Students interested in Creative Writing may choose from courses in the writing of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, and screenwriting. A special topics course, "Senior Seminar in Creative Writing" offers advanced students the option to explore such fields as the graphic novel, magic realism, experimental fiction, and research-based poetry, while an annual seminar course, "The Rachel Rivers-Coffey Colloquium," provides an opportunity for advanced students to work with nationally distinguished authors.

Honoring the late newspaperwoman and writer Rachel Rivers-Coffey, the Rachel Rivers-Coffey Distinguished Professorship in Creative Writing annually sponsors the residency of a writer of national prominence at Appalachian State University. This position rotates among various distinguished authors of all creative genres; distinguished professors teach a creative writing seminar, conduct community outreach and other off-campus activities, and are featured annually in the Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series.

The 2012 Rachel Rivers-Coffey Distinguished Writer-in-Residence is Gurney Norman.

These courses are open to students of any major, however, English majors seeking the Bachelor of Arts degree have the option to pursue a Concentration in Creative Writing as part of their degree program. The Creative Writing program conducts scholarship competitions in poetry and prose each Fall, named for late faculty member and author John Foster West and in memory of local novelist Marian Coe; the spring competition alternates between poetry and prose and is endowed by the literary trust of author Truman Capote. Students and other members of the university community are encouraged to attend readings and craft talks in the Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series, which brings ten authors to campus each year.

Creative Writing Scholarships:

• John Foster West Scholarship
• Marian Coe Scholarship
• Truman Capote Scholarship (DOC)
• THE TRUMAN CAPOTE SCHOLARSHIP FOR CREATIVE WRITING for 2012-13 has been awarded to KATHRYN KEHOE for Poetry. Poet Peter Blair (UNC-Charlotte) served as judge.

Creative Writing News