How to Become a Writer in Illinois with a BFA, MFA or Similar Creative Writing Degree

If America is a melting pot, then Chicago is a meat grinder. It’s not always pretty, but for a writer there’s a lot of material to work with here.

Sandra Cisneros alludes to this in her latest novella Martita, I Remember You, a semi-autobiographical look back at growing up in Chicago. Today she still often visits family in the city and describes her experience here.

Illinois’ Creative Writing Classes, Courses, and Workshops Can Prepare You for a Creative Writing Degree

For creative writers, living in Chicago is like being a kid in a candy store. Writing groups like “Sisters in Crime,” “Romance Writers of America,” “Chicago Screenwriters Network,” “Chicago Dramatists,” and, “Chicago Horror Writers,” to name just a few are all within commuting distance.

After Hours is a literary magazine that publishes fiction and poetry from Chicago-area writers. Another literary magazine, Arcturus, accepts submissions from all authors without restrictions, and strives to continue in the tradition of Harriet Monroe’s magazine, Poetry, still in circulation today.

When it comes to getting authors published, you need look no further than the Windy City; naturally it has that covered too. Chicago Review Press, Haymarket Books, University of Chicago Press, and Joshua Tree Publishing are all major houses based here.

And fortunately for the rest of us who don’t live in Chicago, there are plenty of additional creative writing resources that exist throughout the state.

The Champaign Public Library sponsors creative writing workshops that feature lectures from local authors and break-out discussion groups.

Springfield Poets and Writers is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering the development of the literary arts. It hosts monthly open mic nights, social events, and publishes the annual teen poetry anthology, Navigating the Maze.

The Rockford Writers’ Guild is based in its namesake city with over 100 members from Canada and across the nation. It hosts writing events, is a hub for newsletters and publications, and is in charge of the tri-annual The Rockford Review.

These are just a few examples of what goes on in the writing scene across Illinois. Staying active with your local scene keeps your skills sharp, stimulates ideas, and is a good way of making connections with friends and professionals who can give your writing career a boost in unexpected ways.

Writing Colleges in Illinois Offering Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Creative Writing Provide a Path to Becoming a Writer

The creative process involves periods of writers’ block mixed with spurts of productivity, punctuated with experimentation into different styles and techniques, all hopefully topped off with growth.

A BFA or MFA in creative writing can make the difference between spending decades lost in the weeds of the creative process and honing your unique abilities into a finished masterpiece. These degree programs are taught by experienced writers who’ve been there and done that, and they surround you with a diverse atmosphere of other motivated creators.