Talking Myself Out of the MFA
Column by Peter Derk
It's the time of year for my annual de-motivational talk: Why I'm not applying for any MFA programs.
Library Love: The Future is Open
Column by Stephanie Bonjack
Open Access is a movement that seeks to circumvent barriers preventing access to information. Think traditional publishing is the only way to go? Think again.
Even Writers Can Participate In Take Your Kid to Work Day
Column by Stephanie Bonjack
Some professions offer the most amazing stuff for kids to interact with on Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. And others have, well, computers. How to make the day interesting and memorable.
5 Reasons to Study Creative Writing in School
Column by Karis Rogerson March 22, 2018
There are a slew of reasons to study creative writing in college, if you have the opportunity and chance. Here are just a few.
Storyville: Life, Death, Dreams, and Failure
Column by Richard Thomas November 21, 2017
What are you doing about your dreams? Go after them now. TODAY!
Five Tools for the Journeyman Writer
Column by Melissa F. Olson
Where are all the resources geared toward mid-career writers?
An Agent is a Living M.F.A.
Column by Christoph Paul March 1, 2017
I compare the benefits of getting an M.F.A to the education you get from an agent. I conclude that you get more out of working with an agent than attending an M.F.A. program.
Storyville: Continuing Your Writing Education
Column by Richard Thomas
Some tips and advice about how to continue your writing education.
The Problems and Virtues of a University Creative Writing Education
Column by Robbie Blair May 21, 2015
Is the way we're doing things really working? What's right about our approach? What needs to change? This article re-thinks the way we approach university-level creative writing education.
The Self-Taught MFA: Novel Idea or Fairy Tale?
Column by Naturi Thomas-Millard September 19, 2014
MFA programs are like Club Med for writers. Everything's included: Great locales! Interesting People! Loads of alcohol! (And plenty of reasons to drink it.) But what about the road less traveled?
Why Are Textbooks So Fucking Expensive?
Column by Leah Dearborn September 4, 2014
Differing studies have found that the average U.S. student spends between $600 and $1,200 a year on textbooks and supplies. What exactly makes textbooks so expensive?
We Can Go Three Times As High: Reading Rainbow Is Growing!
News by Peter Derk May 30, 2014
LeVar Burton and Reading Rainbow have more than doubled their Kickstarter fundraising goal, still have over a month left.
Get Smart: Harvard Classics Library Now Free Online
News by Peter Derk March 17, 2014
The Harvard Classics, a 51-volume collection of classic literature, is free and available online.
Mightier Than The Sword: Fatal Allergy Prevents Student From Finishing University
News by Nathan Scalia December 19, 2013
University student Kirsty Ashman's severe dust allergy puts her life at risk whenever she opens a book.
Library Love: MOOCs – An Ivy League Education For The Masses
Column by Stephanie Bonjack July 11, 2013
MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) are the new big thing in higher education. Learn a new subject or sharpen the old saw with instructors from around the world.
Controversy as Prep School Teacher Asks Students To Write Suicide Notes
News by Dean Fetzer June 13, 2013
An assignment at a New York prep school asks students to compose “suicide notes from the perspective of a suicidal character in the book "The Secret Life Of Bees."
California School Trades Books for Toy Guns
News by Dean Fetzer June 11, 2013
During “Safety Day”, an elementary school in Hayward, California set up an exchange program offering books for toy guns to encourage kids to take firearms seriously.
Wanna Boost Your Child’s IQ? Read to Them!
News by Dean Fetzer
After looking at a number of studies, researchers believe “reading to a child in an interactive style raises his or her IQ by over 6 points.”
Ohio School Teacher Faces Stiff Punishment for Writing an Erotic Novel
News by Christopher Shultz December 13, 2012
The teaching career of one Carol Ann Eastman is on shaky ground. Will her writing career take off as a result?
UPDATED - US School Curriculum: Classics to be Dropped in Favor of “Informational Texts”
News by Dean Fetzer December 11, 2012
In a move guaranteed to incite criticism, American literature classics will be replaced with non-fiction books to get pupils ready for the workplace.
“The Most Dangerous Game” Goes Too Far For Colorado Mom
News by Dean Fetzer November 6, 2012
The mother of a Brighton, Colorado, 8th-grader was shocked to discover a homework assignment requiring him to answer questions about the short story, in light of a recent child abduction and murder.
Screw Your Education: Shut Up And Write
Column by Keith Rawson July 10, 2012
A Bachelors, an MBA....Pfffft, who needs it? Why not just try living and writing instead?
Seriously Though, Do I Really Need An MFA?
Column by Rob Hart June 12, 2012
It's a tough question many writers struggle with: Is it worth it to get an MFA? On one hand, you get intense instruction. On the other, you pay A LOT of money. Can we talk about this?
Won't Somebody Please Think of the Children?
Column by John Jarzemsky March 29, 2012
Advocates of censorship often invoke the name of children to support their cause, but repression of literature borders on abusive.
