MA Creative Writing: Writing and Publishing Fiction

A minimum of a good second-class honours degree, or the equivalent, in an appropriate discipline is required (for example, Creative Writing; English Literature; English Language; Drama; Theatre Studies; Communication Studies; Cultural Studies; Film Studies; Journalism; Professional Writing).

Admission to the course is subject to an acceptable entry qualification profile, a sample of creative writing (fiction), and in some instances an interview.

In your personal statement on the application form, please give details of the fiction you have written (including any publications), what (if any) fiction-related events you have attended (e.g. workshops, readings), which authors you particularly admire, and why you would like to do our MA.

When applying, please upload a sample of your fiction (c. 15 pages of flashes, a short story, or an extract of a longer fictional prose piece).

https://www1.chester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/postgraduate-finance/current-postgraduate-fees

The transferable skills acquired in studying an MA in Creative Writing enable students to develop their careers by giving them the flexibility so much sought after by employers.

Some students will go on to become professional writers in a variety of contexts.

As well as seeking to publish their prose and poetry, MA postgraduates will have advanced writing skills invaluable in a whole range of present and future employments, including teaching, publishing, the media and communications, advertising, public relations, journalism, librarianship, management and administration, personnel work, and, of course, any kind of employment which depends on creative language skills.

Programme Structure:
 

• Writing Short Fiction for Publication (40 credits; code EN7106) – this module examines the ways in which flash fiction (‘the short-short story’) and the short story are constructed. This will involve close analysis of such crucial aspects of short-fiction writing as: singleness of effect; economy; implication; openings; endings; setting; characterisation; dialogue; and point of view. From studying a variety of representative late-twentieth-century and contemporary texts, students will gain technical knowledge and an awareness of what makes short fiction both publishable and a critical success.
  The module runs for ten weeks and is taught by a two-hour workshop and a two-hour seminar each week. Typically, it begins in the first week of October.

• Writing Novels for Publication (40 credits; code EN7107) – this module extends EN7106’s exploration of fiction by focusing on novels. Using a variety of representative late-twentieth-century and contemporary texts, the module will examine the ways in which novels are constructed. This will involve a close analysis of such crucial aspects of novelistic writing as: narrative; setting; characterisation; dialogue; point of view; and the internal monologue. A range of other issues and themes will be considered.
  The module runs for ten weeks and is taught by a two-hour workshop and a two-hour seminar each week. Typically, it begins in the first week of the spring term.

• Getting Published (20 credits; code EN7108) – this module prepares students for the Writing Project and the students’ writing after its completion. Research into the world of publication is a fundamental part of any writer’s work. The writer must research everything that supports publication: literary magazines (print and online); literary agents and publishers; e-publishing; websites/blogs, the internet, and the media; festivals, readings, workshops, and other literary events. The module places publication in its full context, exploring the different kinds of research needed for a successful writing career.
  The module runs for five weeks and is taught by a two-hour workshop and a two-hour seminar each week. Typically, it begins in the first week of the summer term.

• The Writing Project (80 credits; code EN7104) – this module gives students the opportunity to develop their own specialist interest to produce a substantial text aimed for publication. The range of acceptable projects includes: a collection of short-short stories and/or short stories; a novella; an extract from a novella/novel. Each student will be assigned a supervisor, who in one-to-one tutorials will give advice and support from the conception of the project to its completion.
  The module begins at the end of Getting Published. Typically, the deadline for submission is 30 September.