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

Written by Jennifer Williams

university of pennsylvania

Pennsylvanians have always had their hand in history, and the evolution of literature is no exception. You could even say it would be impossible to fully appreciate our nation’s beginnings without recognizing the influence that creative persuasion brought to the written word. At a time of immense political tension, in Philadelphia, Thomas Paine published his first edition of Common Sense in early 1776. Paine’s book promoted radical-for-the-time ideas like representative government and argued against authoritarianism. Its influence was so far-reaching that the book has often been called the catalyst of the American Revolution.

Since that time, Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania more broadly, has continued to be a literary hub, turning out some legendary American writers.

The Literary Legends of Philly

ravenLouisa May Alcott, born in Philadelphia, grew up with little means but studied under the tutelage of seasoned writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. She would go on to write short stories for Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, Peterson’s Magazine, and Saturday Evening Gazette before publishing her most famous novel, Little Women.

Edgar Allen Poe himself was a resident of Philadelphia for a short time. Before he became the dark and dreary Poe, he was a no-name freelance writer of fiction pieces. It gained him notice, though, and helped him land his first writing gig as an editor for Burton’s Gentleman’s Magazine. Years later, his short piece “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” would give rise to a new literary genre – the detective story – and Poe would become, without a doubt, the most illustrious gothic writer of all time.

Whether you’ve got a knack for intellectual persuasion, a penchant for epic storytelling, or an inclination for dark poetry, the voices of Paine, Alcott, and Poe are a reminder that a career in creative writing is within reach.

Pennsylvania’s diverse social landscape has always been a bedrock for literary enlightenment, and today, large cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are still hubs of opportunity and connection for up-and-coming writers. If you want to become a writer in Pennsylvania, you’ll find that networking with your local writing community is a good start. The key to a successful writing career, however, come with a BFA or MFA in creative writing.

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

You probably know by now that becoming a writer doesn’t mean following a prescriptive path. There’s no perfect model to hold up or rigidly structured process that offers the assurance of success. And by its very nature, writing is an art – an abstract, elusive, undefined art – that requires passion and vision from its creator. It’s something that exists for an audience only in the way the author allows it to. Your journey as a writer begins with self-reaction and deep immersion into your own thoughts, desires, and visions. After all, Alcott’s most memorable piece of writing, Little Women, was, in fact, a protégé of her own life – a window into her own mind.

Developing your craft, then, is inevitably tied to self-discovery. This, of course, means that you’ll need an outlet for self-inquiry as much as self-expression – a place where you can unravel yourself, challenge your own thoughts, and find your voice. There’s no better way to do this than to get involved with your local writing community.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are full of opportunities for the amateur writer. Local bookstores, such as A Novel Idea in Philadelphia, are great places to connect with fellow writers, participate in thoughtful discussions with a book club, and capture an audience on open-mic nights.

Groups like the Mad Poets Society and Babel Poetry Collective out of Philadelphia are hot connections for networking with fellow poets, giving you a chance to field honest critique through workshops and open-mic readings. The Brandywine Valley Writers Group, which meets once a month at Ryan’s Pub in West Chester, and the Main Line Writers Group, meeting monthly at Black Powder Tavern in Wayne, are great connections for professional and amateur writers alike who subscribe to a more novelistic approach.

It’s important to keep yourself informed about the goings-on in your local literary scene, too. Circulars like Philadelphia Stories and Painted Bride Quarterly are great resources for new material, information about local events, and manuscript submission. There’s also a slew of publishing agencies in Philadelphia that are always looking for new talent, including Arch Street Press and West Philly Press.

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

Ultimately, though, a formal education in creative writing is what brings your experience, networking, and passion together in a cohesive way. Simply put, it’s what separates the professionals from the amateurs. Don’t let all your toil and introspection fall victim to a lifetime of hobby writing. Check out these creative writing degree programs, find one that fits, and start your career as a writer today!

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Other Bachelor’s Degrees in Creative Writing in Pennsylvania

Arcadia University

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

arcadia university

Bucknell University

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

bucknell university

Carlow University

ART, COMMUNICATION AND ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

carlow university

Carnegie Mellon University

DIETRICH COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

carnegie mellon university

Chatham University

SCHOOL OF ARTS, SCIENCE AND BUSINESS

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BFA

Private School

chatham university

DeSales University

DIVISION OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SOCIAL  SCIENCES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

desales university

Drexel University

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

drexel university

Franklin and Marshall College

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

franklin & marshall college

Haverford College

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

haverford college

Lebanon Valley College

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

lebanon valley college

Point Park University

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

point park university

Rosemont College

VISUAL ARTS AND LETTERS DIVISION

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

rosemont college

Saint Joseph's University

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

saint josephs university

Seton Hill University

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

seton hill university

Susquehanna University

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

susquehanna university

Temple University

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Public School

temple university

The Pennsylvania State University

COLLEGE OF THE LIBERAL ARTS

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Public School

the pennsylvania state university - penn state

The University of the Arts

SCHOOL OF ART

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BFA

Private School

the university of the arts

University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Public School

university of pittsburgh-greensburg

University of Pittsburgh-Bradford

DIVISION OF COMMUNICATION AND THE ARTS

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Public School

university of pittsburgh-bradford

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

HUMANITIES DIVISION

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Public School

university of pittsburgh-johnstown

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

KENNETH P. DIETRICH SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Public School

university of pittsburgh

Widener University

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

widener university

Wilkes University

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

wilkes university

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Other Master’s Degrees in Creative Writing in Pennsylvania

Arcadia University

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Master – MFA

Private School

arcadia university

Carlow University

ART, COMMUNICATION AND ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Master – MFA

Private School

carlow university

Cedar Crest College

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY, LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Master – MFA

Private School

cedar crest college

Chatham University

SCHOOL OF ARTS, SCIENCES AND BUSINESS

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Master – MFA, MA

Private School

chatham university

DeSales University

DIVISION OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Master – MFA

Private School

desales university

Drexel University

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Master – MFA

Private School

drexel university

Point Park University

CONSERVATORY OF PERFORMING ARTS

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Master – MFA

Private School

point park university

Rosemont College

VISUAL ARTS AND LETTERS DIVISION

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Master – MFA

Private School

rosemont college

Saint Joseph's University

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Master – MA

Private School

saint josephs university

Seton Hill University

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Master – MFA

Private School

seton hill university

Temple University

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Master – MFA

Public School

temple university

The Pennsylvania State University

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Master – MA

Public School

the pennsylvania state university - penn state

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

KENNETH P. DIETRICH SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Master – MFA

Public School

university of pittsburgh

Wilkes University

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accreditation: MSCHE

Degree: Master – MFA, MA

Private School

wilkes university
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