Opportunities in Creative Writing

Consider an English Major with a Concentration in Creative Writing or simply explore the many writing courses offered by the English Department and the Writing and Rhetoric Program. English 260 is the introduction to Creative Writing and there are advanced workshops available in five genres: Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, Play Writing and Screenplay Writing. Though English 260 is always in heavy demand, it is offered every semester and we reserve several seats specifically for first- and second-year students. See the class instructor during advising week for more information.

Get involved with campus publications The campus literary magazine, Thel, meets weekly to informally workshop creative pieces and plan issues of the magazine. And United, a literary magazine supporting the concerns of students of color, is published annually. The student newspaper, The Herald, is another venue for your writing. Check these publications out at the Club Fair or the Student Activities Office. First-year students are encouraged to get involved!

Attend readings “Writers Reading” each semester hosts several visiting creative writers of national and international renown. Look for our posters and check out the Daily Update online. In addition to the readings, visiting writers are available for informal conversation and question-and-answer sessions. Student groups also sponsor open readings in the Cellar, Café, and downtown. And every fall, Hobart and William Smith participate in the National Reading sponsored by Share Our Strength to raise money for the hungry and homeless.

Check out Writers House a residence for students who are serious writers and want to live with other writers. Writers House is the unofficial headquarters for writers on campus – host to readings, dinners with visiting writers, informal workshops, and special projects (from tutoring to poster-poem campaigns) to make creative writing more visible on campus.

Check out the Literary Magazine Collection in the lounge of Demarest Hall. See the best of what’s being published nationally. And see copies of the Colleges’ own internationally distributed literary magazine, Seneca Review.

Meet faculty writers Come talk about your interests with those of us who teach creative writing: Melanie Conroy-Goldman, fiction writer (Demarest 111, ext. 3362); Jasper Bernes, poet (Demarest 123-C, ext. 3137); Jim Crenner, poet and fiction writer (Demarest 110, ext. 3361), Grant Holly, screenplay writer (Demarest 107, ext. 3365) Deborah Tall, poet and creative nonfiction writer, editor of Seneca Review and advisor to Thel and Writers House (Demarest 113, ext. 3364); and David Weiss, poet and fiction writer (Demarest 123-D, ext. 3644).