MFA Creative Writing and Publishing

MFA Creative Writing and Publishing

LIU's M.F.A. in Creative Writing prepares students to both be professional writers in the world and to be visionary literary citizens. Situated in the heart of Brooklyn, LIU’s MFA in Creative Writing is an innovative creative writing program centered on world literature, multi-genre education, and publishing. Our applied MFA prepares students for careers in creative writing, academia, translation, and publishing. During their two-year residential program, students have the opportunity to study poetry, fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, and translation, and thus receive a robust multi-genre education. 

In our MFA’s publishing courses, students study directly with professionals at the heart of the publishing industry. During the course of their study, students learn about commercial, independent, and academic publishing with frequent guest literary agents, editors, and leaders from seminal national and international literary arts organizations. We also focus on the performative aspects of the writing industry including audiobooks, public performances and speaking, and adaptations. Students learn about the intersection between book publishing and popular and new media. Students also gain vital publishing industry experience through literary internships centered in New York City and through the practicum of editing LIU’s flagship literary journals.

For those students looking to pursue a doctorate degree in Creative Writing, Comparative Literature, World Literature, Translation, or within area studies post-graduation, our program’s curriculum provides an integral education in world literature and translation. The program will be premiering a number of global workshop initiatives including the Overseas Writers’ Workshop in the near future with opportunities for students to immerse themselves in world literatures in various countries.

In addition, matriculating and non-matriculating students are welcome to earn a Certificate in Translation or post-MFA Certificate in Manuscript Preparation.

A five-year BA/MFA track is also available to students seeking a combined undergraduate and graduate education in creative writing, translation, and publishing.

For more information about the MFA and other opportunities on publishing and translation, contact the Co-Director of the MFA in Creative Writing and Director of the George Polk School of Communications Robin Hemley at robin.hemley@liu.edu


Program Curriculum

Program Curriculum

Course #

Course Name

Credits

Process and Technique Courses

ENG 502

POLK Professional Series (required, bi-weekly throughout the year)

3

ENG 503

Theory of Writing and Craft Criticism (required)

3

ENG 504

History of Genre(s) (required)

3

WRI 530

Preparing for Publication (elective)

3

WRI 535

Literary Forms from World Literature

3

Writing Workshops

Genre-Specific Workshops: WRI 520, 523, 524, 525, 526

ENG 520

Nonfiction Writing Workshop

3

ENG 523

Fiction Writing Workshop 

3

ENG 524

Poetry Writing Workshop 

3

ENG 525

Playwriting Workshop 

3

ENG 526

Screenwriting Workshop

3

ENG 527

Revision Workshop (required)

3

ENG 528

Crossing Genres Workshop (required)

3

ENG 529

Publishing and Media Workshop (required)

1-3

ENG 531

Translation Workshop (elective, required for students pursuing a Translation Certificate)

 3

Practica

A selection of these courses will be offered each semester, and students should take at least two Practica courses during their MFA.

WRI 519

Literary Arts Practicum (required; 3 credits/semester; 2 semesters required)

3

WRI 521

Writing in Place (elective)

1-3

WRI 522

Food Writing (elective)

1-3

WRI 705

Internship and Independent Study (elective)

1-3

Thesis

WRI 708

Thesis (required)

3

Additional Course Offerings

WRI 700

Pedagogy for Creative Writers (elective)

1-3

Certificate in Manuscript Preparation

Students who have already earned an MFA degree or who have satisfied the 36-credit requirement for the MFA in Creative Writing & Publishing are welcome to take the Certificate in Manuscript Preparation.  The 15-credit coursework will be decided upon in consultation with the Directors of the MFA in Creative Writing & Publishing program. Possible classes might include the following:

WRI 519

Literary Arts Practicum (required)

3

WRI 527

Revision Workshop

3

ENG 529

Publishing and Media Workshop (repeatable)

1-3

WRI 530

Preparing for Publication

3

WRI 705

Internship and Independent Study (elective)

1-3

Certificate in Translation

In order to earn a Certificate in Translation, MFA students would have to complete the following courses during their studies. Non-MFA students can also apply to earn a Certificate in Translation from LIU Brooklyn.

WRI 531

Translation Workshop (elective, required for students pursuing a Translation Certificate)

 3

WRI 532

Translation Theory and Methodology (elective)

3

WRI 533

Independent Study in Literary Translation (elective)

3

Credits

Total Major Requirements

30

 

Total Elective Credits

6

 

Total Credit Requirement 

36

 



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