Creative Writing
Offered by the English department.

We all have stories to tell and we can share them in many ways: poems, plays, short stories, novels, and essays to name a few—and we can share them on the page, online, or from the stage. A degree in creative writing could be the first chapter in your publishing career or the foreword to earning your MFA. Wheaton offers a vibrant, collaborative setting for aspiring writers. The literary arts are alive here, with two annual play festivals and the student-run lit mag, Rushlight. Our Visiting Artist Program brings accomplished authors to campus for readings, workshops, and master classes.

Students who are interested in getting started with the major should enroll in one of the introductory workshops typically offered in the following rotation:

Be aware, course rotations can change. Make sure to check Banner for the most updated course availability.

For questions, please contact the Creative Writing Coordinator, Kent Shaw.

Programs

Outcomes

100% of Creative Writing majors from the past five years have found employment or achieved a service opportunity within six months of graduation *

100%
of Creative Writing majors

Recent Graduates


Sample First Jobs

  • Assistant, Alice Hoffman Writing
  • Deputy Field House Director, New Hampshire Democratic Party
  • Executive Project Assistant, Hachette Book Group
  • Public Relations, Racepoint Global
  • Teacher, New England Center for Children


Sample Graduate Schools

  • Middlebury College
  • New York University
  • Northeastern University
  • University of Vermont

*outcomes data is based on a knowledge rate of 58% for the classes of 2014-2018

Recent student internships

The Wheaton Edge offers experiences beyond the classroom.

Mary Quinn

2021, Biology, Creative Writing

The Conger Family Internship Fund

New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance, Middleboro/Marion/Mattapoisett/Wareham, MA

This experience made me realize that I love fieldwork, and that I definitely belong in the biology major.

Madeleine Limoges

2021, Creative Writing

Merit Scholarship

Wheaton College Lexomics Research Group, Norton, MA

My experience on the Lexos team gave me more self-confidence, along with learning how to properly prioritize tasks.

Lily Goneau

2020, Creative Writing

Merit Scholarship

Wheaton College Lexomics Research Group, Norton, MA

This internship not only gave me the opportunity to develop skills in teamwork, communication and research but also gave me insight on how authors approach writing and construct their novels from draft to publication.

Sydney Evans

2021, Creative Writing, Environmental Science

Wheaton Edge Fellowship

Wheaton College, Norton, MA

I worked in a research lab environment and immersed myself in scientific data pertaining to geology and planetary science. I learned to use new software and gained digital editing skills that will help me if I continue working with figure-making and scientific publishing.

Shannon Connolly

2020, Visual Art, Creative Writing

Elizabeth Wright Shippee '37 Fund for Work and Learning Fellows

Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington, CT

Working at a museum that had a poetry festival allowed me to use my graphic design and writing skills to promote the festival, as well as immerse myself in one of my favorite types of literature: poetry.

Erin Balachandran

2020, Creative Writing

The Conger Family Internship Fund

MSPCA at Nevins Farm, Methuen, Massachusetts

If I am ever in need of inspiration or a unique experience to write about in my endeavors as a writer, I will refer back to my internship. Not only can I write about the animals and their stories but also about the volunteers that I got to know while working for the staff.

Faculty

Deyonne Bryant

Samuel Valentine Cole Associate Professor of English

Charlotte Meehan

Playwright-in-Residence, Professor of English, Mary Heuser Chair in the Arts

Kent Shaw

Assistant Professor of English