creative writing workshops in ireland

The Irish Writers Centre offers a range of writing courses for writers at every stage of their career.

Our courses, the irish writers centre offers a range of courses for writers at every stage of their career..

We offer in-person and online writing courses, along with our new self-paced writing courses, allowing you to access course content at your own time and pace. We have capped our course participants to 12 places per course, except in seminar-style courses, to ensure a high-quality and personalised experience for all

Beginner / Tosnaitheoir

FOR THE NOVICE WRITER to help you find your way into your own writing through practical, creative and supportive means with an experienced professional facilitator. 

Emerging / Ag borradh

FOR WRITERS who have attended courses in the past, the emerging series will allow you to perfect your skills and develop your creative abilities. 

Professional Development / Forbairt Ghairimiúil

LED BY INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, these workshops are designed to help you work on essential skills that are part and parcel of being a professional writer in the public eye. The Meridian series is our latest programme of development supports.

Course Type:

Course level:.

In-Person |

Screenplay development with stephen walsh.

Level: Emerging | Professional Development |

Date: May 1, 2024

Time: 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm

Duration: 8 weeks

Meridian Online |

The art of reviewing with tapasya narang.

Level: Professional Development |

Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm

Duration: 6 weeks

Online |

Writing the non-human with doreen cunningham.

Level: Beginner | Emerging |

Date: May 2, 2024

Time: 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm

Kickstarting Your Nonfiction Book – Creating an Author Roadmap with Geraldine Walsh

Date: May 7, 2024

Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Duration: 6 Weeks

Guide To Writing Healing Poems with Amy Abdullah Barry

Level: Beginner |

Date: May 11, 2024

Time: 10.30am-1.30pm

Duration: 3 hours

Backbone and Heart: Writing a Short Story with Órfhlaith Foyle

Date: May 21, 2024

Time: 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm

The Fundamentals of Fiction with William Ryan

Time: 6.00pm – 8.30pm

Duration: 4 Weeks

Connections and Multiplicities with Afric McGlinchey

Date: May 23, 2024

Time: 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm

From First Draft to First Novel with William Ryan

Level: Emerging |

Date: May 25, 2024

Time: 10.30 am – 4.30 pm

Duration: 1 day

Writing Rubbish for Irish Writers Centre with Sarah Moss

Time: 10.30am-12.30pm

Duration: 2 hours

An Introduction to Writing Comics with Paul Carroll

Date: June 5, 2024

And the World Laughs With You: The Comic Novel with Declan Burke

Date: June 6, 2024

How to Haiku with Maeve O’Sullivan

Date: June 8, 2024

Time: 10.00 am – 1.00 pm

Duration: 2 weeks

The Writers’ Surgery with Adam Wyeth

Date: June 12, 2024

This Modern Life: Poetry with Rachel Long

Date: July 9, 2024

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Writing Tips Oasis - A website dedicated to helping writers to write and publish books.

17 Top Creative Writing Courses in Ireland

By Hiten Vyas

Are you a budding writer, or an experienced writer who lives on the island of Ireland ?

Do you feel attending a creative writing workshop will help you to develop, or enhance your storytelling prowess?

Continue reading to learn about 17 top creative writing courses in Ireland.

1. Getting Published with Vanessa O’Loughlin

Organized by Dublin’s Big Smoke Writing Factory, this half-day workshop will take place on September 28th and will cover everything you need to know about submitting your book for publication. Facilitator Vanessa O’Loughlin is an author and publishing consultant who works as a literary scout for a number of Irish publishers and agents. Vanessa will be giving advice on how to get your writing noticed, as well as concrete and actionable tips on where to submit your work, how to improve your pitch, and how the publishing business operates.

The workshop fee is €50 per participant. If you are interested in joining, you can learn more about the workshop here . For questions and clarifications, you may contact the Big Smoke Writing Factory team.

2. Creative Writing for Self-Expression and Wellbeing with Simon Forsyth and Clare Hennessy

Also organized by Big Smoke Writing Factory, Creative Writing for Self-Expression and Wellbeing is a one-day experiential workshop facilitated by counsellor Simon Forsyth and author Clare Hennessy. The workshop will include various activities that focus on demystifying creativity, becoming more comfortable about committing words to the page, finding a vocabulary for your emotions, and building the confidence to share your work in a safe environment. The workshop fee is €70 per participant, and no previous writing experience is required to join.

The workshop will take place on September 21st. Interested participants can learn more about the workshop here . If you have any additional questions, you may reach Big Smoke Writing Factory here .

3. Memoir Writing by The Memoir Writing Club

The Memoir Writing Club believes that every story is worth sharing. Whether you plan on submitting your memoir for possible publication or you just want to write down your life’s story to pass down to your children and grandchildren, The Memoir Writing Club’s Memoir Writing Course can help you develop your voice and bring your story to life. This 12-week course is 100% online, and it includes 12 interactive lessons, The Memoir Writing Workbook, live group discussions, and access to additional support materials.

The course is €325 for 12 weeks and can be accessed from your computer or mobile device. The next set of classes starts in September. Learn more about what to expect from the course here . You can also get in touch with The Memoir Writing Club through their online inquiry form .

4. Creative Writing with Jane Madden

This is a beginner’s course in Creative Writing held at Portmarnock Community School in Dublin. The 10-week course has 6 parts, covering the creative process, poetry writing, fiction writing, non-fiction writing, playwriting, and going public. Facilitator Jane Madden is a Dublin-based writer who holds an MFA in Playwriting. She is also a creative writing tutor at Fighting Words and the Centre for the Talented Youth of Ireland. She has written several plays, including The Windstealers and Birdy.

Both newcomers and return students are welcome to join. To learn more about the course, visit the course information page . For questions about enrolling, you can reach Portmarnock Community School here .

5. Fiction Workshop with Sean O’Reilly

Organized by Stinging Fly, this workshop in fiction writing runs from September to March of each year. Over the course of six months, participants will meet once a week at the Irish Writers Centre and share their work for close scrutiny. Workshop spots are very limited and are offered based on the work submitted during application. In addition to the weekly workshops, there will also be specialist talks from established authors and creative thinkers.

Applications will be accepted from July to August. You can learn more about the Fiction Workshop and Stinging Fly’s other workshops here . If you have any questions for the Stinging Fly team, you can reach them here .

6. Creative Writing at Kilroy’s College

For those who are too busy to attend workshops and classroom courses, Kilroy’s College offers a distance learning course in Creative Writing. This course can be completed in 12 months, and students who successfully complete it will receive a diploma in recognition of their achievement. The course focuses on sharpening your writing skills, developing insight into the flow and structure of fiction, editing and polishing fiction drafts, and more. The entire course costs €595.

Interested in enrolling? You can learn more about the course here , or you can order a free creative writing brochure . You can also get in touch with Kilroy’s College via email .

7. Creative Writing with Veronica Casey

This is a 10-week Creative Writing course in Cabinteely, Dublin. The course runs for 10 weeks, and participants can choose between Monday or Tuesday evening classes. As a student-led course, classes are developed at the beginning of the course based on the participants’ interests and the type of writing they wish to accomplish. Writers of all experience levels are welcome to join. The tutor, Veronica Casey, has been teaching writing for more than two decades.

The entire course costs €110, and the next set of classes begins in September. If you would like to enroll, you can book your spot and learn more about the course here . Additional inquiries may be sent here .

8. Listowel Writers’ Week

Established in the 1970s, Listowel Writers’ Week is a 5-day literary festival that brings poets and writers together in the beautiful town of Listowel in County Kerry. The festival features masterclasses, panels, talks, and workshops for writers of every genre and experience level. Some of the experts who have delivered workshops at Listowel Writers’ Week include Michael Harding, Douglas Kennedy, Vona Groarke, and Christine Dwyer Hickey.

The next Listowel Writers’ Week will be on May 27th to May 31st, 2020, and it will be their 50th festival to date. The details aren’t out yet, but you can learn more about the festival here as more information become available. You can also email the Listowel Writers’ Week team should you have any additional questions.

9. Private Writing Classes with Irene Graham

For writers who prefer one-on-one guidance instead of working with a group, renowned Irish author and writing coach Irene Graham offers private writing classes both in person and online. Her private writing classes are ideal for new writers who aren’t sure how to get started, as well as more advanced writers who are struggling to finish their manuscripts. Prices vary based on several factors. If you’re interested, you can learn more about Irene and her classes here .

To inquire about pricing and availability, you can contact Irene through her online contact form . You can also book a complimentary session to gauge if her private classes are a good fit for your needs.

10. Writing Workshops by Munster Literature Centre

Established in 1993, Munster Literature Centre is a non-profit organization in Cork, Ireland. They are dedicated to the celebration of literature, and they organize annual workshops, festivals, readings, and writing competitions. Each year, they hold workshops in fiction and poetry, facilitated by established Irish writers. Last year, their workshops were led by Alannah Hopkin, Patrick Cotter, and Billy O’Callaghan.

Details for their 2019 workshops haven’t been released yet, but you can check the workshops section on their website for announcements. For inquiries, contact Munster Literature Centre via email .

11. Novel Submission Prep with Clare Hennessy

Novel Submission Prep with Clare Hennessy is an online course with four modules. It will take place in September, and they are currently accepting enrollees. The course is designed for authors who are trying to get their manuscripts ready for submission to publishing houses and agents. Facilitator Clare Hennessy is an experienced author and editor, and her course will focus on answering several questions: how do you hook readers from the very beginning of your book, how do you craft the perfect query or cover letter, and where should you submit your manuscript?

Should you be interested in joining this course, you can find more information here .

12. Revising and Editing with Paula McGrath

This is an online course that focuses on revising and editing the first draft of your manuscript. It focuses on the overall structure of your manuscript, symbols and themes, voice, characterization, point of view, and more. The course has five modules that can be completed at your own pace, but most participants complete the course in 8 to 10 weeks. The tutor, Paula McGrath, is a published author with a background in literature.

You can enroll for the course at any time of the year. Interested participants can find more information about enrolling and what to expect from the course here .

13. Writing Courses by the Irish Writers Centre

Founded in 1991, the Irish Writers Centre is Ireland’s national resource center for all things related to Irish literature. They offer various workshops and courses facilitated by renowned writers across different fields, including poetry, fiction, non-fiction, playwriting, short stories, and more. They offer new workshops each season. Details about their upcoming autumn workshops aren’t available yet, but you can check out their current selection here .

To stay updated on all their upcoming workshops and courses, you can sign up for their free newsletter. You can also reach them via email if you have any additional questions.

14. Certificate in Creative Writing for Publication at Maynooth University

Maynooth University offers an undergraduate certificate course in Creative Writing for Publication. It takes place on the Maynooth University campus on Monday evenings. Each class is 3 hours long, and the entire course takes 100 hours to complete. The course has four modules: non-fiction writing, publishing industry awareness, short story writing, and novel writing.

The course is only available to participants over 21 years of age, but prior writing experience is not a requirement. If you are interested in enrolling, you can find more information about the course here . Inquiries may be sent to Kay Loughlin via email . Kay is Senior Executive Assistant for Adult and Community Education.

15. Creative Writing at St. Colmcille’s Community School

St. Colmcille’s Community School offers a Creative Writing course under their Adult Education Program during their spring and autumn terms. The course runs for 8 weeks and costs €90, and classes take place one night a week. They are currently accepting applicants for their autumn term which begins in September. Interested applicants have until September 9 to enroll.

If you are interested, you can read the full course description here , or you can check out their brochure to learn more about all the courses they offer. You can also contact St Colmcille’s via email for inquiries.

16. Creative Writing at Marino College

Marino College offers an evening course in Creative Writing. This course runs for 8 weeks and takes place every Tuesday at 7:00 pm. In this class, students will learn how to shape stories, develop convincing characters, write dialogue, and find their own voice. The course costs €80, and those who are interested can enroll on September 3rd, 9th, or 10th, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. You can also enroll by post. Simply fill out the form included in their night school brochure and follow the mailing instructions.

Marino College is located in Fairview, Dublin. If you have any questions about their courses, feel free to get in touch with them here .

17. Creative Writing at Crescent College

Crescent College in Limerick has an introductory Creative Writing course under their Adult Education Program. The course costs €120 and is designed for aspiring writers who are looking to develop their creativity and confidence in fiction writing, poetry writing, and memoir writing. The course is 8 weeks long and will be held in the evenings. Crescent College is currently accepting enrollees for their autumn term which will commence on September 16th. If you are interested in enrolling, you can fill out the enrollment form included in their autumn brochure , or you can enroll online . The minimum age for all courses is 16, and all courses are non-refundable.

If you have any additional questions and concerns, you can find Crescent College’s contact information and office hours here .

Are there any other creative writing courses in Ireland that should be on this list? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!

Hiten Vyas is the Founder and Managing Editor of Writing Tips Oasis .

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Creative Writing Courses

On the island of Ireland, literature is written into the land

Fiction or Fact – writing in the land of literary scholars

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If you want evidence of a place informing literature, in Ireland you don’t have to look far.

WB Yeats drew inspiration from the beauty of County Sligo (pictured above), James Joyce said he wanted to "give a picture of Dublin so complete that if the city suddenly disappeared from the earth it could be reconstructed out of my book", and Seamus Heaney was influenced by his childhood years growing up in Bellaghy, County Londonderry.

You might wonder if Ireland has any inspirational places left for the rest of us. Is there a corner of the island that we can call our own, where a blank page comes alive with that prose and that poem we’ve been agonising over for months?

We needn’t worry. People such as Irene Graham have us covered.

The Burren, County Clare

Ireland’s literary heritage combined with its idyllic landscapes makes it an ideal location for a creative writing course, according to Irene Graham, founder of The Creative Writer’s Workshop . For Irene, “Raw beauty, comfortable surroundings and good food combined with creative writing workshops allow the writer to draw upon their unconscious, create and write.”

Irene believes “the writing environment, like time, is precious”. And the right backdrop is essential too. Surely, then, the west of Ireland is a must for any writer. Imagine being surrounded by Connemara’s smattering of lakes or the lunar landscape of the Burren, County Clare, while you write that next chapter – pure bliss. But according to Irene, that’s only touching the surface:

“The Creative Writer’s Workshop weaves ancient Ireland and the art of writing into memorable writing vacations. Writers can explore the mythical legends of Inis Mór Island or the Sligo countryside that inspired WB Yeats, and can amble around the rugged landscape of Clare Island – as a part of their writing journey.”

Connemara, County Galway

As one writer, Vivienne Nichols, from the USA found out, Inis Mór, retains the power to bewitch. “Creative writing on the magical, mystical island of Inis Mór was an extraordinary experience,” she notes. “Lyrics, lore and landscape offered refreshment, while Irene Graham’s mastery and generosity helped and inspired beyond expression”

With another two Aran Islands  to Inis Mór ’s east, there’s plenty of inspiration for everyone.

And if dreaded writers’ block does strike, just take a moment and drink in your surroundings. Imagine maybe how JM Synge felt spending his summers on the Aran Islands immersing himself in the local culture, or how Narnia came to life for CS Lewis as he traversed through the Mourne Mountains.

The Mourne Mountains, County Down

Modern-day authors continue to soak up their Irish settings too. The late Maeve Binchy always gave her favourite Dublin locations pseudonyms in her novels; Roddy Doyle’s best work is set in north Dublin while Colm Tóibín included his native County Wexford in countless tales. In her award-winning novel, Solace, Belinda McKeon delicately reminded us not to overlook the centre of the island, with its pastoral romance and connection to the rural elegance that still beats at Ireland’s core.

With genealogy such a popular pastime these days, Irene wonders if “maybe our collective ancestral history is buried in the stones? And if it is, could there be a better place than the west of Ireland to explore it as you dig deep into your creative genes and write engaging stories?”

While many of Ireland’s sights may leave you speechless for some moments, we’re certain you’ll have plenty to write about them for many years to come.

Irene Graham is the founder of The Creative Writer’s Workshop  and The Memoir Writing Club .  She is also the author of The Memoir Writing Workbook.

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Creative Writing courses in Ireland

Creative writing.

This Creative Writing course is an introductory programme for aspiring writers who wish to develop skills, confidence and creativity in fiction, poetry or memoir writing through guided group and individual work.  

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Creative writing 1 on 1 mentorship.

Would you like high-level personalised attention to your writing journey? Meet Martin or Associate each week for a 60 minute 1-1 session in Zoom or In-Person at a mutually convenient time and discuss your progress, your weekly submission and your options in publish or producing. Includes weekly written feedback, a final project submission of 5,000…

Release your inner creative talent! We will look at various forms of writing including articles, essays, stories, and will cover topics such as dialogue, narrative, character development, research, etc. The techniques under discussion will be practised and writers will receive constructive comments from the class.

This 6-week course is available in September and in January Suitable for people of all levels. Each course is tailored to the participants on the course. Peer reviews are encouraged throughout, and advice on how to improve your writing skills will be given. Tutor: Veronica Casey.

Creative Writing 5N4765 (QQI Level 5)

This QQI Level 5 Creative Writing course is designed to give students an opportunity to develop their creative voice through writing. It aims to give students an understanding of the process of writing, key aspects of writing fiction, as well as the possibility of getting work published. Course documentation for this journalism course is detailed, comprehensive…

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Creative Writing (6 week course)

A practical workshop based programme designed to help people approach creative writing in a way that they can feel confident unlocking their own personal stories and getting them down on the page. This process uses a combination of carefully guided steps and peer to peer motivation, all within a fun and encouraging atmosphere.  6 week…

Creative Writing (8 week course)

Creative Writing is a 8-week course in which I go through the dos and don’ts of fiction/non-fiction writing and how a budding writer can make their work more attractive to publishers and editors. Each week there are a few tips on how to approach say describing scenes/situations or creating storylines. Typically, each week of the…

Creative Writing at Old Bawn

Creative Writing This Creative Writing course is suitable for those who wish to undertake a practice-based study of creative writing.  It provides an opportunity to fully immerse in creative practice & to produce a short collection of work.  Students will be encouraged to try out different forms & genres such as fiction, poetry and creative…

Creative Writing (Beginners)

  This Course is not running for the Spring Term of February 2024   Practise the craft of writing and learn how to create memorable characters, devise a gripping plot, write believable dialogue, adjust the pace and focus of your story. Classes in a relaxed, friendly environment with an experienced tutor.

Creative Writing: Commercial Novels

Creative Writing: Commercial Novels This specialist course covers all genre novels that fit into a commercial category. It is designed to help writers who are writing for a wide audience. We will look at the differences between a draft and a polished commercial novel. We will explore the vital elements that convince agents and publishers that your manuscript is…

Creative Writing course

Week 1: Outline of the course:   This is for hobby writers, so it’s going to be fairly relaxed and calm, and will give an introduction to writing fiction.   Week 2: Openings:   How to begin your story so that the readers are brought straight into the action and are committed to it.  …

CREATIVE WRITING – Getting Started, Keeping Going Course Description: It’s often hard to begin writing, even if you really want to and it’s also hard to keep going, even if you really want to! Finding time & space, building self-belief & writing habits, all need practice and encouragement. This course offers you strategies to get…

Creative Writing course: Introduction

This Creative Writing course is aimed at anyone who enjoys writing and who wishes to develop skills and confidence in creativity whether in the area of fiction, poetry or memoir. Creativity and idea-generating skills will be built through a mixture of group and individ

Creative Writing Course (Thursday Morning class)

Creative Writing Course. Tutor:  Ms Tanya Farrelly Tanya Farrelly is the author of four books. Her debut short fiction collection When Black Dogs Sing (Arlen House, 2016) was longlisted for the Edge Hill Short Story Prize and named winner of the Kate O’ Brien Award 2017. Two novels: The Girl Behind the Lens and When…

Creative Writing - ELEMENTS OF FICTION

This twelve-week course is designed for new and aspiring writers seeking inspiration and guidance on writing fiction. The course will provide writing exercises and advice on techniques and look at the different elements involved in creating stories, from character to plot, description and voice. Providing gentle feedback, it will give budding writers the chance to…

Creative Writing - ELEMENTS OF FICTION (Mondays)

CREATIVE WRITING: ELEMENTS OF FICTION Starting on Monday April 15th, we are offering an exciting new course, Elements of Fiction, which covers everything you need to know about writing fiction, as well as giving you the chance to see your work in print. This twelve-week course is designed for new and aspiring writers seeking inspiration and…

Creative Writing Evening Class

Tanya Farrelly is the author of four books. Her debut short fiction collection When Black Dogs Sing (Arlen House, 2016) was longlisted for the Edge Hill Short Story Prize and named winner of the Kate O’ Brien Award 2017. Two novels: The Girl Behind the Lens and When Your Eyes Close were published by Harper…

Creative Writing for Digital Media

Creative Writing for Digital Media This course is designed for anyone with an interest in creative writing and storytelling.  Students will explore various aspects of writing creatively and will be facilitated in developing both written and digital content for online platforms. The course will focus on developing writing skills for both fiction and scripts as…

Creative Writing: Historical Writing

12.00-1.00pm every Thursday   Would you like to transport reader or viewers into the past? Do you like the idea of writing within a famous period in history? With this specialist course, you can learn powerful research techniques and explore drafting a creative project within a rigid framework of events. Opens to historical fiction writers and also those compiling…

Creative Writing: Intermediate

8.00-10.00pm every Thursday CREATIVE WRITING: INTERMEDIATE Would you like to develop your writing craft and develop your work for publication? Have you been working on a writing project for a while and want to move onto the next level? Explore genres such as comedy, fantasy, memoir and radio writing in this innovative new course for…

Creative Writing: Introduction - CLAREMORRIS

Creative Writing: Single Project – CLAREMORRIS This course is designed for those writers who wish to spend a sustained period of time working on a single project of any length. Writers may have a formed idea to bring to the course which indicates its proposed overall structure and content. Part of the project might be…

Creative Writing: Introduction - DUN LAOGHAIRE

CREATIVE WRITING: DUN LAOGHAIRE Join us for an exciting 8 week course in Dun Laoghaire this Spring. Open to all levels of writer. We will explore different key elements of writing craft and you can develop your writing on a current project or start something new. You can also submit a piece for consideration by…

Creative Writing: Introduction -- MULLINGAR

Creative Writing: Introduction — MULLINGAR with Dr Simon Thomas If you have ever wanted to write, you will enjoy this new course starting in Mullingar. In the course, we will cover starting to write, editing, publishing your writing. We will also explore various genres including Realism, Crime, Scifi, Horror and Relationships. Participants in the course will also…

Creative Writing: Introduction — MULLINGAR with Martin / Associate Lecturer If you have ever wanted to write, you will enjoy this new course starting in Mullingar. In the course, we will cover starting to write, editing, publishing your writing. We will also explore various genres including Realism, Crime, Scifi, Horror and Relationships. Participants in the course will…

Creative Writing (Junior) - Diploma course for 8-14 year old children

For FREE course brochure please visit www.kilroyscollege.ie/free_brochure This course has been specially developed to awaken the imaginative powers of young people between the ages of eight and fourteen. It improves the writing skills and helps raise the standards of a child’s composition. Course Contents Unit 1: Words Unit 2: Writing Unit 3: The Short Story…

Creative Writing (Monday Evenings)

Creative Writing Free your imagination. Train your powers of observation. Learn how to shape stories and develop convincing characters. Explore experience and memory. Use metaphor and suggestion. Write dialogue and find your own writing voice. Produce your own work and if you choose, bring it into class for reading and comment. For those who wish…

Creative Writing: MONDAY MEMOIR

Creative Writing: MONDAY MEMOIR 10-11 every Monday Morning Start writing your memoir in this specialist class. We will explore different types of memoir and also touch into areas of biography, autobiography and fictional memoir. What is the power of memory? How do we work with real people, places and things, how do we treat our…

Creative Writing: One Day Course - CARLOW

Have you ever wanted to write short stories or even try a novel? Have you dreamed of seeing your play on stage, your film on screen, or even stunning audiences with your poetry? Get started with creative writing in this exciting new one-day course. Learn the basics of craft, getting started, editing your work, and preparing…

Have you ever wanted to write short stories or even try a novel? Have you dreamed of seeing your play on stage, your film on screen, or even stunning audiences with your poetry? Get started with creative writing in this exciting new one-day course. Learn the basics of craft, getting started, editing your work, and…

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Certificate Home Study

• Certificate

Home Study course

Can be started at any time

€687 ( Easy-pay plan available)

Approximately 3 months

Unleash your creativity and begin your journey as a writer. Our certificate course is designed for beginners, covering the fundamentals of creative writing across genres. Learn character creation, plot development, and delve into fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction.

Designed around five practical assignments, you will develop a writing routine and compile a portfolio to showcase your work, enabling you to start writing confidently and creatively!

As a home study student, you will have full access to our student area, the Online Learning Centre, which contains course material created by industry experts including: instructional videos, written content and assignments.

Our tutors provide all the support, knowledge and in-depth feedback you need to progress through your course and are always contactable through the Online Learning Centre.

This course can be completed in approximately 3 months*.

*Completion time is based on the approximate time it has taken past students to complete the course. Students have up to 36 months to complete the course.

The list below provides an overview of the topics covered in this course.

Introduction and Foundations

This module lays the groundwork for the entire course, introducing students to the fundamentals of creative writing, various genres, and essential storytelling elements. It encourages the development of a writer's mindset, providing strategies to overcome writer's block and establish a consistent writing routine.

• Course Overview
• The Writer’s Mindset
• Genres of Creative Writing
• Elements of a Story
• Show, Don’t Tell

Basics of Fiction Writing

This module focuses on the fundamental aspects of fiction writing, guiding students through the process of character creation, plot development, and setting establishment. Students also learn the basics of dialogue writing, as well as introductory techniques for revising and editing their work.

• Character Development
• Building a Simple Plot
• Basic Setting and Atmosphere
• Intro to Dialogue Writing
• Revision and Editing

Introduction to Poetry and Creative Non-Fiction

Students are introduced to the world of poetry and creative non-fiction, exploring various poetic devices, structures, and styles. The module also covers the basics of writing personal essays and travel narratives, providing a comprehensive understanding of these creative non-fiction genres.

• Introduction to Poetry
• Poetic Devices
• Writing Creative Non-Fiction
• Personal Essays
• Travel Writing

Special Topics

This module explores a range of specialized writing topics, including experimental writing, flash fiction, children's literature, and the business aspects of writing.

• Experimental Writing
• Flash Fiction
• Writing for Children
• The Business of Writing

All our tutors are creative writing professionals working in the industry.

Dane Cobain

Course Tutor

Philip Webb Gregg

I would certainly recommend the Post Grad Dip to friends or other students looking to gain a professional qualification, so many new skills to learn.

Mark Powell

Student - BAPH

The support I get from the student community and my tutor are essential. It isn't always easy and it's clearly demanding, but the whole experience is extraordinary

Daniel Oliver

This course has taken me on an amazing journey - there has been a lot of learning with tutors who have given constructive feedback to help with progression.

Tiffany Hayes

Between the forums online and our Facebook page I feel more connected with students and staff and I never feel silly asking my tutor even basic questions!

Sonya O'Donoghue

Student - PAI

The Creative Writing Academy of Ireland

Our philosophy at the Creative Writing Academy of Ireland is to make high-quality education accessible to all by empowering people to do what they love. Through the power of online and blended learning, our students are able to harness their creativity and practically apply it to succeed in their chosen careers.

Pursue your ambition - because the future is today!

Choosing the right course

We offer a range of creative writing courses to suit your goals.

Why not contact our experienced staff for advice, or browse to our other courses.

Ask a question

Our experienced team can answer any questions you have about our courses, general enquiries and payment options. Simply complete this form and we will contact you as soon as possible.

The Creative Writing Academy of Ireland is a leading provider of accredited, industry recognised creative writing qualifications in Ireland.

021 2040 229

091 355 592

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CREATIVE WRITING COURSES

Next round of courses begin 2nd week of june, no more putting it off, take the plunge and start today., learn creative writing at beginner, intermediate and advanced level at our creative studio in the heart of dublin city - call 085 2341829 to find out more., creative writing courses for you, we understand creative writing is difficult. we understand writers need guidelines, support and most importantly, inspiration. we deliver courses that are both enjoyable and rigourous, providing the skills necessary for you to develop and progress as a writer., production focussed.

Our courses facilitate the creation of one or several pieces of fiction over a 10 week period

1-on-1 coaching

Benefit from direct tutor access with 1-on-1 coaching sessions as a part of the course

How we do it: our approach for your writing success

We will give you the tools and structure you need to tell stories. Our classes are designed around making progress and finishing a piece of work. This approach, and the detailed feedback received over the ten-week period, means you'll see your story evolve steadily from idea to print.

Inspiring material

Learn from the best by absorbing insights from the best the world of fiction has to offer

Creative environment

Share, create and discuss in a beautiful safe environment steeped in literary history

"Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything really good. "

William Faulkner

Why join us at Creative Writing Courses?

We provide a safe, convivial environment to learn and develop the craft of writing. We aim to stimulate and inspire with interesting, thought-provoking classes and material, and we promise to support you in finding your own unique voice.

Classes are open to all who are interested in writing well, whether experienced or beginner, and you will come away from each 10-week course with process, inspiration and an addition to your own body of work.

READY TO START?

Find our more about our courses to start your creative writing journey, make the craft of literature your own & develop your voice.

SCIENCE FICTION

Seek out new brave worlds & explore your muse, our location, find out about the rich literary heritage of our vibrant d2 location, course cost, €295 - to cover all courses, 1-to-1 coaching and course materials.

Ready to start your creative writing journey today?

Creative writing courses catering for all levels, from experienced to beginner, held at a premium location at the heart of Dublin City

3 Clare Street, Dublin 2 Ireland

[email protected]

View the contact page for more contact and location information

Creative Writing (M.Phil.)

Course overview.

This course, the first Masters course in creative writing at an Irish university, was offered by the School of English for the first time in 1997–98. It is based in the Trinity Oscar Wilde Centre for Irish Writing, 21 Westland Row: the birthplace of Oscar Wilde. Its faculty includes some of Ireland’s leading contemporary writers, including Eoin McNamee, Deirdre Madden and Kevin Power, Harry Clifton and Carlo Gébler. Each year the Centre also hosts visiting Writer Fellows, who in recent years have included Claire Keegan and Colette Bryce. Distinguished alumni include Chris Binchy and Sean O’Reilly. Nicole Flattery and Lisa Harding have emerged as exciting new talents in the past few years.

The M.Phil. in Creative Writing programme is designed for students who are seriously committed to writing, are practising, or are prospective authors, and who wish to develop their writing within the framework of a university course and in the context of an Irish literary milieu. It involves the close and critical examination of the student’s work in group workshops and under guided personal tuition. At Trinity you will also join a diverse, supportive and dynamic community of students, scholars, and writers in a world-leading English department right at the heart of one of the world’s great literary cities.

Is This Course For Me?

This course is intended for students who are seriously committed to writing, are practising, or are prospective authors, and who wish to develop their writing within the framework of a university course and in the context of an Irish literary milieu.

Career Opportunities

Graduates have pursued careers in a range of areas including journalism, scriptwriting, copywriting, advertising, publishing, editing, the arts and culture sector, broadcasting, librarianship, education and research. Many alumni have also gone on to become successful writers.

Course Structure

The M.Phil. in Creative Writing is designed as a one-year, full-time course. Teaching is delivered through lectures, group workshops and personal tuition. Much of this takes place in the Oscar Wilde Centre for Irish Writing, which offers a supportive and sociable working environment for the School of English’s creative writers. Students are expected to continue developing their own individual work throughout the year. The course is assessed by means of various essays and portfolios, culminating in working towards a final dissertation portfolio of 15-16,000 words.

Course Content

The centrepiece of the Creative Writing M.Phil. is the three-hour weekly workshop. This is where you bring work and get to listen to others. The idea of it is daunting, but reality is hardworking, inclusive and dynamic. For the first term, students are encouraged to range across form and genre, to break habits and open new vistas. This is where students start to see the core of their portfolio emerge, although most don't see the portfolio taking shape until the following Spring. The Structure in Fiction and Poetry module works through the shapes and uses, the interior dynamics of writing. Writing for a Living addresses the demands of reviewing and essay writing. Both modules are structured and intellectually rigorous but at heart involve writers talking about writing and bringing the class into the orbit of their own experience.   In the second semester, the weekly Briena Staunton lectures brings a series of established writers in to talk about the practice of writing. A visiting Writer Fellow also leads a workshop, offering students a further chance to engage with a working writer in close-up.

The creation of a final portfolio is the formal endpoint of the M.Phil., but it is equally important for us to see writers emerge in rich, artistically textured, and diverse surroundings. That is the enduring satisfaction.

Click here for further information on modules/subjects.

Study Creative Writing (M.Phil.) at Trinity

Eoin McNamee of the School of English at Trinity College Dublin gives an overview of the Creative Writing (M.Phil.) programme.

Course Details

Number of places, next intake.

September 2024

Course Director

Professor Eoin McNamee

Closing Date

31st March 2024

Admission Requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a university degree or equivalent qualification (at least an upper second, or equivalent, GPA of at least 3.3). In addition, applicants must submit a portfolio of recent creative work. The portfolio of sample work should include no more than 3,000 words of prose (short stories, excerpt/s from a novel or drama) or six to eight poems.

Course Fees

Click here for a full list of postgraduate fees.

To apply, click on the relevant Apply Link below

• Creative Writing (M.Phil.) - Full-Time 31/Mar/2024

PLANNED ESSENTIAL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

There will be no access to the my.tcd.ie direct online application portal from 17:00 on Friday 9 February until 12.00 on Monday 12 February, 2024 to facilitate an essential upgrade. Further information is available on the IT Services Alerts page using this link .

Get in Touch

Telephone number.

+353 (0)1 896 2885

Eoin McNamee (course director): [email protected]

www.tcd.ie/English/postgraduate/creative-writing

Register Your Interest

Register your interest in studying at Ireland’s leading university, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.

Though I had published short stories before my year in The Oscar Wilde Centre, I lacked confidence in my work. After completing the M. Phil., I found that I wrote with far more authority and consistency – in the past three years I have had three plays produced, one optioned for a film, and another translated for performance in Italy. Through its expert and friendly guidance, and its stimulating blend of emerging talents, the Centre enabled me to refine my vision. I highly recommend it. Philip St John Graduate

The year I spent at the Oscar Wilde Centre gave me the time, the focus and, crucially, the support to complete my first novel. The collegiate atmosphere, the sharing of ideas, the opportunity to experiment with new forms, all underpinned by a sense that the work really mattered, were of immeasurable benefit to me. I honestly can’t envisage having brought the novel to completion without my Wilde time. Hilary Fannin Graduate

My year in the Oscar Wilde Centre represented a certain freedom while also providing a certain structure. I had some wonderful tutors and fascinating classmates. I didn't have had a manuscript by the time I graduated, but instead I had the requisite tool box to pursue a writing career. Sara Baume Graduate

Creative Ireland

Creative communities.

Dates 12th Jan 2021 to 16th Feb 2021

Age Range All ages

Type Workshop

Creative Writing Classes

Creative Writing and Memoir Workshops will continue in 2021. 

A series of creative writing workshops begins on Tuesday 12th January via Zoom from 11am – 1pm for 6 weeks with facilitator Breda Shannon. The course is suitable for both beginners and those who have some writing experience. The classes are aimed to help participants recognise the unique experiences of their own life and unleash their inner-writer creativity on these experiences to write memoir, fiction or auto-fiction. This set of classes is organised through Shannon Public Library.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.

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Writers’ Courses

The following is a list of organisations which regularly provide writers’ courses and workshops. For a list of short courses currently being advertised, see our Opportunities for Writers page. Local libraries and County Council Arts Officers will also have information on creative writing classes in your area.

Short courses

The Irish Writers' Centre 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1  Run a regular series of writing courses in poetry, fiction, writing for film and television etc. T: +353 (0)8721302 www.writerscentre.ie

Big Smoke Writing Factory 1 Coppinger Row, Dublin 2 The Big Smoke Writing Factory  offers creative writing resources, classes and workshops. E: [email protected] bigsmokewritingfactory.com

Creative Writing Ink 77 Lower Camden Street St Kevin’s, Dublin 2 D02 XE80 Offers class-based creative writing workshops, online creative writing courses and a manuscript critique and editing service.  T: +353 87 2028310 E:  [email protected] creativewriting.ie

Over The Edge, Galway Kevin Higgins and Susan Millar DuMars run regular creative writing courses for beginner and intermediate levels.  overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.ie

Galway Arts Centre 47 Lower Dominick Street, Galway Kevin Higgins runs a series of ten-week workshops, each commencing on the 19th of September. Previous students of Higgins' Galway Writer's Centre workshops have gone on to win the Hennessy Award, the Cúirt New Writing Prize and the Cúirt Poetry Grand Slam. Reservation necessary.  T: + 353 091 565886 E: [email protected] galwayartscentre.ie/courses The Poetry School, London Poetry School activities take place in London, Exeter, Manchester and York, by post and online, and in many other UK and international locations. T: +020 8223 0401 / +020 8985 0090  E:  [email protected]  www.poetryschool.com

The Arvon Foundation, England Residential creative writing courses covering many genres, including poetry, fiction, stage drama, and writing for TV and radio. www.arvonfoundation.org

The Garsdale Retreat Clough View, Garsdale Head, Sedbergh, Cumbria LA10 5PW The Garsdale Retreat runs a serious of short courses with leading writers as tutors and guest readers in poetry, musical theatre, fiction, and performance poetry. T: +44 (0)1539 234184 E: [email protected] www.thegarsdaleretreat.co.uk

M.A. / M Phil in Creative Writing

Dublin City University The DCU MA in Creative Writing offers intensive, hands-on courses in the writing of poetry, drama, screenwriting and prose, as well as tailored courses in critical reading and creative practice. This exciting course offers an opportunity for early-career and emerging writers to spend a year working with professional poets, writers and dramatists in a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment to develop their work and to foster connections with the wider literary community. If you’re interested in the MA in Creative Writing, for further details see  https://www.dcu.ie/courses/postgraduate/school-english/ma-creative-writing  You can also contact programme chair Dr. Darran McCann ([email protected]), or for specifically poetry-related questions, Dr. Kit Fryatt ([email protected]).

NUI Galway The MA in Writing is a one-year full-time course intended for committed writers. It is not called an MA in "Creative Writing" because the course covers forms of writing in addition to fiction and poetry. The MA in Writing synchronizes with the Department's current postgraduate offerings (MA in Literature & Publishing and MA in Drama & Theatre Studies). This MA thus builds on existing strengths at NUI Galway in the diverse arts of writing for page and stage, screen and daily papers.  http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/writing.html

Oscar Wilde Centre for Irish Writing, School of English, Trinity College Dublin Focusing on the practical business of writing, rewriting and editing, the programme also includes an introduction to the publishing industry, a series of lectures by established writers in a wide range of genres, and the opportunity to take one of the specialised options offered to students on the M.Phil. in Anglo-Irish Literature. www.tcd.ie/OWC/

Queens University Belfast This MA in Creative Writing course is designed to equip students to use their literary talents to the best of their ability, to encourage their development as independent writers and self-reflective lifelong learners, and to provide them with a broad understanding of the literary marketplace and of the commercial aspects of literary production. https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/english-creative-writing-ma/

University College Cork The UCC MA in Creative Writing encourages students to be curious about literature, to pursue creative excellence and to develop their writing in a university atmosphere. The course as a whole encourages and supports a full exploration of the creative self while also maintaining a strong vocational emphasis. http://www.ucc.ie/en/cke10/

University College Dublin The MA in Creative Writing is a one year course of lectures, seminars, workshops and supervision meetings which aims to provide committed writers with taught classes on theories and practices of writing, and supervision of a major writing project. www.ucd.ie/englishanddrama/graduatestudies/maprogrammes/creativewriting

University of South Wales A 2-year part-time Master’s Degree for writers of fiction and poets. A unique flexible-learning scheme which offers students the opportunity to develop their book-length manuscript under the expert guidance of University tutors and prize-winning writers. www.courses.southwales.ac.uk/courses/297-mphil-in-writing

University of Limerick This one-year programme enables students to develop their skills in creative writing through careful consideration of the work of established writers; through study of the elements and formal structures of a piece of creative writing; through assignments that enable students to employ and master strategies for revision and refinement of their work; and through an understanding of the requirements of the submission and publication process. www.ul.ie/graduateschool/course/creative-writing-ma#sthash.kAAgH12C.dpuf

The Creative Writer's Workshop

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WRITIN G RETREAT

Let authentic experiences inspire your creative writing

WAWA Winners: Worlds Apart, United in Writing

Finalists And Winners of ‘Change’

WAWA Stories And The Writers Behind Them

Celebrating 10 Years of Literary Success

Ten years ago, it was but a dream. 

To start an international writing retreat in what is probably the most picturesque region in Ireland.

Now it’s a success beyond our wildest imagination, expanding beyond the ‘Forgotten Land’ of Donegal along the famous ' Wild Atlantic Way ' across the Irish Sea to the French Mediterranean.  

And then being voted number one creative retreat in the world by the Independent Publishing Group, Ireland " 12 creative escapes – from painting holidays in France to cooking in Galway ."

Not to mention, five years ago, being voted " ...one of the 10 best creative retreats in the UK and Europe, " by such a leading international publication as The Guardian newspaper, London.

During the past ten memorable years, we have welcomed writers from every walk of life, from nurses to lawyers, IT specialists to social workers, judges to teachers. And from so many countries including Iceland and New Zealand, Australia, the US and the UK to Germany. All lovers of words. And all ages, from young adults to septuagenarians. 

We consider ourselves unique insofar as we combine creative writing with cultural excursions and culinary experiences. Holidays with a difference that offer bus tours to historic places, scenic walks, food and drinks tastings, fascinating author talks, exclusive music performances and daily workshops. 

Before spending your hard-earned money to join us for one of these exciting weeks, take a few minutes to read about our philosophy and listen to testimonials from previous participants.

Joining ‘Ireland Writing Retreat’ means you will leave enriched in the following ways:

Confi dence - You will be part of a trusting environment, with others supporting you to strengthen your confidence, vital for better writing. 

Creative process - You will receive close guidance in various stages of your creative process, from generating ideas, drafting a plan, first drafts, revision and editing, with constant feedback throughout the week. 

Cra ft - You will learn about strategie s that will help you widen your imagination and senses, develop your observational skills and apply these techniques  to perfect your writing skills. 

Cultural experience - Aside from daily writing workshops and author talks, in Ireland you will enjoy visits to an island, a hundred-year old thatched cottage, a castle, a national park, as well as exclusive traditional Irish music performances and special food and drinks tastings. 

In France, excursions and activities include bus tours to charming medieval towns, open-air markets, an ex clusive Catalan dance performance in traditional costume, complimentary lunches, a sing-a-long evening and a guided walk through a spectacular moonscape rock formation.   

BECOME A FRIEND AND GET ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE OFFERS

“I came to the retreat with few expectations, preferring a ‘wait and see’ approach. I could not have imagined anything more perfect. This experience has been warm, adventurous, engaging. I have gained a focus and a new writing community. I will use the tools learned and the immersion experiences as long as I am able.”

Linda Muller, Iowa City, USA.

Crime, mystery, women's fiction, magic realism, fantasy, travel, memoir, poetry and creative non-fiction, 'Ireland Writing Retreat' has attracted successful authors in these genres to teach those wishing to learn the challenging craft of good writing . 

These  award-winning authors  accomplish their task not through general lectures on theories of writing and editing that can be easily read in one of the many garden variety ‘Guide-to-Writing’ books, but through practical, hands-on teaching techniques including individual critiques of participant's own work completed before and during our week-long writing retreats. 

Not only, these authors also share specific details about their own professional experiences (including failures) in the tough world of publishing and book marketing. In so doing, they provide invaluable lessons on how participants can overcome many of the common difficulties they will probably face before succeeding in having their short stories, novels, poetry and memoirs see the light of day in print. 

“Thanks to Ireland Writing Retreat and to Sean Hillen for his invaluable editing skills and unwavering encouragement throughout the process. His support inspired me to push boundaries and explore new creative horizons. Retreat Co-ordinator Columbia provided unwavering support.

My recently self-published book, 'Wild Atlantic Way Anthology: Characters Along Ireland’s Majestic Coast Volume 1' has been receiving strong positive responses in local and regional newspapers.

I would like to express my appreciation and encouragement for others who want to embark on their writing journey with the support of Ireland Writing Retreat and Sean's expertise. I also enjoyed feedback from a diverse range of participants I met from all over the world; many remain good friends and supporters.

It is my hope that my book can inspire and resonate with readers.”

Mary Heeran  White, participant to Ireland Writing Retreat in Don egal and author of ' Wild Atlantic Way Anthology: Characters Along Ireland’s Majestic Coast Volume 1. '

“ This week was rich with local stories, informative and inspiring workshops with authors, interesting visits to traditional local sites, gorgeous landscapes, sunsets, songs and music. The people of Donegal are wonderful hosts including Sean and Columbia who welcomed us and co-ordinated and tutored a fabulous programme of events.  We were challenged to write every day and to discuss our writing with the other attendees. By the end of the week, we were sad to farewell the friends with whom we’d spent time and from whom we’d learned so much. Thank you, Sean and Columbia. It was all amazing. ”

Bridget Davidson, teacher, Dunedin, New Zealand.

“I came to the 'Ireland Writing Retreat' for inspiration and to become immersed in Irish culture. The experience was more than I hoped for. I'm leaving with the start of three new stories set in Donegal and new friends from three continents. It has enriched my writing and my life.” 

Laurie Wagner, Director of Development, Lighthouse Writers Workshop, Denver , Colorado

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Creative Writing Ink is run by Olive O’Brien, a writer and publisher.

Olive has a Masters in Journalism and previously worked as a features writer and news reporter at The Sunday Business Post and Mid-Day newspaper. Olive is also a regular blogger for hellomagazine.com…

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UCC Postgraduate courses

• Creative Writing

Course Outline

Course practicalities, why choose this course, requirements, fees and costs, how to apply.

30 Apr 2024

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• Taught Courses

Only you can write the book that you would like to write, be it a collection of poetry, or essays, or a novel, or a memoir… nobody else can write that book. The purpose of the MA in Creative Writing at UCC is to give you the tools to write the book waiting to be written, and many more after it. As well as honing the techniques and craft of creative writing, our MA is also designed to introduce you to the publishing industry, and prepare you for a variety of career options, including publishing and the creative arts.

Engaging on a weekly basis with published authors and publishing professionals, we will provide access to the community of writers that exists, both in the wider world and in Cork, with its thriving literary scene. This programme affords you time to write; it will introduce you to other emerging writers, and like-minded individuals on the same pathway as yourself. Ultimately we aim to empower you to connect with your most creative and productive self.

This MA Creative Writing programme is offered by the Department of English which is part of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences ( CACSSS ) at UCC.

Our Department of English treats writing as a living, evolving practice: students taking the course will read and write in a context in which literature is being performed, transformed and adapted, and in doing so offer you a safe space to learn, to practice, and to develop your craft towards inventive and authentic forms of expression. The course as a whole encourages and supports a full exploration of the creative self while also maintaining a strong vocational emphasis.

Directed by IMPAC longlistee Dr Eibhear Walshe , all of our courses are embedded in Cork’s thriving artistic scene, rooted in expert practice and taught by highly accomplished professionals.

A rich variety of modules are available covering fiction, poetry, life writing, creative non-fiction, and reading creatively.

Additionally, the Business of Writing module is dedicated to the professional life of the creative writer, including work placements, and a series of visiting speakers (writers, agents & publishers) such as Mike McCormack, Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, Nicole Flattery, Lisa McInerney,  Tramp Press ,  The Stinging Fly , John Connolly, Will Keohane, Eimear Ryan, Róisín Kiberd, New Island Press and many more.

Writing and reading are intertwined as acts — opposite ends of an attempt to understand what it’s like to be in the world. Never has that been more important. Never has the world needed more writers, and more readers, and an over-arching guide to the UCC MA in Creative Writing’s approach is to foster such readers and writers in achieving their potential.

Part I (50 credits)

• EN6036  The Business of Writing (10 credits)

Plus choose 40 credits from the following:

• EN6031  Poetry I (10 credits)
• EN6032  Fiction Workshop: Serving the Idea (10 credits)
• EN6033  Writing the Self: Fiction & non-Fiction (10 credits)
• EN6042  Creative Writing Workshop (5 credits)
• EN6056  Reading the Novel Creatively (5 credits)
• EN6057  Writing for Other Media (5 credits) 
• EN6060  Poetry II: Mythology & Contemporary Poetry (10 credits)
• EN6061  Poetry Workshop (5 credits)

In order to ensure coherence and a good workload balance over the course of the programme, you will select modules in consultation with the programme coordinator and other members of the Board of Studies as appropriate. 

• EN6040  Dissertation in Creative Writing (40 credits)

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the  Academic Programme Catalogue  where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the  Book of Modules .

The MA in Creative Writing is taught on Mondays and Tuesdays during the Autumn and Spring Semesters (September to March). Seminar hours are approximately 6-8 per week and reading hours/writing assignments are likely to take a further 8 hours per week. The course involves a mixture of seminars, workshops, placement and writing practice, and students will work on self-reflexive essays and projects.

Our students are assessed continuously during the course, submitting specified creative work alongside commentaries on their own creative practice.

Part-time Option

This programme is taught during weekday working hours and evening hours over two years. 

After UCC I never looked back. I was treated as a writer by faculty and classmates. And so, I became one...

Tadhg Coakley, Graduate & author of The Game

"UCC’s MA in Creative Writing marked the start of my writing life. My first book came straight out of my dissertation & was published a year after my graduation. Now, six years later, I have had five books published & I’m working on number six. After UCC I never looked back. I was treated as a writer by faculty and classmates. And so, I became one."

UCC’s MA in Creative Writing helped me to develop my voice...

Molly Twomey, Graduate & author of Raised By Vultures

"UCC’s MA in Creative Writing helped me to develop my voice & to strengthen my editorial skills. Most importantly, it gave me access to a group of encouraging, kind & intelligent writers, some of whom I still send first drafts to today."

UCC’s MA in Creative Writing programme not only provided the opportunity to build a portfolio of work...

Mahito Indi Henderson, Graduate, author, & publisher with Skein Press

"UCC’s MA in Creative Writing programme not only provided the opportunity to build a portfolio of work, experiment with genre & receive guidance from renowned authors; it also provided a space for thinking about how writing & literature could become a viable career."

From UCC, I learned how writing can be put in the service of others…

Frani O’Toole, Graduate, author, & urban planner

"From UCC, I learned how writing can be put in the service of others… & can support & enliven whatever you choose to do… This is a faculty that thinks really seriously about writing & the community, & really brings people together."

I chose the MA in Creative Writing at UCC because the course has a specific focus on the crafting and development of each writer’s individual voice...

John McLeod, International Student

"I chose the MA Creative Writing at UCC because the course has a specific focus on the crafting and development of each writer’s individual voice, which is an aspect I had struggled developing. It also directly addresses the practical concerns of dedicating your life to writing, which is a focus that can be difficult to find at other universities. I was also really excited to step inside the rich literary tradition of Irish writing. The most rewarding aspect of the course was the sheer exposure to exceptionally kind and talented writers, from the teaching staff to guest speakers and workshop holders (writers, publishers, editors, agents, etc.), all of whom wanted to impart their experience to students in a safe and encouraging environment. Throughout the course, my confidence in drafting and developing my own creative work has increased exponentially. If I combine my continuous development with the wonderful network built throughout the course, I’d say my career path in creative writing has never looked brighter."

This Creative Writing MA programme will empower you in the honing and development of your craft as a writer; we will provide you with the tools and critical prowess to commence a career in writing and publishing.

Some of Ireland’s greatest writers have studied or taught at UCC, including Frank O’Connor, Sean O’Faolain, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, and John Montague, while more recently the Creative Writing programme boasts published graduates including Madeleine D’Arcy, Tadhg Coakley, and Laura McKenna. Notable writers associated with UCC include Mary Noonan, Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh, Thomas McCarthy, Sean Dunne, Paul Durcan, Theo Dorgan, and Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin.

The School of English hosts an annual Writer-In-Residence and holders of this prestigious post have included Mary Morrissy, Claire Keegan, Danielle McLaughlin, Thomas Morris, Eimear Ryan,Danny Denton, Cathy Sweeney and Matthew Sweeney. In addition to this, we host a reading series that has included guests such as Max Porter, Jackie Kay, Kevin Barry, Claire-Louise Bennett, Conor O’Callaghan, Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, Nuala O’Connor, Brian Turner, John Banville, and Zadie Smith.

Finally, outside of our for-credit modules, we also run series of optional craft-specific masterclasses from writers such as Dónal Ryan, Catherine Ryan Howard, Victoria Kennefick, Olivia Fitzsimons, Sean Williams and many others.

We encourage and support a full exploration of the creative self while also maintaining a strong vocational emphasis, sustaining and supporting a life-long relationship with writing.

Skills and Careers Information

This MA will provide an excellent foundation for a variety of writing and publishing careers, including authorship across a range of forms and styles, journalism, teaching, publishing, and arts administration.

The design of the MA fosters contacts with agents, publishers, and the professional world of the creative industries; it also produces well-crafted writing in one (or more) of the forms of creative writing.

Students experiment with, engage with, and reflect on a diversity of writing practices and establish an awareness of the role of technique and craft in their own work. They also learn how to interact with peers on an editorial level, and to understand the importance of editing and revision in the process of writing. Developing appropriate research methods and recording processes of self-reflection are also key components of the MA, encouraging students to reflect upon and discuss the conceptual challenges of the creative process, key contexts, and practical concerns. Finally, the MA fosters in its students an understanding of the practical constraints and professional opportunities of life as a writer, and a lifelong relationship with the written word.

Applications will be considered from graduates of all disciplines. Applicants will normally have a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or above, in any discipline. For North American students a cumulative GPA of 3.2 is normally expected. Applicants with relevant writing or arts experience (eg. working in publishing, journalism or arts administration) are also invited to apply.

All applicants will be asked to submit a short piece of creative writing (of 1000 words (any genre). This piece of creative writing will be used by the teaching team to evaluate each applicant's suitability. Further examples of the applicant's work may be requested.

For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison  page.

International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

• In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
• Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office .

English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements  page for more information.

Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2024/2025

See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.

Deposits 

If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.

Fee payment 

Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

How can I pay? 

See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.

Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page .

1. Check dates

Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

2. Gather documents

Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal  and include:

• Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
• Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

3. Apply online

Apply online via the  UCC online application portal . Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Additional requirements (all applicants).

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
• Describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
• Submit a short portfolio (no more than 1000 words) of your creative writing. This can be in the form of a poem/poems, a short story or an extract from a novel, or an excerpt of memoir.
• Detail your computing/technical/IT skills.
• Add the name and email addresses two referees.

Please note that successful EU applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of €500 on acceptance of their place.

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 1 May 2024. Early application is advised.

Contact Details For This Course

• Dr Eibhear Walshe
• [email protected]
• +353 (0)21 490 2584
• http://creativewritingucc.com/
• Mr Danny Denton
• [email protected]
• +353 (0)21 490 3292

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Creative writing workshops events in Dublin, Ireland

Creative Poetry Workshop

Sat, Jul 6, 10:00 AM

Ardgillan Castle and Demesne

Hugh Lane Gallery Poetry Workshop on the Life and Work of Francis Bacon

Sat, May 11, 2:00 PM

Hugh Lane Gallery

Creative Tech Workshop

Tue, May 21, 2:00 PM

Tallaght Library

The Poetry of Dance for Brain Health

Wed, May 22, 11:00 AM

CREATIVE HANDBUILDING WORKSHOP (2 HOURS)

Sunday at 11:00 AM + 7 more

Arran Street East School of Pottery

Speechwriting: Crafting your speech for a special occasion

Fri, May 10, 9:00 AM

Abbey Theatre

Teen Write Club

Tue, May 7, 5:00 PM

Ballyroan Library

Create an abstract composition using cut-outs shapes

Tue, May 21, 7:00 PM

The Circular & The Other Hand Bar

Tune In: Yoga & Meditation Course with Niamh Barry

Tue, May 21, 6:30 PM

The Great Big Giant Short Story Experiment -Sold Out (Waiting List Only)

Sat, Jun 22, 10:30 AM

The Studio, Level 1, dlr LexIcon

The Art of Hope - Acquired Brain Injury

Thu, May 16, 11:00 AM

Martin Klayver Workshop

Tue, May 14, 6:30 PM

Drop Studio

Self Care an Diary Comics workshop

Sat, May 11, 11:00 AM

Project Room, Level 3 (beside Gallery) : dlr LexIcon Gallery

The Art of Living – Younger Onset Dementia

Bollywood Dance Workshop- ABCD

Sun, May 19, 1:00 PM

Mind The Step

Create Your Own Vulva Workshop (inc tea+coffee)

Thu, May 30, 6:00 PM

This Must Be The Place

CULTURE DATE WITH DUBLIN 8 FLORAL WORKSHOP

Sun, May 12, 4:30 PM

59 Patrick St

Sun, May 12, 11:00 AM

The Poetry Line Live At Bealtaine

Wed, May 22, 7:00 PM

National Library of Ireland

SPARK JOY: Reconnect with what makes you feel alive

Sat, May 18, 3:00 PM

Mandala Yoga Dublin

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Creative Writing - MA

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Read instructions on how to apply

Register your interest here for more information or to be notified when applications are open.

Brief Description

This programme is available full-time over one academic year or part-time over two years. It enables students to develop their Creative Writing skills through consideration of the work of established writers; through study of the many aspects of a piece of successful Creative Writing; through assignments that foster strategies for revision of work; and through an understanding of the requirements of the redrafting, submission and publication processes

The University of Limerick offers a Master of Arts in Creative Writing. Our Chair of Creative Writing is Prof Joseph O’Connor (author of nine novels including Ghost Light, The Thrill of it All, the million-selling Star of the Sea, and Shadowplay, winner of the Novel of the Year Award  at the 2019 Irish Book Awards, shortlisted for the UK's prestigious Costa Novel Award, 2020). Our outstanding teachers include twice Booker-Prize-longlisted Donal Ryan, (author of The Spinning Heart, From a Low and Quiet Sea and Strange Flowers), widely acclaimed Rob Doyle (Here Are the Young Men and This is the Ritual), and Irish Book Award nominee Prof Sarah Moore Fitzgerald (The Apple Tart of Hope and A Strange Kind of Brave), internationally published Young Adult author and lecturer on self-motivation for writers.

Our Creative Writing students enjoy teaching-visits and readings from outstanding contemporary authors. Visitors to UL Creative Writing have included Colum McCann, Anne Enright, Louise O’Neill, Claire Keegan, Melatu Uche Okorie, Colin Barrett, Anna Carey, Paul Lynch, Christine Dwyer Hickey, Sarah Davis-Goff, John Boyne, Kit de Waal, Kevin Barry, Mary O’Malley, Sara Baume, Liz Nugent, Marian Keyes, Sinead Gleeson, Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Ford and Laureate for Irish Fiction Sebastian Barry.

Students gain practical experience through working on our literary journal The Ogham Stone, through meeting publishers, editors and literary agents, and in the preparation of their dissertation portfolios.

For dissertation, recent students have offered work across a range of creative genres, from memoir to short stories, chapters of novels, collections of poems and song lyrics. Our Creative Writing student cohort is always diverse and has attracted students from the United States, Puerto Rico, Australia, Brazil, India, South Africa and the UK as well as wider Europe and Ireland. Mature students are always a welcome part of our MA class.

Local literary attractions include the Limerick Literary Weekend in Honour of Kate O’Brien; the Doolin Writers’ Weekend, the Eigse Michael Hartnett Poetry Arts and Literary Festival; Cuisle, the Limerick International Poetry Festival, the Ennis Book Clubs Festival, and the world-famous Listowel Writers' Week in north County Kerry.

Full time Programme:

Part time Programme:

How to Apply Applications are open for the MA in Creative Writing for Academic Year 2023/4. We do not operate a deadline; instead we close applications when the class is full. Generally we accept a maximum of 24 applicants. Many applicants for our Creative Writing MA have a first or second class Level 8 honours degree (NFQ or other internationally recognised equivalent) but application is open to everyone, including applicants who do not have a primary degree but have what might be considered equivalent experience, perhaps in the arts, publishing, bookselling, writing, creativity or some related activity. Please note, we always receive more applications than we have places to offer.

Applicants must accompany their formal online application with a 3,000 word sample of their creative writing (this can be one single piece or several pieces totalling 3,000 words) and a one-page letter setting out why they would like to work with us on our MA programme as opposed to the many other Creative Writing MA programmes now available.

Previous experience of Creative Writing workshops is helpful.

The Application Portfolio is assessed by a small committee of staff, who judge submissions on their originality, technique, and readability.  Please note that we are not in a position to offer feedback to applicants who are not offered a place.

Applicants must satisfy the English Language Requirements of the University. 

Visit www.ul.ie/graduateschool/prospective‐students for details.

Applications should be submitted online. Further details can be found here: www.ul.ie/graduateschool

Admission will also be based upon a piece or pieces of creative work up to 3000 words submitted by the student as part of the application process. This might be a novel extract, a short story, a set of poems or a screenplay. This creative work will be assessed by a small committee of staff, who will judge submissions on their originality, technique, and intellectual rigour.

What to include with your application

• Qualification transcripts and certificates
• Supporting Statement
• English language qualification if English is not your first language
• A copy of your birth certificate/passport
• If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice

If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided: • English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts AND • English language competency certificate

For more information  Click Here

EU - €4,328 per annum

Non- EU - €10,100 per annum

EU - €8,002

Non- EU - €18,800

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email [email protected]. )

Recent graduates of our Creative Writing MA have been published nationally and internationally and have won or been short-listed for major literary prizes, including the prestigious Hennessy New Writer of the Year Award, the RTE Francis McManus Award, the Listowel Writers’ Week Bryan MacMahon Short Story Award, the Arts Council Next Generation Award and the Irish Writers’ Centre Novel Fair Award

Pippa Slattery, MA Creative Writing 2020/21

“My confidence in my writing has also developed immensely. Because of the MA, I now feel like I’m on my way to becoming an author, not just a writer.”

William Keohane

“If you love writing, I would encourage you to pursue it. This MA is the perfect way to do that.”

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Graduate and Professional Studies

+353 (0)61 234377 University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

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9 Universities in Ireland offering Creative Writing degrees and courses

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Are you looking for Creative Writing courses? Here you can find course providers offering full-time, part-time, online or distance learning options.

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University of Galway

THE World Ranking: 301

University of Limerick

THE World Ranking: 401

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University College Dublin

THE World Ranking: 201

University College Cork

Dublin City University

Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin

THE World Ranking: 134

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Workshop: Tween Creative Writing Group

Bring your imagination to our writing group, where we will write together on different topics each month. The library will provide notebooks, pencils, writing prompts and snacks. For ages 9–13.

Read & Write

Discover new titles, share inspiring works and participate in challenges and contests. 

This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Attending Programs

For questions about the program or help registering, contact  [email protected] .  All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted.  All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL or language interpretation), call (415) 557-4557 or contact  [email protected] . Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

Notice: This event may be filmed or photographed. By participating in this event, you consent to have your likeness used for the Library’s archival purposes and promotional materials. If you do not want to be photographed, please inform a staff person or the photographer. A sticker will be provided to help identify you so that we can avoid capturing your image.

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The views and opinions expressed in programs presented by groups unaffiliated with SFPL do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SFPL or the City.

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EMCC STUDENTS PLACE IN STATEWIDE CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST

April 30, 2024

Two East Mississippi Community College students placed in the 2023-24 Mississippi Community College Creative Writing Association’s (MCCWA) annual workshop and contest.

Students from community colleges across Mississippi competed in categories that included Creative Nonfiction, Dramatic Writing, Literary Essay, Poetry and Short Fiction.

EMCC student Elizabythe McBeth took second place in the Short Fiction category for her piece titled “Faded Footprints.”

“It’s like me walking back through my grandparents’ house,” McBeth said. “I would stay with them, along with my two cousins. It was kind of reminiscing about that.”

Arin Franks poem, “Creating for You” earned second place in the Poetry category.

McBeth is a Columbus native who is taking general studies on EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus. She plans to enroll in the Mississippi University for Women’s Department of Baccalaureate Nursing once she graduates from EMCC.

Franks is a Springville, Alabama native who resides in Columbus. She graduated from EMCC last year with majors in political science and English. She is enrolled at Mississippi State University where she is studying pre-law, with an eye towards enrolling at a law school. The MCCWA contest includes entries written in 2023 and early 2024.

Submissions by McBeth and Franks were written while taking EMCC humanities instructor Marilyn Ford’s Creative Writing class.

“Arin is an absolute wonderful poet,” Ford said. “She is a very introspective young lady and her poems are oftentimes about the evolution of self and that transitory time when we begin to try to figure out who we are in our teens.

Works by Franks and McBeth were also featured in EMCC’s magazine of creativity titled “Syzygy.”

The magazine highlights the works of EMCC students in categories that include Ceramics, Creative Nonfiction, Design, Short Fiction, Drawing and Poetry. Faculty advisors and judges choose the winning entries to be included in the magazine.

Franks earned first place in Poetry in the 2023-24 edition of “Syzygy,” while McBeth took top honors in the Short Fiction category. McBeth was also named the recipient of the Betty Killebrew Literary Award, which recognizes the top submission amongst all entries.

Other winners include Haidi Salihaj, who earned first place in the Design category, and Breelyn Smith, who took top honors in the Drawing Category. The winners were honored April 23 during Awards Day on the Golden Triangle campus when instructors recognized their “outstanding students” for the past year. McBeth was also recognized as the “Outstanding Creative Writing Student.”

“I am always pleasantly surprised by the quality of the submissions to our ‘Syzygy’ magazine each year,” Ford said. “This year was no different. We have some very talented students and I am proud of what they have accomplished.”

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"East Mississippi Community College has the nicest instructors that have helped me to grow and become a better student. Going to EMCC has brought me many opportunities to excel within the college.  I have made an incredible number of close friends here and an infinite amount of memoires that at East that I will bring with me when I transfer to a four year college."

"Being a first-generation student at EMCC is not a limitation, it's an opportunity to rewrite my family's story. Every class I attend, every assignment I complete, is a step towards a brighter future. I am a pioneer, and my determination will light the way for those who follow." 

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The Daily Iowan

Humanities seniors speak out about next steps

  In each of Jenna Mather’s writing and publishing classes at the University of Iowa, the vast majority of her classmates have been female-identifying.

Similarly, Mather, a third-year English and creative writing major graduating this May, noticed only one male-identifying student in her intern cohort at a New York City publishing press last summer.

The female domination of the authorship and publishing industry is not unique to Mather’s experience at the UI, however. Rather, it is an anecdotal representation of the broader gender breakdown of the publishing industry in the U.S.

A 2019 study conducted by Statista revealed that 74 percent of employees in the publishing industry — including the “Big Five” publishing houses Penguin/Random House, Hachette Book Group, Harper Collins, Simon and Schuster, and Macmillan — are cisgender women; cisgender men accounted for 23 percent, while nonbinary individuals accounted for less than 5 percent.

Despite the vast female majority, the same study indicated that cis men are more likely to hold executive positions over other positions in the industry, as 80 percent of the cis women employed are in lower-level marketing or public relations positions.

While Mather attends the last few writing classes of her college career, she is unsure that the predominant female demographic in her classes will translate into leadership roles after she turns the tassel at graduation in just a few weeks.

“There has been a lot of uncertainty because graduation is coming up,” Mather said. “I would love to have a job lined up when I graduate.”

Mather hopes to secure a job in marketing, communications, or writing positions after graduating. She has also applied to some remote positions as well.

Though she has found the hiring process to be taxing, Mather came prepared. This was in part due to her collegiate coursework and the extracurricular activities she engaged in while at the UI.

As a first-year, Mather served as both the social media editor and editor-in-chief of Ink Lit Mag , the UI’s only student literary magazine run by first-years. Then, she worked with the magazine Earthwords before returning to Ink Lit on the upperclassmen management team as an assistant publisher during her third and final year.

In addition to her work with literary magazines, Mather has also gained useful insight into the job market through her courses at the UI.

She cites the class, “Iowa Chapbook Prize: Publishing Practicum,” as one that gave her the most hands-on experience with the publishing process.

“We discussed submissions, and each person selected the one that they liked best. I also had to typeset, so I got experience working with InDesign, Photoshop, and other software like that,” Mather said.

Despite her publishing endeavors, however, Mather’s career goals have shifted as she learned more about the industry.

“I’m certainly interested in publishing — I love books, but I think my perspective on working in publishing has changed a little bit,” Mather said.

One of the major drawbacks Mather sees in the publishing industry is the overlap that would exist between her job and her creative work. She said it would be nice to have some separation of the personal and professional.

“I started seeking out more marketing and communications jobs, because then I’d still be learning skills and contributing my experience, but also kind of be separate,” Mather said.

Reflecting on the job hunting process as a whole, Mather said it wasn’t what she expected. Job opportunities are determined based on the relative job market, and creative markets are not currently in high demand, she said.

“It is not like engineering or business where employers are actively searching for you,” Mather said. “So you have to go out and be actively searching on all of the job sites and going to the career fairs. I feel like I expected it to be difficult, but maybe not as difficult as it is.”

Similarly, UI third-year Abby Bishop has used internship experience to pave her way to graduation. A double major in political science and English and creative writing, Bishop plans to graduate next winter.

Though Bishop doesn’t know exactly what the future has in store, she said, she has a strong background to rely upon. Last summer, she was a writing intern for Eco Stylist, a sustainable clothing company.

While in college, Bishop has been an active part of several creative writing and reading groups, allowing her to learn how to advertise both herself and her writing.

“It was nice to be a part of groups that showed me how I can get people to read my work outside of class,” Bishop said.

Bishop also found that many of her political science and writing workshop classes helped build skills applicable to her career. “Women in Gender Studies” was one particularly influential course.

“I learned about the barriers minorities face in college, it just really helped give me perspective and helped me look beyond school,” Bishop said. “I want to be able to use my skills to make the world a better place.”

Currently, Bishop hopes to learn about online journalism and copywriting to improve her writing skills. Eventually, she hopes to fulfill her dream of receiving a Master of Fine Arts in poetry. However, a graduate program wasn’t originally in the cards for Bishop before she came to the UI.

“I never even considered getting my master’s, but working closely with professors and being so close to the writer’s workshop really changed my perspective,” Bishop said.

UI graduates are continuing their education by studying 357 different fields at 351 universities from 2020 to 2022.

For UI fourth-year student Sabrina Lacy, graduate studies were the most appealing.

“It kind of developed over time — wanting to apply to grad school. From my first year through the first half of my third year, I thought I was going to apply for psychology graduate programs, whether that be an MA or a Ph.D.,” Lacy said.

Lacy will graduate in the spring with a double major in English and creative writing and psychology.

As she progressed through college, Lacy discovered she didn’t want to dedicate five to seven years of her life to studying psychology. She still enjoyed the subject but liked it more as a secondary interest instead of the main focus of her career.

“I realized that I like creative writing. I had an epiphany my junior year and I decided — I’m going to apply to graduate programs for creative writing,” Lacy said.

Lacy ended up applying to several graduate programs between December 2023 and February 2024. Since she was applying mainly to creative writing programs, many of them wanted 40-page-long writing samples. Alongside that, she also needed letters of recommendation, as well as a personal statement that could range anywhere from one to five pages.

Lacy’s biggest advice to those wanting to begin graduate school applications is to start working on them early. She also advises students to have trusted professors, as well as others applying to schools in the same department, who can look over their applications before submission.

Relying on the community around her has been the most helpful part of Lacy’s process, as the information she has learned both from her peers and on different programs’ websites aided her when solidifying which programs to apply to.

In the end, Lacy chose to commit to Ohio University, where she will earn her Master of Arts in fiction writing.

“I wanted to have the opportunity to experience a place different from here, getting involved in the creative writing community in other places,” Lacy said.

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