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Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Augsburg's low-residency MFA Program in Creative Writing offers coursework in five genres — fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, and playwriting. Over two years, students attend three 10-day summer residencies on the Augsburg campus. Each is structured like a literary festival, with daily workshops, discussions, craft talks, and readings. During the fall and spring semesters, students work long-distance with a mentor in their chosen genre, turning in regular projects.
In the third semester, students write a “craft paper” (so-called because it focuses on the craft of writing) illuminating a specific topic — for example: “What Makes an Effective Ending in a Screenplay?” Or: “The Poetics of Post-Confessional Female Sexuality.” This paper can be either a traditional scholarly paper or more conversational in tone. It should include a prospectus, which states the central thesis, and an annotated bibliography, both conforming to MLA style.
This guide, from Augsburg's Lindell Library, points students toward the resources they need to complete their projects and amplify their knowledge of the field.
Useful library-related links for MFA students can be found here!
Journals
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Academic Search PremierThousands of journal titles; millions of articles covering virtually any topic.
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MLA International BibliographyMLA (Modern Language Association) is the literary go-to for scholarly research. For best results, pay close attention to the captions next to the search box as you enter your terms. Since MLA is not full-text, make sure you use the "Find It" button to get articles sent to your e-mail box.
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Poets & Writers MagazinePoets & Writers Magazine, founded in 1987, is the flagship publication of the largest creative-writers' nonprofit in the U.S. Full-text access from 2009 to the present is available through Augsburg's Expanded Academic database. Put keywords in the “search within publication” search box to get all articles on a particular subject — or, to search a particular issue, go to Advanced Search, scroll down to “More Options,” and enter “poets & writers” and the date.
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Writer's DigestOnline access to articles from this respected writer's journal, 1994 to the present, is available through Augsburg's Expanded Academic database. Put keywords in the "search within publication" search box to get all articles on a particular subject — or, to search a particular issue, go to Advanced Search, scroll down to “ More Options,” and enter “writer’s digest” and the date.
Reference
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The Chicago Manual of Style by Call Number: Reference LB2369. C57 2017Publication Date: 2017The official reference for Chicago style, published by the University of Chicago Press. The latest edition is in Reference, with some previous editions in Circulation. We also have the 2017 edition as an e-book: Use it online!
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MLA Handbook for Writers of Research PapersCall Number: Reference LB2369 .G53 2009The Modern Language Association's comprehensive guide. -
Oxford English Dictionary by Call Number: View EbookNot just a dictionary, although it is certainly a useful one — this multivolume work, first published in 1884 and laboriously updated many times since, maps the history of the English language.
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Credo ReferenceCredo's Literati brings close to 1,000 reference books under one virtual roof, including The Cambridge Guide to Theatre, Chambers Film Factfinder, and The Encyclopedia of Life Writing. The articles are often substantial; mine their reference lists for primary sources.
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Oxford ReferenceSimilar to Wikipedia, but with better information, Oxford Reference has more than two million articles from dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other reference sources on every subject from archaeology to zoology. Search individual titles or all titles simultaneously.
Writers' Resources
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Writer's Market by Call Number: Reference PN161 .W83 2019ISBN: 9781440354359Publication Date: 2019The working writer's Bible, published annually by Writer's Digest Books, an imprint of F+W Media. Provides a comprehensive list of thousands of places to sell your work: magazines, newspapers, theaters, production companies, contests, greeting card companies, literary agents. -
Guide to Literary Agents by Call Number: Reference PN163 .G84 2020ISBN: 9781440354946Publication Date: 2020A go-to resource for finding a literary agent and earning a contract from a reputable publisher. Includes listing information for more than 1,000 agents who represent writers and their books, plus extras like the key elements of a successful nonfiction book proposal. -
Novel and Short Story Writer's Market by Call Number: Reference PN3355 .F474 2020ISBN: 9781440354939Publication Date: 2020A specialized guide for getting short stories, novellas, and novels published. Hundreds of updated listings for book publishers, literary agents, fiction publications, contests, and more. -
Poet's Market by Call Number: Reference PN1059.M3 P59 2020ISBN: 9781440354953Publication Date: 2020A comprehensive tool for the craft and business of poetry. Includes listings for book and chapbook publishers, print and online poetry publications, contests, insider tips on what specific editors want, and articles devoted to the craft and business of poetry, such as the art of finishing a poem. -
Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors and Literary Agents by Call Number: Z475 .H47 2018ISBN: 1608685845Publication Date: 2018A directory with everything working writers need to know to find publishers, editors, and agents.
