Creative Writing Concentration

The Creative Writing concentration is one of few such programs in New Jersey. Thanks to its proximity to New York City, it has attracted exceptional faculty members, recognized in their fields, who are deeply entrenched in the literary community. With their connections and expertise, they teach students the ins and outs of publishing, introduce them to industry insiders, and offer practical advice on how to maximize readership. The program offers specialized creative writing workshops and mentorships in diverse genres, as well as foundational courses in literary study and research. Students who complete the M.A. can continue on to the one-year M.F.A., during which they will complete a polished book-length manuscript and become qualified to teach at the college level.

Those enrolled take courses in areas including:

• Creative Nonfiction
• Fiction
• Poetry
• Publishing
• Literary Research and Methods
• Teaching Composition

Students also benefit from attending workshops and readings by prominent writers from around the country who are invited to Monmouth’s campus as part of our vibrant Visiting Writers Series. Past visiting writers have included Nobel Laureate Louise Glück, National Book Award Winners Joyce Carol Oates and Gerald Stern, MacArthur Fellow Hanif Abdurraqib, Booker Prize–winning novelist Marlon James, Booker–shortlisted novelist Colm Tóibín, Guggenheim Fellows Rivka Galchen and Jane Hirshfield, and National Book Critics Circle Award–winners Laura Kasischke and Melissa Febos, among others. Nationally known writers, editors, and literary professionals are also frequent guest speakers in classes.”

• The Wreckage of Spring (poetry), by Anthony Nicholas Clark, advised by Dr. Mihaela Moscaliuc
• Hiraeth (creative nonfiction), by Jora Lam, advised by Prof. Anna Qu
• Superlative: Stories (fiction), by Alli Long, advised by Prof. Alena Graedon
• The Guided and Other Trips (fiction), by Michael Qualiano, advised by Prof. Alex Gilvarry
• Birdman (creative nonfiction), by Sarah Van Clef, advised by Prof. Emma Eisenberg

Each graduate of the Program receives a bound copy of their manuscript.