Creative Writing Concentration
Students interested in Creative Writing may choose from courses in the writing of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, literary journalism, playwriting, 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.
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 creative prose each year, named for late faculty member and author John Foster West and in memory of local novelist Marian Coe and Watauga native Marjorie South Idol; the spring competition also includes poetry and creative prose and is endowed by the literary trust of author Truman Capote. Students may also apply for the Whitener Scholarship, which is based on financial need, achievement in concentration courses, and program citizenship.
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.
Scholarships
To learn more about Creative Writing scholarships, please see the information about all English scholarships at english.appstate.edu/students/scholarships.