At West Chester University, students can minor in creative writing or pursue an MA in the graduate program.
“Students interested in creative writing will find dynamic classes and workshops with really fun, motivated students and award-winning faculty-writers who are eager to work closely with students on their craft and creative projects,” said Professor Merkner, the co-director of the creative writing minor and the liaison to the MA in English with a creative writing track.
Some of the creative writing faculty include program co-directors Luanne Smith and Christopher Merkner, Kim Bridgford, Spring Ulmer, and Kristine Ervin. All have extensive publishing records, awards, and deep relationships with the broader national and international literary community, which Merkner said “is a huge asset and resource for our undergraduate and graduate creative writing students.”
Creative writing classes, both in the minor and the graduate program, include fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and advanced creative writing seminars.
The classes often function as workshops, which leads to a strong community among the students. Patrick Brogan, a senior majoring in liberal studies and professional studies, said, “I have been able to emphasize my studies in workshop-style courses, which have improved my writing through peer- and professor-feedback. I love how workshop classes become a micro-community by the end of the semester.”
He went on to say that “creative writing classes are more intimate than any other college courses I have taken. The professors genuinely care about their students and create an environment where everyone is safe and welcomed.” Brogan has been accepted into Portland State University for an MFA in creative writing (fiction). He has published ‘zines and is one of the founders of Theatre de L’Absurde.
The dynamic faculty and the wide variety of classes play a big part in the graduate creative writing program. “The program can serve as a really outstanding bridge to pursue an MFA in the fine arts,” Merkner said.
Professor Eric Dodson-Robinson, director of the English graduate program, said, “Each graduate student in our creative writing track works individually with one of the nationally-recognized writers here at West Chester to craft a creative portfolio.” The program offers year-round classes both in the late afternoon and the evening.
Janna Moretti, the graduate assistant in the creative writing program, works closely with the professors to plan the program’s logistics. She is in the Master of Arts in English, creative writing track here at WCU. She has this past year had two short stories published in Mobius: The Journal of Social Change and Flare: The Flagler Review. She has also been published in WCU’s Daedalus.
Moretti has been accepted into the University of Florida, West Virginia University, and Virginia Tech’s MFA programs with full tuition paid and a living stipend. “These successes would not have happened without the support of the CRW community here at WCU,” she said.
Melissa DiGiovannantonio, an undergraduate senior English major, has also seen success in the creative writing minor. She said, “All of the creative writing professors are so helpful and really want the students to enjoy creative writing rather than just learn it. My creative writing classes are the only classes I ever really look forward to going to. The fact that some of them are mixed with graduate students is awesome because it gives us undergrads a chance to see what some MA programs are like.”
[pullquote]The possibility of pursuing writing for a living (albeit one that usually requires other employment) was a vague concept at the beginning of my graduate work. Now, I am fully convinced that there is nothing else I would rather be doing.[/pullquote]In the fall, DiGiovannantonio is attending Chatham University for their MFA program in fiction writing, with a concentration in publishing.
The success of these students can serve as a reminder, according to Professor Merkner, that “You can do more with your creative work than express yourself. You can shape a successful future, and we’re committed to helping you do just that.”
“The possibility of pursuing writing for a living (albeit one that usually requires other employment) was a vague concept at the beginning of my graduate work. Now, I am fully convinced that there is nothing else I would rather be doing,” said Moretti.
Not every person who participates in the creative writing community here at WCU is actually a creative writing minor. Sean West, a senior majoring in English writings, has had many majors in his time here. He plans to attend Rosemont College in August to pursue an MFA in fiction. West, in regards to workshop classes, said, “It’s nice to know there are other folks out there, people you can show work to and get good, meaningful feedback.”
There are multiple clubs on campus that aspiring writers can enjoy too. English Club meets every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Sykes 10B. The club discusses a variety of topics from Harry Potter vs. Lord of the Rings to John Green to Edgar Allan Poe. They also sponsor a literary magazine, Literati, which is sold in the spring semester. Questions about the magazine can be sent to literati.wcu@gmail.com.
Creative Writing Club meets every Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Sykes Room 210. They work on writing prompts and offer interesting lectures on different writing topics.
Daedalus literary magazine has been published for over forty years and features some of the best writing and artwork from students and alumni. While the magazine is done meeting for the year, those interested in being an editor next year should email WCUDaedalus@gmail.com. Submissions are generally accepted until the end of February and voted on by mid-March.
Katherine Kocotas, a senior and the president of Daedalus, said, “Being published is both an honor and a fantastic opportunity to build one’s resume. All submitted poetry, prose, and artwork is given the attention it deserves by our staff, and the best pieces are chosen to be published.”
Theresa Kelly is a third-year student majoring in English literature secondary education. She can be reached at TK780615@wcupa.edu.