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MFA in Creative Writing

Image of a typewriter, zoomed in tightly on the typing mechanism and page. On the page is written "What's Your Story?"

The MFA in Creative Writing program at Rosemont College is unique for a number of reasons. We offer tracks in both poetry and prose, and in prose, students can choose concentrations in creative non-fiction, short fiction, writing for children and adults, novel writing, and dramatic writing.

In partnership with the MA in Publishing program, the MFA in Creative Writing offers writers numerous electives and concentrations along with the opportunity to work closely with faculty. Rosemont also offers a Double Degree (MFA in Creative Writing/MA in Publishing).

Choose from workshops in Poetry, Flash Fiction, Short Fiction, the Novel, Creative Nonfiction, and Dramatic Writing. Courses are also offered to support generative writing, creative writing and rhetorical pedagogy, and literature.

Learn to read critically, to explore literary traditions, and to discover where you, as a writer, fit into the contemporary literary landscape. Rosemont MFA and MA students publish the literary magazine, Rathalla Review with two online issues a year and a print annual each spring.

Learn about the Summer Writer's Retreat and Publishing Seminar from July 5-12, 2024. 

Poetry and Prose Tracks

Currently there are two major genres of study: Poetry and Prose, with the following prose concentrations: Creative Nonfiction, Short Fiction, Writing for Young Adults, Novel Writing, and Dramatic Writing.

Together, students and faculty form a dynamic, productive writing community. Students expand the boundaries of their talent, experience new techniques and viewpoints, discover the rich traditions of the literary world, and ground themselves in the practical knowledge of the publishing industry.

This community of writers is brought even closer together through events such as monthly student/faculty readings and other events and conferences such as Push to Publish, which is held each fall and LitLife, which is held in the spring. 

Careers and Accolades

Our program is rapidly gaining a national reputation, one that artfully blends the creative arts with the business of publishing. Rosemont MFA alumni have been published by the “big five” and have won major awards.

In 2018 Erin Entrada Kelly MFA ’16 won the prestigious John Newbery Medal for her novel Hello Universe, which was her thesis. Erin drafted Hello Universe in CRW 7145 Constructing the Novel. Erin isn't alone in her literary success either.

Program graduates have been successful in publishing their work and obtaining and advancing their careers as both writers and teachers of writing and literature, agents, managers, production managers, designers, sales representatives, writers, teachers, and marketing directors.

Books Published by MFA Alumni

  • Monica L. Anderson MFA ’13
    • The Eden City Rebellion (Retro Rocket Press)
    • Hearts Interlocking (Jupiter Gardens Press)
    • Not My Boyfriend (Samhain Publishing)
  • A. R. (Audrey) Bey MFA ’06
    • Adventures in Boogieland
    • The Netherworld of Kemet: Ezra’s Trial of Faith
    • The Netherworld of Kemet: Kismet’s Ray of Hope
  • Jordan Blum MFA ’11
    • Jethro Tull: Every Album, Every Song (Sonic Bond Publishing)  
  • Tori Bond MFA ‘15
    • Familyism (Matter Press) 
  • B. J. Burton MFA ‘06
    • The Philadelphia Connection: Conversations with Playwrights (Intellect Books/University of Chicago Press) 
  • T. Nicole Cirone MA ‘02
    • Nine Nails a Novel in Essays (Serving House Books)
  • Blythe Davenport MFA ‘08
    • Second Oldest (PS Books)
  • Sarah Rose Etter MFA ‘10
    • The Book of X (Two Dollar Radio Press) 
  • Jennifer Fenn MFA ’15
    • Flight Risk, Sound Check—forthcoming in 2020 (Macmillian – Roaring Brook Press) 
  • Ben Heins MFA ’12
    • Cut Me Free (Crisis Chronicles Press)
    • Greatest Hits & B-Sides (Vagabondage Press)
  • Erin Entrada Kelly MFA ’16
    • Lalani of the Distant Sea (HarperCollins)
    • You Go First (HarperCollins)
    • Hello Universe (HarperCollins)
    • Blackbird Fly (HarperCollins)
    • Land of Forgotten Girls (HarperCollins)
  • Molly Lazer MFA ‘16
    • Owl Eyes (Fire & Ice YA)
    • Lentils in Black Rice 
  • MaryAnn Miller MFA ‘11
    • Cures for Hysteria (Finishing Line Press)
  • Phylinda Moore MFA ‘09 
    • Herculaneum’s Fortune (Anaphora Press) 
  • Tara Murtha MA ‘10
    • Ode to Billie Joe (Bloomsbury Academic) 
  • Meghan Rogers MFA ’12
    • Crossing the Line
    • Enemy Exposure (Penguin/Philomel) 
  • Fereshteh Sholevar MFA ‘07
    • Of Dust and Chocolate: De poussiere et chocolat
    • An End, Unexpected
    • And the Blue Continues/Y Continua Lo Azul
    • Walking with the Moon/Mit dem Mond Spazierengehen: Poems (Concourse Press) 
  • Sean Teaford MFA ‘08 
    • What Was Not Said: Echoes From the Holocaust,
    • Paintings in Under a Thousand Words: Nature Poems
  • K. J. (Kira) Wells MFA ‘13 
    • Shouting from Constricted Lungs 
  • M.M. (Michelle) Wittle MFA ‘11 
    • Three Decades and I’m Gone 
  • Ayesha Hamid MA ’14, MFA ’17
    • The Borderland Between Worlds (Auctus Publishers) 
      • Forthcoming
  • Jennifer Rieger MA ’07, MFA ‘17 
    • Burning Sage (Minerva Rising Press) 
  • Linda Romanowski MFA '21
    • Final Touchstones (Sunbury Press)

Writers Who've Visited Rosemont

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Rosemont College is a community of learners dedicated to excellence and joy in the pursuit of knowledge. Rosemont College seeks to develop in all members of the community open and critical minds and the ability to make reasoned moral decisions. We are located 11 miles outside Philadelphia in an area known as the Main Line. Our address is 1400 Montgomery Ave, Rosemont, PA 19010

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