creative writing class seattle

For all writers.

If you love to read or write, there’s a place for you at hugo house..

Hugo House isn’t just a place. It’s a community.

Hugo House is a nonprofit literary arts organization that aims to make writing accessible. Everyone has a story to tell. Whether you’re a new writer wanting to learn, an experienced author seeking a supportive environment to share your work, or a reader looking for new books to love—at Hugo House, you’ll find ways to explore your creativity, whatever your interest or budget.

Registration for classes in winter quarter 2024 is now open. Register now!

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Learn with us.

Whether you’re struggling to write your first poem or have a few novels under your belt, Hugo House offers classes, workshops, and other programs to help you achieve your writing goals. Our classes are taught by published writers who are also stellar teachers. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. What they all have in common: a love of words.

Artist Statements for Creative Writers

Instructor: Lyzette Wanzer. Open to writers of all genres, students in this workshop will read, craft, and revise through several drafts of their artist statements for practical application with grants, author websites, residency and funding applications, and more.

Upcoming Events

Works in progress (virtual), write with hugo house with jeanine walker, write with hugo house with alma garcía, write with hugo house with miz floes, works in progress (in-person).

News & Insights

Leadership Transition at Hugo House

Jenne Hsien Patrick, 2023-24 Hugo Fellow Mid-Year Check In

Neena Viel, 2023-24 Hugo Fellow Mid-Year Check In

Celeste Chan, 2023-24 Hugo Fellow Mid-Year Check In

Adelle Dimitui, 2023-24 Hugo Fellow Mid-Year Check In

Featured free resource, open mic events.

Works in Progress is Hugo House’s semi-monthly writing open mic series inclusive of diverse formats. Read your work—poetry, fiction, essays, memoirs, plays, music, comedy, and more—and connect with your literary community.

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7 Best Creative Writing Classes in Seattle

Showing 7 courses that match your search.

Three-Day Critique Workshop

Cascade Writers

This workshop offers a unique opportunity for writers to submit up to 4000 words of their work for critique in a group setting, led by industry professionals including Arley Sorg and Cat Rambo. The program includes pitch sessions to an agent, one-hour workshops, and panel presentations on various writing and publishing topics. It's a chance to polish the first pages and chapters of your project, with optional casual gatherings to network with other writers, editors, and agents​​​​.

Website: https://cascadewriters.com/2024-three-day-critique-workshop/

Categories: Science Fiction and Fantasy

Start date:

Prerequisites: 4000 words of your novel, short story, or whatever project you are working on.

Business Writing: Proposals, Reports & Documents

Professional & Continuing Education

This 7-week online course is perfect for technical and non-technical professionals looking to advance their careers through well-crafted business narratives, proposals, and reports. With no formal admission requirements, it caters to individuals with foundational English writing skills and familiarity with style guides. The course, priced at $949, emphasizes clear, concise writing, document structure, audience consideration, and effective editing, requiring a weekly commitment of 7 to 9 hours.

Website: https://www.pce.uw.edu/courses/business-writing-reports-p...

Categories: Business

Open all year round

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Writing Children's Literature

Explore the enchanting world of children's picture books in this 9-week online course. Ideal for those keen on writing for children, it covers the unique challenges of this genre, blending text and illustration. You'll learn about story structure, narrative voice, and the art of revising work. The course promises practical experience in drafting a picture book, requiring a weekly commitment of 7 to 9 hours​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

Website: https://www.pce.uw.edu/courses/writing-childrens-literatu...

Categories: Kids

How to Write a Novel

Your story matters. Unlock your potential with daily video lessons from bestselling ghostwriter Tom Bromley, and finish your first draft in just 3 months. Learn more →

Fiction Writing: The Novel

Dive into the intricacies of novel writing with this 9-week online course. It's tailored for intermediate to advanced fiction writers working on novels or story collections. The curriculum includes enhancing prose, structuring novels, and creating compelling scenes, with an expected weekly commitment of 7 to 9 hours. The course emphasizes practical application, aiming to produce polished prose and a structured plan for your book​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

Website: https://www.pce.uw.edu/courses/fiction-writing-the-novel

Categories: Book and Fiction

Prerequisites: Experienced writers who are finishing (or currently working on) a publishable work.

The Art of Writing

This online course, spanning 9 to 10 weeks, is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their writing skills, from beginners to more experienced writers. Focusing on fundamental writing principles and practices, it covers key aspects like crafting strong sentences, showing versus telling, language refinement, and effective editing. The course, which is part of a certificate program, also delves into using strong nouns and verbs, maintaining tension, and amplifying conflict in writing.

Website: https://www.pce.uw.edu/courses/the-art-of-writing

How to Get Published

Seattle Writing Workshop

This one-day intensive workshop, scheduled for May 11, 2024, offers a comprehensive guide on getting published. Open to writers of all genres, it features classes on writing, publishing, and marketing, with options for one-on-one pitches to literary agents. It's an in-person event at the Seattle Convention Center, ideal for aspiring authors seeking publication​​​​​​.

Website: https://theseattlewritingworkshop.com/

Categories: Publishing

Screenwriting 101

Rekindle School

Taught by an independent Seattle filmmaker, this class covers the screenplay writing process, including structure, identifying target audiences, and marketing. Students will practice writing scenes and short scripts and receive feedback on their work. The course spans four Monday sessions at $150, offering practical knowledge and writing experience.

Website: https://www.classesandworkshops.com/writing-classes/class...

Categories: Screenplay

So you’re looking for creative writing classes in Seattle

Looking to sharpen your writing skills? You’re in the right place. Join a creative writing class in Seattle to get a headstart to finally finish that novel that you’ve been dreaming about for years.

This directory of the best writing courses in Seattle is meant to help you locate the right one for yourself.  We’ve included filters for price and genre so that you can quickly sort through the writing classes. And before you commit to any one writing class, consider the following questions:

• Who is the instructor?
• What is the price of the writing course?
• How far away is the writing course in Seattle? Is there a remote alternative?
• How long could the course last?

Got any questions about finding the right writing class in Seattle for you? Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] . Good luck!

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Latest News

• There’s still room in my Summer Writing Classes  and online writing classes . Sign up early to reserve your spot!
• Learn the secrets of the travel writing trade in my Travel, Food and Wine Writing Class in Burgundy (May, 2024).
• Take a look at my recent publications, All in a Spellbinding Ashland Weekend and All and Nothing: Inside Free Soloing , Baptism by Whitewater: Rafting the Salmon River .

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Writing Classes with The Writer’s Workshop

• Narrative Writing Classes

Have a compelling story? Want to learn the craft of narrative writing? Dr. Nick O’Connell teaches time-honored principles with a relaxed style in a sequence of four enjoyable Seattle writing courses, from nut graph to structure, from lead to climax.

Preview our Narrative Writing Classes

Travel Writing in Europe

This course uses all of an author’s skills—ranging from dramatic scenes, character sketches, concrete detail, point of view, and scene by scene construction—to compose compelling, engaging travel narratives.

Preview our Travel Writing Classes

• Online Writing Classes

Have you always wanted to write but needing a refresher course on the nuts and bolts of creative writing? Would you like to extend and enhance your writing techniques? If so, these online writing classes will help you communicate clearly and effectively in email, reports, letters, essays as wells as learning the art and craft of fiction and nonfiction narrative.

Preview our Online Writing Classes

Reviews from Past Students

I’m a 2007 Writer’s Workshop alum writing to thank you. I no longer live in the Seattle area, but recently received notification that I am a Fellowship Award Recipient to the Professional Wine Writers Symposium at Meadowood Napa Valley in February 2017. Thank you for the direction your workshop provided all those years ago, which guided me to my true North. While not easy, I found the courage to pursue what I love – writing – and in doing so, to find my voice.

GUESS WHAT!!!! Equus has accepted my article! OK, so they are only paying me $50, but I really don’t care about that. Thank you so much for helping me, Nick. I have really enjoyed and benefited tremendously from working through the writing process with you in this online writing class. Your comments and assignments kept me inspired and enabled me to write an article I had been thinking about for a long time. I don’t think that I could have done this without you. This is amazing! Just wanted to share the news!

Prior to taking Nick’s class, I had faced a deluge of rejections—79 alone, just for my book. He had to convince me that the essay I was writing for his class was appropriate for the “Lives” column of the Sunday Magazine section of The New York Times and encouraged me to submit it. “Too Close for Comfort” was accepted the day the editor received it and was published two weeks later. Is there a better endorsement for Nick’s teaching talents? I almost forgot–his obvious joy in craft and wonderful sense of humor.

Nick’s writing Seattle writing classes have been critical for me to get started as a professional writer. He teaches an excellent mix of craft and marketing–both of which are essential for successful writing. He taught me how to write a gripping lead, set the scene, and finish in a way that brings the piece full circle. On the marketing side, Nick willingly shares his own strategies for breaking into publications. I found his tips about querying editors, as well as his market insights, invaluable and have used them successfully in publishing my first essay–a story about my first car. I’m grateful for his encouragement of my career in writing. In the fall, I will study Creative Nonfiction at the University of Idaho’s MFA program. I’ll also be TA’ing and hope to model my teaching style on his!

It was 20 years ago you urged me to submit a story I’d written in your Seattle writing class to the Seattle Weekly . They published it in February 1993. Best money I ever made. I’ve been a journalist/ reporter ever since then all over the country, including the Hartford Courant . Thank you.

Nick, thanks so much for all your guidance and help: the classes, the feedback, and the positive attitude towards criticism all contributed to my successful book proposal. The structure of the class plus your positive spin on incorporating suggestions really altered my attitude. Given my lifetime history of a critical mother, that was some change!

The essay I wrote with your help is in this week’s issue of Newsweek . It is quite exciting – thanks for your help and encouragement in your online writing class. There is very little change from the original, so we must have done good!

Nick O’Connell, founder of The Writer’s Workshop, helped me with the concept for my book, Colors of the West , published in 2017 by Mountaineers Books. We worked together for six months on one of the chapters. Nick gave me valuable assistance with four drafts, which he read with care, offering detailed suggestions for crafting a lively non-fiction narrative. My book would not have gotten off the ground without his insights and experience!

Read more reviews

The Storms of Denali: Book Trailer with Nicholas O’Connell

Email or Call Today: (206) 284-7121

Have you always wanted to write but haven’t known where to start?

Have you written in the past but need a refresher? Are you an experienced author who wants to perfect and extend your technique?

We offer a wide variety of writing classes, including Seattle writing classes, travel writing classes and online writing classes to meet the needs of a wide range of writers. All of our instructors have extensive teaching and professional writing experience, allowing them to guide you through the sometimes bewildering world of newspaper, magazine and book publication. We provide expert, constructive criticism to help you master the art and craft of writing.

Find the writing class that’s perfect for you >

Meet your writing instructor Nicholas O’Connell

Hello & welcome!

Learn the secrets of narrative writing in my writing classes and:

• The Writer’s Workshop Review
• Narrative Writing Techniques

I look forward to working with you!

Nicholas O’Connell, M.F.A., Ph.D. Send me an email (206) 284-7121

Writing classes help writers tell compelling stories.

Reach a wide audience and satisfy some of your deepest yearnings for pattern, mystery, and coherence in your life.

Narrative writing allows for great scope and ambition, but it requires commitment to the habit of art to succeed. Our writing classes will help you develop your own habit of art, mastering the art and craft of narrative writing essential to creating fiction and nonfiction stories.

We teach  Seattle writing classes ,  travel writing classes  and a wide range of  online writing classes.

The forms of things unknown and the the poet’s pen…

There are only two or three human stories.

Just follow your hero.

For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth.

Get it down. Take chances.

One false word, one extra word…

The difference between the right word and the almost right word…

Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you.

It is wrong to have an ideal view of the world.

Writing a novel is a terrible experience.

Literature is nothing but carpentry.

Pleasure in a good novel…

…with luck and if you stated it purely enough, always.

• Travel Writing Classes
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Creative Writing

The Creative Writing program at Seattle University takes the stand that good readers make good writers. Rather than offering a stand-alone writing degree, the Seattle University English Department offers a literature-focused English major with a Creative Writing concentration in the belief that developing critical reading and analytical skills is essential to a writer’s evolution.

Program Benefits

• Literature-focused undergraduate English/Creative Writing degree
• Personal attention from faculty
• Classes in multiple genres
• Seattle University/Elliott Bay Book Company Reading Series
• Visiting writer/professors
• Fragments literary magazine
• Portfolio completion

Emphasizing the craft of writing and the close reading of classic and contemporary texts, Seattle University’s Creative Writing program includes core English classes in British, American and ethnic literature as well as writing courses in multiple genres, including fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, and playwriting or screen writing.

As a result Creative Writing students not only acquire experience writing creatively, they also hone their skills writing about the great works of literature they encounter as English majors.

Why study Creative Writing? To think outside the norm. To develop the ability to write with wit and grace. To learn to tell compelling stories. These are some of the great benefits of studying Creative Writing. Students who study English and Creative Writing develop strong research, reading and writing skills—skills that easily translate into careers in fiction writing, journalism, academia, marketing, advertising, and technical writing, as well as government, law and business. Learn more about career possibilities here .

Degrees offered:

• Bachelor of Arts in English/Creative Writing
• Bachelor of Arts in English/Creative Writing with  Departmental Honors
• English/Creative Writing minor

The Uniquely Seattle University Experience: Creative Writing Students English majors who read and respond to literature in class and in writing, and in the process learn to see how great writers make language work for them.

The program offers creative writing classes across genres including fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry and script writing as well as in special topics such as the graphic novel, science fiction, literary fiction, screenplay writing and others.

While Creative Writing students will have the opportunity to work closely with English and Creative Writing faculty in the English department, they will also have the chance to study with visiting professors from the Pacific Northwest’s vibrant artistic community. Visiting writers have included fiction writer Kathleen Alcalá, Washington State Poet Laureate Sam Green, comic/graphic novelist Peter Bagge, detective fiction writer Skye Moody, science fiction author Steven Barnes, and screenplay writer Stewart Stern.

As part of their program, students can acquire additional experience by contributing to the 50-plus-year-old Fragments literary magazine , attending literary readings at the nearby Elliott Bay Book Company, competing for the Gerald Manley Hopkins SJ writing prize, participating in internships at publishing companies, magazines and arts organizations, studying abroad  in Paris or Ireland and other locales, attending the opera and building portfolios of their work.

Students also will have the chance to become part of the dynamic cultural and literary community that thrives in Seattle, Washington.

Come join us! Contact Dr. Susan Meyers, Director, Creative Writing Program, Department of English, [email protected] .

Kate Koppelman, Ph.D. Chair 206-296-5476 [email protected]

Bridget Hrybiniak Senior Administrative Assistant 206-296-5420 [email protected]

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Writers Connection

Pacific northwest resources, pacific northwest resources, tacoma, gig harbor.

Greater Gig Harbor Literary Society Build community around the written word by fostering engagement between creatives and the broader public without marginalization and with fairness to all people, regardless of religion, race , ethnicity, national origin, gender, or gender identity; and encourage and empower artisans of the written word to thrive and grow in the craft of storytelling. We coordinate events for authors to sell books at local venues, including the Books & BBQ corner at BBQ2U and on the patio of Uptown’s Eye Candy Optical. As we launch more opportunities and tools for authors to interact with readers, you can find us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/910909713115967/ Larry Fowler, DL Fowler, Award Winning Author, (425) 677-5510, http://dlfowler.com

Creative Colloquy Writer events, open mic, and more   http://creativecolloquy.com/want-to-learn-more-2

Tacoma and Pierce County Library systems (includes Gig Harbor, Key Peninsula and more) offer excellent writer events. 

Kings Books , Tacoma,  Book clubs, open mics, poetry readings, and special writer/reader events (253) 272-8801

Tacoma Community College , Gig Harbor Phone (253)460-2424 Writing classes and the Write on the Sound writer's conference offered in November each year. FREE WRITERS ROOM 4-7 PM Tuesday evenings. Come write with others in silence.

RESOURCES SEATTLE and PUGET SOUND  

826 Seattle , a Nonprofit Writing and Tutoring Center 826 Seattle is dedicated to helping youth, ages 6 to 18, improve their creative writing skills. They are a chapter of a national program and offer after-school tutoring, workshops, field trips, in-school support, and publishing. They welcome volunteers.

Clarion West offers writing classes in Seattle and online, free cowriting sessions, and readings open to the community. Our flagship program is our Six-Week Workshop, held in the summer, for speculative fiction writers. We are committed to being accessible to as many writers as possible, and our community is diverse and international! If you want to learn more, please reach out. You can also check out our website here: https://www.clarionwest.org/ . Jae Steinbacher [email protected]

Elliott Bay Bookstore  has the most comprehensive list of author events in Seattle on their site. 

Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America . The mission of the GSRWA is to promote excellence in romantic fiction. One of their goals is to provide a place where writers can come for growth and support with monthly meetings in Bellevue.

Hugo House  fosters writers, builds community, and engages the Pacific Northwest in the world of writing. They have a multitude of workshops and events year-round.

King County Library System (KCLS) offers a variety of skills-based writing workshops and other programs for aspiring tween, teen and adult writers, most recently including: The North Bend Library hosts the Iron Horse Writing Group on a monthly, drop-in basis. https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?series=62bcc5bca627452f0045241f The Duvall Library hosts the Duvall Writing Group the last Wednesday of each month.  https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?series=6335d2f22f3290300047e806 We will also be hosting a variety of programs in November for NaNoWriMo, including weekly write-in sessions all November at the Woodinville Library. https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?q=nanowrimo https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/v2/events Jacqui Tom (she/her/hers), Librarian - Adult Services, King County Library System, Glacier Region Serving Carnation, Duvall, Skykomish and Woodinville 425.788.0733, [email protected]

Northwest Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America  MWA is the premier organization for mystery writers and other professionals in the mystery field, and the Northwest Chapter serves members of MWA that live in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. 

Pacific Northwest Writers Association . Foremost writers association in Seattle with annual conference, and monthly meetings, annual contest

Proofreader: An Ivy League educated proofreader: what so many books, especially those independently written, need today. Do you need help dotting the i's and crossing the t's before you send your cherished manuscript to the printer. I have years of experience proofreading books, newsletters, articles and blogs and can offer references. Contact at [email protected]  with subject PROOFREADING. 

Seattle Arts & Lectures   SAL’s 2012/13 Literary Series features an impressive lineup of distinguished authors. 

Seattle Central College offers continuing education classes in writing all genres in all different manners.

Seattle Free Lances  Founded in 1921, Seattle Free Lances is Seattle's oldest association for professional writers. "Rolodex of freelance and contract talent

Sisters in Crime  We are 3600 members in 48 chapters world-wide, offering networking, advice and support to mystery authors. We are authors, readers, publishers, agents, booksellers and librarians bound by our affection for the mystery genre and our support of women who write mysteries. 

The Society of Children's Book Writers & IllustratorsThe  SCBWI acts as a network for the exchange of knowledge between writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers and others involved with literature for young people. 

University of Washington School of Professional and Continuing Education  , nonfiction and fiction writing classes for beginners through advanced. 

The Writer's Workshop  The Writer's Workshop is an on-campus and online writing program based in Seattle, Washington. The Writer's Workshop offers classes in Creative Nonfiction, Nonfiction book, travel and fiction writing. Contact [email protected] (206-284-7121) for more info. 

Young Women Empowered We are putting on a 7 day free writing camp this summer called Y-WE Write for youth ages 14-19 who identify as a girl, nonbinary, trans, gender expansive, or gender diverse. We'll be taking over a whole floor of the Seattle downtown library with three different tracks; poetry, songwriting, and screenwriting. It'll be focused on writing out and releasing the stress that lives in our bodies to help us realign with our bodies, dreams, creation and joy. You can read all about it here: https://youngwomenempowered.org/our-programs/write/ . Additionally, we will be hosting a school year long writing program for youth.

OTHER PUGET SOUND COMMUNITIES

Washington state, and Puget Sound in particular, has a plethora of opportunities to develop their craft and connect with other writers. Here are a few, most of which offer writing classes.

BARN  (Bainbridge Island)  http://bainbridgebarn.org/studios/writers/   – (Writer’s section of BARN was formerly Field’s End). 

(Tacoma)  http://creativecolloquy.com/  

EPICGroup Writers  (Edmonds; connected with the Sno-Isle Edmonds Library and Write on the Sound Conference

Hedgebrook  http://hedgebrook.org

RASP http://www.raspread.com/index.html  Redmond, WA founded in 1997 to promote literary arts and activities.

The Writers’ Workshoppe  in Port Townsend, WA conducts writing workshops, has a large stock of titles on the art and craft of writing, and maintains extensive resources for teachers. Of Interest to Writers 

Liberty Bay Books, Poulsbo ;  King County Library System ,  Kitsap Library ,  Seattle Library System.

AND...          

For conferences, discover countless world wide in  Shaw's Guide.   Note that The Writers Connection does not endorse these conferences and highly recommend you research each one which holds interest

Writers Retreat “My wife and I have moved into a beautiful century home in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. Our home is located on Victoria lake in the core of the city. We are in the process of renovating a 1 bedroom unit (about 450 sq ft) and we have a vision of making it available for writers to come and retreat for writing getaway. It walks out into our beautiful gardens on the lake and is private from the rest of the house. I am a painter (visual artist) and have started doing some writing myself. We feel it is important to support the arts and in particular the arts of writing and painting and so we have decided to renovate with that in mind. We wish to keep the price to a minimum, far less than AirBnB prices. I am asking for advice on how to connect with writers' groups to offer our get away. Our city is a beautiful city with exceptional restaurants and world renown Stratford Shakespearean Festival.” Sal and Sandy Cucci [email protected]

Willamette Writers  Conference - Portland, Oregon

Oregon Writer's Colony  Non-profit literary organization dedicated to nurturing writing skills of the Oregon writer.

http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/courses/writing-and-communication/  A wealth of learning, classes and information. Contact Sarah Grace Del Rosario, Community Outreach http://opencollegesgroup.com.au/

InformED  /  Career Blog Twitter ,  Facebook,  Google + ,  Linkedin  

Copyright Elizabeth Corcoran Murray (EC Murray) 2022-2024

UW Youth & Teen Programs

Writers workshop for high school.

This course serves as an introductory-level creative writing workshop. You’ll explore and develop your own voice across various genres, including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, spoken word, visual or multimodal media and/or hybrid mediums. You’ll read, share and constructively critique each other’s work in a supportive writing community and build toward composing a final portfolio of creative work. The workshop culminates in a class reading that's open to family and friends. 

What You'll Learn

• How to write across multiple modes of discourse
• How to give and receive feedback one-on-one and with groups
• Strategies for exploring and developing your individual creative voice
• How to create a portfolio of your work

Who Should Register 

This course is for ninth to 12th graders who are interested in creative writing and eager to gather with peers to share inspiration, ideas and approaches to writing. Creative writing experience is not necessary. This course is not for those who need remedial writing help, and all students should have a high level of English language proficiency.

Jessica Holmes

More Information

This online course is taught via Canvas and/or Zoom video conferencing. Classes meet in real time and are not recorded. Activities are held both synchronously and asynchronously. To participate, you should have access to a computer with a high-speed internet connection, a headset and a webcam. 

See the Policies  page for details about registration, refunds, waitlists and more. 

Earn a Digital Badge

After participating in this course, you can claim a  Youth & Teen Programs digital badge  that you can share with prospective colleges, universities and employers and on social media.

Be boundless

Brought to you by UW Continuum College

© 2024 University of Washington | Seattle, WA

DON'T MISS OUT

Steamy in Seattle

May 10 3PM-5PM at Wisteria Hall Tea & Conversation with Fantasy Romance Authors L. Penelope and Melissa Marr A Clarion West Fundraiser!

On-Demand Classes

Building Trans Inclusive Worlds with SA Chant Explore how trans and nonbinary people exist in systems—legal systems, magic systems, & epic sci-fi bureaucracies alike.

April Class Highlight

Introduction to Writing YA Speculative Fiction with Diana Ma Tips, examples, and writing exercises to help you start your journey to writing speculative YA.

Workshops for people who are serious about writing

Clarion West is a nonprofit literary organization that runs an acclaimed six-week residential workshop every summer, online classes and workshops, one-day and weekend workshops, a reading series every summer, and other events throughout the year.

At Clarion West, you’ll be among award-winning and best-selling writers in science fiction, fantasy, games, horror, and more. Our workshops and classes are taught by world-class instructors from across the field of speculative fiction. Wherever you may be in your career, whether novice or sage, we offer a diverse listing of classes that is packed with valuable information to take your writing to the next level.

What is speculative fiction? There are as many definitions for speculative fiction as there are authors working under its broad umbrella. Learn more about how our community defines speculative fiction.

Our Mission

We support emerging and underrepresented voices by providing writers with world-class instruction to empower their creation of wild and amazing worlds. Through conversation and public engagement, we bring those voices to an ever-expanding community.

We aim to set writers on the path to success, foster greater equity and inclusion in the speculative fiction world, help bring quality speculative fiction to light, and bring writers and readers together.

Speculative fiction—science fiction, fantasy, horror, magic realism, and slipstream—gives voice to those who explore societal and technological change, along with deeper considerations of underlying archetypes of human experience. Although there are fine science fiction and fantasy writers of all ethnicities, races, and genders, historically the field has reflected the same prejudices found in the culture around it, leading to proportionately fewer successful writers of color and women writers than white male writers. Within the limitations of the workshop, Clarion West is dedicated to improving those proportions.

Looking for the Clarion West Six-Week Workshop? Every summer, the Six-Week Workshop offers time away from everyday distractions and encouragement to experiment and take artistic risks. The critique sessions are the heart of the workshop: students learn not only by receiving critiques, but by reading others’ work and constructing their own critiques. Instructors work directly with attendees to present group critiques of newly written stories, participate in discussions about writing techniques or professional concerns, and hold individual or small-group conferences.  Learn more about the Six-Week Workshop.

In addition, we offer instruction throughout the year with workshops and classes that vary in intensity, topic, and number of sessions. We invite prominent authors from across a broad range of speculative fiction to teach our classes and workshops. A few of our most recent instructors include N. K. Jemisin, Samit Basu, Cat Rambo, Ted Chiang, P. Djèlí Clark, Karen Lord, Daniel Abraham, Elizabeth Hand, Cadwell Turnbull, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Amal El-Mohtar, Nicola Griffith, Karen Joy Fowler, Kij Johnson, and Nisi Shawl. Learn more about our online classes and workshops.

You can support Clarion West’s mission to forge new voices in speculative fiction in many different ways.  Learn how you can get involved with the Clarion West community!

Latest News

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A Free Virtual Panel Saturday, June 8 at 11 am PST Four award-winning authors discuss the roots and future of feminist science fiction, with a…

Introducing the Clarion West Class of 2024!

The Clarion West staff and community are incredibly pleased to welcome a new class of 18 students to Seattle this summer! This year’s students hail…

Steamy in Seattle 2024

 A Fantasy Romance Tea Party Meet authors L. Penelope and Melissa Marr as they discuss the fantasy romance genre, their own fantasy worlds, and what…

The Salam Award and the Malik Family Sponsor Scholarships for Pakistani and Palestinian Students

We are pleased to announce that The Salam Award and Clarion West Week One Instructor Usman T. Malik (CW ‘14) have offered two new scholarships…

In Memory of Howard Waldrop

By Eileen Gunn Howard Waldrop (September 15, 1946–January 14, 2024) was a subgenre of fiction all by himself. In the 1990s, he was a stalwart…

In Memory of Terry Bisson

By Nisi Shawl Mama said there’d be days like this.  My friend Terry Bisson is dead and gone.  He was an author and editor extraordinaire,…

Connect with Clarion West!  Find us on Facebook  and  Instagram ,  watch our videos on YouTube , or  join our mailing list  for all the freshest news about our workshops, events, and alumni.

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Classes are online at this time. Many of the following classes are offered by our online educational partner , Ed2Go. Learn more by reading our Online Class FAQ . 

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   pacifica writers' workshop inspires and unleashes creativity for people of all ages., we provide creative writing opportunities through classes, workshops, camps, and tutoring. original curricula is written and taught by published authors and seasoned instructors., testimonials.

"Keep up the great work. The final class presentation was one of the only times I have seen my child get up in front of a crowd and look comfortable." – Parent, Mercer Island

"What a rewarding experience it has been for me! Not only have I made some new friends...I have overcome my fear of poetry. I can now read a poem with confidence that the beauty and meaning is in the eyes of the beholder…me!" - Poetry Workshop Participant, Seattle

“I loved the play at the end of the session! My kids were SO excited about it. They talked about it for weeks before, what props they needed, who was playing which part. The teacher was really nice and enthusiastic. Thanks!” – Laurie, Seattle

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Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA)

Creative Writing faculty

[email protected] 206-281-2727 Marston Hall  (2nd floor) Creative Writing (MFA) website

The catalog is temporarily unavailable

This program is not accepting new admits as of Autumn 2023.

The low-residency Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Seattle Pacific University is a creative writing program for apprentice writers who not only want to pursue excellence in the craft of writing but who also want to place their work within the longstanding conversation among writers of faith.  The spiritual dimension of this program is not intended to produce didactic, sectarian, or sentimental literature — far from it. Our intention is to assist you in developing a generative, dialogic relationship with the traditions that precede you, demonstrating how those very traditions are alive, and sustaining of spiritual inquiry.

That is to say that our program seeks to extend the tradition of Christian writing in which the highest standards of art, open-eyed exploration of human experience, and a respect for inexhaustible mystery come together to yield new and sustaining vision.

Specialization

You will specialize in one of four tracks — poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or spiritual writing: open genre. At the heart of any low-residency program is the fruitful relationship between mentor and apprentice. Writing is ultimately a solitary experience, so the rhythm of students sending packets of completed material and receiving feedback from faculty mentors is both appropriate and effective. This program allows you to maintain your current job and location while offering two stimulating and intensive residency periods each year in Washington state.

GRE scores are not required to apply to this MFA program, but you must have a bachelor’s degree and must submit official transcripts from previous school(s) attended.

Residencies

The Residencies are intensive and include:

• Classes on craft
• Readings and lectures
• Extended consultations with faculty mentors
• Art and Faith seminars

Faculty at the Residencies includes core faculty mentors along with a number of invited guest speakers — some of America’s most celebrated writers. 

You are required to attend five residencies over the course of two academic years.  The 10-day residencies take place in March and August.

Residency dates for the 2023–24 academic year:

• August residency:   August 3–13, 2023 
• March residency:  March 14–24, 2024

Winter residencies will be hosted at the beautiful Camp Casey Conference Center on Whidbey Island, about 60 miles north of Seattle. Summer residencies will be held at the SPU campus in the vibrant city of Seattle. The SPU campus is located near many lively walkable neighborhoods such as Fremont , Queen Anne , and Ballard .

Correspondence quarters

The relationship between students and faculty mentors is at the heart of the low-residency MFA program. You will engage in one-on-one correspondence with two mentors over the course of the program, studying with each for one year.

All students have two responsibilities: the creative writing project in a chosen genre and the reading list.

The creative project

During the academic quarter, you are responsible for generating three packets (at approximately three-week intervals). Each packet consists of the following:

• A cover letter  in which you share thoughts about the creative challenges you are facing.
• A segment of new or revised creative writing .
• Short annotations on several of the books you have been reading.
• When a critical paper is due, you will also include that document.

Mentors respond with detailed comments, pointing out strengths and weaknesses and suggesting fruitful avenues for further development. While most communication is handled through email (and, on occasion, paper mail), the program also utilizes Canvas  for basic document sharing and Facebook for discussion threads and community building.

The norm for low-residency MFA courses is for students to spend 25 hours per week on their work.

Reading list/critical essays

In close consultation with faculty mentors, you formulate a course of reading. Readings are chosen from two categories:

• Classic works from the longstanding and ever-broadening literary tradition.
• Modern and contemporary works, which serve as models and inspiration for your immediate needs.

Special emphasis is placed on gaining a deeper understanding of the classic works in your chosen genre. By the end of the two-year program, you will have read a minimum of 60 titles.

You will write one short critical paper (approximately seven pages in length) per quarter in preparation for your long critical essay (20 pages), due at the end of your fifth tutorial quarter.

In preparation for each residency, you will read two or more assigned texts from the Common Reading list as assigned. These texts are then studied and discussed during residency at Art and Faith seminars. Recent common readings include texts from these authors:

• St. Augustine
• Eugene Vodolazkin
• Annie Dillard
• Fyodor Dostoevsky
• Shusaku Endo
• James Baldwin
• Gerard Manley Hopkins
• Anna Kamienska
• Denise Levertov
• Cormac McCarthy
• Czeslaw Milosz
• Flannery O’Connor
• Walker Percy
• Richard Rodriguez
• William Shakespeare
• Alexandros Papadiamandis
• Evelyn Waugh
• Simone Weil

Graduation requirements

• Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or spiritual writing.
• And you will complete a thesis under the direction of a faculty mentor.
• A student may study two tracks, but only by adding a third year in the program; the student may apply for this after completing one full year of study and demonstrating excellence in a primary genre.
• You will complete a creative manuscript (i.e., a collection of poems, short stories, essays.)
• In close consultation with faculty mentors, you will formulate a course of reading . By the end of the two-year program, you will have read a minimum of 60 books.
• For each of the first four tutorial quarters, you complete a short critical paper on a subject relevant to your chosen course of study. In the fifth tutorial quarter of the program, you will complete a long critical paper.
• Recommendation for the degree can be made only after the successful completion of at least six quarters of work and five residencies (64 graduate credit hours), as well as the approval of the program director and faculty mentor.
• During the final residency, you will give a public reading of your work.

Admission requirements

To qualify for admission consideration, prospective students must turn in an online application packet to the Graduate Admissions . Please bear in mind the following things:

• You may begin the program during either of the 10-day residencies, the winter residency in March or the summer residency in August.
• We accept applicants on a rolling basis.  Apply before November 1 to begin the program at the residency on Whidbey Island the following March. Apply before May 1 to begin the program at the residency at the SPU campus in Seattle that upcoming August.
• The creative manuscript will be given special emphasis. You must submit 25 to 30 double-spaced pages of prose in your chosen prose genre — fiction, creative nonfiction, or spiritual writing — or 10 pages of poetry, if poetry is your selected track. (In the case of prose, you must decide whether to send an excerpt of a longer manuscript or stories or essays that fall within the page limit.) The steering committee does not accept fiction applications with writing samples that are in genre fiction (science fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery, western, etc.).
• You must also submit a three- to four-page (double-spaced) personal essay describing your development as a writer and as a person of faith.
• Three letters of recommendation must be submitted. Two should be focused on your abilities as a writer; one should touch on your academic achievements.
• A $50 nonrefundable application fee is required and cannot be waived.

*Applicants may apply in only one track to enter the program, but may apply for a third year of study in an additional genre track upon the successful completion of the first year. Though GRE scores are not required, all applicants should have a bachelor’s degree and must submit official transcripts from all previous school(s) attended.

We also have modest,  partial, merit-based scholarships to assist outstanding applicants. There is no separate process to apply; all admitted students will be considered for aid. 

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Young Writers

Lighthouse's Young Writers Workshops are designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and excitement about writing. There are no grades here, just the stories. We offer workshops at Lighthouse including afterschool and weekend workshops, the Young Authors Collective, and summer camps, as well as youth outreach in schools, at juvenile residential treatment centers, and in collaboration with other arts organizations.

For the latest on workshops and events,  sign up for our Young Writers Program e-newsletter . 

Lighthouse connects kids and teens to words, new friends, and a writing community. We offer workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, screenwriting, and many other genres and topics. Our classes are taught by published authors and are designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and excitement about writing.

Summer Writing Camps

Lighthouse's Young Writers Camps are led by published and award-winning writers, and each workshop is designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and excitement about writing in young writers aged 8 to 18. Registration for half-day camp and applications for full-day camp will open on January 1, 2019.

School Outreach

The Young Writers Program offers creative writing workshops in public and private schools as well as juvenile residential treatment centers throughout the Denver metro area. Led by working, published writers with a passion for sharing their craft, our outreach workshops provide access to our innovative creative writing programming for young people who cannot come to Lighthouse.

The Young Authors Collective, or YAC, is a group of talented, word-obsessed high school writers dedicated to experimenting with new creative forms, collaborating with other arts organizations, and writing a ton. We meet once a week at Lighthouse to generate new pieces, give friendly feedback, and work towards publication.

Support Young Writers

Our Future Scribes Depend on Your Support. Nearly all of the workshops and projects that will engage 2,300 students this year are free to attend, and for the sessions that do have tuition, such as summer writing camp, financial aid is available for any student who needs it. We want all young people who want to write to be able to do so and for them to be nurtured by the best instructors and mentors available. This only happens with the support of generous donors like you.

The 2024 Seattle Writing Workshop

Get your writing published: may 11, 2024, the 2024 seattle writing workshop: may 11, 2024.

This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (200 total). All questions about the event regarding schedule, details and registration are answered below. Thank you for your interest in the 2024 Seattle Writing Workshop! We are very proud of our many success stories where attendees sign with agents following events — see our growing list of success stories here .

(Please note that this is an in-person event. We at Writing Day Workshops plan both online/virtual as well as in-person events. This next SWW is an in-person event happening in Seattle on May 11, 2024. See you there.)

WHAT IS IT?

This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the Seattle Marriott Bellevue. In other words, it’s one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome.

This event is designed to squeeze as much into one day of learning as possible. You can ask any questions you like during the classes, and get your specific concerns addressed. We will have literary agents onsite to give feedback and take pitches from writers, as well. This year’s agent and editor faculty so far includes:

• literary agent Kesia Lupo (The Bindery)
• literary agent Katie Reed (Andrea Hurst Literary)
• literary agent Lisa Gouldy (Corvisiero Literary)
• literary agent Adria Goetz (KT Literary)
• literary agent Alisha West (Victress Literary)
• literary agent Kelly Bergh (Lucinda Literary)
• literary agent Jynastie Wilson (LCS Literary Services)
• literary scout Rae Loverde (Donald Maass Literary Agency)
• literary agent Leslie Varney (Prentis Literary)
• literary agent Micah Brocker (Corvisiero Literary)
• literary agent Kate Rogers (K.O. Media Management)
• literary scout Kate MacGregor (MacGregor & Luedeke Literary)
• literary agent Scott Eagan (Greyhaus Literary)
• editor Tess Jones (Egret Lake Books)
• and possibly more to come.

By the end of the day, you will have all the tools you need to move forward on your writing journey. This independent event is organized by coordinator Chuck Sambuchino of Writing Day Workshops , with local help with the amazing Seattle Writers Meetup . E-mail Chuck to register for the event at [email protected] and tell him you’re interested in the Seattle event specifically.

EVENT LOCATION & DETAILS:

9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, May 11, 2024 — at the Seattle Marriott Bellevue, 200 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004.

THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS (MAY 11, 2024):

What you see below is a quick layout of the day’s events. The topics below are mostly set, but subject to change. You can see a more detailed layout of the day’s classes on the Schedule Page here .

Please Note: There will be 2-3 classes/workshops going at all times during the day, so you will have your choice of what class you attend at any time. The final schedule of topics is subject to change, but here is the current layout:

8:30 – 9:30: Check-in and registration at the event location.

BLOCK ONE: 9:30 – 10:30

1. Revising the Memoir Manuscript . While revision is vital for any genre, in addition to meticulous attention to writing craft, memoir writers must navigate unique challenges and more complicated personal considerations.

2.Knock ’em Dead: Tips on Writing Mystery, Thriller, and Crime . Beginning with understanding the kind of novel that will be the best vehicle for your idea (mystery vs thriller?), this workshop will help you develop your own best process to write your book, offer tips on staying focused, and give pointers on effective editing.

3. Understanding the Publishing Industry in 2024 — From Hybrid Publishing to Artificial Intelligence and Everything in Between. How are traditional publishing and self-publishing changing? What kind of writer is attractive to an agent currently? What is hybrid publishing? How will A.I. (artificial intelligence) help or hurt writers in the years to come? All these questions, and more, will be addressed during the speech.

BLOCK TWO: 10:45 – 11:50

1. Getting (Traditionally) Published by Small and University Presses . There’s a lot you need to know, to find, target, prepare, and submit to these publishers. Learn what’s expected, what not to do, and how to increase your chances for success with these publishers that value high quality literary work above platform, prior sales, and bestseller potential.

2. Everything You Need to Know About Agents and Query Letters . This workshop is a thorough crash course in dealing with literary agents, and giving yourself the best chance of snagging one.

3. Outlines For Pantsers: How to Outline Your Book Even When You Don’t Enjoy It . This workshop will show how to chart your story with an outline grid that gives you the freedom to write part of your story where you feel like it today.

(What you see here is a quick layout of the day’s events. See a full layout of the day’s sessions, with detailed descriptions, on the official Schedule Page here .)

LUNCH ON YOUR OWN: 11:50 – 1:15

Lunch is on your own during these 85 minutes.

BLOCK THREE: 1:15 – 2:30

1. “Writers Got Talent”—a Page 1 Critique Fest (Fiction and Memoir) . This is a chance to get your first page read (anonymously — no bylines given) with attending agents commenting on what was liked or not liked about the submission.     2.  How to Sell a Nonfiction Book . This session is completely devoted to nonfiction book proposals.

3. Write Picture Books That Sell: Avoid the Top 10 Picture Book Pitfalls . In this workshop you’ll gain a better understanding of the picture book market, its challenges and opportunities, and what agents and publishers currently seek.

BLOCK FOUR: 2:45 – 3:45

1. Open Agent Q&A Panel. Several attending literary agents will open themselves up to open Q&A from SWW attendees. Bring your questions and get them answered in this popular session.

2. The Five Things I Wish I Knew Before I Was Published . In this speech, a published author helps you navigate the challenges that lie ahead by sharing advice on patience and perseverance, the importance of developing craft, the value of networking, and more.

3. An Agent Explains the Editing Process . In this class, you will learn how to Be a good self-editor, how to tighten your writing, and how to avoid “manuscript killers” that keep you from a stellar manuscript.

BLOCK FIVE: 4:00 – 5:00

1. How to Market Yourself and Your Books: Talking Author Social Media, Blogging, and Platform . Whether you’re traditionally published or self-published, everyone could use some helpful guidance on how to effectively market themselves and sell more books.

2. So You Have an Agent or Book Deal — Now What? This session will explain what to expect in the submission process, what it’s like to work with a publishing house editor, how to sell multiple books in your career, and much more.

3. Writing Young Adult and Middle Grade in an Ever-Changing World of Technology . Technology and social media figure heavily in the lives of today’s teens. How do you write what’s current without it going out of style before your publication date?

SESSIONS END: 5:00

At 5 p.m., the day is done. Speakers will make themselves available by the workshop’s bookstore for a short while to sign any books for attendees.

Agent & Editor Pitching: All throughout the day.

————-

PITCH AN AGENT OR EDITOR:

ADDED ONLINE PITCHING : To ensure that writers have a robust and diverse lineup of agents & editors to pitch, 2024 Seattle Writing Workshop attendees will have the ability to also pitch literary agents at the Writing Day Workshops *online* event that follows the 2024 SWW on our calendar.

That event is the Pittsburgh Writing Workshop , May 31 – June 1, 2024, which will have 30-40 agents taking one-on-one Zoom virtual pitches.

This means that 2024 SWW attendees can have access to pitching all those online PWW agents — pitches still at $29 each — without being a formal registrant for the online May/June 2024 event. (That said, if you want to formally register for the Pittsburgh conference and have access to all classes and panels, let us know, as there is a discount for confirmed Seattle attendees.)

If you are interested in this added pitching opportunity, the first step is to get formally registered for Seattle. Following the SWW conference on May 11, 2024, we will be in touch with all Seattle attendees and ask them if they want to partake in pitching online agents at the 2024 PWW (May 31 – June 1) . At that time, you can communicate your pitch requests and purchase meeting time.

        More 2024 agents to be announced as they are confirmed. You can sign up for pitches at any time, or switch pitches at any time, so long as the agent in question still has appointments open.

These one-on-one meetings are an amazing chance to pitch your book face-to-face with an agent, and get personal, individual feedback on your pitch/concept. If the agent likes your pitch, they’ll request to see part/all of your book — sending you straight past the slush pile. It also gives you an intimate chance to meet with an agent and pick their brain with any questions on your mind.

(Please note that Agent/Editor Pitching is an add-on, separate aspect of the day, for only those who sign up. Spaces are limited for these premium meetings, and pricing/detail is explained below.)

———

$199 — EARLY BIRD base price for registration to the 2024 SWW and access to all workshops, all day. As of fall 2023, registration is now OPEN. To register, just email [email protected] and say you want to sign up for the Seattle event.

Add $29 — to secure a 10-minute one-on-one meeting with any of our literary agents or editors in attendance. Use this special meeting as a chance to pitch your work and get professional feedback on your pitch. (Spaces limited.) If they wish, attendees are free to sign up for multiple 10-minute pitch sessions at $29/session — pitching multiple individuals, or securing 20 minutes to pitch one person rather than the usual 10. Here are four quick testimonials regarding writers who have signed with literary agents after pitching them at prior Writing Day Workshops events. (Our bigger, growing  list of success stories an be seen here .)

Add $69 — for an in-depth, personal critique of your one-page query letter from Chuck Sambuchino, one of the day’s instructors. (This rate is a special event value for Seattle Writing Workshop attendees only.) Registrants are encouraged to take advantage of the specially-priced critique, so they can send out their query letter with confidence following the workshop. Also, if you are meeting with an agent at the event, you’re essentially speaking your query letter aloud to them. Wouldn’t it be wise to give that query letter (i.e., your pitch) one great edit before that meeting?

Add $89 — for an in-depth personal critique of the first 10 pages of your novel. Spaces with faculty for these critiques are very limited, and participating attendees will either 1) get an in-person meeting at the workshop, if the faculty member is attending the live event, or 2) get a 10-minute phone call with the faculty member, and have notes passed along via email, if the critiquer is not attending the live event. Options:

• Historical fiction, romance, young adult contemporary (in-person meetings): Faculty member Noelle Salazar , a published novelist, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you at the 2024 SWW for 15 minutes to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the in-person meeting.
• Inspirational fiction, romance, historical fiction (in-person meetings) : Faculty member Bronwyn Scott , a published novelist, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you at the 2024 SWW for 15 minutes to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the in-person meeting.
• Romance, mystery, thriller, adventure. historical fiction (in-person meetings) : Faculty member Wendy Kendall , a published novelist, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you at the 2024 SWW for 15 minutes to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the in-person meeting.
• Women’s fiction, contemporary/mainstream fiction, literary fiction, young adult, and memoir (virtual critiques) : Faculty member Kimiko Nakamura , a literary agent and writing coach, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• Children’s picture books and middle grade (virtual critiques) : Faculty member Brittany Thurman , a published author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting. If you submit a picture book, it must be 1,000 words or fewer (can have illustrations or not).
• Commercial women’s fiction, thriller/suspense, thriller with romantic elements, cozy mystery, YA thriller, young adult in general, middle-grade, literary fiction, and fantasy (virtual critiques) : Faculty member Amberly Finarelli , a former literary agent and current writing coach, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• Science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, young adult SFF, urban fantasy (virtual critiques) : Faculty member Wesley Chu , a published novelist, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss his thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• More critique options possibly forthcoming

How to pay/register — Registration is now open. Reach out to workshop organizer Chuck Sambuchino via email: [email protected] , and he will provide specific instructions for payment and registration to get you a reserved seat at the event. Payment is by credit card, PayPal, or check. Because Chuck plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Seattle workshop specifically.

REGISTRATION:

Because of limited space at the venue (Seattle Marriott Bellevue, 200 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA), the workshop can only allow 250 registrants, unless spacing issues change. For this reason, we encourage you to book sooner rather than later.

Are spaces still available? Yes, we still have spaces available. We will announce RIGHT HERE, at this point on this web page, when all spaces are taken. If you do not see a note right here saying how all spaces are booked, then yes, we still have room, and you are encouraged to register.

How to Register : The easy first step is simply to reach out to workshop organizer Chuck Sambuchino via email: [email protected] . Chuck will pass along registration information to you, and give instructions on how to pay by credit card, PayPal, or check. Once payment is complete, you will have a reserved seat at the event. The SWW will send out periodic e-mail updates to all registered attendees with any & all news about the event. Because Chuck plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Seattle workshop specifically.

Refunds : If you sign up for the event and have to cancel for any reason at any time, you will receive 50% of your total payment back [sent by check or PayPal]. The other 50% is nonrefundable and will not be returned, and helps the workshop ensure that only those truly interested in the limited spacing sign up for the event. (Please note that query editing payments and manuscript editing payments are completely non-refundable if the instructor has already edited your work.)

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Leslie Varney of Prentis Literary

She specializes in adult speculative fiction — science fiction and fantasy — for adults, young adult, and middle grade. Leslie has also established herself as a specialist in genre-bending fiction, enthusiastically representing authors whose works defy easy classification.

“It was never my plan to learn to read. In fact, I resisted it with all my five-year-old might, which was fairly significant. My favorite times were when my dad would read to me and I was afraid that when I learned to read myself, those lovely times would end. But my dad’s plan was different and his will was equal to mine. After many knock-down battles, and lots of Dick and Jane, I reluctantly learned.”

“I grew up during the mid-70s on my family’s hippie farm, situated in a small middle-class town in the Hudson Valley. This would have made me unique in any case, but the fact that we had no television was downright bizarre. While all my friends were watching re-runs of the “Brady Bunch” (again), I was re-reading “A Wizard of Earthsea” (again). Or “Watership Down”, “A Wrinkle in Time”, “The Crystal Cave”, whatever was around. Luckily for me, there were always books around. And, since my dad’s favorite books tended to the fantasy and science fiction genres, my house was a fantastic playground of interesting ideas and wonderful stories. I was known as the weird kid who always had a book with her. If you couldn’t find me, I was probably hiding in Oz. Instead of doing my boring chores, I was Laura Ingalls Wilder, and her chores were exciting frontier adventures! There were no limits when it came to stories and there was always somewhere wonderful to visit.”

“I am pleased as punch that now I get to help authors bring new worlds, new ideas, and new magic to the literary world. I will always love the oral story-telling tradition, but my appreciation for the written work knows no bounds and I love being a part of bringing that passion to new readers. It turns out that my dad’s plan was better than mine after all.”

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Micah Brocker of Corvisiero Literary

Micah has spent the last five years in the business world helping entrepreneurs and artists fulfill the financial and legal knowledge needed to succeed. It has been her lifelong dream to foster careers for all artists, in particular authors and screenwriters. At Corvisiero Literary Agency, she is interested in fostering her client’s careers from the start and building their businesses with them. ​ In both film and novels, she is interested in YA contemporary stories that deal with messy relationships and issues that can help young adults put words to their experiences. She is also looking for YA science fiction and urban fantasy that provide an escape while still helping us connect to the everyday troubles of growing up.

In adult fiction, she loves women’s fiction and upmarket fiction that deals with burdensome secrets, messy relationships, and a character with a deep desire to change their life, the world etc., especially with a psychological, sci-fi, or romantic twist!

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Alisha West of Victress Literary

“We work with all genres of literary and commercial fiction and nonfiction but are especially interested certain genres.”

In fiction, the agency seeks:

• Adult – Contemporary, Family Saga, Historical, Horror, LGBTQIA2+, Literary, Mystery, Suspense/Thriller
• Young Adult – Contemporary, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Literary, Mystery
• Middle Grade – Contemporary, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Mystery

In nonfiction, the agent seeks : cultural/social issues, history, humor, journalism, LGBTQIA2+, memoir, music, pets, sports, true crime, women’s issues.

The agency is NOT interested in : Picture books, religious, high fantasy, graphic novels, short stories, westerns, inspirational, business, finance, gardening, home decorating & design, religious, self-help, spirituality

Alisha has had a life-long love affair with stories, earning a BA in English and an MA in Women’s and Gender Studies. Her thesis, Exploring the Missing Pieces: Readers, Religion and Societal relations in One Magazine, 1954-1963, concerns one of the first widely circulated gay and lesbian magazines published in the U.S. (downloaded 300+ times). Her personal essay, “Walking Sweet Dee,” took third place in the Adult Short Topic category of the Pacific Northwest Writer’s Association’s Literary Contest in 2022.

After bonding with Lizz during the after party of the PNWA awards ceremony, Alisha jumped at the chance to join Victress Literary as an editorial assistant in November 2022. Because of her commitment, cheerleading, and creativity, she was promoted to Junior Agent in May 2023. Her favorite tasks include reading submissions and editing manuscripts from Victress clients.

When Alisha isn’t reading, editing or writing about women’s rights and queer history, she enjoys playing with her fur babies (Roary Gilmore, Sweet Dee and Charlie Kelly), practicing guitar, gaming, and watching all the best stories film has to offer with her partner, Matt.

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Katie Reed of Andrea Hurst & Associates

Katie began her career in publishing with Andrea Hurst Literary Management while pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in English and has worked in the publishing field for over a decade. As a literary agent, Katie loves discovering new talent, building lasting connections with her authors, and working diligently to represent books readers will love.

Katie currently works as an agent and literary scout, and is looking for compelling, standout projects to champion. She is open for submissions in the following genres:

• Commercial Women’s Fiction with a strong hook and market appeal
• Historical Fiction (Favorite authors include Ruta Sepyts, Kate Quinn, Kristin Hannah, Taylor Jenkins Reid)
• Women’s Suspense/Thriller (especially with unreliable narrators or an ending with an unforeseen twist)
• Fiction with a fantastical angle (a la The Midnight Library by Matt Haig)
• Retellings, similar to Circe by Madeline Miller
• Young Adult Contemporary or Fantasy
• Middle Grade

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Adria Goetz of KT Literary

Adria got her start in publishing as an intern at Martin Literary Management in 2013. She represents picture books, middle grade, graphic novels (all ages including YA), and adult fiction.

She graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s degree in English with a Creative Writing emphasis, as well as the Columbia Publishing Course. In 2019, she was selected as a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree. Adria has eclectic taste but particularly enjoys projects that are tinged with magic, have so much heart you can practically hear their heartbeat, and have a compelling, commercial hook. In her spare time she can be found rewatching Gilmore Girls for the millionth time, listening to Taylor Swift, and dreaming about the mossy stone cottage in the woods she would like to live in one day.

“I look for books that delight readers, that help readers escape, that make readers feel seen, that help inspire wonder and imagination, that cultivate empathy and compassion, that comfort readers and make them feel safe, that take the reader on an adventure, that uncover fascinating stories from history’s footnotes, that make people laugh or cry or jump from fright, that ask nitty gritty questions and don’t settle for easy answers, that inspire reflection and conversation, that make people disappointed when they have to close the book and go to bed, and books that add a touch of magic to readers’ lives.”

PICTURE BOOKS WISHLIST:

• Picture book author/illustrators—I’m definitely open to receiving PB submissions from authors, but I am primarily looking for author-illustrators right now. I’m open to many different illustration aesthetics from hand-drawn to digitally rendered to collage/cut paper to more unconventional mediums. I love having a wide range of styles on my list, and the main thing I’m looking for is a unique, distinctive look. Some of my favorite illustrators include Juana Martinez-Neal, Vashti Harrison, the Fan Brothers, David Litchfield, Anne Lambelet, Brian Selznick, Carson Ellis, Frank Morrison, and Emily Winfield Martin.
• Humor—I want the next hilarious, commercial-feeling, NYT Bestseller. It’s important to me that kids really love and are delighted by the books I represent. Since humor is a great entry point into reading for kids who are intimidated by books, I take silly books seriously. 🙂 Some of my favorite humor-driven books are: We Don’t Eat Our Classmates, Dragons Love Tacos, The Bad Seed series, Where Bone?, A Spoonful of Frogs, The Day the Crayons Quit, Miss Hazeltine’s Home for Shy and Fearful Cats, and Rot: the Cutest in the World.
• Family Narratives—I love books about families and their everyday experiences, especially when the story shows nurturing adult characters. For me, the more specific the story, the better. Examples: Hair Love, Bedtime Bonnet, My Papi Has a Motorcycle, Under My Hijab, Alma, Julian is a Mermaid, Halal Hot Dogs, Tell Me a Tattoo Story, The Ocean Calls.
• Magical books—I love magical stories that feel like the type of book that will stick with a child throughout their life. I love stories that feel like original fairytales/folktales, if that makes sense. Fairies, mermaids, elves, and ghosts are all friends of mine. Anything by The Fan Brothers, David Litchfield, and Emily Winfield Martin. A few of my favorite magical books: The Night Gardener, The Antlered Ship, The Bear and the Piano, The Cloud Spinner, The Fantastic Flying Books of Morris Lessmore, and Lights on Cotton Rock.
• Adventures—I would love to see more adventure stories in my inbox! Examples include The Greatest Adventure, It’s Not a Bed It’s a Time Machine, Ocean Meets Sky, Stella’s Stellar Hair, and the upcoming masterpiece In the Groves.
• Mermaids—Send me all of your mermaids!! What kind of mermaid have you not seen before? I love when fantastical stories are pure fun but can also provide meaningful yet whimsical representation. I was so excited to get to work on Mermaid and Pirate and am eager to have more mermaid stories on my list.
• Karaoke—I’d love a joyful picture book about karaoke, sort of like the karaoke equivalent of Hip-Hop Lollipop.
• Traditions—I love picture books about family traditions/cultural traditions, especially when there is food, cooking, baking, or recipes involved. I’d also love to see other family traditions, like holiday traditions (loved Night Tree, Mooncakes, The Christmas Book Flood), faith traditions or rituals, house-cleansing or blessing ceremonies/traditions, etc.
• Food—I love picture books about food! Some of my favorites are Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao, Fry Bread, Tomatoes for Neela, Halal Hot Dogs, and Anni Dreams of Biryani, Plátanos are Love.
• Atmospheric—I love a unique atmosphere/strong sense of place in books across the board. Because picture books are fully illustrated, they create the unique opportunity to create a really visually dazzling atmosphere. I think Hello Lighthouse is a great example of this.
• Spooky—I love spooky stories! (And I loved them as a kid too.) Ghosts, haunted houses, cobwebs. Some of my favorites include How to Make Friends with a Ghost, and The Ugly Doodles.
• Creativity—I love picture books about art and creativity, like the The Dot, Ish, The Ugly Doodles, The Wonder, The Storytellers Rule, and Beautiful Oops.
• Sisters—I grew up in a household of four girls, so any stories about sisters will have a special place in my heart!
• Cats—It’s honestly upsetting (to both me and my two cats) that I don’t have a cat picture book on my list yet. Somebody please remedy this for me!

MIDDLE GRADE WISHLIST:

• Magical Realism or Fantasy—I love any stories with light touches of magic or fantasy that are still accessible to readers who aren’t “genre readers.” I tend to prefer fantasy that is grounded in the real world. Some of my favorite magical MG tales include Circus Mirandus, No Ordinary Thing, and The Elephant’s Girl. I’d be delighted to work on a fresh-feeling mermaid story. And I’d love to see anything that is set at a magical boarding school or academy.
• Graphic Novels—I am open to taking a look at anything here, especially contemporary realistic, magical realism, fantasy, and historical fiction. I’m really eager to work on a historical fiction GN. Some of my favorite MG graphic novels: Pashmina, Witch Boy, and Measuring Up. I’d also like to put out into the universe: I would love to find the next Brian Selznick type of creator that doesn’t shy away from hybrid, unconventional formats.
• Historical Fiction—I am a history lover and enjoy historical fiction that feels like it’s shining a spotlight on a historical footnote type of story that was glossed over by textbooks. I want to see a hook/premise that I think will appeal to young readers, and an engaging voice. I’m open to epistolary novels or novels in verse as well. Examples: Brown Girl Dreaming, Ship of Dolls, House Without Walls, and Indian No More.
• Mystery—I’m hungry for a good mystery! I will never forget reading The Dollhouse Murders when I was in fifth grade and having to close the book for a moment because I was so scared. (But I loved it.) I want to work on books that inspire that same level of book-induced fright! Give me an Agatha Christie-esque whodunit. I especially love mysteries that have a little cheekiness to them.

YOUNG ADULT WISHLIST:

• Graphic Novels—Right now in the Young Adult space, I am exclusively focused on graphic novels. (I do represent YA novels if preexisting clients write them, though!) I’m open to a wide range of genres and art styles here. I’d especially love to find something very atmospheric where the setting is a crucial element to the story. My favorites include Pumpkinheads, The Prince and the Dressmaker, The Girl from the Sea, Isla to Island, and Batter Royale.

ADULT FICTION WISHLIST:

• Upmarket/Book Club Fiction—If you dream of Reese Witherspoon ushering you into her book club, then I want to see your work! When I think of upmarket/book club fiction, I think of stories with wide appeal that are engaging and accessible reads, but still have enough layers to lend themselves well to discussion. I love the feeling when I finish reading a book and immediately need to talk to someone about it. I love interesting voices/POVs, rhythmic language, and I’m a sucker for a dual timeline. The biggest thing I’m looking for is a good hook and a compelling writing style. I always love humor and heart too. Some of my favorites include Lessons in Chemistry, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Violeta, Where’d You Go Bernadette, Daisy Jones & The Six, Room, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, All the Lonely People, and A Man Called Ove.
• Thrillers/Mystery—I love pageturning thrillers, and want to work with people who want to build their careers around writing them. I’m really looking for a hook here. I love Gillian Flynn, Jessica Knoll, and Lisa Jewell. I would love to see a fresh take on the genre from a POV we haven’t seen featured as prominently. Some of my favorite thrillers include Luckiest Girl Alive, The Woman in Cabin 10, Final Girls, Verity, Sharp Objects, Dark Places, and Then She Was Gone. I’d love to work on something as atmospheric as Lavender House and The Only One Left. I would also love to see something more in the mystery category that has a cheeky tone and engaging voice and feels very smart like The Maid or Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murder.
• Romance/Romantic Comedies—I’d love to receive more rom com submissions! I’m especially looking for something with a great commercial hook and an interesting protagonist. I welcome tropes of all stripes, especially enemies to lovers, slow burn/friends to lovers, fake relationships, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, and so on. Some of my favorites: Beach Read, The Unhoneymooners, Real Men Knit, Maybe in Another Life, The Flatshare, The Rosie Project, Waiting for Tom Hanks, Red, White, & Royal Blue, and The Suite Spot. I’d love to see some speculative rom coms too, like The Ex Hex and The Dead Romantics.
• Cozy Fantasy/Magical Realism—I love stories with light touches of magic/speculative elements such as magical realism, grounded fantasy, cozy fantasy, and magic-tinged rom coms. Think “a little bit of magic and a whole lot of heart” like The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, The House in the Cerulean Sea, The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic.
• Unique Format—I love stories that are told in unique formats, whether that be epistolary (Love & Saffron), e-epistolary/mixed media (Where’d You Go Bernadette), transcripts (like Daisy Jones & The Six), a unique POV (think Room), or a mix of things like Acts of Violet. If it’s slightly outside a traditional novel format or voice, send it my way!

NOT QUITE MY CUP OF TEA:

Memoirs Sports stories (I quit tee-ball when I was 4 and faked stomach aches to get out of P.E., so I’m afraid I am not your gal.) Space operas Amish fiction Angels/Demons Ancient historical fiction Shakespeare-inspired projects Greek mythology Arthurian legend-inspired projects High/Epic SFF (Several of my fantastic colleagues at KT Literary do work in this space though—check them out!) Military/FBI/espionage thrillers Dystopian

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Scott Eagan of Greyhaus Literary Agency

Scott  opened Greyhaus Literary Agency in 2003 with three goals in mind:

• To remain a small agency focusing only on romance and women’s fiction • To provide educational opportunities for writers in these genres and to make efforts to enhance the romance and women’s fiction genres. • To assist with increasing communications between the professional publishing community and the writers.

Being a small agency as well as being focused on a small number of genres allows me the chance to work closer with my writers as well as staying up with the every-changing trends in romance and women’s fiction.

Greyhaus Literary Agency is officially RWA-Recognized.

Scott’s education includes a BA in English Literature, A MA in Literacy and a MA in Creative Writing. Scott is an active member of the Romance Writers of America and still dabbles in writing as a hobby. Outside of the agency, Scott is an instructor with the UCLA Extension Program teaching in the Publishing. He also provides critiques with Writer’s Digest and does book reviews with Publishers Weekly . His family continues to keep him busy with one who swims competitively, one who rides Hunter/Jumper equestrian and one who dances.

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Kate Rogers of K.O. Media Management

Kate loves stories with graphic/illustrated elements or multimodal components. All ages (children’s books, middle grade, young adult, and adult) welcome, as long as there is a visual component! Genres include humor, horror/thriller (bonus if it’s entry level for a younger audience!), romance, light sci-fi, light fantasy (not currently open to high-fantasy of any kind), contemporary realistic fiction, and narrative non-fiction. She is interested in diverse, character-driven narratives that subvert familiar tropes or conventions. Bonus points if your story includes non-conventional, interactive formats.

Kate has worked in customer service at Vroman’s Bookstore in her hometown of Pasadena, California, and as the Assistant Director for Communications and Marketing for Stevens Court Community Council in Seattle. A University of Washington graduate with a double major in English and Cinema Media Studies, Kate can often be found reading, checking movies off her watchlist, or painting (sometimes even at the same time!).

Get to Know a Literary Scout in Attendance: Rae Loverde of Donald Maass Literary Agency

At the 2024 SWW, she will be acting as a literary scout — taking pitches at the workshop on behalf of one or multiple co-agents at her agency.

Her co-agent Cameron McClure is seeking the following:

• projects that combine genre style plotting with literary quality writing
• anything speculative
• science-fiction and fantasy
• mystery and suspense
• projects with multi-cultural, international, environmental, and LGBTQIA+ themes.
• Some of Cameron’s clients include Robert McCammon, Robert Jackson Bennett, Ada Palmer, Micaiah Johnson, Jonathan French, S.B. Divya, Molly Tanzer, Andy Marino, Ruthanna Emrys, and Amy Alkon.

She is interested in adult genre fiction only — no YA or MG. And she is not interested in adult literary fiction, mainstream fiction, women’s fiction, or chick lit.

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Kesia Lupo of The Bindery

“I’m currently Associate Literary Agent at the Bindery, a boutique agency based in Colorado – although I’m personally based in the Bay Area. I am actively building my list of primarily fiction writers. Although I started at the Bindery in May 2023, I have over ten years of experience in the publishing industry.

“In my last job, I was Senior Editor at UK children’s book publisher Chicken House, where I’d been working my way up from Junior Editor since 2015. Here, I acquired and edited children’s fiction for middle-grade and YA readers and worked with wonderful writers including Jasbinder Bilan, James Nicol and Emma Read (MG) and Ben Oliver, Molly Morris, Naomi Gibson and Mellissa Welliver (YA). I consider middle-grade and YA my specialty and would love to represent authors writing for these age-groups.

“I started my career as an assistant at Pan Macmillan London back in 2013, largely working for wonderful SFF/Horror imprint Tor – I loved the authors I worked with there who included Adrian Tchaikovsky, Adam Nevill and Genevieve Cogman. I’d love to return to my roots and represent adult genre fiction in SFF and Horror.”

She is seeking:

“I’m an omnivore in my reading taste and I would love my list to reflect that – so, while I’ve tried to be exhaustive, if you have something that doesn’t quite fit then please don’t hesitate to query anyway! In general, I’m looking for fiction for middle-grade, YA and adult readers – with a smattering of popular, accessible non-fiction.

“Across age groups, I’m a big fan of original fantasy, accessible but smart science fiction, paranormal or creepy horror, thrillers (especially if they have a shocking twist!), dark academia and basically all stories that help me escape or make me question everything.

“I majored in History so I love a bit of historical fiction too, as long as it’s done in a fun and accessible way – and I enjoy romance. For nonfiction, I’m looking at narrative nonfiction with broad appeal – I love books about psychology and big political, cultural or historical topics.”

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• Creative Writing

The English Major: Creative Writing Option

Note!  The requirements below took effect in Summer 2022 .  If you declared your major before then, please see the old requirements .  If you have questions about which version of the major applies to you, please contact HAS .

The Creative Writing Concentration prepares students not only to be more effective communicators and artists, but also creative problem solvers and more nuanced critical thinkers. By situating small, student-oriented writing workshops alongside literary models, Creative Writing classes enhance the broader study of literature and critical theory, helping students gain a greater understanding of the social and cultural forces informing their work. A student completing the program is more able to situate themselves in a larger aesthetic and social context and make more meaningful, informed decisions about their own artistic practice. In addition, through the intense practice of creative writing, students are able to see the world more clearly, in a more nuanced and meaningful manner, and apply these skills to a wide variety of work and life situations.

This page describes the English Major Concentration in Creative Writing. For the major's other option, see English Language, Literature, and Culture ,.

Students enrolled in the Creative Writing Concentration will complete a major consisting of 65 ENGL credits, at least 30 of which must be completed in residence at the University of Washington. A maximum of 20 credits in 200-level courses may count toward the English major, and may be used to fulfill the distribution requirements.

Creative writing students’ coursework is distributed as follows:

• ENGL 202: Introduction to English Language and Literature
• A sequence of creative writing workshops: ENGL 283: Beginning Verse Writing, ENGL 284: Beginning Short Story Writing, ENGL 383: The Craft of Verse, and ENGL 384: The Craft of Prose
• 15 credits in Historical Depth
• 15 credits in Power and Difference
• Two 400-level Creative Writing seminars ( Please see the  400-level Creative Writing workshop registration instruction page  for instructions on registering for these courses)

Please note: Creative writing students do *not* need to complete either ENGL 302 (satisfied by 383 & 384) or the senior capstone (satisfied by two 400-level CW classes), required for the major in Language, Literature, and Culture. All creative writing courses satisfy the Genre, Method, and Language distribution area, so Creative Writing students do not need to complete this area separately.

Applying to Creative Writing:

Applicants to the Creative Writing option must have already declared, or be eligible to declare, the English: Language and Literature major .

Applications for the Creative Writing option are accepted in autumn, winter, and spring quarters only, and should be submitted through this online application form   by the third Friday of the quarter at 4:00pm . Applications to creative writing are not accepted in summer quarter.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply for the Creative Writing option, you must

• have already declared, or be ready to declare, the English major program ;
• have completed ENGL 202, 283 (beginning verse writing) and ENGL 284 (beginning short story writing) or transfer equivalents.

Application Procedure:

Please submit online ONE complete attachment that includes the items below, by 4:00pm on the third Friday of autumn, winter, or spring quarter (no applications accepted in summer):

1. Undergraduate Creative Writing Option Application (PDF)

RIGHT-click the above link and save it as a PDF to your computer. Fill out the form using Acrobat Reader. Save your changes. Then combine it with the following materials:

Transcripts for all college work completed, both at the UW and elsewhere (these are additional sets of transcripts, separate from the transcripts you will have supplied as part of your application for the major):

• Unofficial UW Transcript : Even if this is your first quarter after transferring to the UW, you should submit an unofficial UW transcript, available through the MyUW system ;
• Complete set of Unofficial transcripts from all schools from which you have transfer credit : We need the information contained in the complete transcript from each transfer school; the transfer summary on a UW unofficial transcript is not sufficient. Photocopies of transcripts are acceptable.

2. A Writing Sample of 3-5 poems and 5-10 pages of fiction (preferably a complete story). Fiction should be double-spaced, with 12pt font (Times New Roman) and 1" margins:

• Review writing sample guidelines and be sure to submit literary fiction and poetry
• Be sure to proofread carefully.

Admission decisions are based primarily on the potential a student exhibits in his or her writing sample - grades and GPAs are usually not at issue. Admission decisions are sent to applicants by e-mail, normally within two weeks of the application deadline.

Completion of the requirements above does not guarantee admission.

Students who are denied admission to the Creative Writing option will continue to be English majors, and may complete the requirements for the literature BA in English. They may apply for the Creative Writing option one additional time, but if they are denied admission then, they must complete the literature major or elect another major in another department.

Distribution Areas:

The majority of English courses are distributed among three overlapping areas: Historical Depth, Power & Difference, and Genre, Method, and Language. Creative Writing students are required to complete 15 credits in two of these areas, Historical Depth and Power & Difference, with the remainder of their coursework focusing on Creative Writing workshops. 

Some courses can count towards both "Historical Depth" or "Power & Difference"; however, each course can ultimately only be used to fulfill one requirement. For example, ENGL 351 is listed under both “Historical Depth” and “Power and Difference" but it will only count in one of those categories in a student's degree progress. The student may choose (and can change their mind, shuffling courses as long as they are enrolled).  Students noticing issues with how these classes are applying to the distribution areas in their degree audit can contact an advisor at   Humanities Academic Services Center  (HAS), A-2-B Padelford Hall  for support. 

Descriptions of each area, along with the courses fulfilling it, are available below. 

Historical Depth:

People have been speaking, reading, and writing in English for more than a thousand years, producing literature that is at once timeless and deeply informed by the time in which it was written. Cultural artifacts from the English-speaking world have shaped, and been shaped by, social movements and historical conditions around the globe, as has the language itself. With this in mind, English majors are required to take 15 credits focused on materials produced before 1945, with at least 5 of those credits focused on materials produced before 1700. Distributing coursework in this way helps students to understand the depth, richness, and variability of English literature, language, and culture across time, and dramatizes how the ways we organize history affect the stories we tell about it. These courses open up past worlds that are in some ways totally alien and in others very similar to our own, revealing that what seems real and true to us can radically alter over time. Entering into these past realities offers a new perspective on the present and develops our capacity to imagine alternative futures.

Historical Depth Courses:

• ENGL 210 Medieval and Early Modern Literature, 400 to 1600
• ENGL 211 Literature, 1500-1800
• ENGL 225 Shakespeare
• ENGL 310 The Bible as Literature
• ENGL 320 English Literature: The Middle Ages
• ENGL 321 Chaucer
• ENGL 322 Medieval & Early Modern Literatures of Encounter (P&D)
• ENGL 323 Shakespeare to 1603
• ENGL 324 Shakespeare after 1603
• ENGL 325 Early Modern English Literature
• ENGL 326 Milton (GML)
• ENGL 351: Writing in the Contact Zone: North America 1492 - 1800 (P&D)
• ENGL 376: Introduction to Middle English Language (HD)
• ENGL 422 Arthurian Legends (GML)
• ENGL 212 Literature, 1700-1900
• ENGL 300: Reading Major Texts (can also count as pre-1700 depending on texts)
• ENGL 303 History of Literary Criticism and Theory I (GML)
• ENGL 312 Jewish Literature: Biblical to Modern (P&D)
• ENGL 314: Transatlantic Literature and Culture (P&D)
• ENGL 315: Literary Modernism (GML)
• ENGL 327 Narratives of Bondage & Freedom (P&D)
• ENGL 328 Eighteenth Century Literature & Culture
• ENGL 329 Rise of the English Novel (GML)
• ENGL 330 English Literature: The Romantic Age
• ENGL 331 Globalization & Nationalism in the Age of Empire (P&D)
• ENGL 332 Nineteenth Century Poetry (GML)
• ENGL 333 Nineteenth Century Novel (GML)
• ENGL 335 English Literature: The Victorian Age
• ENGL 336 English Literature: Early Twentieth Century
• ENGL 337 The Modern Novel (GML)
• ENGL 338 Modern Poetry (GML)
• ENGL 352 Literatures of the United States to 1865 (P&D)
• ENGL 353 American Literature: Later Nineteenth Century
• ENGL 354 American Literature: Early Twentieth Century
• ENGL 373: History of the English Language (GML)
• ENGL 380: Special Topics in History
• ENGL 385: Global Modernism (P&D)

Power and Difference:

Literature, language, and culture have been shaped by and in turn shape systems of power. Such systems include capitalism, colonialism, imperialism, and hierarchies of race, status, caste, sex, gender, and sexuality. Over time, systems of power elevate some voices and stories and marginalize and silence others. English majors are required to take at least 15 credits focused on how systems of power operate in and through literature, language, and culture. These courses explore the evolving relationship of literature, language, and culture to structures of violence and dispossession and center critical perspectives that have been marginalized or silenced. They embrace alternative ways of learning about the past and present, and the impress of the former on the latter. They highlight the complex, sometimes contradictory ways in which literature and culture mediate systems of power. In so doing, Power and Difference courses foster our imagination of more just and equitable futures.

Power and Difference Courses:

• ENGL 207: Introduction to Cultural Studies (GML)
• ENGL 208: Data and Narrative (GML)
• ENGL 256: Introduction to Queer Cultural Studies (DIV) (GML)
• ENGL 257: Introduction to Asian American Literature (DIV)
• ENGL 258: Introduction to African American Literature (DIV)
• ENGL 259: Literature and Social Difference (DIV)
• ENGL 265: Introduction to Environmental Humanities (DIV, GML)
• ENGL 307: Cultural Studies
• ENGL 308: Marxism and Literary Theory
• ENGL 311: Modern Jewish Literature in Translation
• ENGL 312: Jewish Literature: Biblical to Modern (HD)
• ENGL 314: Transatlantic Literature and Culture (HD)
• ENGL 316: Postcolonial Literature and Culture (DIV)
• ENGL 317: Literature of the Americas (DIV)
• ENGL 318: Black Literary Genres (DIV, GML)
• ENGL 319: African Literatures (DIV)
• ENGL 322 Medieval & Early Modern Literatures of Encounter (HD)
• ENGL 327 Narratives of Bondage & Freedom (HD)
• ENGL 331 Globalization & Nationalism in the Age of Empire (HD)
• ENGL 339: Globalization & Contemporary World Literature (GML)
• ENGL 340: Irish Literature (P&D)
• ENGL 349: Science Fiction & Fantasy
• ENGL 351: Writing in the Contact Zone: North America 1492 - 1800 (HD)
• ENGL 352: American Literatures to 1865 (HD)
• ENGL 355: Contemporary American Literature
• ENGL 357: Jewish American Literature and Culture (DIV)
• ENGL 358: African American Literature (DIV)
• ENGL 359: Contemporary American Indian Literature (DIV)
• ENGL 361: American Political Culture After 1865 (DIV)
• ENGL 362: Latino Literary Genres (DIV, GML)
• ENGL 364: Literature & Medicine
• ENGL 365: Literature & Environment (GML, DIV)
• ENGL 366: Literature & Law
• ENGL 367: Gender Studies in Literature (DIV)
• ENGL 368: Women Writers (DIV)
• ENGL 372: World Englishes (DIV) (GML)
• ENGL 379: Special Topics in Power & Difference
• ENGL 385: Global Modernism (HD)
• ENGL 386: Asian American Literature (DIV)
• ENGL 466: Queer and LGBT Literature (DIV)
• ENGL 478: Language and Social Policy (DIV) (GML)
• ENGL 479: Language Variation and Language Policy in North America (DIV, GML)
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