MFA in Writing, Low Residency Fiction and Nonfiction

Go Write Your Book

Write the book you've always dreamed of writing as you earn your MFA in Writing at Southern New Hampshire University. Our two-year low residency MFA writing program allows you to write at home and connect with fellow students and faculty mentors online and during short but inspiring residencies. Students focus on fiction (including adult and young adult) or nonfiction (including environmental writing and memoir). Our vibrant creative writing program guides our students in discovering their unique stories and rhythms as writers, while teaching them a command of the craft. Students graduate with a book-length manuscript of publishable quality, a network of agents and editors, college-teaching opportunities, and a lifetime writing community.

Our two principal goals:
• Create a close and vibrant writing community
• Graduate each student with a publishable book in hand

Low Residency - Inspire the Writer Within

Become part of a writers’ colony. Immerse yourself in the writer’s life during our summer and winter residencies and develop your writing in inspirational settings steeped in literary history. Enjoy your morning coffee with fellow students and faculty on the porch overlooking the ocean, or meals served family style, or conversation with fellow writers next to a crackling fire. Meet with best-selling, award-wining authors, participate in workshops and readings, and gain advice from publishing insiders.

Your MFA in Writing includes writing residencies in picturesque New Hampshire on Star Island in the Isles of Shoals in the summer and at the Mountain View Grand Hotel & Resort in the winter. The residencies provide energy, adventure, and an experience that will nurture your creativity and offer opportunities for quiet reflection, intimacy, and inspiration.

After you complete the admission process, your MFA writing program at SNHU can begin during a 10-day campus and island residency in the summer or a five-day mountain resort winter residency. In addition to working with our full-time faculty, you will work with visiting writers of fiction and nonfiction and with our board of advisors from the publishing industry, including editors, agents, and book marketing professionals.  The remainder of the year, you will work with faculty via online technology and/or correspondence and phone conferences.

Advantages of an MFA Writing Degree at SNHU

  • Low residency and online program for ultimate schedule flexibility
  • No GRE required for admission
  • A vibrant and supportive MFA writing community - interact with well-known writers, publishers, faculty, and fellow writing students
  • Immediate opportunities to publish as a graduate student, with publishing advice and manuscript support
  • Connections with agents, editors, and other publishing insiders
  • Internship opportunities, a unique benefit for a low residency program
  • Competitively priced program
  • Adult and Young Adult Fiction concentrations
  • Creative Nonfiction concentrations, including environmental writing and memoir
  • Opportunity to teach in the classroom or online for SNHU's undergraduate creative writing program
  • Literary journal contests
  • Prizes and scholarship opportunities

Message from the MFA in Writing Director

If you are looking at our low-residency program, you may well be ready to “Go Write Your Book.”  A number of elements distinguish our graduate degree from others. My favorite is the community itself.

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MFA Residencies

Our residencies, held on Star Island in the Isles of Shoals in the summer and at the Mountain Grand View Resort in the winter, offer wonderful energy, a sense of adventure and an experience that will nurture your creativity and provide opportunities for quiet reflection, intimacy and inspiration.

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MFA Faculty

Participate in lectures, readings and classes with bestselling and national award winning authors; our 2011 visiting writers will be Craig Childs and David Carroll.

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MFA Writing Community

Join the close and vibrant writing community here at SNHU. Meaningful interactions with well known writers, publishers, faculty, and fellow writers. Get publishing advice and support for your manuscript work.  More...

Manchester Area Information

Manchester is one of the largest and most dynamic cities in northern New England. Manchester combines small-town charm with a lively cultural scene. We’re home to two orchestras, an opera company, and dozens of nightclubs. Downtown Manchester boasts more than 70 restaurants. Go fishing, go for a hike, or go skiing. Manchester has it all.

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