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Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ University of California’s MFA Creative Writing program invites the public to attend its fall 2021 series of virtual retreats and workshops on October 2-3 that highlights the program’s supportive, creative environment across the genres of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and narrative medicine.

The MFA is designed to support poets and writers who wish to complete and publish a book manuscript. The focus is on honing students’ writing skills while they learn about the publishing industry. However, since the MFA is recognized as a terminal degree in academe, graduates are eligible to apply for college-level teaching positions. Graduates also are prepared for jobs that require strong writing skills, such as publishing, editing, marketing, public relations, social media and web content strategy.

The MFA starts with a residency and runs for two years, for a total of five residencies and four mentorship semesters. All MFA students attend the winter (January) and summer (June) residencies together. During the Fall and Spring mentorship semesters, students are broken out into smaller groups of three to five students per mentor, in accordance with the AWP guidelines and best teaching practices.

EXPLORE OUR MFA IN CREATIVE WRITING PROGRAM
Here are the free fall 2021 events:

October 2-3. Writing for Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ and Healing Retreat. This free, two-day virtual writing retreat explored how to connect while writing across distances, languages, and experiences. Poet and essayist Dean Rader delivered the keynote lecture on the Poetics of Repair and Ashley McMullen presented audio narratives from the podcast series Black Voices in Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹care. Á½ÐÔÉ«Îçҹ’s MFA students and faculty presented writing workshops. Chan E. Park and Wayne de Fremery led an interactive session on Korean Sijo. Registered nurses could apply to earn five continuing education units (CEU) for attending the retreat.

October 3, 3-4 p.m. PDT MFA in Creative Writing Information Session. MFA Director Dr. Judy Halebsky discussed the program and admissions counselors answered application questions during this online information session. Whether you are a poet looking to hone your craft, an aspiring novelist who wants to get that book written, or a memoirist with an urgent story to tell, Á½ÐÔÉ«Îçҹ’s MFA program will help you achieve your writing goals.

October 23, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. PDT Small, Bright Things: Exploring 100-Word Stories. Kim Culbertson will lead this virtual fiction workshop that will examine how participants can be mindful of story and approach creative ideas through this short form.

November 3, 6-7 pm PDT Putting together a Writing Sample for Applying to MFAs, Grants, and Fellowships. The writing sample is often the most important part of an application to MFA programs, grants or fellowships. This session, led by MFA Director Judy Halebsky, shares insights into how selection committees read the writing submitted and offers strategies on how to show your best work. An admissions counselor will also be available to answer questions about the program and the application process. 

November 10, 6-8 p.m. PST Composition by Juxtaposition: A Poetry Workshop. Caroline Goodwin will lead this hands-on, virtual class in which participants will consider how differences in tones of voice, and associative leaps, can work together in poem-building. Participants will free-write, arrange and rearrange, and ultimately share poem drafts with the group if desired. 

November 17,  6-7 p.m. PDT The Nuts and Bolts of Applying to the MFA in Creative Writing Program. A hands-on workshop about putting together an MFA application with guidance and writing prompts to help participants craft their Letter of Intent or Artist Statement. This info session is led by MFA Director Judy Halebsky.  An admissions counselor will also be available to answer questions about the program and the application process. 

For more information about these free events, or to learn more about the MFA in Creative Writing program, please contact Natalie Babler at natalie.babler@dominican.edu or call (415) 482-1956.