The low-residency MFA in creative writing program at Sierra Nevada College is a challenging and inspiring two year commitment to a student’s own art and artistic development. The program is designed to bring writers together in order to foster unique, individual voices within a dialogue of global dimension. Over the course of four semesters and five residency periods, students will focus on their chosen genre (be it fiction, poetry, or literary nonfiction), while also testing the mixed-genre boundaries of artistic form and intent.

Each residency is an eight-day intensive series of workshops, seminars, readings, and more—all intended to expand a writer’s sense of possibility within the written and spoken arts. From the practical need-to-know tricks-of-the-trade to the heights of conceptual nuances, residencies will explore the wide landscape of the writing life. Residencies will take place in early January and early July. Every fifth residency will be located overseas.

Faculty will meet with students during each residency to articulate their upcoming semester plans. With our low faculty-to-student ratio (never more than 5:1), students will experience an individualized mentorship focused on their creative and critical work. Our faculty members are tremendously gifted and experienced writers and artists in their field. They are also incredible teachers of their art. Faculty work one-on-one with each student extensively during the semester, providing written critiques and feedback of student work.

We are here to instill a lifelong engagement and conversation with literature. We look forward to the beginning of this transformative conversation.

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If you are interested in adding your voice to the discussion, and if you are intrigued by the possibility of working with teachers and peers who are passionate about the art they love, then please contact us—we look forward to meeting you.