Joseph Said:

Does anyone know of any online MFA programs in creative writing or film studies?

We Answered:

There are a couple of respected low-residency programs--Bennington College, Vermont College, Pacific University, and Antioch University are on my short list. All of them use a model where the student works primarily with a mentor vs being in classes with other students. Personally, I think these programs work best for people who are older and well-read. If you're young, you're really cheating yourself by skipping a residential program, where you can mingle with writers, teachers, and your peers, and make life-long contacts that will help you along the way.

Antonio Said:

Can I write popular fiction in a creative writing MFA program?

We Answered:

You need to find a program which encourages popular fiction. I do not know of any, but I have not researched the issue.

I think that you may feel that you are wasting your time if you attend a program which is directed toward literary fiction.

Mattie Said:

MFA in fiction writing (or higher-level undergrad writing courses): Which textbooks are used?

We Answered:

Most of the advanced writing courses I am familiar with use examples rather than how-to texts. You could try googling "fiction writing syllabus" or "creative writing syllabus" to see what instructors assign for their courses. I learned a lot from an essay by Ursula K. Le Guin which I can no longer find, but it might be in her _Steering the craft : exercises and discussions on story writing for the lone navigator or the mutinous crew_.

Joan Said:

Which of these Creative Writing MFA programs is the best (or TOP 3-5)?

We Answered:

I'm an undergrad at the University of Iowa and would like to someday go to the Writers Workshop here, so I can at least give some info about the school itself.

As far as the program itself, since I'm not in it, I can't tell you too much, but it's known as one of the best creative writing MFA programs in the country. Although then again on the downside, their acceptance rate is pretty low. Plus from what I've heard I think they expect their students to have life experience first instead of coming straight from undergrad, so that's why in my own situation I doubt I'd get in if I apply right away. But I am pretty sure despite that, the writing sample is still the most important thing they look at.

The environment is good for writers. There's some good bookstores around, particularly Prairie Lights, which hosts lots of readings. I'm also pretty certain Iowa City was recently deemed a City of Literature. As far as size, it's not too big and I think the population is approximately 60,000, but at the same time that population is fairly cultured. And public transportation is good. The school itself has Cambus which is entirely free and has buses that cover all of campus, which is impressive considering the campus is so spread out. I haven't really rode the city buses, but they seem to be good from what I can tell.

Financially, I'm not sure if Iowa is one of the schools that basically funds students or not in the creative writing MFA, but I think it might. Also, there's definitely TA positions (as I've been taught several times by TAs who were part of the Writers Workshop), so that's one way to make money.