Creative Writing

writing class

Beginning Fall 2011, the English department will offer a Major in English with Concentration in Creative Writing.

Creative writing is a valued part of the curriculum at Bowdoin. The English department regularly offers two levels of creative writing courses in a single genre (poetry or fiction) and an additional elective course in creative writing. It also includes a component of creative writing in several first-year seminars taught each year. Students may also work on their creative writing independently with department faculty and write Honors theses in creative writing.

Each year, the department invites several creative writers to the college to visit classes, present their current work, and participate in informal exchanges with interested students. Recent visitors include Michael Paterniti (April 2010), Sean Kielen (April 2009), Robert Reid-Pharr (November 2008), Tom Shippey (October 2007), Margot Livesey (April 2007), John Wilkinson (March 2007), Kelley Kerney '02 (October 2006), Gregory Blake Smith (April 2006),  Grace Paley (March 2001), Janisse Ray (February 2001), Mark Scott (November 2000), Lawrence Raab (October 2000) Jay Wright (April 2000), Emily Hiestand (April 2000), and Frederick Busch (March 2000).