I’m finally caught up just enough that I can take a few moments to share my experience in visiting one of the newest – and hottest – low-residency MFA programs. When I met Danita Berg at the 2010 AWP Conference and Bookfair in Denver CO, it was evident how excited the then soon-to-be Director was about the launch of Oklahoma City University’s Red Earth MFA. We immediately clicked and kept in contact since that fateful meeting and I was ecstatic when Danita invited me as a guest speaker and workshop presenter for the inaugural residency.
Let me tell you, visiting Oklahoma City in the middle of July is a hot, hot experience. Temperatures averaged in the 105-107 range and yet the environment couldn’t have been more inviting. This was my first time visiting the city and I was sure to take advantage of all it has to offer—great food, significant landmarks, and a gorgeous scenic Route 66 drive were all a part of my trip. Of course, the purpose of my visit was centered on the campus and what a lovely campus it was. There is a beautiful juxtaposition of old meets new and I enjoyed having a tour of some of the more unique components of this campus. Let’s just say if you’re a writer interested in furthering your education and you just happen to also be a former beauty pageant winner, we need to talk. I think I may have found a financially beneficial program for you! 
All in all, the visit was a success. As authors, we were welcomed and treated as valued guests. As visitors to a new program, we saw a lovely community in the making. The students seemed to feel that they had made a strong choice for their writing paths and were receptive to the sessions presented to them. The faculty I had the pleasure of getting to know – like Kerry Cohen and Jeanetta Calhoun Mish – only cemented for me the idea that this program is one that will grow with its dedicated foundation team. It’s certainly a program to watch and Director Berg should be proud of this strong launch.
The Red Earth MFA is a two-year program that includes five residencies. Students have the option of working within fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, or any other sub or cross genre that speaks to them and, through the course of the program, students will complete a manuscript length project for which they will receive continual feedback and support. What’s more, The Red Earth MFA provides two optional concentration strands for students: pedagogy and professional writing. For those interested in the professional strand, students will work on developing their skills in communications and editing; for the pedagogy strand, students are guided in the skills of teaching writing. Each strand provides students with an opportunity for individual study as well, and for those who prefer to focus solely on their creative work this is also an option. So, it seems to me, The Red Earth MFA provides a number of customizable options, making this a truly personalized experience based on what the student’s needs and goals may be. For more info on the program, visit this link.
Did you know USA Today provides opportunities for undergrad students to gain hands-on journalism experience with a leading national newspaper? The USA Today Collegiate Correspondent Program selects applicants to write weekly news pieces under the editorial direction of the pros—and students receive some modest compensation for their experience.
The mentoring experience is a definite perk, plus students also get to see their work published on usatodaycollege.com. Selected works are also considered for publication in the print and online versions of USA Today.
For more info about the program, visit the USA Today Collegiate Correspondent Program. Don’t forget to share the link with your students!
Today I'm working with writing students at Macomb College. We're working on building and designing writing blogs, so we're mostly just posting for fun. But, here's a question that came up in discussion:
Is there such a thing as having too many degrees?
What do you think about this -- Can you have more than one MFA? Why might you pursue a second masters in writing? Or is that just redundant?
We're curious. Respond away. We'll be right here, moving around pics and stuff.
This job posting comes from the AWP eLink job bank. Good luck!
Spalding University’s brief-residency Master of Fine Arts in Writing Program is seeking qualified applicants for part-time adjunct teaching in all areas: poetry, creative nonfiction, writing for children & young adults, screenwriting, playwriting, & fiction. Applicants should hold an MFA or PhD in the area of concentration, have published at least one book in that area or have one fully produced play or screenplay, & have had teaching experience. Applicants of diverse backgrounds, particularly African American & Hispanic, are strongly encouraged to apply. An application should consist of a packet including (1) a cover letter, (2) professional vita, (3) a writing sample of at least twenty pages from a book, & (4) two letters of recommendation concerning suitability for teaching in a low-residency program. These materials will not be returned, but a stamped, self-addressed postcard if included in the packet will be returned to acknowledge receipt of the applications. Materials should be sent to: Sena Jeter Naslund, Program Director, MFA in Writing, Spalding University, 845 South Third Street, Louisville, KY 40203-2188, & marked "Faculty Application in (Area of Interest, poetry, etc.) Applications for the MFA adjunct positions will be received during the month of September 2011 only. For information on the program, see www.spalding.edu/mfa. Spalding provides transportation for faculty to & from the residency, as well as housing. All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check & pre-employment drug screen.
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For more academic job listings, visit the AWP eLink job bank.
AWP has opened up a section of the Writers' Circle web forum to former and current creative writing students to discuss their experiences with prospective students.
If you're a graduate who can share tips and advice for prospective students, you may want to stop by to share your experiences. If you're a prospective student, you'll find resourceful folks who can respond to your pressing questions.
Current Discussion Topics Include:
- Choosing a Residential Program
- Choosing a Low-Residency Program
- Getting the Most Out of a Program
Join the discussion here: http://forums.awpwriter.org/
As promised to the students at OKCU's low-residency MFA creative writing program, I am sharing a few links related to social media and online networking. This post has been updated since the previous list with a few new updates--so, it's happily shared with any and all who might find these resources useful.
Happy surfing….
Social Networking & Community Sites
Web & Blog Hosting
Reasonably Priced Website Design Software
Authors on Amazon
Amazon.com: Author Central
(if you currently have books for sale on amazon, take advantage of this free program!)
Marketing Tips
Writing Magazines with Online Resources
Agent/Editor Research
Book Trailers Video
For those of you looking to expand your promotions with multi-media, I thought I’d suggest a few links to demonstrate some of the really cool things writers are doing lately, in an effort to market their work. I hope you enjoy these examples:
There are so many more great resources for writers to take advantage of online, but hopefully this small sampling inspires you to research, network, and connect with others passionate about the pen!
Feel free to comment and share some of your favorite online resources for connecting writers to the greater community.
I’m very excited about a full day of upcoming events in Oklahoma City. I’ve been invited to speak with the low-residency MFA students at Oklahoma City University and will be presenting on social media for writers, building a writing life, etc. While the daytime activities are especially for students, The Red Earth MFA in Creative Writing program at OKCU is offering a free public event on the evening of Tuesday, July 12 at 7pm. I’ll be sharing the stage with author Matthew Quick and I hope you’ll stop by if you’re in the area.
Here are the official details from the press release:
Creative Writers to Speak at Oklahoma City University About Creative Living
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Red Earth MFA in Creative Writing program at Oklahoma City University will host authors Matthew Quick and Lori A. May for a free public lecture titled “Literary Living: Developing A Creative Career.” The event will take place in The Kerr McGee Auditorium in the Meinders School of Business at 7 p.m. July 12.
A panel will focus on how the authors pursue professional and literary careers in writing.
For several years, Quick told his high school students that they should take risks and do amazing things because “there is potential in all of us.” He chose to follow his own advice — he quit his tenured teaching position, sold his house, floated down the Peruvian Amazon and formed The Bardbarians (a two-man literary circle), backpacked around Southern Africa, hiked to the bottom of a snowy Grand Canyon, soul searched and finally began writing full-time in his in-laws’ unfinished basement, resulting three years later in the finished manuscript “The Silver Linings Playbook.”
He found an agent, who sold the novel in several countries before selling the movie rights to the Weinstein Company. In 2010, Quick released his latest young adult novel, “Sorta Like a Rock Star.” He now lives in central Massachusetts with his wife, novelist Alicia Bessette.
Quick will speak about how to “live an examined life, and how Thoreau promised success unexpected in quiet hours for those who dare to live the life they imagine, for those who advance confidently in the direction of their dreams.”
May is a poet, novelist and freelance writer whose work has appeared in several publications including The Writer, Writer's Digest, Rattle, January Magazine, Pop Matters and American Road Magazine. In January 2011, May’s edited book, The Low-Residency MFA Handbook: A Guide for Prospective Creative Writing Students, was published with Continuum Books. A longtime freelancer, May’s educational background is in English, creative writing, editing and corporate communications. She is also a part-time writing instructor at Fanshawe College in Ontario and Macomb Community College in Michigan. Born in Canada, May now lives and writes on the shores of Michigan. (http://www.loriamay.com/)
The Red Earth low-residency master of fine arts degree program at Oklahoma City University begins its first residency July 6. For more information, visit the website www.okcu.edu/english/redearthmfa/.
“The Red Earth MFA in Creative Writing program is geared to people who want to live a creative life but understand that in order to do so, one must find a path that financially sustains them as well,” said program director and writing professor Danita Berg. “Our guest authors epitomize that kind of life.”
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Read the full OKCU press release here: http://www.okcu.edu/news/?id=5036
Visit the Red Earth MFA program website here: http://www.okcu.edu/english/redearthmfa/
Wow, I was just taking a look at the Kindle edition of The Low-Residency MFA Handbook and noticed amazon.com also has an incredible sale on the paperback version of my book! Right now, it’s selling for $9.73 and eligible for super saver shipping, so I simply had to share. I haven’t seen the book priced this low since… well, ever!
If you’re looking for a great price, now’s the time to get over to amazon.com.
While there, you’ll see this lovely review from Midwest Book Review:
A Master of Fine Arts degree is something quite prestigious to achieve, but it isn't always easy to cease your career to pursue it. The Low-Residency MFA Handbook: A Guide for Prospective Creative Writing Students is an advisory for those who are pursuing their MFA and want to use the low-residency route to this level of degree. Made up of several brief residencies throughout the pursuit, Lori A. May fully describes what is required for to make this work, drawing on those who have experienced this on their route to their MFA. The Low-Residency MFA Handbook is a must for anyone trying to push their creative writing educational credentials to the next level.
- Midwest Book Review
If you've been thinking about whether a low-res program might be for you -- or you know someone thinking about his/her own writing ambitions -- I hope you'll pick up The Low-Residency MFA Handbook to aid in your research and let me know what you think!
Let me tell you, visiting Oklahoma City in the middle of July is a hot, hot experience. Temperatures averaged in the 105-107 range and yet the environment couldn’t have been more inviting. This was my first time visiting the city and I was sure to take advantage of all it has to offer—great food, significant landmarks, and a gorgeous scenic Route 66 drive were all a part of my trip. Of course, the purpose of my visit was centered on the campus and what a lovely campus it was. There is a beautiful juxtaposition of old meets new and I enjoyed having a tour of some of the more unique components of this campus. Let’s just say if you’re a writer interested in furthering your education and you just happen to also be a former beauty pageant winner, we need to talk. I think I may have found a financially beneficial program for you! 
All in all, the visit was a success. As authors, we were welcomed and treated as valued guests. As visitors to a new program, we saw a lovely community in the making. The students seemed to feel that they had made a strong choice for their writing paths and were receptive to the sessions presented to them. The faculty I had the pleasure of getting to know – like Kerry Cohen and Jeanetta Calhoun Mish – only cemented for me the idea that this program is one that will grow with its dedicated foundation team. It’s certainly a program to watch and Director Berg should be proud of this strong launch. 
