a month to devote his full attention to a meaningful date with his daughter can steer girls into healthier romantic relationships in the future.

67 Father-Daughter Songs That Just Might Start the Waterworks

Freelance PureWow Editor

Are Freelance Platforms like PeoplePerHour Your Best Career Opportunity?

Just a few years ago, a life as a freelancer was synonymous with a life of unpredictable job opportunities, constant hunting for gigs, and financial uncertainty.

These days, however, freelancing is a much more consistent and lucrative career, thanks in part to freelance platforms that can provide you with a convenient hub to engage with clients and showcase your portfolio.

PeoplePerHour, in particular, is a freelance platform well-known for its talented pool of experts and its ability to connect you to high-paying and credible businesses looking for outsourced freelance services.

But if you’re still on the fence about whether or not you should apply there, then we’re here to tell you that it’s perfectly fine to weigh your options.

And today’s blog is here to help you do just that.

Today, we’re taking you through everything you need to know about working for PeoplePerHour so you can decide if that’s the best place to take your talents and make a living doing what you love best!

How Does PeoplePerHour Work for Freelancers?

Like other freelance platforms (Toptal, MarketerHire, etc.), PeoplePerHour works by connecting you with pre-vetted clients in need of your specific talents.

These digital marketing service providers are particularly helpful because they eliminate the need for you to be constantly marketing yourself to keep your pipeline full and make your life easier by handling the tedious and often stressful task of collecting payment and mediating between disputes.

Important Things to Know About Working for PeoplePerHour

But before you jump into a possible PeoplePerHour job, it’s good to know exactly how it works!

Here are 5 things to know before you throw your hat in the ring to become a PeoplePerHour freelancer.

1. Qualification Process

To get started with PeoplePerHour, you can visit their website.

On the upper right-hand corner, you’ll see a clickable text menu. Click on “Freelancer?” and then “I want to work as a freelancer” and sign up with PeoplePerHour using the email of your choice.

You’ll then be sent an invite to create a short freelancer profile. This is an important step because this functions as your application, so don’t leave any fields blank. Fill out the profile, being sure to add a clear profile picture, a list of your skills, a detailed “About Me,” and your desired hourly rates. Once you’ve filled it out, hit submit.

Your application usually takes about a week to process but, if you’d like, you can pay a small fee to expedite the process.

2. Your PeoplePerHour Profile

Once you are selected to join PeoplePerHour’s talent network, you’ll get a chance to really show any potential clients what you can do by creating a detailed freelancer profile. Here is where you’ll get the chance to post your best work, link any websites or social media accounts, and list all of your skills and qualifications.

Your freelancer profile is extremely important because:

• PeoplePerHour’s AI matching system will use the information on it to match you with potential clients.
• Potential clients will be given the opportunity to view your profile whenever you submit proposals (more on that soon!) and your profile will be the biggest determining factor in whether or not your proposals are accepted.

3. Sending Proposals

You’ll need to submit proposals in order to pick up jobs on PeoplePerHour. There are two ways to do that:

• Whenever a client posts a job, PeoplePerHour’s matching system will automatically alert any well-qualified freelancers to provide them with information about the job and an invitation to send a proposal.
• You can also browse through job postings and submit proposals to the jobs that you think you’d be best fit to complete.

Something interesting to point out: Each month, PeoplePerHour gives their freelancers 15 credits to send to any potential clients for the chance to get hired for a project. It costs 1 credit to submit a proposal, even if the Buyer (client) does not accept.

However, if you are matched with a client as explained in method 1 above, submitting proposals doesn’t cost any credits.

Use your credits wisely, but if you run out, no big deal. You can always purchase additional credits through the PeoplePerHour dashboard.

4. Workstream

If you submit a proposal to a client and they accept you as a match, then congrats!

You and your client can decide how often you'd like to communicate and there's no worry about needing to give out your personal phone or email. All of your client communication and file sharing will be handled on PeoplePerHour’s dedicated platform, Workstream.

Workstream also provides you a place to manage all of your ongoing project invoices to keep you organized and on top of your game! 

5. PeoplePerHour Readiness Test

If you want to boost your freelancer profile, PeoplePerHour gives you the opportunity to do so by passing a “readiness test.”

This test will ask you multiple questions about your communication style, your work process, and other things that potential clients may find important in a freelance hire. 

If you pass with a 70% or above, you’ll get a PPH Readiness Badge displayed on your profile, which will boost your visibility and enhance your credibility with any potential clients!

If you fail the test, then no worries. You can retake it in a month.

6. Freelancer 3-Month Trial

PeoplePerHour requires all new freelancers to go through a 3-month trial phase.

This trial is designed to make sure that you’re a good fit for the platform and are an active member to avoid proposal requests going unanswered. To maintain your profile, you’ll be required to take on two projects within the trial period (or make a certain amount of income) and receive an average feedback of 4 stars.

Be sure to stay on top of it because if you fail to do this, your account will become “limited” and be less visible to potential clients! 

7. Freelancer Support 

Once you begin engaging with a client, you're free to work directly with them, setting the deadlines you decide on and implementing any feedback as necessary.

But if a dispute arises, PeoplePerHour will step in to help. Simply click "Raise a Dispute" in your Workstream and explain in detail the issue you are experiencing and how you'd like it resolved. PeoplePerHour's customer support team will review your case and help you and your client come to a resolution.

Bad matches aren’t common, but they do happen! So, in the case of a completely unreasonable client, PeoplePerHour will step in and reassign that client to another freelancer.

8. Getting Paid

All payments are processed through the Workstream dashboard for client and freelancer safety.

When you start a project, your client will be required to put your payment in an escrow account within the Workstream dashboard.  As soon as the project is finished and your client has reported satisfaction, PeoplePerHour will release the money to your account.

You are allowed to set your own rates (you’ll get an automated suggestion if you attempt to set it too high or too low), however, PeoplePerHour will take 20% of your earnings as a freelancer commission fee.

Pros and Cons of a PeoplePerHour Job

As with working anywhere, your mileage may vary depending on who you talk to about their experience.

However, we find that, on average, the following pros and cons are listed when folks talk about their experience working with PeoplePerHour or other freelance platforms that operate similarly.

• Access to Quality Clients — PeoplePerHour pre-vets its clients, which means you don’t have to deal with duds that stop replying once you email them your rate. Instead, you’ll get to enjoy better-quality assignments and professional working relationships.
• Competitive Pay — Due to the pre-vetting process and specialized focus, the pay rates can be more competitive compared to other freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
• Flexibility — As with many freelance jobs, you have the flexibility to choose your projects and set your own schedule.
• No Bidding Wars — Unlike platforms where you have to bid on jobs, PeoplePerHour uses its AI algorithm to match you with clients. Send proposals to your matches as you see fit.
• High Competition — Given that the platform attracts skilled professionals, there may be high competition for the best jobs and less of a chance of your getting matched with them.
• Dependence on the Platform — Your ability to find work may be dependent on the platform’s algorithm and client flow, which can be inconsistent.
• No Chance at Collaborating — While PeoplePerHour gives you clients to collaborate with, there won’t be much of a chance to bounce ideas off of other creative folk or work together on the same project.
• Inconsistency — Freelance work can be inconsistent, which you are probably well aware of, and there may be times when there are fewer projects available.
• No Project Management — You’ll work directly with your client and, if you have multiple clients, this can get hectic.
• Commission Fees — Like Upwork and other platforms, PeoplePerHour takes 20% of your earnings as a service fee. This could cut into your revenue and cause you to spend more time working to make up for the loss.

<div class="c-blog_comp-cta cc-component-1"><div class="c-blog_comp-cta-left"><div class="c-blog_comp-cta-left-wrap"><img src="https://global-uploads.webflow.com/61cdf3c5e0b8155f19e0105b/6369722e59155470b6840033_Potential-clients.png" loading="lazy" alt="" class="c-blog_comp-cta-left-img"></div></div><div class="c-blog_comp-cta-right"><div class="c-blog_comp-content"><div class="c-text-wrapper cc-mb-32"><div class="c-title-4 cc-bold"><strong>Want to save money without sacrificing the quality?</strong></div></div><div class="c-text-wrapper"><div class="c-text-2">Say goodbye to traditional, expensive agencies and unreliable marketplaces. Say hello to Designity.<br></div></div></div><div class="c-blog_comp-wrapper"><a href="/pricing" target="_blank" class="c-button cc-primary cc-inverted w-button"><strong>Get Your 2-Week Trial</strong></a></div></div></div>

Looking for the Perfect Place to Start Your Creative Career?

So, what do you think?

Is a PeoplePerHour career the right choice for you?

If it’s not and you’re still on the hunt for the perfect place to jumpstart your creative career, then perhaps your search is over after all. Because Designity is always looking to add fresh new talent to our creative community, and we think you just might be a perfect fit.

Designity can offer you all of the benefits of other freelance platforms, plus so much more, like:

• Competitive Pa y — Earn what you’re worth, doing what you love best! Designity pays its Creatives competitive and consistent wages.
• Creative Directors — Creative Directors manage each account, taking over client interactions and administrative tasks, letting you focus on your creative tasks without the extra hassle.
• Growth Opportunities — If you want a long-term career doing what you love, Designity can offer all kinds of growth opportunities for you to move up in your career.
• Collaborative Environment — Designity’s collaborative environment encourages teamwork and provides you with teammates, Creative Directors, and other Creatives to brainstorm, bounce ideas off of, and give you feedback when you need it.
• Project Variety — Designity clients have a variety of different needs and come from a variety of different industries, meaning you’ll have a wide range of different projects and never get bored!

How about it? Are you ready to join the Designity creative community?

If you think you have what it takes, then why not put your skills to the test with our one-of-a-kind application and let’s get your creative career started off right!

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Creative Directors Make the Difference