The MFA Creative Writing Program at ODU:
As part of the English Department at ODU, the MFA Program began in 1994 with twelve students and three creative writing instructors. It continues to grow with vigor: today, a range of 30-40 students work with the program's talented seven-member creative writing faculty in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. The MFA core faculty -- Luisa Igloria, John McManus,
Ben Naka-Hasebe Kingsley, Sheri Reynolds, and Kent Wascom -- are talented and dedicated teachers as well as accomplished writers, having published many highly acclaimed and prize-winning books. In addition to taking workshops and craft courses with the MFA faculty, our students take courses with dynamic faculty who have expertise in American, British, and world literature, as well as literary theory, film studies, and rhetoric. In our 54-hour program, students graduate not only as writers but also as individuals competent in literary studies. Our students accomplish a great deal, even while they are in the program: publishing fiction and nonfiction books with major publishers, stories and poems in national literary magazines and journals, articles and reviews in major newspapers, prestigious citations, awards, and grants. MFA students also have opportunities to participate in the MFA Reading Series at venues on and around campus. Likewise, students have the opportunity to assist in the internationally recognized, annual ODU Literary Festival (more on this below); and present papers or give readings at the spring conference sponsored by the English Department. ODU's Writer-in-Residence Program (offered in both the fall and spring semesters) allows MFA students to work one-on-one with nationally renowned poets and writers. The MFA Program provides interested students with valuable volunteer and short-term internship types of experiences. In particular, our Writers-in-Community Program gives creative writing graduate students the chance to facilitate writing workshops in various local venues, such as schools, art galleries, libraries, hospitals, homeless shelters, housing projects, and retirement homes. The MFA Creative Writing Program at Old Dominion University has much to offer; and the greater Hampton Roads area (with its diverse locales ranging from oceanside to urban) provides access to a diversity of experiences. If ODU's MFA Program sounds good- and it is- we invite you to be a part of it. Please feel free to call John McManus (Graduate Program Director) at 757-683-4010 or contact by email ([email protected]). The ODU Annual Literary Festival:
In April 1978, the English Department of Old Dominion University held a Poetry Jam, featuring Richard Wilbur, W.D. The success of the Poetry Jam and community interest in the literary, visual, and performing arts in Hampton Roads led to the First Annual Literary Festival. It was called "The Arts Reunion," and it coincided with the arrival of the Associated Writing Programs' national headquarters, the birth of ODU's creative writing program, and the establishment of a Distinguished Visiting Writer position (W. It was a heady time. The enthusiasm has continued, sustained by university and community support. Each October the Hampton Roads and University calendar reminds us that for about a week, our area becomes home to nationally and internationally renowned writers like Robert Pinsky, Rita Dove, John McPhee, William Styron, Ann Beattie, Charles Johnson, Derek Walcott, Gwendolyn Brooks, Nikky Finney, Jane Hirshfield, and other literary stars. The diversity of readers, panels, workshops, and community involvement is one of ODU's Literary Festival hallmarks. Every year, the ODU Literary Festival is directed by one or two faculty members of the MFA Creative Writing Program; every year, a new theme is selected in order to be responsive to the regional, national, and global pulse in literary and cultural conversations. Over the years, students from Old Dominion University, surrounding campuses, and high schools are encouraged to attend the literary events; and every year, the greater Hampton Roads community (and beyond) looks forward to attendance at our programs. It is a rare and wonderful opportunity to hear the living voices of authors, meet and join them in conversation at events which are offered free to the public. Many of the events have been recorded. Brochures and posters (provided by the University Publications Department), news articles, interviews, and reviews are now housed in the University Archives of the University's Perry Library. Future material will also be collected there. Because of the importance of this annual event to the university and the community, the Library and English Department have collaborated to preserve and exhibit Festival materials through the Literary Festival Digital Project. Please watch this new FB space for exciting previews and announcements! We look forward to enjoying the ODU Literary Festival with you every October!
