MFA in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing
Boston, USA
Master degree
DURATION
10 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* Priority decision: February 1. Late application deadline: May 1.
Key Summary
About: The MFA in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing at Emerson College is a 100% online and asynchronous MFA that helps you develop plot- and character-driven storytelling, manuscript craft, and trade publishing knowledge. You’ll study narrative craft, marketing, and agent-ready thesis preparation with one-on-one advising, networking with authors, publishers, and academics. The programme offers full-time and part-time options and requires no GRE.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can work as authors, editors, publishers, copywriters, content managers, communications coordinators, public relations managers, or in marketing, literary agency, self-publishing, and digital content roles. Skills transfer to book marketing, editorial strategy, storytelling, and audience development.
Program Highlights
- 100% online and asynchronous MFA program to fit your schedule
- Develop your writing skills and focus on creating plot and character-driven stories
- Engage in an in-depth review of how books are published and marketed with trade publishing professionals
- Craft a thesis to submit to agents or self-publish, with one-on-one support from your advisor
- Networking opportunities with renowned writers, publishers, and academics
- Full-time and part-time options
- No GRE requirements to apply
Emerson College’s Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing graduate program consists of a 36-credit curriculum. Housed in the School of the Arts, the program is 100% online. This online format is convenient and flexible, allowing you to learn from anywhere in the world according to your own schedule. There are no residency requirements.
Courses
The 36 credit hours required consist of:
- 16 credits of writing workshop;
- 8 credits of literature courses;
- 8 credits of publishing courses;
- 4 credits of master’s thesis.
Career Outlook for Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing Graduates
Earning an online MFA in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing from Emerson College’s School of the Arts will offer you the opportunity to choose a career path from a dynamic range of industries. Employees with a master’s degree earn 23% more than those with a bachelor’s, and, in 2019, arts and cultural goods in the US added over $900 billion to the US economy alone.
Careers to explore include:
- Author
- Communications Coordinator
- Content Manager
- Copywriter
- Editor
- Public Relations Manager
- Publisher
Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing Alumni
Our alumni have gone on to establish successful writing careers. Recent alumni who have published their work include:
- Hannah Parker ’24, Autumn’s Tithe (Counterpoise Press, 2021); Autumn’s Traitor (Counterpoise Press, 2022)
- Safina Danish Elahi ’24, The Idle Stance of the Tippler Pigeon (Neem Tree Press, 2023)
- Rebecca Thorne ’23, Can’t Spell Treason without Tea (Bramble/TOR, 2024)
- Emma Collins ’20, Winner of the 2020 EggTooth Editions chapbook contest for her book, Snow
- Alexandra Lapointe ’20, Cloakers (Atmosphere Press, 2021)
- Scott Johnson ’19, Ungeheur (Bloodshot Books, 2021); Stanley Cooper Chronicles, Books 1-4 (CLB Press, 2018–2020); Shy Grove: A Ghost Story (CLB Press, 2018)
- Nicole Diebold ’19, Honeymoon Alone (4B Pub, 2019)
- RB Wood ’19, Bayou Whispers (Crystal Lake Publishing, 2021)
Financial Aid
Emerson College is proud to offer students and families financial aid options and resources.
Scholarships
Upon applying to an Emerson Graduate Program, the Graduate Admission team automatically reviews every accepted student’s scholarship eligibility.
Career Outlook for Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing Graduates
Earning an online MFA in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing from Emerson College’s School of the Arts will offer you the opportunity to choose a career path from a dynamic range of industries. Employees with a master’s degree earn 23% more than those with a bachelor’s, and, in 2019, arts and cultural goods in the US added over $900 billion to the US economy alone.
Careers to explore include:
- Author
- Communications Coordinator
- Content Manager
- Copywriter
- Editor
- Public Relations Manager
- Publisher
