Reddit reviews Creative Writing Mfa Handbook: A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students (Revised & Updated)

We found 2 Reddit comments about Creative Writing Mfa Handbook: A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students (Revised & Updated). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.

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2 Reddit comments about Creative Writing Mfa Handbook: A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students (Revised & Updated):

u/prometheanbane · 3 pointsr/writing

Buy: Creative Writing MFA Handbook

Visit: Affording the MFA and The MFA Blog

Great places to start. That book is a must. First thing to do is read it. After that you will know enough to make internet searches and contacting programs far less daunting.

Also: AWP has great resources

https://www.awpwriter.org/guide/overview

https://www.awpwriter.org/guide/hallmarks_quality

The second link contains AWP's guidelines for quality MFA programs. They will give you a good idea of what to ask about and what to expect. If a program you're considering fails to meet some of these guidelines you should find out why and whether it's a deal breaker for you.

My own personal opinion?

Shoot for a program with full tuition remission and a stipend regardless of your financial situation.
The "Top" lists are almost always outdated. There are tons of programs on the rise right now.
Do not attend a program that offers competitive funding. This means that stipends and waivers are offered based on performance relative to other students. The students end up competing instead of collaborating with and encouraging each other. Nothing stifles creativity and problem-solving in a workshop like competition among peers. Avoid at all costs even if you could care less about funding.

u/mishefe · 1 pointr/writing

Yes. You inevitably will teach basic composition, etc,

It COULD morph into basic literature. However you're less likely to teach lit with just a CW degree. CW degrees focus on craft.

It really comes down to what you want.

Do you want to learn to write? And possibly teach writing?
Or do you want to study literature and possibly teach literature?

Some programs offer a sort of split degree, offering a bit of both. But usually, it's mostly one or the other.

I recommend this book highly if you're thinking of a creative writing mfa. (I have one, btw.)

Creative Writing Mfa Handbook: A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students (Revised & Updated) https://www.amazon.com/dp/082642886X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_iTTVzbPN8FDX2

It'll tell you everything you need to know about both, and it'll also help you apply, if that's what you choose to do.