Creative Writing

Two courses at the BFA level work to bridge class and real-world experience: Preparation for a Career in Writing (CRWR 430) exposes the emerging writer to career opportunities in a wide variety of genres with emphasis on direct contact with successful working writers and publishing professionals.  Students emerge from the course with a career plan and a professional proposal in the genre(s) of their choice. They also conduct an interview with an established writer for publication in the online magazine Nineteen Questions.

Editing and Managing a Literary Magazine (CRWR 470) surveys the current landscape of small-format publishing, with a focus on literary magazines and forays into new forms of digital and self-publishing. Students get behind the scenes and gain experience with production, promotion, interviewing, and reviewing.

The Brave New Play Rites Festival features the new works of playwrights in the Creative Writing Program. The festival provides students with the opportunity to have their short plays produced, as well as giving directors from the theatre program and student production staff a chance to practise their craft.

The Creative Writing Student Association is a student-run organization founded to enhance the student community of UBC Creative Writing students (MFA and BFA) by offering events and mentoring opportunities for students.

PRISM international is a quarterly magazine whose mandate is to publish the best in contemporary writing and translation from Canada and around the world. Writing from PRISM has been featured in Best American Stories, Best American Essays and The Journey Prize Stories, amongst other noted publications. Get involved behind the scenes!

This monthly BFA reading series gives students a chance to read their work alongside established writers in a fun and supportive environment.

Imagine student life in Nottingham; biking to class with friends in the morning, and enjoying the latest piece of theatre at the Nottingham Playhouse in the evening. Whether you end up picking the UK, Australia, or anywhere in between, you’ll immerse yourself in the creative traditions of another culture, all while  finishing your degree.

Did you know?You can take on an international internship, participate in a Global Seminar, go on exchange or even conduct research abroad. Check out all the ways you can Go Global,

Put your language skills and cultural knowledge to work for you. Gaining paid, full-time co-op experience will help you explore careers in non-profits and community organizations, arts organizations, education, government, and the private sector with employers across Canada and abroad. Graduate with career skills, experience, and a network of professional contacts that will give you a competitive edge after graduation.

Build a career while you are studying through part-time, unpaid internships designed with Creative Writing students in mind. Exciting internships are being created with local festivals, grass-roots organizations and non-profits. Many internships require strong writing skills, which is perfect for Creative Writing majors. Develop your professional skills in social media, blogging, grant writing, interviewing and storytelling skills in an exciting internship this term. Meet industry contacts, gain relevant experience and unleash your creativity in a part-time internship this year. 

Work and learn in community settings like non-profits and inner city schools. Take a course with a community-based experiential learning (CBEL) component and develop an understanding of community contexts and the systemic factors underlying community needs. Whether it’s a course or signing up for Trek & Reading Week placements, or a grant project in community, you’ll build skills in real-world settings and make invaluable connections with people in community.