Creative Writing Courses

Fall 2024

PLEASE NOTE: THESE LISTINGS MAY BE INCOMPLETE AND/OR INCORRECT. PLEASE USE WORKDAY TO SEARCH FOR COURSES.

In the fall of 2024, the Creative Writing Center will offer workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, and hybrid forms. 
 
Previously:
Spring 2024

ENGL-114 Narratives of Migration and Transformation
Kirun Kapur (Section 01)

ENGL-221 Writing Poetry I
Amy Dryansky (Section 01)

ENGL-223 Writing Autofiction
Meghana Mysore (Section 01)

ENGL-224 Creative Nonfiction
Victor W. Yang (Section 01)

ENGL-226 Fiction Writing I
Dennis J. Sweeney (Section 01)

ENGL-229 The Fictions of Race
Victor W. Yang (Section 01)

ENGL-324 Writing Poetry II–Poetry in Translation
Kirun Kapur (Section 01)

ENGL-326 Fiction Writing II—Moving Beyond Plot
Thirii M. Myint (Section 01)

ENGL-352 Reading Land, Writing Waters
Lisa Brooks (Section 01)

ENGL-388 Screenwriting
Eric Sanders (Section 01)

THDA-272 Writing the Full-Length Play
SEVAN Tavoukdjian (Section 01)

 
Fall 2023 Offerings
 
Spring 2023
Fall 2022

Spring 2022

In the spring of 2022, the Creative Writing Center will offer workshops in poetry, fiction, translation, and playwriting. 

Questions? Email Catherine Newman at crnewman@amherst.edu. And check out our strategies for registering for workshops.

Previously. . . 

Fall 2021

ENGL-107 Poetry with Friends
Shayla I. Lawson (Section 01)
 
ENGL-221 Writing Poetry I
Kirun Kapur (Section 01)
 
ENGL-222 Playwriting I
Ana Candida Carneiro (Section 01)
 
ENGL-226 Fiction Writing I
Dennis J. Sweeney (Section 01)
 
ENGL-320 Lit as Translation
Anston L. Bosman (Section 01)
Catherine A. Ciepiela (Section 01)
 
ENGL-322 Playwriting Studio
Ana Candida Carneiro (Section 01)
 
ENGL-473 Hybrid Forms
Shayla I. Lawson (Section 01)
 
ENGL-492 Creative Thesis Workshop
Judith E. Frank (Section 01)

 

Previously: Spring 2021

ENGL-224 Creative Nonfiction
Dennis J. Sweeney (Section 01)
 
ENGL-226 Fiction Writing I
Thirii M. Myint (Section 01)
 

Previously: Fall 2020

ENGL-221 Writing Poetry I
Kirun Kapur (Section 01)
 
ENGL-222 Playwriting I
Ana Candida Carneiro (Section 01)
 
ENGL-225 Non-Fiction I or Personal Story
Min Jin Lee (Section 01)
 
ENGL-226 Fiction Writing I
Judith E. Frank (Section 01)
Min Jin Lee (Section 02)
 
ENGL-322 Playwriting Studio
The Department (Section 01)
 
ENGL-326 Fiction Writing II—Moving Beyond Plot
Thirii M. Myint (Section 01)

previously:

ENGL-107 Poetry with Friends
Shayla I. Lawson
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 18 students. If Overenrolled: The instructor will seek to achieve representative equity (majors, class years, gender, background, etc.).
 
ENGL-223 Sound, Movement, and Text: Interactions and Collaborations
Wendy Woodson
Requisite: Previous experience in composition in one or more of the central media, or consent of the instructors. Limited to 16 students. If Overenrolled: Priority given first to majors in theater and dance, music, and English, then to others with experience in these media.
 
ENGL-226 Fiction Writing I
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 15 students. If Overenrolled: The instructor will seek to achieve representative equity (majors, class years, gender, background, etc.).
 
ENGL-270 Letter Writing and Epistolarity
Benigno R. Sanchez-Eppler
Limited to 18 students. If Overenrolled: Preference given to senior, junior, and second-year English majors.
 
ENGL-323 On The Edge: Writing for Performance
Ana Candida Carneiro
If Overenrolled: Priority given to Theater and Dance, Film and Media Studies, Art & Art History, English, and Music majors from the 5 Colleges.
 
ENGL-324 Writing Poetry II–Poetry in Translation

Kirun Kapur(Section 01)
Limited to 12 students. If Overenrolled: The instructor will seek to achieve representative equity (majors, class years, gender, background, etc.).

It is normally supposed that something always gets lost in translation; I cling, obstinately, to the notion that something can also be gained.― Salman Rushdie

What can we learn about the craft of poetry through the practice of translation? How can engaging with poetry in another language (even in translation) transform our own thinking and writing? This class will explore these questions by reading and translating poetry from around the world and across the centuries. Readings from Homer, Sappho, Catullus, Montale, Ghalib, Mir and a variety of contemporary Arab poets will be augmented with a mix of essays on the practical and theoretical aspects of translation. Students will experiment with a variety of translation-inspired writing exercises and design a final translation project of their choice. There is no language requirement. 
Kirun Kapur's email is kkapur97@amherst.edu 

ENGL-325 Her Story Is: Feminist Approaches to Theater and Performance
Ana Candida Carneiro
Limited to 18 students. If Overenrolled: Priority given to THDA and SWAG majors.
 
ENGL-326 Fiction Writing II—Moving Beyond Plot
Thirii M. Myint
Requisite: ENGL 226 Fiction Writing I. Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 15 students. If Overenrolled: The instructor will seek to achieve representative equity (majors, class years, gender, background, etc.).
 
THDA-348 Moving Elsewhere: Performance, Poetry and Psychoanalysis
Wendy Woodson
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 12 students. If Overenrolled: Priority given first to majors in theater and dance, music, and English, then to others with experience in these media.
 
MUSI-267 Song Writing
Eric W. Sawyer
Requisite: Students should have some background in music performance, chords, or writing. Limited to 12 students. If Overenrolled: Preference will be given to first-years, sophomores, and music majors.

 

Previously: Fall 2019

ENGL-221 Writing Poetry I
Kirun Kapur(Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 12 students. 
If Overenrolled: The instructor will seek to achieve representative equity (majors, class years, gender, background, etc.).
 
ENGL-222 Playwriting I
The Department(Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 15 students.
If Overenrolled: Preference to theater and dance majors. Decisions made after the first class.
 
ENGL-225 Non-Fiction I or Personal Story
Min Jin Lee(Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 15 students. Fall semester. Writer-in-Residence Lee.
If Overenrolled: The instructor will seek to achieve representative equity (majors, class years, gender, background, etc.).
 
ENGL-226 Fiction Writing I
Min J. Lee(Section 01)
Thirii Myint(Section 02)
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 15 students. 
If Overenrolled: The instructor will seek to achieve representative equity (majors, class years, gender, background, etc.).
 
ENGL-227 Reading and Writing Electronic Literature
Judith E. Frank(Section 01)
Marisa Parham(Section 01)
 
ENGL-320 Literature as Translation
Anston L. Bosman(Section 01)
Catherine A. Ciepiela(Section 01)
Requisite: two years of college-level study of the chosen language. Limited to 15 students. 
If Overenrolled: Students will be dropped randomly to attain limit.
 
ENGL-324 Writing Poetry II–The Lyric Essay
Shayla I. Lawson(Section 01)
Requisite: ENGL 221 Writing Poetry I. Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 12 students. 
If Overenrolled: The instructor will seek to achieve representative equity (majors, class years, gender, background, etc.).

Previously: Spring 2019

ENGL-221 Writing Poetry I
Kirun Kapur (Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 12 students. Preregistration is not allowed. Admission instructions here.
 
ENGL-226 Fiction Writing I
Amity W. Gaige (Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 15 students. Preregistration is not allowed. Admission instructions here.
 
ENGL-255 Unreliabilities
Amity W. Gaige (Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 15 students. Preregistration is not allowed. Admission instructions here.
 
ENGL-322 Playwriting Studio
Karinne Keithley Syers (Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 10 students. If Overenrolled: Instructor will decide after first class meeting.
 
ENGL-324 Writing Poetry II
Shayla I. Lawson(Section 01)
Requisite: ENGL 221, Writing Poetry I. Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 12 students. Preregistration is not allowed. Admission instructions here.
 
ENGL-426 Writing the Novella
Judith E. Frank (Section 01)
Requisite: A previous fiction-writing workshop. Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 10 students. Preregistration is not allowed. Admission instructions here.
 
ENGL-473 Hybrid Forms
Shayla I. Lawson (Section 01)
Open to juniors and seniors. Limited to 16 students.
 
ENGL-328 Writing Historical Fiction
Susan E. Stinson (Section 01)
Requisite: ENGL 226, Fiction Writing I. Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 15 students. Preregistration is not allowed. Admission instructions here.

Previously: Fall 2018

ENGL-221 Writing Poetry I
Shayla I. Lawson (Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 12 students. Preregistration is not allowed. Admission instructions here.

ENGL-222 Playwriting I
Karinne Keithley Syers (Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 15 students. Not open to first-year students.

ENGL-226 Fiction Writing I
Judith E. Frank (Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 15 students. Preregistration is not allowed. Admission instructions here.

ENGL-326 Fiction Writing II
Amity W. Gaige (Section 01)
Requisite: Completion of a previous course in creative writing. Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 15 students. Preregistration is not allowed. Admission instructions here.

Previously: Spring 2018

ENGL-221 Writing Poetry I
Kirun Kapur (Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 12 students. Preregistration is not allowed. Admission instructions here.
 
ENGL-222 Playwriting I
Connie Congdon (Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 15 students. Not open to first-year students.
 
ENGL-226 Fiction Writing I
Judith E. Frank (Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 15 students. Preregistration is not allowed. Admission instructions here.
 
ENGL-321 Tones in Black and White
Peter Kimani (Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor.  Limited to 25 students. Preregistration is not allowed. Admission instructions here.
 
ENGL-322 Playwriting Studio
Connie Congdon (Section 01)
Requisite: THDA 270 or the equivalent. Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 10 students.
 
ENGL-326 Fiction Writing II
Peter Kimani (Section 01)
Requisite: Completion of a previous course in creative writing. Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 15 students. Preregistration is not allowed.
Admission instructions here.

Previously: Fall 2017

ENGL-221 Writing Poetry I
Daniel J. Hall
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 12 students. Admission instructions here.
 
ENGL-222 Playwriting I
Karinne Keithley Syers
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 15 students. If Overenrolled: Preference to theater and dance majors. Decisions made after the first class.
 
ENGL-226 Fiction Writing I
Susan E. Stinson 
Admission with consent of the instructor.  Limited to 15 students. Admission instructions here.
 
ENGL-228 Narrating the Nation
Peter Kimani
Admission with consent of the instructor.  Limited to 15 students. Admission instructions here.
 
ENGL-426 Writing the Novella
Judith E. Frank
Requisite: A previous fiction-writing workshop. Admission with consent of the  instructor. Limited to 10 students. Admission instructions here.
 
ENGL-440 Imitations
Daniel J. Hall
Admission with consent of the instructor.  Limited to 15 students. Admission instructions here.
 
EUST-303 Literature as Translation
Catherine A. Ciepiela
Requisite: two years of college-level study of the chosen language.  Limited to 15 students.
 

Previously: Spring 2017

ENGL-221 Writing Poetry I
Daniel J. Hall(Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor.  Limited to 12 students. Admission instructions here.
 
ENGL-222 Playwriting I
Connie Congdon(Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 15 students. Not open to first-year students.
 
ENGL-226 Fiction Writing I
Judith E. Frank(Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor.  Limited to 15 students. Admission instructions here.
 
ENGL-322 Playwriting Studio
Connie Congdon(Section 01)
Requisite: THDA 270 or the equivalent. Admission with consent of the instructor. Limited to 10 students.
 
PLEASE NOTE: FICTION II WILL NOT BE OFFERED IN SPRING 2017
 
ENGL-440 Imitations
Daniel J. Hall(Section 01)
Admission with consent of the instructor.  Limited to 15 students. Admission instructions here.

 

Previously: Fall 2016

ENGL-221 WRITING POETRY I
Kirun Kapur (Section 01)
Limited enrollment. Pre-enrollment not allowed. Admission instructions here.
 
ENGL-222 PLAYWRITING I
Djola Branner (Section 01)
Enrollment limited to 15; not open to first-year students; if overenrolled, enrollment will be decided after the first class.
 
ENGL-226 FICTION WRITING I
Abigail N. Jackson (Section 01)
Pre-enrollment not allowed. Admission instructions here.
 
ENGL-320 LITERATURE AS TRANSLATION
Catherine A. Ciepiela (Section 01)
Requisite: two years of college-level study of the chosen language. 
 

Previously:

ENGL-221 Writing Poetry I
Hall (Section 01)
Admission requirements
 
ENGL-226 Fiction Writing I
Ted Thompson (Section 01)
Admission requirements
 
ENGL-256 The First Person
Amity W. Gaige (Section 01)
Admission requirements
 
ENGL-326 Fiction Writing II
Amity W. Gaige (Section 01)
Admission requirements
 
THDA-270 Playwriting I
Connie Congdon (Section 01)
 
THDA-370 Playwriting Studio
Connie Congdon (Section 01)

Previously: Fall 2015

ENGL-221 Writing Poetry I

David R. Sofield (Section 01)
Admission requirements

ENGL-226 Fiction Writing I

Judith E. Frank (Section 01)
Admission requirements
Amity W. Gaige (Section 02)
Admission requirements

ENGL-388 Screenwriting

Chris Mason Johnson (Section 01)
Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.  Preference will be given to English and FAMS majors.  Admission with consent of the instructor.  Limited to 12 students.  Please complete the questionnaire to be considered for admission.