masters of creative writing publishing and editing

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MFA in Creative Writing & Publishing Arts

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Creative Writing at UBalt

• WRITE  fiction, nonfiction and poetry in an MFA program named one of the most distinctive in the country by  Poets & Writers  magazine .
• GRADUATE  with the professional-level skills to write, edit, publish and promote your best work.
• BECOME  part of a dynamic, creative community at the heart of Baltimore's artistic district.
• FIND  your voice and learn to make it heard!

Our Graduates

2023 Plork Prize Winners

2023 Graduates

• Click the video to watch highlights from the 2023 MFA Graduate Reading and Book Fair

2022 Graduates

• Click the video to watch highlights from the 2022 MFA Graduate Reading and Book Fair

2021 Graduates

• View the 2021 MFA author catalog
• Watch the 2021 Virtual MFA Graduate Reading and Book Fair

2020 Graduates' Book Cover Images

2019 Graduates

2018 Graduates

2017 Graduates

2016 Graduates

Hear what our alums have to say...

"Writing, to me, is home. It is a messy, loud, way too bright, often chaotic—crayon scribbles on the wall and hot-pink bubblegum under the couches, never quiet, welcoming place. The talented professors in the MFA program gave me the tools I needed to organize my 'home.' They let my writing remain big and loud, but helped me rein in some of my more wild ideas. The crayon scribbles remain, but now I know when to scrape the bubblegum off. I am graduating with a completed book that I am incredibly proud of, a supportive writing community, and gratitude to myself for choosing UBalt's Creative Writing & Publishing Arts program."

- Emily Hansen , MFA '20 Hush Girls emilyandherwords.com

"I chose UBalt because it really felt like a family and fostered an environment that gave me the opportunity to express myself and expand my horizons as a writer and a person."

- Abby Shaffer , MFA '16 Xantan County etsy.com/shop/shopfives

"I chose UBalt’s MFA in Creative Writing & Publishing Arts because it was the only program that let me explore my love for book arts and fiction simultaneously."

- Bryonna Sieck , MFA '20 Those Who Fly 1134press.com

"I chose the MFA program at UBalt because it's one of a kind. The program doesn't just focus on the writing, it focuses on the writer. It increased my confidence exponentially. I can't recommend this program enough!"

- Erin Drew , MFA '16 This Is How I Thought Things Were Done

“ More than anything else, UBalt's program allowed me to work with amazing writers and editors. It's really the friends and colleagues I made there who pushed my own work to a better place. ”

- Justin Sanders , MFA '16 For All the Other Ghosts

Top 10 Reasons Our Students Love This Program:

Entrepreneur says he wishes he had taken a creative writing course in college

In a recent  Wall Street Journal  article, entrepreneurs share some of the key skills they wish they had learned in school instead of on the job. For Dennis Vu, co-founder and CEO of Ringblaze, an Irvine, California provider of business-phone solutions, that skill was creative writing. Vu estimates that about half of his time is spent writing, whether emails to users or prospective investors or blog posts. Being able to write more eloquently, concisely and persuasively would make his job easier.

“It would have helped me quite a lot with marketing, creating some of my own content and working on building my brand,” Mr. Vu says. He currently uses ghostwriters to write blog posts under his byline that he helps create, but he would like to be able to write them himself. “While it’s easier than ever to find a ghostwriter, it would be great to sit down and write my own content, share my own thoughts and have my own personal blog.”

Read the full article: " The College Courses Entrepreneurs Wish They Had Taken "

MFA Q&A

Got questions? We've got answers. Watch our 10-minute Q&A with program director Betsy Boyd to learn more about the MFA in Creative Writing & Publishing Arts program.

Betsy Boyd program director, MFA in Creative Writing & Publishing Arts assistant professor, Klein Family School of Communications Design email: [email protected] | phone: 410.837.6272 view Prof. Boyd's faculty profile

• Follow us on Instagram at  @ubcreativemfa
• Join our Facebook group,  University of Baltimore MFA in Creative Writing and Publishing Arts .

For more information about graduate admission, please contact the Office of Admission at [email protected] , 410.837.6565.

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Graduate Publishing and Writing (MA)

Advance your knowledge of today’s publishing and writing trends

GRE requirements

Award-winning literary journals on campus

Credit hours

About the Graduate Publishing and Writing Program

Emerson College’s on-campus Publishing and Writing MA program will help you discover your place in the ever-vital, ever-changing field of publishing. You will learn to shape the prose of fresh voices as an editor, represent writers as a literary agent, or work with exciting online publications and new media formats. 

Housed in the Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing in the School of the Arts, our program allows you to explore all facets of publishing in the publishing hub of Boston. Our experienced faculty provide a comprehensive overview of the publishing of books and magazine media via print, digital, video, social media, and other platforms. You will enjoy the flexibility to take a variety of creative writing and literature courses that suit your interests and goals.

Program Highlights 

• A dynamic curriculum that builds a solid foundation of skills in book, magazine, and digital publishing
• An emphasis on hands-on learning, with options such as working on the Emerson College-owned digital publication The Independent and with community partners (current and former partners include the Boston Globe Magazine , Bookbuilders of Boston, and Artists for Humanity)
• Internship opportunities at a wide variety of publishers (such as children's and adult trade, academic, magazine media, and news) and publishing-related firms
• Study full-time or part-time in person on our beautiful Boston campus
• Most classes, whether in-person or online, are offered in the evening to maximize flexibility
• Access to a vast alumni network
• No GRE requirements to apply

Request More Information

Program details.

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4+1 Bachelor’s to Master’s Program

Our Publishing and Writing MA program is available to current Emerson undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a master’s degree in just one additional year. For more information, visit our 4+1 MA in Publishing page.

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• MA Creative Writing and Publishing

Pursue your goals in a robust environment

Master’s in Creative Writing and Publishing

Words have power.

The MA program in Creative Writing and Publishing is focused on intensive practice in the craft of creative writing, as well as training in the theory and practice of publishing. In addition to participating in poetry, fiction, and creative-non-fiction workshops, students can take courses in literature, pedagogy, and cultural studies. Classes are capped at 14 students, allowing for lively classroom engagement and personalized attention. The flexibility of our evening course schedule allows students to engage in a rigorous program while pursuing other career and personal goals.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Students in the Master of Arts in Creative Writing and Publishing program will be able to demonstrate the ability to produce a sustained literary work of professional quality written as poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, young adult literature, or a hybrid form. This work will demonstrate technical confidence, mature inquiry into literary form, and a well-developed individual voice or aesthetic.
• Demonstrate the ability to analyze literature and articulate responses on craft with acuity and depth. This includes discussion of form and language; literary and cultural contexts; and predecessors, genres, and historical traditions.
• Appraise and place their own work within literary and cultural contexts.
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Get a feel for the program

Life as a Student

Work closely with faculty on your projects, gain access to a vibrant publishing community, and come out of the program with a chapbook-length creative writing manuscript. Students in our program receive a level of support and attention that other institutions reserve for doctoral-level students.

Master of Arts in Creative Writing & Publishing

This program is comprised of 10 three-credit courses (30 credits total).

Curriculum includes:

• An introductory course that provides a theoretical and practical foundation for advanced study of creative writing and publishing.
• Four creative writing workshops that reinforce concepts and skills by providing genre-specific applications.
• One Power and Identity course that examines issues of identity and power in the construction, theorization, or interpretation of texts written by, about, or addressed to marginalized groups.
• Three English electives , such as courses in literature, pedagogy, linguistics, or professional writing/editing.
• Master's Project: a chapbook-length portfolio of 40-50 pages such as a collection of poetry, literary fiction, young adult fiction or creative nonfiction. Students then present their project to a review committee of a faculty advisor and two additional faculty readers and should demonstrate a high level of cogency and stylistic grace.

Our Annual Summer Publishing Institute

Non-Degree Options

If you've been out of school for a while or aren't sure about pursuing this degree, taking non-degree classes might be an ideal choice. When you sign up you will still participate as a full class member with a variety of students and faculty members. This option also gives you the chance to create a writing sample that can be used in the degree-seeking application. From there you can evaluate whether the program's offerings fit your needs, interests and abilities.

• Apply for Non-degree

Financial Aid and Work Opportunities

Graduate teaching fellow (gtf), teaching mentorships, research grants, internship opportunities, writing consultant positions.

GTF will support a faculty instructor who is assigned to teach core courses in the Dougherty Family College. The GTF will attend all class sessions; help grade informal and formal writing assignments; update/coordinate Blackboard and other forms of course record-keeping; lead class activities or discussions on select topics; and mentor students individually and in small groups. They will also work in the Scholars Resource Center as a writing tutor.

The Master of Arts in English Program funds five Teaching Mentorships each year for students interested in teaching. Students are paired with a full-time faculty member to shadow and assist them in teaching an undergraduate course. Students will help teach, design assignments, meet with students, and more. These Mentorships are paid per hour with a maximum of 60 hours over the semester.

$10,000 Graduate Team Research Grant

This University of St. Thomas grant funds teams of St. Thomas faculty and graduate student(s) who work together on a significant research project or creative activity over an 8-12 week period during the summer.

$1,000 Student Research Grant

The Graduate English Student Research Grant provides funding to support student research involving domestic or international travel to visit archives, libraries, museums, and other research sites.

Conference Grants

Students attending conferences and presenting a paper may request a conference participation grant of up to $500.

The skills you learn as an English major/minor—critical thinking, close reading, analysis, writing, and editing to name a few—are more important than ever in a society where more words are being produced than at any other time in history because of the internet. All students are encouraged to learn experientially through an internship, part-time job, or volunteerism. The below internship opportunities are suggestions for local Minnesota positions where you can begin to imagine connections between the work you do in the classroom and the life you will build for yourself after graduation. Interns have worked at 1517 Media , The Loft Literary Center , Milkweed Editions , Redleaf Press , and elsewhere.

Through these positions, graduate students gain experience working one-on-one with undergraduate and graduate students, gain insight into writing theory and pedagogy (including collaborative learning, process theory, writing across the curriculum, basic writing, and ESL), and learn writing center administration.

Visit the Center for Writing Website

Our faculty members are award-winning writers who have published with some of the country's finest presses. They have close ties to many of the region's best publishers, including Coffee House Press, Graywolf Press and Milkweed Editions. Students work closely with faculty mentors throughout their graduate studies, culminating a chapbook-length creative project at the conclusion of the program.

Dr. Matthew Batt

Matthew Batt is author of the memoirs The Last Supper Club and Sugarhouse. His fiction and nonfiction have been featured in the New York Times, Outside Magazine, the Huffington Post, Tin House, and elsewhere. He has been the recipient of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the McKnight Foundation, and the Aspen Writers' Institute.

His latest memoir, The Last Supper Club, is the story of how he, a forty-something professor on sabbatical, found himself returning to a job waiting tables. And loving it. In the rare and vivid memoir, he details the challenge and satisfaction of meeting the demands of a fine dining restaurant's frenzied kitchen and equally expectant crowd. Told with sharp humor, humility, and a keen sense of what matters, The Last Supper Club is an ode to working in restaurants, the relationships that get you to the night's close, and finding yourself through—or perhaps because of—the chaos of it all.

Dr. Leslie Miller

Since the publication of her first poem in a nationally recognized journal, Beloit Poetry Journal, in 1977, Dr. Miller has published six full length collections of poetry, Y , The Resurrection Trade , and Eat Quite Everything You See with Graywolf Press , and Yesterday Had a Man In It , Ungodliness , and Staying Up for Love with Carnegie Mellon University Press .

The journey has also included fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, fellowships and grants for travel in Germany, France, Scotland, Switzerland and Indonesia, as well as opportunities to teach and read at writers' festivals, university writing programs, medical schools, the Library of Congress, and the National Institutes for Health.

Dr. Heather Bouwman

Dr. Bouwman writes novels for young people—chapter books for emerging readers and fantasy novels for ages 10+. Her most recent books are the middle-grade fantasy A Crack in the Sea and its companio n, A Tear in the Ocean , and the Owen and Eleanor chapter book series .

Heather especially loves historical fantasy, genre mashups, fairy tale retellings, and multiplotted novels. She loves reading and teaching fantasy; YA and children's literature; and American novels from the late 1790's forward.

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Home of a great writing and publishing reputation

Welcome to the Capital

The program is designed to take advantage of the robust publishing industry in the Twin Cities. As Publishing Trendsetter recently noted, “It's no exaggeration to call Minneapolis the publishing capital of the Midwest.” Graduates of our program will be well prepared to find internships and employment in this growing industry.

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• MS in Publishing: Digital and Print Media

MS in Publishing

Study on-site.

The MS in Publishing offers students real-world experience in book publishing and digital/magazine media. Taught by top executives in the publishing and media industries, the program helps students to develop skills in creating and editing content for multiple platforms and formats including print, web, mobile, video, audiobooks, ebooks, and podcasts. In addition, the program puts a strong emphasis upon other key areas in publishing and media, including, marketing and publicity, finance, digital media management, content development, and more. By the time they graduate, students have acquired a deep understanding of all of the key publishing functions. Study abroad in the form of global volunteer opportunities, industry visits to publishing houses and media companies, and invaluable internships provide for a first-rate NYU education in NYC, the publishing and media capital of the world.

Degree Advantage

• 36-credit program of study
• Prepares you for a career in publishing and digital / magazine media
• Core curriculum and dedicated study of key areas that align with the functions of the publishing industry—content development, marketing and distribution, and media profitability
• Faculty of leading publishing industry executives
• Full-time (attending courses four evenings a week) and part-time study options
• Global volunteer opportunities and industry visits
• Internships at top publishers and media companies
• Networking events and opportunities

VIEW FULL CURRICULUM AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS >

Explore graduate opportunities at nyu sps.

Join an upcoming online session to learn more about our graduate degree programs including the MS in Publishing. As an attendee of an Explore Graduate Opportunities at NYU SPS session, you will meet members of our team and have the opportunity to ask questions about the program and application process.

6:00 PM until 7:30 PM EDT  

Who Should Earn the MS in Publishing?

The publishing industry has many facets and offers a wide range of different options for those just launching their careers, as well as those who are already in publishing or a related industry. The MS in Publishing takes you beyond a traditional editorial curriculum into the technology-driven, digitally-focused, and business-oriented aspects of the industry, positioning you for success in the areas where talent is in highest demand. If you seek to build your skills and your network in the publishing and media capital of the world, then this degree is for you!

DEGREE OVERVIEW VIDEO

Acquire In-demand Skills in Growing Specialty Areas

The MS in Publishing offers areas of study that align with the publishing industry: Media Content Development, Media Marketing and Distribution, and Media Profitability . Each area of specialty provides the distinct skills and business acumen to prepare you for the publishing industry of the future—one that is ripe with opportunity for those who are equipped with the knowledge, insights, and connections that will set them apart.

Gain a Global Perspective

The MS in Publishing is based in New York City, the publishing capital of the world, but it is connected to a multibillion-dollar network of international business, with critical hubs in Europe and Asia. As a student enrolled in this program, you may have the opportunity to gain a truly global perspective through the ability to volunteer international book fairs and conferences. Previous students have enjoyed the opportunity to attend at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the Bologna Children's Book Fair, the London Book Fair, and the Beijing Book Fair, among others.

Build an Invaluable Professional and Personal Network

In publishing, building relationships and networking are critical for success. The MS in Publishing and the Summer Publishing Institute (see below) are both grounded in a close-knit community of students, faculty members, and alums, whose influence spans the globe. Students in the MS in Publishing also have the opportunity to join the award winning NYU Publishing Student Association. By the time you earn your degree or complete the SPI program, you will have developed a network that will greatly enhance your career options.

Industry Visits and Internships

Through the MS in Publishing and the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development at NYU SPS, our students have the opportunity to complete publishing internships that provide the hands-on experience needed to compete for publishing and media-focused jobs. Many of these internships evolve into permanent positions or consulting jobs.  97% (average of Classes from 2017-2021) of our students reported being employed within six months of graduation. Our graduates go on to a wide range of careers in a broad array of companies and organizations including:

• Hachette Book Group
• HarperCollins Publishers
• Hearst Magazines
• Dotdash Meredith
• Penguin Random House
• Simon & Schuster
• Workman Publishing

Summer Publishing Institute (SPI)

SPI is a four-week intensive dedicated to the study of books and digital magazine/media conducted in New York City.

FEATURED FACULTY

Jesse b christian.

Center for Publishing

Fabio B Bertoni

Jessica m dodell-feder, departmental highlights, nyu speakers on the square: a conversation with james mcbride, embracing every hue: liberating imposter syndrome, intersectionality, & borders through storytelling, london book fair 2024: what the students saw, inside fortune: a media brand rich with business news, a day at condé nast: exploring the intersection of culture, fashion, and media, meet the new spring 2024 faculty, scribe at spirit week: the translated and queer/banned book expo, tamil writer from india awarded fulbright fellowship to pursue publishing degree at nyu sps, #nyu reads: the braiding sweetgrass story, pala academic director of continuing education jenny mcphee’s translation of elsa morante’s novel ‘lies and sorcery’ wins accolades, meet the new fall 2022 faculty, meet the new spring 2022 faculty, frequently asked questions, what types of jobs are available in publishing.

The types of jobs available in publishing vary widely. Graduates of our program are working as book and digital/magazine editors, marketers, and publicists, and in sales and audience development positions at major media and publishing companies. They also are employed at literary agencies and in a wide range of areas including audiobooks, podcasts, video, and more. The industry is so broad that the opportunities are almost limitless.

How does this publishing degree differ from others?

The degree differs from others in that we emphasize a knowledge of all key publishing functions, whereas other degrees offer concentrations in a specific area such as design or marketing and publicity. With the team-based focus of the publishing industry in mind, an immersive knowledge of content creation, marketing and distribution, and profitability is critical to student success.

In addition, we put a very strong focus on real-world, real-workplace industry learning and experience. While other degrees may emphasize publishing theory, the NYU SPS MS in Publishing encompasses both theory and practical, hands-on study of all key topics. Most assignments are simulations of tasks encountered in the workplace. Students are invited to visit publishing and media companies to gain an inside understanding of how businesses operate. Faculty members and guest speakers, all senior industry experts, introduce students to the latest business strategies and practices. A strong emphasis on networking, global trips to book fairs and conferences when available, and elective internships all contribute to a unique, industry-forward approach to preparing students for careers in publishing.

What skills are required for a career in publishing?

The skills and attributes required to succeed in publishing include curiosity and an interest in a wide range of topics. Publishing is a world of content and ideas, and a desire to shape and disseminate information is important. Those entering the industry need strong writing and communication skills, a knowledge of digital formats and assets including podcasts and video, and an understanding of marketing and social media, as well as sales and audience development, to name a few areas of expertise. As noted, this is a broad industry and the specific skills may vary according to position and the type of publishing or media business. Generally, digital media management and content management skills are important.

What's the difference between book publishing & digital/magazine publishing?

The NYU SPS MS in Publishing includes courses in book publishing as well as digital/magazine media. While book publishers create physical and digital books and media companies focus increasingly on digital-first (with some print) content, both use many of the same areas of expertise: good writing and communication skills, as well as a knowledge of marketing and audience development, sales, and distribution. Students may choose to focus their studies more on book publishing or digital/magazine media, but the skills are often transferable.

Why do I need a graduate degree in publishing to enter the industry?

You need a graduate degree in publishing to enter the industry because this is a complex business with multiple skills and areas of expertise needed. The NYU SPS MS in Publishing degree introduces students to all key aspects of the industry through its areas of study as well as industry outreach. This deep and broad knowledge helps to make students highly valuable to employers. The reputation of the program for providing exceptionally well-trained students with practical skills is an important factor in hiring and promotion. Furthermore, the networking and industry outreach, faculty of leading publishing professionals, and internship opportunities are invaluable in opening doors and providing access that may otherwise be unattainable.

Find your Advisor

Creative Writing & Publishing

The Master’s University’s Creative Writing & Publishing (CWP) program is designed for students who are passionate about content creation across the changing and expanding spectrum of communicative media, including fiction and non-fiction, photography, videography, journalism, and podcasting. CWP students choose from a wide variety of courses that provide opportunities to develop their unique creative interests, and they graduate with content creation skills that are increasingly in-demand across diverse industries.

A key characteristic of the CWP program is that our students learn by doing. Classes are hands-on and provide regular opportunities for feedback and publication. CWP students graduate with not just a degree, but also a portfolio of creative work to show prospective employers and clients. If God has gifted you with a creative spark, and if you love inspiring others through what you create, the CWP program may be the perfect place for you to hone your talents and discover why God gave them to you in the first place!

Communication Core Courses

For a complete list of requirements for this degree please see our academic catalog .

In a day and age when on-the-street experiences are documented and shared worldwide, this class will explore the best go-to tool: the phone in your pocket. Students will create ready-to-be-viewed short video productions using minimalist technology. Throughout the course, students will focus on elements such as story structure, camera angle, lighting, editing, and sound. Finished productions will be viewed and critiqued by peers and the instructor.

An exploration of podcasting as a form of journalism. Students will be introduced to the various types of podcasts and podcast outlets. They will work with classmates to research a podcast concept and then regularly produce and publish it. Components of marketing and attracting subscribers will also be discussed. Computer expertise is not required.

Theories and techniques of social influence. Course content includes motivation, attitude change, ethics, credibility, nonverbal persuasion, logic and argumentation, emotions, and cultural influences.

An introduction to the dynamics of technologically mediated social discourse with a look at both individual implications as well as larger processes within society including culture, polity, and commercial enterprise.

An exploration of journal keeping and autobiographical writing. Students will read and write various types of personal essays and memoirs and share them in small group settings.

An introduction to the styles, techniques, content, and forms of screenwriting. Student work is considered for the department annual short film production.

This course will examine the entrepreneurial power shift in the world of business and what it means for media practitioners, entrepreneurs, and technologists. The disruptive nature of the Internet, open-source technologies, and lower barriers-to-entry have prompted a shift in the power from large media companies toward smaller organizations and individuals.

Students will study the extended short story form (novella), including plot, characterization, and dialogue. The course will include regular writing for peer review, offering ample time for revision and completion of a polished extended short story (novella).

Grammar basics and sentence structure are reinforced. However, the bulk of the course covers the real-world issues writers encounter in college and beyond. Issues such as word choice, antecedents, plurals, possessives, punctuation, clarity, conciseness, and self-editing. Chicago, MLA, and Associated Press style formats will be explored. Reading and coursework are also geared for those looking at editing as a career or see it as an important aspect of a chosen job field. Additional topics covered include “editing well means writing well,” the editor-writer relationship, and using style guides. Students learn by dissecting weekly news articles, editing articles for the campus newspaper, and self- and peer-editing various writing assignments.

Theories and methods of evaluating persuasive communication, including public address, contemporary drama, and other categories of written discourse.  Prerequisite: C371 or C391.

Students will explore the genre of science fiction short stories—how to read them critically and how to write them effectively. The course will cover the nuances and history of the different forms and motifs of science fiction to help students develop their writing skills across each of those forms and motifs. Prerequisite: C351.

Students will practice the craft of writing in the genre of fantasy fiction, with special emphasis placed on the novel and novel series formats. The course will focus on traditional fiction writing components such as plot, character, tone, setting, narrative, point of view, scene building, etc. Additionally, students will engage in discussion and guided practice surrounding genre-specific elements such as world building, history creation, systems of myth and magic, etc.

This course explores the history and impact of the graphic novel, both as a form of entertainment and social/cultural commentary. Additionally, the course will explore the process of creating a graphic novel and of visual storytelling. Students will participate in the creation of a graphic novel concept. Prerequisite: C351.

Students learn the techniques of novel writing, including plot outlining, character development and arcing, conflict, complication, and resolution. Techniques of dialogue and narration will also be explored.

Introduction to the video technical language and creative and aesthetic elements of the production process. Students will gain understanding of lighting, sound, camera operation, composition, and design of visual elements.

This class introduces the students to the concepts of Desktop Publishing. Topics covered will include color theory, page layout, composition, print requirements, and other production-related techniques. The applications used in this class are Adobe™ Photoshop™ for image editing, Adobe™ Illustrator™ for logo design, and Adobe™ InDesign™ for page layout and composition.

Visual storytelling through making, selecting, processing, and disseminating photographic images. Technical, artistic, and professional topics are covered, including composition, lighting, portraiture, photo essays, and reproducing and publishing images, as well as legal and ethical issues.

An introduction to the arena of multimedia journalism. Students will learn the process of combining text, images, sound, videos, and graphics to tell an engaging story on an online platform. Students will produce finished pieces to be viewed and critiqued by peers and the instructor. Prerequisite: C261 or C311.

Students are introduced to the basics of professional journalism to gain an understanding of how a publication works; develop instincts as an interviewer, reporter, and writer; and understand the various genres associated with journalistic writing. Students will also learn to develop editing skills by using the Associated Press Stylebook and write on deadline to prepare for writing for the campus publication and beyond.

From handheld to professional SLR cameras, students will learn the basics of equipment and advanced methods to make photographs look more professional. This class will cover how to connect, download, and upload your digital images to CDs, the web, or for print. Everything from file management to composition, this class covers a wide range of techniques to make students better, more effective photographers.

• Publication
• Screenwriter
• Film/TV Editor

The Master’s University is committed to providing quality Christian education to believers around the world.

To be admitted as an undergraduate, bachelors degree-seeking student in the Online School of Education, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have a clear profession of faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. 
• Be a high school graduate or have a GED certificate. 
• Demonstrate college-level writing ability. 
• Submit official transcripts from all other colleges and universities attended. 

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Creative Writing and Literature Master’s Degree Program

Unlock your creative potential and hone your unique voice.

Online Courses

11 out of 12 total courses

On-Campus Experience

One 1- or 3-week residency in summer

$3,220 per course

Program Overview

Through the master’s degree in creative writing and literature, you’ll hone your skills as a storyteller — crafting publishable original scripts, novels, and stories.

In small, workshop-style classes, you’ll master key elements of narrative craft, including characterization, story and plot structure, point of view, dialogue, and description. And you’ll learn to approach literary works as both a writer and scholar by developing skills in critical analysis.

Program Benefits

Instructors who are published authors of drama, fiction, and nonfiction

A community of writers who support your growth in live online classes

Writer's residency with agent & editor networking opportunities

Personalized academic and career advising

Thesis or capstone options that lead to publishable creative work

Harvard Alumni Association membership upon graduation

Customizable Course Curriculum

As you work through the program’s courses, you’ll enhance your creative writing skills and knowledge of literary concepts and strategies. You’ll practice the art of revision to hone your voice as a writer in courses like Writing the Short Personal Essay and Writing Flash Fiction.

Within the creative writing and literature program, you will choose between a thesis or capstone track. You’ll also experience the convenience of online learning and the immersive benefits of learning in person.

11 Online Courses

• Primarily synchronous
• Fall, spring, January, and summer options

Writers’ Residency

A 1- or 3-week summer master class taught by a notable instructor, followed by an agents-and-editors weekend

Thesis or Capstone Track

• Thesis: features a 9-month independent creative project with a faculty advisor
• Capstone: includes crafting a fiction or nonfiction manuscript in a classroom community

The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program.

First, you’ll register for and complete 2 required courses, earning at least a B in each. These foundational courses are investments in your studies and count toward your degree, helping ensure success in the program.

Getting Started

We invite you to explore degree requirements, confirm your initial eligibility, and learn more about our unique “earn your way in” admissions process.

A Faculty of Creative Writing Experts

Studying at Harvard Extension School means learning from the world’s best. Our instructors are renowned academics in literary analysis, storytelling, manuscript writing, and more. They bring a genuine passion for teaching, with students giving our faculty an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.

Bryan Delaney

Playwright and Screenwriter

Talaya Adrienne Delaney

Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University

Elisabeth Sharp McKetta

Our community at a glance.

80% of our creative writing and literature students are enrolled in our master’s degree program for either personal enrichment or to make a career change. Most (74%) are employed full time while pursuing their degree and work across a variety of industries.

Download: Creative Writing & Literature Master's Degree Fact Sheet

Average Age

Course Taken Each Semester

Work Full Time

Would Recommend the Program

Professional Experience in the Field

Pursued for Personal Enrichment

Career Opportunities & Alumni Outcomes

Graduates of our Creative Writing and Literature Master’s Program have writing, research, and communication jobs in the fields of publishing, advertising/marketing, fundraising, secondary and higher education, and more.

Some alumni continue their educational journeys and pursue further studies in other nationally ranked degree programs, including those at Boston University, Brandeis University, University of Pennsylvania, and Cambridge University.

Our alumni hold titles as:

• Marketing Manager
• Director of Publishing
• Senior Research Writer

Our alumni work at a variety of leading organizations, including:

• Little, Brown & Company
• New York University (NYU)
• Bentley Publishers

Career Advising and Mentorship

Whatever your career goals, we’re here to support you. Harvard’s Mignone Center for Career Success offers career advising, employment opportunities, Harvard alumni mentor connections, and career fairs like the annual on-campus Harvard Humanities, Media, Marketing, and Creative Careers Expo.

Your Harvard University Degree

Upon successful completion of the required curriculum, you will earn the Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Creative Writing and Literature.

Expand Your Connections: the Harvard Alumni Network

As a graduate, you’ll become a member of the worldwide Harvard Alumni Association (400,000+ members) and Harvard Extension Alumni Association (29,000+ members).

Harvard is closer than one might think. You can be anywhere and still be part of this world.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.

After admission, you may qualify for financial aid . Typically, eligible students receive grant funds to cover a portion of tuition costs each term, in addition to federal financial aid options.

What can you do with a master’s degree in creative writing and literature?

A master’s degree in creative writing and literature prepares you for a variety of career paths in writing, literature, and communication — it’s up to you to decide where your interests will take you.

You could become a professional writer, editor, literary agent, marketing copywriter, or communications specialist.

You could also go the academic route and bring your knowledge to the classroom to teach creative writing or literature courses.

Is a degree in creative writing and literature worth it?

The value you find in our Creative Writing and Literature Master’s Degree Program will depend on your unique goals, interests, and circumstances.

The curriculum provides a range of courses that allow you to graduate with knowledge and skills transferable to various industries and careers.

How long does completing the creative writing and literature graduate program take?

Program length is ordinarily anywhere between 2 and 5 years. It depends on your preferred pace and the number of courses you want to take each semester.

For an accelerated journey, we offer year round study, where you can take courses in fall, January, spring, and summer.

While we don’t require you to register for a certain number of courses each semester, you cannot take longer than 5 years to complete the degree.

What skills do you need prior to applying for the creative writing and literature degree program?

Harvard Extension School does not require any specific skills prior to applying, but in general, it’s helpful to have solid reading, writing, communication, and critical thinking skills if you are considering a creative writing and literature master’s degree.

Initial eligibility requirements can be found on our creative writing and literature master’s degree requirements page .

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

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Online MFA in Creative Writing Master of Fine Arts

Earn an MFA in Creative Writing Online

• $637/credit (48 credits total)
• Transfer up to 12 graduate credits
• 100% online – no residency required
• Four fiction genres to choose from
• Career-focused certificate included
• No application fee or GRE/GMAT scores required

Online MFA in Creative Writing Program Overview

Share your story with the world and let the power of storytelling take your career to new heights with an online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing . As one of the only programs available that encourages a focus on genre fiction, our online MFA lets you hone your craft in an area specific to your strengths and interests. You'll also learn about the business side of creative writing, preparing you to market your work in the real world.

While most MFA programs require a residency, Southern New Hampshire University's online MFA in Creative Writing can be completed entirely online, with no travel necessary.

“Traditional MFA programs, whether full-time or low residency, are out of reach for many writers,” said Paul Witcover , associate dean of creative writing. “The SNHU online MFA was designed to make the MFA experience accessible to all fiction writers, opening the door to diverse voices excluded for too long from the literary conversation. Our program is dedicated to giving writers the tools to succeed on the page and beyond it.”

Graduates leave the program with a completed and revised novel in one of our four offered genres: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance and Speculative. With the included certificates in either online teaching of writing or professional writing , you'll have the skills to support your writing career, no matter where it takes you.

.st0{fill:#21386D;} What You'll Learn

• The business and technical sides of professional writing
• How to navigate the publishing ecosystem, identify agents and editors, and market your work to appeal to decision-makers
• Using social media to gain a following and build your brand
• How to teach writing in a classroom setting

.cls-1 { fill: #21386d; } How You'll Learn

At SNHU, you'll get support from day 1 to graduation and beyond. And with no set class times, 24/7 access to the online classroom and helpful learning resources along the way, you'll have everything you need to reach your goals.

The Value of an Online MFA

Emily Jones ’20 embraced a transformational experience through the online MFA in Creative Writing program, which supported her in taking her writing career to the next level. “I can now say, without even a hint of imposter syndrome, that I am a writer,” said Jones. “And that is because of Southern New Hampshire University.”

Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, writers and authors made a median annual salary of $69,510 in 2021, while editors made $63,350. 1

“Our mission is to give students a degree and associated practical skills they can use to forge successful pathways in academia, business, or by blazing their own career trail,” said Paul Witcover , associate dean of creative writing.

Earning one of the included certificates in online teaching of writing or professional writing will also be an invaluable addition to your resume for part-time, full-time and freelance jobs in a variety of fields, including:

• Higher education. Instruct writing courses in higher education settings. In 2021, postsecondary teachers made a median annual wage of $79,640, and you can expect to see a 12% growth in available positions through 2031, according to the BLS. 1
• Advertising. Use your storytelling skills in a way that influences consumer action. As a copywriter, you could find yourself doing any number of writing projects from crafting emails and ads to writing entire commercials.
• Marketing. If you're more comfortable with long-form prose, many businesses have invested in content writers who create quality content such as blog posts, ebooks and podcasts to attract and retain customers.
• Entertainment. Good at building suspense or setting up punchlines? From movies and plays to comedy and podcasts, being a good storyteller and writer is important to finding success in the entertainment industry.
• History. Every person's life has a plot, but it takes writers like you to tell their stories in a compelling way. Help readers relive the experiences of historic figures and pop culture icons as a biographer.

Higher Education

Instruct writing courses in higher education at a college or university, either in-person or online.

Advertising

Influence consumer action through copywriting, from print ads to digital advertising and broadcast commercials.

Create written content such as blog posts, ebooks and podcasts to attract and retain customers.

Entertainment

From movies and plays to comedy and podcasts, writers often find success in the entertainment industry.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts favorable job growth in postsecondary education. And while statistics are not available for all job settings mentioned above, the BLS reports the following:

.cls-1 { fill: #21386d; } Job Growth

The BLS predicts an 8% growth in available postsecondary teaching positions through 2032. 1

.cls-1 { fill: #21386d; } Potential Salary

Writers and authors made a median annual salary of $73,150 in 2022, while editors made $73,080 and postsecondary teachers made $80,840. 1

Understanding the Numbers When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors — like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

Start Your Journey Toward an Online MFA in Creative Writing

If you're looking to earn your Master of Fine Arts online, you've found the right program. Even though there are no residency requirements, you'll still interact frequently with other students and faculty members in asynchronous discussions, critique workshops and within our online writer’s community, where students come together to share industry news, extend writing tips and develop critique partnerships.

"I liked MFA-514 (Advanced Studies in Genre Literature) best," said student Jamilla Geter . "It was a great look into the different genres. It really helped me narrow down what genre I wanted to write in."

"Though it was not writing exactly, its connection to it – especially in our digital world – was made clear almost immediately," she said. "Writing is not just providing content of value to your readers, but also creating avenues of access so those readers can find your content. This course helped me to understand that and to learn how I can create those avenues."

Besides allowing you to focus on your own creative interests, part of our 48-credit online MFA curriculum requires you to choose from 2 certificate offerings designed to round out your education and better prepare you for a multitude of writing-related careers.

The first choice is a Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching of Writing , which is tailored to those who see themselves teaching in an online classroom setting as a supplement to their writing careers. Students practice approaches to editing and coaching, learning how to establish a virtual instructor presence and cultivate methods for supporting and engaging students within online writing communities.

Learn more about the online teaching of writing graduate certificate .

Students can also choose the Graduate Certificate in Professional Writing , which highlights the technical and business opportunities available to writers. Students will develop a range of skills, such as copywriting, social media, marketing principles and/or content generation, learning many of the freelancing skills integral to today’s project-driven economy.

Learn more about the professional writing graduate certificate .

All of our courses are taught by accomplished authors and industry professionals who know both the craft and business of creative writing. They will work closely with you to develop both your creative and professional skill set.

"All instructors within my program were extremely knowledgeable and helpful," Warden said. "I learned a lot about the different career paths my instructors chose. ... The course instruction, along with their anecdotal experiences, helped in offering knowledge in different areas of our field.

MFA Program Thesis

The thesis for the Online MFA in Creative Writing is required to be a novel of at least 50,000 words in one of the four genres the program offers: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance, and Speculative.

Every Southern New Hampshire University online MFA student who graduates from the program will do so with a revised novel manuscript in their chosen genre, which is completed in a three-course thesis series. Throughout your tenure in the program, you can either work on a singular idea that you will develop during the three thesis courses, or you can begin a new project for your thesis. You can also combine elements of the four genres offered in the program for your thesis. For example, your thesis might be a YA Speculative Fiction novel.

"My three thesis classes for the MFA degree were the most helpful," said Kathleen Harris '21 . "I was actually writing a book as my thesis, so it was both enjoyable and advantageous for the degree. And it was the end of a very long milestone of accomplishments."

Minimum Hardware Requirements Component Type   PC (Windows OS)   Apple (Mac OS)   Operating System  Currently supported operating system from Microsoft.   Currently supported operating system from Apple.  Memory (RAM)  8GB or higher  8GB or higher  Hard Drive  100GB or higher  100GB or higher  Antivirus Software  Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students.  Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students.  SNHU Purchase Programs  Visit Dell   Visit Apple   Internet/ Bandwidth  5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency  5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency  Notes:   Laptop or desktop?   Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.  Note:   Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10.  Office 365 Pro Plus  is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for  Microsoft 365 plans  for business, education and government.  Antivirus software:  Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.  if (typeof accordionGroup === "undefined") { window.accordionGroup = new accordion(); } accordionGroup.init(document.getElementById('f756dce5bd874c61855f6f6e92d88470')); University Accreditation

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer a 25% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually. *Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional Costs: Course Materials ($ varies by course). Foundational courses may be required based on your undergraduate course history, which may result in additional cost.

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• Graduate Studies

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Publishing (MFA-CW)

Choose to specialize in fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction in this one-of-a-kind, low residency MFA creative writing program.

We are a small, low-residency MFA program designed to fit your schedule. Our expert faculty offer one-on-one guidance in a genre of your choosing: poetry, novels, short stories, or creative nonfiction.

Together with these residencies, our on-line semesters help students shape their MFA degrees into a writing, teaching, or publishing career. Work with and learn from some of the finest writers in the United States, Ireland, Scotland, and Canada.

Come write your story with us!

Degree Programs

Meet your Mentors

Some of our Visiting Writers

During our home residencies, visiting writers have included award-winning and best-selling writers such as Dean Koontz, Marilyn Nelson, William Kent Kreuger, Joseph Bruchac, Jane Friedman, John Grogan, Matt Bell, Paula Yoo, Lee Upton, and Lia Purpura.

In Scotland, Ireland, and Canada, we work with many award-winning writers of the Celtic world, among them: Emma Donoghue (shortlisted for Man Booker and Orange Prizes); Kathleen Jamie (Makar or Poet Laureate of Scotland); Sue Goyette (Poet Laureate of Halifax); James Robertson (Walter Scott Award Winner); Donal Ryan (EU Literature Prize); and Vona Groarke (Brendan Behan Memorial Award).

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Master of Arts

Creative Writing Specialization

Pen the next chapter of your story.

Character development. Image and sound. Narrative and form. Do the elements of writing attract you? You’ll dive into the foundations of everything from novels to personal essays by studying others’ works and experimenting with new approaches. If you want to learn about the publishing industry, use your writing for social change, and discover inspiring works of literature, this master’s degree is for you.

Not sure if this is the creative writing program for you? Compare the Master of Arts with Creative Writing specialization with the Mile-High MFA .

Know what you're looking for? This is for you:

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Explore Other Master of Arts Specializations

Interested in something other than Creative Writing? Choose from one of our other distinct specializations that best matches your personal and career ambitions.

• Applied Psychology
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Request More Information About This Degree

Program snapshot.

Program Format Online 8-week terms

Time Commitment 12-24 months

Key Dates Starts are offered in January, March, May, July, August and October

View Full Degree Curriculum and Requirements

Join Regis Alumni Working As:

Author/freelance writer.

Create fictional or non-fictional works for readers' enjoyment or engaging and informative content for clients on a contract basis.

Writing Teacher

Guide and inspire students to develop their writing skills through instruction, feedback, and creative exercises.

Media Personnel/PR Professional

Strategize relationships between organizations and the public by creatively shaping positive perceptions and reputations.

By the Numbers

* Regis First Destination Survey, 2023 ** U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , 2022

Imagine Yourself In ...

MACW 614: Writing as Social Action

In this course, you’ll develop sophisticated strategies for reading, writing and teaching for social change. By closely reading critical essays and texts in the four major literary genres by writers such as bell hooks and Audre Lorde, you’ll discover a variety of rhetorical and stylistic approaches to addressing the social justice issues that concern you most.

MACW 632: Professional Development

Designed as a culminating experience of the Master of Arts that supports your career goals and next steps, the emphasis in this class is on presenting and publishing your writing. We will discuss our expectations about writing as a facet of professional academic life, while exploring a range of writing occasions and publishing opportunities.

MACW 618: Creative Writing in the Literature Classroom

Examine how critical imagination and creative research methodologies overlap. In this class, you’ll develop a major creative project that requires a wide range of research approaches, such as archival, first-person, or interdisciplinary research.

How to Apply

To apply to the Master of Arts program, you will need:

• Online application
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• Admissions essay
• Faculty interview may be required

This program is eligible for our FastForward dual degree. To learn more about eligible programs and GPA requirements, visit regis.edu/fastforward

Real people. Really invested in you. Contact your admissions counselor today and learn how we help you every step of the way.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition for the 2023-2024 academic year: $599 per credit hour Total program credits: 33 A 10% tuition discount is offered for licensed educators.

Tuition is one part of the overall cost of attendance, which includes all expenses students may have, including basic living costs. For more information about tuition, fees and your estimated cost of attendance, visit our Cost of Attendance for Adult Undergraduates and Graduate Students page . Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Earning your Master of Arts with Creative Writing specialization from Regis sets you apart and expands your professional network — think of it as an investment in your future. Between scholarship opportunities and financial aid packages, advancing your education is within reach.

Learn More About Financial Aid Options

A Culture of Excellence

Want to learn more? Here's something for you: The Master of Arts with Creative Writing specialization is offered by Regis College at Regis University.

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Home > Postgraduate study > Postgraduate courses > Creative Writing and Publishing MA

Creative Writing and Publishing MA

Why choose this course.

This course examines not only the craft of writing, but also how the publishing industry works. You will develop a creative writing portfolio alongside studying trends in the industry.

The creative writing element of this course is workshop-led, with opportunity to specialise in the genre of your choice. The publishing element focuses on marketing-led commercial and trade publishing, industry structure and core skills.

For your final assessment, you may choose a creative writing dissertation, a publishing dissertation or undertake a practical publishing project.

Curtis Brown Agent's Choice competition

All successful applicants who take up their place with us in September will be entered into our competition to have a consultation with Annabel White , an agent at top London literary agency Curtis Brown.

So make sure the creative work you submit with your application is your very best - it might win you a meeting with a literary agent.

Reasons to choose Kingston University

• Kingston's Publishing and Creative Writing teaching teams have relationships with all the leading fiction publishers and literary agents in the UK.
• You will have the opportunity to contribute to Kingston University's publication, Ripple, which includes fiction, poetry, reviews and creative non-fiction, and is edited by students on the course.
• You will become part of Kingston ' s thriving community, with events such as readings, lectures from published authors, editors and agents, masterclasses and enriching discussions.

The Art School Experience

As part of  Kingston School of Art , students on this course benefit from joining a creative community where collaborative working and critical practice are encouraged.

Our  workshops and studios  are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.

What you will study

The creative writing element of this course is workshop-led. In the second semester, you will be given the opportunity to specialise in the genre of your choice, be it poetry, drama or children's fiction.

The publishing element focuses on marketing-led commercial and trade publishing. The modules you study will help you to understand the structure of the industry and the core skills required to enter.

You'll take two 30-credit modules from Publishing (one must be 'Create' but you can choose the other, and two 30-credit modules from Creative Writing. You can then choose whether to pursue a dissertation or practical project within either Publishing or Creative Writing, worth 60 credits.

Optional placement year

In addition to taking two core modules, you can choose to write an academic dissertation to demonstrate your analytical skills and competence, or undertake a major practical publishing project as your final assessment. If you choose to take your dissertation in creative writing, you will write an extensive piece of creative writing accompanied by critical essay; you will be supervised by a professional writer.

Core module

Create: the business of publishing.

This module initiates you into the collaborative, creative business of commercial publishing and facilitates the development of your research, critical thinking and entrepreneurial skills. From books and magazines to apps and websites, you will explore the structure and operation of successful publishing companies, the stakeholders, tools and processes crucial to the development of profitable multi-platform products and services and the fundamental and disruptive business models used by both traditional companies and new industry-entrants.

After an immersive introduction to the complex and challenging nature of 21st century publishing, the module offers the opportunity for the generation and critical evaluation of your own publishing ideas. This involves using industry-standard sources and approaches to research and analyse markets, identify appropriate business models and operational strategies and build and present persuasive business cases.

Throughout, there is an emphasis on building robust and well-evidenced arguments to win support for theoretical assertions and practical publishing concepts. You also have the opportunity to work with your peers, and to critically evaluate each other's publishing proposals.

Optional modules

Share: strategic marketing and sales.

This module considers the various individuals and communities (colleagues, shareholders, retailers, distributors, customers and other stakeholders) involved in the business of content delivery, and how most effectively to disseminate information and influence their behaviour, in order to promote effective marketing and sales.

This module will enable students to understand the principles of marketing and sales, and develop associated skills in applying them to meet the demands of modern publishing. Students will undertake exercises and discussions about the various applications of sales and marketing within the publishing industry and consider their relevance through all stages of the publishing process.

Through this process students will learn how best to investigate the market for demand, how to predict that demand, and how to prepare, market and distribute information about a product or service, whether in whole or part, to promote profitable fulfilment of that demand.

Publishers operate in an international context and so must market and sell their products to customers around the globe. Students will therefore consider how publishers organise themselves to deliver international operations successfully, and explore associated cultural, pricing and communication issues.

Make: Content Development and Production

This hands-on module gives students the key theory and the core practical skills needed to effectively manage content from raw material to finished print and digital presentation. Working in teams, students will carry out essential editorial and production tasks to produce a live published product. This group publication project enables students to collaborate to demonstrate the teamwork skills required for timely delivery, and to develop a thorough understanding of workflow and the associated processes. It also enables students to show how material gets turned into a market-appropriate product, ready for stakeholder approval and launch. The module enables students to illustrate how value gets added within the publishing supply chain, and to appreciate the content management systems and metadata vital in today's publishing environment. By working on in-class exercises and assignment projects students will acquire and apply the key skills necessary to operate within a professional publishing context. Students will engage with project management, budgeting and costing, briefing, the different types of editing, design and layout, proofreading, and delivery. This module enhances employability by allowing students to use industry standard tools and packages, such as HTML, InDesign and Photoshop, and to improve understanding of basic typographic and design principles, the application of typesetting/mark-up skills, and production of publication ready files. Practising these hands-on skills will enhance students' understanding of how attention to detail can improve a product, make it the best it can be, and ensure it is presented profitably to its intended market.

Writers' Workshop

In this module you will present and discuss your own and each other's work in a weekly workshop. The draft work presented may include several genres and forms, such as crime writing, fantasy fiction, children's literature, historical fiction, science fiction, romance and autobiography. Practical criticism of student writing will be accompanied by discussion of the scope or constraints of the various genres, as well as the implications of particular forms. Attention will be paid to the transferable components of good writing: appropriate use of language, narrative pace, dialogue, expression, characterisation and mood.

Ten Critical Challenges for Creative Writers

The module is designed to introduce students to some issues of critical and literary theory. The module is also designed to make students more aware of how their work impacts upon wider literary, cultural, political and philosophical issues. Awareness of these theories and of some of the issues surrounding the production and reception of literary texts will stimulate them, encouraging creative and conceptual thinking.  The module will explore debates about literature and the practice of creative writing through readings of essays and texts that are relevant to criticism and theory.  The academic component of the assessment will support the creative work with the objective that students will also have to demonstrate critical, academic, analytical skills.

Writing the Contemporary

This module provides the opportunity to examine ways in which reading is essential to writing practice and teaches you to apply literary techniques and strategies from contemporary fiction, life writing and poetry texts to your own work. You will develop the concept of 'reading as a writer' in order to explore how contemporary concerns are brought to the fore by artistic strategies, and examine how an understanding of these can provide models for your own creative practice. You will submit work including a reflective reading journal as well as a creative piece in a genre of your choice.

Special Study: Workshop in Popular Genre Writing

This module offers a regular and intensive review of your writing in one of the following genres: poetry, crime writing, prose fiction, biography, drama, scriptwriting or writing for children. You will be advised on how to strengthen your knowledge of the codes and conventions of your chosen genre to produce a substantial piece or collection of work that will reflect your knowledge of and engagement with your chosen genre. You will apply detailed feedback on your work to your writing as well as using your increased knowledge of your chosen genre to make your writing more effective. These elements will help you improve the key transferable skills of analysis and implementation that will feed forward into your dissertation module and into all analytical/practical tasks you subsequently undertake.

Publishing Dissertation

The Publishing dissertation module provides students with the opportunity to independently conceive, explore, investigate and then deliver a significant study within the publishing industry and allied fields. The theoretical underpinning may vary according to the approach taken and the research questions chosen, but the outcome should be a sustained and coherent piece of detailed work, capable of publication and wider dissemination.

Depending on the issue chosen, students will engage with a range of professionals within the industry, and within related fields. Although students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning, they are supported and mentored by an individual supervisor during the process.

Practical Publishing Project

The Practical publishing project provides students with the opportunity to conceive, plan, manage and deliver a substantial publishing-related output in order to achieve specified goals. Examples of potential projects include producing and publishing a book, app or magazine, researching and presenting a start-up business plan or developing and implementing a major market research exercise. In all instances, students are expected to define a specific audience and relevant stakeholders, as well as personal development and project objectives. Students will also develop a structured project plan and a post-project critical evaluation, in order to identify personal goals for future professional development.

Depending on the nature of the chosen project, students will engage with different ranges of knowledge and skills, from practical print or digital production methods and processes to software expertise, market research (including questionnaire design, data analysis and interpretation) and business planning. Although students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning, they are supported and mentored by an individual supervisor at key points in the process.

Creative Writing Dissertation

This module focuses on your own creative writing and research into your chosen form or genre, developed in consultation with your supervisor. You learn via one-to-one tutorials with your personal supervisor. You produce two pieces of writing:

• a creative dissertation – a portion of a novel, a body of poetry, a play screenplay or other creative form of no more than 15,000 words; and
• a critical essay of approximately 3,000 words – considering the relationships between your own writing and the literary contexts/theoretical concerns that inform published writing in your chosen genre or form.

Your supervisor must agree in advance the final structure, approximate word length and for presentation conventions of these pieces.

Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University allow students to do a 12-month work placement as part of their course. The responsibility for finding the work placement is with the student; we cannot guarantee the work placement, just the opportunity to undertake it. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a student's Student Route visa.

Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme .

Please note

Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.

Entry requirements

Typical offer.

We normally expect applicants to have:

• A 2:2 or above honours degree, or equivalent, in creative writing, English literature, literature and language, drama or theatre studies or a humanities subject.

You may submit a sample of creative writing (maximum of 3,000 words) and a personal statement (maximum of 1,000 words) to support your application.

Prior learning – AP(E)L

Applicants with prior qualifications and learning may be exempt from appropriate parts of a course in accordance with the University's policy for the assessment of prior learning and prior experiential learning. Contact the  faculty office  for further information.

International

All non-UK applicants must meet our English language requirements. For this course it is Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall with 5.5 in all elements. Please make sure you read our full guidance about  English language requirements , which includes details of other qualifications we'll consider.

Applicants who do not meet the English language requirements may be eligible to join our  pre-sessional English language course .

Applicants from one of the recognised  majority English speaking countries (MESCs)  do not need to meet these requirements.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

Find your country:

• Middle East

Teaching and assessment

You'll be taught and assessed through essays, reports, presentations, briefs, research projects and portfolios.

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically involves reading and analysing articles, regulations, policy documents and key texts, documenting individual projects, preparing coursework assignments and completing your PEDRs, etc.

Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the University's online virtual learning platform.

Support for postgraduate students

At Kingston University, we know that postgraduate students have particular needs and therefore we have a range of support available to help you during your time here.

Your workload

Year 1: 8% of your time is spent in timetabled learning and teaching activity.

Contact hours will vary depending on which modules you choose on this combined course.

Type of teaching and learning

• Scheduled learning and teaching: 152 hours
• Guided independent study (self-managed time): 1648 hours

Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. Depending on optional modules chosen, this breakdown may change.

How you will be assessed

Assessment typically comprises exams (e.g. test or exam), practical (e.g. presentations, performance) and coursework (e.g. essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose:

Type of assessment

• Coursework: 100%

Please note : the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. Depending on optional modules chosen, this breakdown may change.

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Your timetable

As a one-year full-time student, you'll be expected to attend 2–3 days a week. We also offer a part-time study option to help you fit your MA around other commitments.

Class sizes

To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally enrols 5–10 students and lecture sizes are normally 10–20. However, this can vary by module and academic year.

Postgraduate students may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.

Dr James Miller

Course leader.

Ms Emma Tait

Professor Alison Baverstock

Admissions tutor.

Ms Lynne Eve

Mr Steven J. Fowler

Fees for this course, 2024/25 fees for this course, home 2024/25.

• MA full time £9,900
• MA part time £5,445

International 2024/25

• MA full time £16,900
• MA part time £9,295

2023/24 fees for this course

Home 2023/24.

• MA full time £9,860
• MA part time £5,423

International 2023/24

• MA full time £16,200
• MA part time £8,910

Tuition fee information for future course years

If you start your second year straight after Year 1, you will pay the same fee for both years.

If you take a break before starting your second year, or if you repeat modules from Year 1 in Year 2, the fee for your second year may increase.

Fees for the optional placement year

If you choose to take a placement as part of this course, you will be invoiced for the placement fee in Year 2. Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme and the costs for the placement year.

Postgraduate loans

If you are a UK student, resident in England and are aged under the age of 60, you will be able to apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree. For more information, read the postgraduate loan information on the government's website .

Scholarships and bursaries

Kingston University offers a range of postgraduate scholarships, including:

• Inspire the Future scholarship
• Postgraduate scholarships for international students

If you are an international student, find out more about  scholarships and bursaries .

We also offer the following discounts for Kingston University alumni:

• Alumni discount
• Progression Scholarship

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks, this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan . You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees, this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston upon Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

The campus at Penrhyn Road is a hive of activity, housing our fantastic new Town House, with four floors of study space and our extensive library, the main student restaurant, and a host of teaching rooms and lecture theatres.

The Town House offers group study spaces for when you need to work together. The light, airy top floor cafe serves light snacks and drinks, as well as fabulous views!

At the heart of the campus is the John Galsworthy building, a six-storey complex that brings together lecture theatres, flexible teaching space and information technology suites around a landscaped courtyard.

A student's perspective

In this video, Amanda gives her perspective on her experiences at Kingston University as a Creative Writing & Publishing MA student.

After you graduate

Graduates from this course will develop a range of skills desirable to employers, such as communication skills, self-management, meticulousness in editing and presentation, the ability to reflect on one's own work and to respond to constructive criticism, the ability to write for particular purposes and the ability to work constructively with others.

In addition to a possible career as a translator and a writer, particular careers may include work in publishing, journalism, advertising and marketing, film, television, radio, arts management, new media, business, teaching and therapeutic fields.

Links with business and industry

We maintain links with institutions and organisations including:

• Writers' Centre Kingston , Kingston University's literary cultural centre dedicated to creative writing in all its forms, with an exciting, vibrant annual programme of events from talks to workshops to festivals;
• the Rose Theatre in Kingston , where we hold regular readings in the Culture Cafe and periodic interviews with major writers such as Hilary Mantell, Sebastian Faulks and Elif Shafak;
• our Writers in Residence are professional writers, often award-winners in their particular forms or genres;
• links with publishers, agents, literary festival organisers and authors, who offer useful networking opportunities.

A range of additional events and lectures will enhance your studies and add an extra perspective to your learning. Activities for this course include:

• a series of masterclasses with publishing specialists and professionals;
• weekly guest lectures by leading journalists including Samira Ahmed, an award-winning journalist with 20 years' experience in print and broadcast; David Jenkins, editor of Little White Lies, a bi-monthly movie magazine powered by illustration; Richard Moynihan, Head of digital journalism, The Telegraph and Alex Stedman, fashion blogger at The Frugality and former style editor at Red magazine;
• regular philosophy lunchtime lectures which focus on a major figure in the history of Western philosophy, introducing students to that thinker's work, usually through the discussion of one of her or his emblematic works.

The literary magazine Persist is edited by MA students, providing:

• a platform for the publication of creative work; and
• a chance to get hands-on experience of the publishing process.

Insights from industry experts

The masterclasses are an excellent way to learn about different job roles in the publishing industry. The speakers work in all areas of publishing so it's very insightful to hear different perspectives on the business. It also gives you the opportunity to ask questions and get first-hand answers from professionals. It can be a great way to network too - I ended up securing a work placement at Weidenfeld & Nicolson by talking to publishing director, Alan Samson, before he gave a masterclass.

Amy Cartwright, Business Development Executive at Charity Retail Association and Publishing MA graduate

Masterclasses

Our regular masterclasses are delivered by a wide range of successful industry professionals, from editors and publishers to literary agents. John Blake, one of our masterclass speakers, talks about celebrity publishing in the video below:

In addition to writing or publishing, careers include journalism, translation, advertising and marketing, film, television, radio, arts management, new media, business, teaching and therapeutic fields.

Advisory Board

The Publishing MA benefits from the input of a dynamic Advisory Board. The Board is involved in the course's development and keen to contribute. Each member gives guest lectures and contributes to placement and dissertation study.

• Valerie Brandes, Founder and Publishing Director, Jacaranda Arts Books Music
• Dr Christopher Fletcher, Keeper of Special Collections, Bodleian Library
• Andrew Hansen, Vice-President, Prestel Publishing
• Caroline Hird, Sales and Marketing Director, British Medical Journal
• Nicholas Jones, Founder and Owner, Strathmore Publishing
• Philip Jones, Editor, The Bookseller
• Perminder Mann, CEO, Bonnier Books UK
• Georgina Moore, Director of Books and Publishing, Midas Public Relations
• Nick Poole, CEO, The Library and Information Association (CILIP)
• Diane Spivey, Publishing and Rights Consultant
• Kate Wilson, Founder and CEO, Nosy Crow
• Gordon Wise, Senior Literary Agent and Joint MD Book Department, Curtis Brown Group

Research in creative writing at Kingston University covers the following areas:

• 19th and 20th century British and American fiction;
• fictions of globalisation;
• gothic writing;
• travel writing;
• narratives of slavery;
• women's writing from the 18th century to the present;
• New Woman and fin de siècle fictions;
• Shakespeare;
• literature of the English Reformation period;
• English women's religious poetry during the seventeenth century; and
• postcolonial studies.

Subject-specific research initiatives include:

• Centre for Iris Murdoch Studies – established in 2004 to oversee research on the Iris Murdoch archives acquired by Kingston University in 2003/04).
• Centre for Life Narratives – bringing together best practice from all genres of life narrative work.
• Cultural Histories at Kingston – centred around the concept of the 'cultural text', the group includes scholars from the fields of literature, film, media, history, music, dance, performance, and journalism.
• Writers' Centre Kingston – a literary cultural centre dedicated to creative writing in all its forms, with an annual programme of events, talks, workshops and festivals.
• Race/Gender Matters – captures and concentrates research on theoretical, critical and creative engagements with the materiality of race, gender and language.

Current research in this area

Publishing has a vibrant culture of both research and professional practice. Our lecturers publish all the time – whether it is academic research, industry-leading text books or writing for the national or trade press. Applications for research study with us are very welcome.

At masters level we have a vibrant programme of industry dissertation supervision for our MA dissertations, as fits our industry-focussed discipline. This has led to the identification of issues needing further exploration, which have been developed through collaboration between Kingston students and industry tutors, affirming the position and value of Publishing within the academy. In 2018 a Kingston MA student won the prestigious Association for Publishing Education Award for the best dissertation at masters level for her work on publishing for autistic children.

Associate Professor Alison Baverstock has carried out ground-breaking work into the nature of self-publishing and how it is impacting the wider industry. This has been published in book (The Naked Author, Bloomsbury) and journal form. She is currently overseeing four PhD students, who are variously working on what attracts young adults to the books they choose, cover design in women's commercial fiction, the history of Virago and publication of fairy tales. She also has extensive experience of overseeing PhD by Publication.

Finally the university has been exploring and analysing its pre-arrival shared reading scheme The Kingston University Big Read , which won a prestigious Times Higher Education Award in 2017 for Best University Initiative for Widening Participation. This has now developed into a dynamic research project, across a range of other universities, concentrating on how universities can make their students feel welcome - and hence encourage both engagement and retention. In 2018-19 we worked with The University of Wolverhampton, Edge Hill University and University of the West of Scotland. Most of our findings are published in the journal Logos, Journal of the World Publishing Community and there are regular blogs on progress. To discuss these or potential collaborations, please contact Alison Baverstock .

Course changes and regulations

The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course.  Course changes explained .

Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.

Regulations governing this course  can be found on our website.

Related courses

Creative Writing Distance Learning MA

Creative Writing MA

Creative Writing MFA

Journalism PgDip/MA

Magazine Journalism MA

Publishing MA

Secondary Teaching leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) PGCE English

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Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing

Gain the writing, editing, publishing, design and research skills to build a rewarding career in print or online.

In a world of rapid change, there has never been a greater demand for the mastery of the written word. The digitisation of the modern economy has created a raft of new job titles, all of which require expertise in writing and editing – in addition to the jobs that already drive Australia’s dynamic creative industries.

The Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing covers all stages of the writing and publishing process, and the skills needed to meet growing demands. During this program, you'll develop practical knowledge and experience in writing and editing across genres including creative writing, corporate and technical documents, academic research in the creative arts, advertising, marketing and more.

Your lecturers will include award-winning authors and arts industry professionals, as well as an array of guest lecturers with expertise in all aspects of professional writing and publishing. Together, they'll provide you with up-to-date insights and industry knowledge across traditional and new media.

You’ll learn about the continually evolving landscapes of the Australian and international publishing industries, and have the opportunity to intern at arts organisations, such as the highly respected University of Queensland Press, literary journals, educational publishers and trade publishers, including UQ’s own Corella Press , which specialises in rediscovering nineteenth century crime and mystery writers.

Program highlights

• Learn from award-winning authors and arts industry professionals.
• Develop practical knowledge and experience in writing and editing across a range of genres.
• Intern at highly respected journals and publishing houses.
• Become qualified to meet the growing demand for mastery of the written word.

1 in Queensland for arts and humanities

QS World University Rankings 2024

1 in Queensland for business and management studies

How you'll learn

Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.

• Work placements
• Research experience

What you'll study

At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:

• Publishing and Professional Practice
• Fundamentals of Advertising
• Special Research Topic in Writing, Editing & Publishing
• Writing Creative Non-Fiction and Memoir

See courses and program structure

Career possibilities

Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:

• Editorial writer
• Content writer
• Book editor
• Digital editor
• Digital content writer
• Publishing executive
• Online publisher

Next steps after graduation

Our graduates have built rewarding careers in publishing, editing, and professional writing, with some going on to become best-selling authors and creatives.

This program offers graduates a wide range of opportunities to pursue freelance or fulltime careers in writing, editing and publishing. I learned so much during my Masters, both from the lecturers and industry experts, but also from the amazing students I got to meet.

The wide-reaching scope of the courses means I've been able to work not only in the arts, but in the corporate world globally.

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UQ Ramsay Undergraduate Scholarship Information Webinar

National Indigenous Business Summer School in Winter

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4-minute read

Bachelor of Arts employability myth busters

3-minute read

Meet the expert: exploring museology with Dr Caroline Wilson-Barnao

Entry requirements.

It's possible to complete this degree in 1.5 years or 1 year depending on your qualifications and experience.

You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements. You may also be eligible to apply for credit or exemptions to shorten your degree further. You'll graduate with the same qualification no matter how long you take to complete the degree.

1.5-year degree (24 units of study)

To be eligible to complete the degree in 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) full-time (only available as full-time study) , you'll need:

• a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below), or
• a graduate certificate* in writing, editing and publishing, or
• a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline plus 2 years full-time equivalent relevant work experience (see below).

You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.

Applicants are required to submit a 10 page portfolio with their application (see below).

*Please note if a graduate certificate is used as the basis of entry into the program and you do not have a degree in the relevant discipline, you will not be eligible for credit towards the Masters program.

1-year degree (16 units of study)

If you have relevant prior learning or experience, you can reduce the number of courses you need to complete and graduate in less time.

To be eligible to complete the degree in 1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent) full-time (only available as full-time study) , you'll need:

• a bachelor honours degree** (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below).

** You must have completed a substantial research project in your Honours degree equivalent to at least one semester of full-time study (or part-time equivalent).

Relevant disciplines for previous qualifications

Relevant disciplines include English, English literature, writing, journalism, communication, art history, history, law as well as other relevant fields from the humanities and social sciences.

You must have completed at least a major, field of study, or approximately 30% of program content in the discipline, including a mix of introductory and advanced courses.

Relevant work experience

Relevant work experience includes work using writing and editing in a professional or volunteer context, which should be supported with evidence (see below).

Evidence of relevant work experience should include a letter from your employer (and/or previous employers) stating the following: 

• that you work (or worked) within the specified organisation 
• the nature of your work, including any relevant duties and responsibilities
• the length that you were there (i.e. 2 years) 
• the level at which you worked (full-time, part-time or casual)

*if part-time or casual, please list the average amount of hours worked per week. 

GPA equivalent

Select where you studied and your qualification to see the GPA equivalent you need to be considered for this program.

Use the GPA equivalent as a guide. When you apply, we’ll calculate your GPA using the UQ grading scale. Any failing grades will be included. Entry requirements are subject to change.

Equivalent subjects

Related programs.

Depending on your previous qualifications and current goals, you might want to consider one of these related programs:

• Graduate Certificate in Writing, Editing and Publishing

English language requirements

IELTS overall 7; reading 7; writing 7; speaking 7; listening 7. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ

TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 100, listening 25, reading 25, writing 27, speaking 24.

PTE Academic - Overall 72, sub bands minimum 73.

CES - Overall 185, All sub bands minimum 186.

BE and OET are not accepted.

There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.

Learn how to meet the English language requirements

Student visas

International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).

There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.

Learn more about student visas

Additional application information

Applicants are required to submit a portfolio with their application for enrolment and demonstrate an appropriate standard to the satisfaction of the program director. The portfolio should include approximately 10 word processed pages of writing (e.g. assignments submitted in previous courses, workplace documents, creative writing manuscripts). Same discipline is defined as a degree in English, English literature, writing, journalism, communication, art history, history, law and other relevant fields from the humanities and social sciences. To satisfy the requirement for "same discipline" a minimum amount of content in that discipline is required - this would be at least a major, field of study, or approximately 30% of program content including a mix of introductory and advanced courses. *Please note if the GCArts or GDipArts or GCWEP is used as the basis of entry into the program as you do not have an existing approved degree in the same discipline, you will not be eligible for credit towards the Masters program.

Applicants are required to submit a portfolio with their application for enrolment and demonstrate an appropriate standard to the satisfaction of the program director. The portfolio should include approximately 10 word processed pages of writing (e.g. assignments submitted in previous courses, workplace documents, creative writing manuscripts). Same discipline is defined as a degree in English, English literature, writing, journalism, communication, art history, history, law and other relevant fields from the humanities and social sciences. To satisfy the requirement for <34>same discipline<34> a minimum amount of content in that discipline is required - this would be at least a major, field of study, or approximately 30% of program content including a mix of introductory and advanced courses. *Please note if the GCArts or GDipArts or GCWEP is used as the basis of entry into the program as you do not have an existing approved degree in the same discipline, you will not be eligible for credit towards the Masters program.

Fees and Scholarships

Indicative annual fee.

Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

Learn more about postgraduate fees

Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

AUD $41,120

Government assistance, financial aid.

As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.

Learn more about financial aid

Domestic students who are accepted into the Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing pay tuition fees.

FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their tuition fees.

Learn more about FEE-HELP

Centrelink support

The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.

Learn about Centrelink payments for students

Scholarships

You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:

Applying online

All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an  approved UQ agent in your country .

The program code for the Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing is  5681 .

This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.

When you apply, select your preferred duration. If you don't meet the requirements for your first preference, we'll automatically consider you for entry into a longer duration.

Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study

All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.

The program code for the Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing is 5681 .

When you apply, select your preferred duration. You can also ask us to consider you for a longer duration if you don't meet the entry requirements for your first preference.

Important dates

The closing date for this program is:

• To commence study in semester 2 - May 31 of the year of commencement.
• To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.

To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar .

• To commence study in Semester 1 - January 31 of the year of commencement.
• To commence study in Semester 2 - June 30 of the year of commencement.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants

For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

Contact the ATSIS Unit

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• Handbook Archive

Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing

Course D01LF (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Coordinator

Creative Writing

Semester 1:

Dr Amanda Johnson

Email: [email protected]

Semester 2: Dr Elizabeth MacFarlane

Email: [email protected]

Publishing and Editing

Associate Professor Mark Davis

Email: [email protected]

Enquiries Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352) Email: [email protected]

Download PDF version .

Master of Writing and Publishing

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• a New Zealand citizen, or
• a person seeking asylum who holds either a: Temporary Protection Visa (TPV), or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) or Bridging Visa E or Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) visa or Temporary Humanitarian Concern Visa.

Asylum seekers who reside in Australia and study onshore are required to pay international onshore tuition fees for higher education courses.

If you are unsure or hold a different visa type, please contact  Study@RMIT for more information.

Not a local student?

You're viewing program information for international students..

RMIT considers you an international student if you are:

• intending to study on a student visa, or
• not a citizen or permanent resident of Australia, or
• not a New Zealand citizen, or
• not a a person seeking asylum who holds either a: Temporary Protection Visa (TPV), or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) or Bridging Visa E or Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) visa or Temporary Humanitarian Concern Visa.

If you are unsure or  hold a different visa type, please contact  Study@RMIT for more information.

Not an international student?

Not applicable

AU$28,800 (2024 annual)

See admissions

AU$38,400 (2024 annual)

Develop a nuanced understanding of writing and publishing culture, undertaking research in both an Australian and a global context.

Why study writing and publishing at RMIT?

Internship opportunities.

Take the unique opportunity to intern at the Bowen Street Press, an independent, student-led publishing house on our city campus.

Industry-focused learning

Learn in small classes from acclaimed academics, industry experts and lecturers with deep industry connections.

Studio model

Engage with industry and gain real-world experience through a series of connected studios in which you take on specific challenges.

Kick start your internship with the Bowen Street Press

The Bowen Street Press provides a unique opportunity for students of the Master of Writing and Publishing to experience hands-on industry learning as part of our 480 hour internship.

Speaker 1: As soon as you walk into the Bowen Street Press, doors are opened. Whether you've joined us to get a job, for a new experience, or to extend your skillset, the master of writing and publishing delivers.

Speaker 2: An absolute parade of just really fascinating people come in to speak to us, and the ability to work directly with such high caliber editors in our week to week work really makes you feel like you are already a part of the industry.

Speaker 3: It connects you with people in the real world doing real things.

Speaker 1: It's a 480-hour internship, an academically rigorous degree. It's full of hands-on learning, and guaranteed industry access and experience.

Speaker 4: I've had the opportunity to work with so many like-minded individuals with the same interests, whether it's collaborating on a project with Bowen Street Press, or with real life industry professionals. This ability to network this intimately is something that I've never done before.

Speaker 5: We track down interviews, we work with a cover designer, and we even got to write our own foodie horoscopes.

Speaker 6: At the end, we get an actual publication that we can pop in our resumes, which is amazing.

Speaker 1: You'll be connecting and collaborating with peers and professionals, learning the how to from the who's who, and you'll have a bloody brilliant time while you're at it. Essentially, the BSP is a community. The students, the staff, and the constant influx of industry professionals all want the same thing: to open doors for you. You'll learn how to create content and produce books, zines, anthologies, podcasts, websites, and more.

Speaker 7: This real world marketable publication that we got to work on, and it's just kind of amazing to have a look at it and see what the end result is.

Speaker 1: Join us and start your career.

How you will learn

The core of the degree is the unique Bowen Street Press internship.

The Bowen Street Press operates as a real-world, student-led publishing house, which offers many opportunities for industry engagement and real-world and simulated work practice. The numbers speak for themselves: interns have rated this degree with 100 per cent for overall satisfaction, generic skills and graduate qualities over the past two years, as well as more than 90 per cent ratings for learner engagement, skills development, teaching quality and overall quality of education.

This degree is designed as a series of connected studios in which you take on specific industry challenges through collaborative and interdisciplinary learning and teaching strategies. Publications in both group and individual scenarios from print through to digital are the focus of the Bowen Street Press. A combination of industry-led research and individual projects in the second year of the degree will ensure a high level of flexibility for students.

Lecturers and academics all have strong industry relationships and experience, and the learning environment simulates professional practice within the writing, editing and publishing industries. The studios comprise an internship day, weekend intensives, weekly face-to-face seminars and student-directed learning.

Class sizes are small to ensure personal supervision of your activity and progress.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

This degree is linked to and supported by industry participation in its Program Advisory Committee, which assists in developing curriculum content to ensure the curriculum reflects existing practice and emerging trends in the publishing industry.

The content and structure is vocational, with an emphasis on the acquisition and development of practical, readily applicable professional skills.

The degree is managed by professional book industry practitioners with extensive experience in the trade and educational sectors of the industry. 

All staff in the Bowen Street Press and associated subjects are well-respected industry experts with deep industry connections and knowledge. We have partnerships and mentorships with Hardie Grant Books, Emerging Writers Festival, the Australian Publishers Association, The Garrett Podcast, Affirm Press, Scribe, Black Inc. and smaller not-for-profits such as STREAT and the Fitzroy Learning Network.

International opportunities

The degree teaches skills that are globally relevant, which allows students to gain employment both locally and internationally.

• 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time (without advanced standing)
• 1 - 1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent (with advanced standing).

For further information about advanced standing see the Pathways section.

The Graduate Diploma of Writing and Publishing is available as an exit award of this degree. Any advanced standing you receive for this masters degree is not transferrable to an exit award. If you wish to exit early with the Graduate Diploma, you must have completed all subjects specified in the relevant course structure.

• 2 years full-time (without advanced standing)
• 1 - 1.5 years full-time (with advanced standing).

Learning outcomes

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the  learning outcomes .

Electives and course plan

You will study:

• the principles and practices of editing
• the production of print and electronic books
• publicity and marketing for books and authors
• the business and financial considerations of book publishing
• the cultural context in which the book industry operates in Australia and internationally.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

You will develop advanced writing, editing and project management skills and high-level industry acumen preparing you to meet the needs of this constantly changing and fast-paced work environment.

Once you've graduated, you can work in many diverse careers including traditional roles in the trade, educational, corporate and digital sectors, and freelance careers in writing and editing across traditional sectors and in the fast-growing and opportunity-rich digital world.

This new degree is currently in the process of accreditation with the Australian Publishing Association.

You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

Academic requirements

Prerequisites, selection tasks, english language requirements.

You must have:   

• Successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification), or  
• A minimum of 3 years professional work experience in a related industry.  

To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience.   

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements  to be eligible for a place in this program.

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification).

You may also be considered if you have at least three years of professional work experience in a related industry.

To have your professional experience considered you must include in your application:

• a personal statement that details your experience.

To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 7.0 (with no individual band below 6.5)
• TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 94 (with minimum of 19 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 24 in Writing)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 65 (with no communication band less than 58)
• C1 Advanced: minimum of 185 with no less than 176 in any component.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit  English language requirements and equivalency information .

Pathway options

Advanced standing and credit, further study.

You can gain entry to this masters degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.

Masters advanced standing

If you have successfully completed one of the following qualifications majoring in creative writing, journalism, professional communication or public relations, you may be eligible for advanced standing as follows:

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national policy for Australian qualifications in vocational and higher education.

Credit and recognition of prior learning

Applicants with a bachelor degree (honours), graduate certificate, graduate diploma or masters qualification majoring in a different discipline may also be eligible for credit transfer of up to 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study).

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the  RMIT Credit Policy .

Upon successful completion of this masters degree, you may be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University, including postgraduate research programs, subject to the program's entrance requirements.

You can gain entry into this degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs.

Master Advanced Standing

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit.

Applicants with a bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or masters degree qualification majoring in a different discipline may also be eligible for credit transfer of up to 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study).

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and weightings, and reference to the learning resources.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy .

Upon successful completion of this degree, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Masters by Research or Doctoral (PhD) program.

Fee summary

2024 indicative fees.

• Full-fee places: AU$28,800 (2024 annual fee)*.

Additional expenses

• Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$351 maximum fee for 2024*.
• Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment*

Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.

*Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Defer your payment

This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s  FEE-HELP  loan scheme.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see  Paying your fees and applying for refunds .

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual  student services and amenities fee (SSAF) , which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2024 is $351.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These  additional fees and expenses  vary from program to program.

Fee assistance

Fee-help loans.

Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s  FEE-HELP  loan scheme.

SA-HELP Loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the  SA-HELP  loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

How does a HELP loan work?

If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated  HELP  debt.

You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

For more information about loan repayment options see  Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans)  or  Study Assist .

Income tax deductions

You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.

See the  Australian Taxation Office (ATO)  for more information.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

The annual tuition fee for 2024 is AU$38,400.

The total indicative tuition fee for 2024 commencement is AU$78,720.

Other costs

In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

• Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)  - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
• Some programs incur  additional expenses .

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the  cost of living  in Melbourne.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

Important fee information.

Find out more details about  how fees are calculated  and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a  refund  as a continuing international student.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information.

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

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• Open Universities Australia

Creative Writing Program Marks Three Decades of Growth, Diversity

By Luisa A. Igloria

2024: a milestone year which marks the 30 th  anniversary of Old Dominion University’s MFA Creative Writing Program. Its origins can be said to go back to April 1978, when the English Department’s (now Professor Emeritus, retired) Phil Raisor organized the first “Poetry Jam,” in collaboration with Pulitzer prize-winning poet W.D. Snodgrass (then a visiting poet at ODU). Raisor describes this period as “ a heady time .” Not many realize that from 1978 to 1994, ODU was also the home of AWP (the Association of Writers and Writing Programs) until it moved to George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

The two-day celebration that was “Poetry Jam” has evolved into the annual ODU Literary Festival, a week-long affair at the beginning of October bringing writers of local, national, and international reputation to campus. The ODU Literary Festival is among the longest continuously running literary festivals nationwide. It has featured Rita Dove, Maxine Hong Kingston, Susan Sontag, Edward Albee, John McPhee, Tim O’Brien, Joy Harjo, Dorothy Allison, Billy Collins, Naomi Shihab Nye, Sabina Murray, Jane Hirshfield, Brian Turner, S.A. Cosby, Nicole Sealey, Franny Choi, Ross Gay, Adrian Matejka, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Ilya Kaminsky, Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, Jose Olivarez, and Ocean Vuong, among a roster of other luminaries. MFA alumni who have gone on to publish books have also regularly been invited to read.

From an initial cohort of 12 students and three creative writing professors, ODU’s MFA Creative Writing Program has grown to anywhere between 25 to 33 talented students per year. Currently they work with a five-member core faculty (Kent Wascom, John McManus, and Jane Alberdeston in fiction; and Luisa A. Igloria and Marianne L. Chan in poetry). Award-winning writers who made up part of original teaching faculty along with Raisor (but are now also either retired or relocated) are legends in their own right—Toi Derricotte, Tony Ardizzone, Janet Peery, Scott Cairns, Sheri Reynolds, Tim Seibles, and Michael Pearson. Other faculty that ODU’s MFA Creative Writing Program was privileged to briefly have in its ranks include Molly McCully Brown and Benjamín Naka-Hasebe Kingsley.

"What we’ve also found to be consistently true is how collegial this program is — with a lively and supportive cohort, and friendships that last beyond time spent here." — Luisa A. Igloria, Louis I. Jaffe Endowed Professor & University Professor of English and Creative Writing at Old Dominion University

Our student body is diverse — from all over the country as well as from closer by. Over the last ten years, we’ve also seen an increase in the number of international students who are drawn to what our program has to offer: an exciting three-year curriculum of workshops, literature, literary publishing, and critical studies; as well as opportunities to teach in the classroom, tutor in the University’s Writing Center, coordinate the student reading series and the Writers in Community outreach program, and produce the student-led literary journal  Barely South Review . The third year gives our students more time to immerse themselves in the completion of a book-ready creative thesis. And our students’ successes have been nothing but amazing. They’ve published with some of the best (many while still in the program), won important prizes, moved into tenured academic positions, and been published in global languages. What we’ve also found to be consistently true is how collegial this program is — with a lively and supportive cohort, and friendships that last beyond time spent here.

Our themed studio workshops are now offered as hybrid/cross genre experiences. My colleagues teach workshops in horror, speculative and experimental fiction, poetry of place, poetry and the archive — these give our students so many more options for honing their skills. And we continue to explore ways to collaborate with other programs and units of the university. One of my cornerstone projects during my term as 20 th  Poet Laureate of the Commonwealth was the creation of a Virginia Poets Database, which is not only supported by the University through the Perry Library’s Digital Commons, but also by the MFA Program in the form of an assistantship for one of our students. With the awareness of ODU’s new integration with Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) and its impact on other programs, I was inspired to design and pilot a new 700-level seminar on “Writing the Body Fantastic: Exploring Metaphors of Human Corporeality.” In the fall of 2024, I look forward to a themed graduate workshop on “Writing (in) the Anthropocene,” where my students and I will explore the subject of climate precarity and how we can respond in our own work.

Even as the University and wider community go through shifts and change through time, the MFA program has grown with resilience and grace. Once, during the six years (2009-15) that I directed the MFA Program, a State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) university-wide review amended the guidelines for what kind of graduate student would be allowed to teach classes (only those who had  already  earned 18 or more graduate credits). Thus, two of our first-year MFA students at that time had to be given another assignment for their Teaching Assistantships. I thought of  AWP’s hallmarks of an effective MFA program , which lists the provision of editorial and publishing experience to its students through an affiliated magazine or press — and immediately sought department and upper administration support for creating a literary journal. This is what led to the creation of our biannual  Barely South Review  in 2009.

In 2010,  HuffPost  and  Poets & Writers  listed us among “ The Top 25 Underrated Creative Writing MFA Programs ” (better underrated than overrated, right?) — and while our MFA Creative Writing Program might be smaller than others, we do grow good writers here. When I joined the faculty in 1998, I was excited by the high caliber of both faculty and students. Twenty-five years later, I remain just as if not more excited, and look forward to all the that awaits us in our continued growth.

This essay was originally published in the Spring 2024 edition of Barely South Review , ODU’s student-led literary journal. The University’s growing MFA in Creative Writing program connects students with a seven-member creative writing faculty in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction.

Enhance your college career by gaining relevant experience with the skills and knowledge needed for your future career. Discover our experiential learning opportunities.

Picture yourself in the classroom, speak with professors in your major, and meet current students.

From sports games to concerts and lectures, join the ODU community at a variety of campus events. 

The minor in Literary Editing introduces students to the knowledge base, skills, and practical experience needed to work in the literary publishing industry.  It offers a good choice to anyone interested in literature, writing, visual design, communication, printing, or publishing, and it is an excellent complement to a variety of majors.

• Program Prerequisite:   None required.  However, some of the individual course options have a prerequisite or corequisite, as shown below.
• Grade Requirements: A grade of 2.0 or better in all courses used toward the minor.
• Credit Hour Requirements: 18 credit hours, apportioned as directed below.
• Program Code:  3086
• CIPC: 231302

Course Requirements for Literary Editing Minor

Students will select a course/course combination from each of the 6 areas below.

Introductory Creative Writing

Students will choose  one 3-credit course from the following: 

• ENGL 2250 CA/EDI - CW: Introduction to Creative Writing Credits: (3)
• ENGL 2260 CA/EDI - CW: Introduction to Writing Short Fiction Credits: (3)
• ENGL 2270 CA/EDI - CW: Introduction to Writing Poetry Credits: (3)
• ENGL 2280 CA - CW: Introduction to Writing Creative Nonfiction Credits: (3)
• ENGL 2295 - CW: Introduction to Screenwriting Credits: (3)

Advanced Creative Writing

• ENGL 3240 - CW: Writing Creative Nonfiction Credits: (3)
• ENGL 3250 - CW: Advanced Fiction Writing Credits: (3)
• ENGL 3260 - CW: Advanced Poetry Writing Credits: (3)
• ENGL 3290 - CW: Advanced Screenwriting Credits: (3)

Contemporary Creative Writing as Literature

Students will choose  one  3-credit course from the following: 

• ENGL 3510 HU/EDI - World Literature Credits: (3)
• ENGL 4550 - American Literature: Contemporary Credits: (3)
• ENGL 4560 - Contemporary Literature for Creative Writers Credits: (3)
• ENGL 4660 - British Literature: Contemporary Credits: (3)

Grammar and Editing

Students will choose  one  3-credit course from the following: 

• ENGL 2140 - Introduction to Professional and Technical Editing Credits: (3)
• ENGL 3050 - Grammar, Style, and Usage for Advanced Writing Credits: (3)
• ENGL 3140 - Professional and Technical Editing Credits: (3)

Layout and Graphics

Students will choose  one  3-credit course or a 3-credit course combination from the following: 

• ART 2420A - Bitmap Imaging Credits: (1) and
• ART 2420B - Vector Drawing Credits: (1) and
• ART 2420C - Digital Page Composition Credits: (1)
• ART 2430 - Introduction to Graphic Design Credits: (3)
• COMM 3350 - Visual Communication Credits: (3)
• ENGL 3190 CEL - Document Design Credits: (3)

Practical Experience

Students will choose  one  3-credit course from the following:

• ENGL 4900 INT - Internships in Literary and Textual Studies Credits: (1-3)
• ENGL 4960 INT - Metaphor: Editing the Student Literary Journal Credits: (3)

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The Creative Penn

Writing, self-publishing, book marketing, making a living with your writing

Using ProWritingAid For Editing Your Manuscript

posted on May 16, 2024

We all want to make our writing the best it can be, and in this video, I demonstrate how you can use ProWritingAid to improve your manuscript before working with a human editor.

Watch below or here on YouTube.

Time stamps

00:27 — Why use an editing tool anyway? 01:22 — How I use Scrivener with ProWritingAid and go through chapter by chapter 01:42 — Demo starts. Fixing typos, spacing issues and rephrases 03:01 — Fixing passive writing 03:47 — Fixing overwriting and tightening the manuscript 04:09 — Rephrasing 05:22 — Using Sparks to find new ideas and different directions 08:38 — Using the Reports to find issues and improve 09:06 — Changing the genre to get better reports 09:36 — Finding help with understanding different elements 10:26 — Sentence length and variability 10:44 — Pacing 11:09 — Critique report including strengths and improvements 12:18 — Clichés 13:06 — Save everything 13:30 — I export from Scrivener to MS Word, Then I send the manuscript to my human editor, Kristen Tate.

You can find more information at ProWritingAid.com or you can use my affiliate link for 10% off at www.TheCreativePenn.com/prowritingaid

More related resources:

• My Scrivener tutorial for fiction and non-fiction
• Discussion with my editor Kristen Tate about different kinds of editing, and how we both find ProWritingAid useful
• List of (human) editors
• How to find and work with a (human) editor
• Other tools I use and tutorials

Happy writing, and happy editing!

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Graduate Coursework

Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing

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• Course code:   D01LF

Student experience

We will equip you with more than just an education. Learn from some of the country’s most influential teachers, access a network of innovative industry leaders and engage with our exciting internship opportunities.

Student profile: Megan Cheong – Development Editor, Oxford University Press

A former chemical engineering graduate and secondary school science teacher, Megan Cheong began studying creative writing through a graduate certificate. But after her initial studies convinced her she wanted to work with words, she moved in the Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing.

While it was creative writing which drew her to the degree, Megan was surprised by how much she enjoyed editing as well. “I’ve always enjoyed reading and writing, but there’s something uniquely satisfying about mending broken sentences,” she says. “In publishing and editing, I’ve actually really enjoyed the assignments. The work reflected that of a professional editor, and convinced me that I wanted to work in publishing.”

Although still studying, Megan has already begun working in the publishing industry – and credits her masters with preparing her for the role.

“I’m fortunate enough to already have a job as a development editor at Oxford University Press. My studies allowed me to talk comfortably about the editing and publishing processes in my interview,” she said. “I also think the work I did in editing really improved my ability to structure a text logically and edit for clarity. There has been a lot to learn on the job, but it was good to start the job in the right headspace.”

Graduate profile

View Elisha’s experience studying the Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing at the University of Melbourne.