
Make this the year you finally write! Dust off that manuscript that has been sitting in a drawer, get a fresh new notebook, turn on some music, find yourself a little inspiration and begin.
Joining the San Francisco Creative Writing Institute means more than just taking a class — it’s your invitation to our vibrant community of students and alumni who continue an open exchange of ideas. Join us and join our community.

Our Upcoming Workshops
Advanced prose workshop, the poetry workshop, find your creative spark bootcamp, method writing – the jack grapes method writing program, who we are....
We’re an independent creative writing institute based out of San Francisco. Founded in 2015, we offer writing workshops in several genres to writers of all experience levels from all walks of life. We encourage people to share their work and connect with peers and mentors. Our instructors are published working writers, professors, editors and master teachers.

Our Teachers

Nick Mamatas
Award-winning Author of 100 short stories, 10 novels, dozens of essays and articles & an editor from Viz Media.

Hollie Hardy
San Francisco State University Poetry Center Book Award Winner. English Professor at Berkeley City College.

Tongo Eisen-Martin
Winner Of The American Book Award, California Book Award. Poet-in-Residence At Cambridge University
Our Instructors have taught at these Universities

We’ve Been Published By

We've Been Featured In

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Ripe Fruit Writing
School of Creative Writing
Creative Writing Classes in San Francisco, CA
In-person and hybrid options (in-person or on zoom).
Ripe Fruit School of Creative Writing is the only writing program that offers a progressive, step-by-step series of creative writing classes in the San Francisco – Bay Area . Our intensive writing workshops follow a path of growth custom-designed for beginning and emerging writers. Students graduate with confidence and competence to take on any writing project.
Ripe Fruit ’s effective and innovative curriculum has provided encouragement, stimulation, and training to over 8000 professional and aspiring writers since 1991. Leslie Kirk Campbell, founder and director of Ripe Fruit School of Creative Writing, has experience teaching poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, memoir and personal essay. She is an imagination activist, master writing teacher, writing coach, and award-winning author who is passionately committed to the development of writers in every genre and at all levels.
Course Descriptions What Makes Ripefruit Unique
Find Your Writing Voice ( Ripe Fruit 1 , The Writing Faith )
Ripe Fruit Creative Writing first level classes teach you perception, imagination, compassion & commitment. Learn the six qualities it takes to be a great writer and put them into immediate practice in a safe and intimate environment. Excavate your wild mind and cultivate your own inimitable voice. Experience the encouragement and inspiration, the freedom and lucid structure you’ve been longing for. Deepen your writing faith.
For more info on foundational creative writing classes and workshops: Ripe Fruit 1 , The Writing Faith
Memoir Writing & Personal Essay Writing ( Soulfood One-Day , Soulfood Class )
A dynamic process of creative expression and self-integration for new and experienced writers. Discover where memory and imagination intersect. Learn how to re-enter your life and locate the stories that must be told. You will create a portfolio of autobiographical writings that move the heart, engage the intelligence, and have a lasting impact on you, the author, and your audience. This is your chance to write straight from the heart.
For more info on memoir writing classes and workshops. Soulfood One-Day , Soulfood Class
Fiction Writing ( Ripe Fruit lll Fiction Writing )
You want to write that stop-them-in-their-tracks short story? Let me tell you a secret. It’s not the content that counts. It’s HOW YOU TELL IT . By starting from the ground up, you will learn to tell a great story; a story that engages your reader sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph, page by page so that, in the end, they are changed by it.
For more info on fiction writing classes. Ripe Fruit lll Fiction Writing
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Writing Tips Oasis
7 Top Providers of Writing Classes in San Francisco
By Hiten Vyas

Are you a writer looking for writing classes in San Francisco?
A writing class can help you to improve your craft and develop the skills to plan out your next book. Not only are writing classes an educational experience, you also get to meet likeminded writers who are on a similar journey to you.
Some will be less experienced than you. Others will be more experienced. All of this contributes to creating solid ground for cross-fertilization of ideas and opinions.
Of course, with a writing class you also get trained by experts in the field and create new relationships with mentors and teachers, which can last way beyond the duration of a class you might take.
If you’re searching for a writing class in San Francisco, we’ve compiled a list of 7 top providers to help you in your quest to find the best one for you. Read on to learn more about what’s on offer from organizations based in Northern California’s financial, cultural, and commercial center.
1. The Grotto
Founded in 1993 by three writers – Po Bronson, Ethan Canin and Ethan Watters. These individuals came together to rent out a shared space in San Francisco, in order to work together as a community and to help and inspire each other to become better writers. Since its humble beginnings, the Grotto has grown from strength to strength with current premises being an entire floor of an office building and the organization now having more than 100 members. The Grotto also offers writing classes in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoir, screenwriting and journalism. Classes are taken by qualified and published authors who teach in the type of genre they’ve been published in.
You can find out about upcoming classes at the following link. Prices of these particular classes range from $125 – £165:
https://www.sfgrotto.org/classes/upcoming-classes/
The Grotto can be found on 490 2nd Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94107.
2. The Writers Studio San Francisco
The Writers Studio, founded in 1987 by The Pulitzer Prize winning poet Philip Schultz, offers both class-based and online classes in fiction and poetry. Classes in the Writers Studio Method, which has a strong emphasis on the teaching and practice of narration, are offered in New York City, Hudson Valley, Tucson, and San Francisco. The San Francisco operation has workshops for beginners, intermediate level writers, advanced writers and for those writers who are on the path of developing mastery with their craft.
All the classes operate on 10 week basis (one class per week) with prices ranging from $410 – $430. The faculty who deliver the classes are all renowned published authors and are also former students of the Writers Studio. Take a look at the following link to find out about upcoming classes in San Francisco:
https://www.writerstudio.com/courses/all-courses/#san-francisco
Classes take place at 57 Post St #702, San Francisco, CA 94104.
3. SF Creative Writing Institute
SF Creative Writing Institute initially started by running classes in the Jack Grapes Method Writing Program and has now expanded to offering new classes. The main writing class leaders are Alexandra Kostoulas, Nick Mamatas and Hollie Hardy. The organization has increased the number of its vetted instructors in order to deliver a wider range of classes in genres such as poetry, fiction, non-fiction, memoir, screenwriting, and playwriting. Instructors are both experienced in teaching writing and published authors in particular genres they specialise in. Prices for the workshops range from free up to $425 with some being one day classes and others taking place over a period of up to 7 weeks. To find out more about the classes you could take, have a look at the following link:
https://sfwriting.institute/
SF Creative Writing Institute can be found at 25 Taylor Street San Francisco, CA 94102.
4. Writing Pad
Writing Pad is an award-winning writing school co-founded by Marilyn Friedman and Jeff Bernstein. Writing Pad offers classes both in San Francisco and Los Angeles in subjects as wide as writing a novel, memoir, short story writing, storytelling, personal essay, TV writing, screenwriting, blogging and publishing. Online classes are also available and the organization has a huge team of instructors; all of which are renowned experts in their respective genres and many of whom are award-winning authors, journalists and television and film professionals. You can find out more about them here .
You can find out learn more about the writing workshops in San Francisco at the following link. Durations for the classes can range from 1 day to 7 weeks with fees ranging from $180 – $550:
http://writingpad.com/san-francisco-creative-writing-classes-and-workshops/
The address for Writing Pad in San Francisco is 1695 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94107.
5. Ripe Fruit School of Creative Writing
If you’re looking for a more structured learning opportunity, you may want to take a look at Ripe Fruit School of Creative Writing, whose classes follow a step-by-step, progressive approach called Path of Growth. Currently in its 22nd year, the organization was founded by Leslie Kirk Campbell, a national award-winning author and master trainer of writing. You can take 1 day intensive workshops and also longer writing courses spread out over 9 weeks. Prices of the workshops and writing courses range between $105- $425. To find out more about the Path of Growth program, and descriptions of its classes and writing courses, have a look at the following link:
http://www.ripefruitwriting.com/classes/
Classes take place at 469 Hill St, San Francisco, CA 94114.
6. The Writing Salon
The Writing Salon was founded in San Francisco by Jane Underwood in 1999. Due to high demand, Jane opened at a location in Berkeley in 2002. The organization offers classes for writers of all levels and has a comprehensive list of workshops to choose from, which include genres such as fiction, poetry, memoir, screenwriting, personal essays, spiritual writing, comedy writing and many others. Classes range from 1 day sessions to those spread out over 9 weeks. Prices for the longer classes are generally around $275 for non-members, with members typically getting a $10 discount. Instructors are all experienced individuals including published authors, poets, editors and qualified teachers of writing.
You can find out about upcoming courses both in San Francisco and Berkeley at the following link:
http://www.writingsalons.com/
The location for San Francisco classes is 2042 Balboa Street.
7. MFA in Writing at University of San Francisco
If you’re ready to take a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) graduate degree in Writing, the University of San Francisco offers one. The program was founded in 1986, runs over two and half years, and a new program begins every autumn. Workshops are given in all the major genres such as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, along with seminars on writing styles, literary models, and tools and techniques for craft development. The faculty for the program are working professionals who have published extensively in different literary mediums including books, anthologies, academic journals and online.
Workshops take place on Tuesday evenings, and seminars on Thursday evenings. Each class corresponds to 3 units with there being 33 units altogether. Students also have an opportunity to develop two theses with one-to-one support from a faculty instructor, getting feedback on their work, with the end result being a novel, collection of stories or poetry, a collection of creative nonfiction, or a works which combines these genres together meaningfully. The estimated average annual fee for the MFA program is $20,100. The following link provides further information:
https://www.usfca.edu/arts-sciences/graduate-programs/writing/program-details So, what did you think of our top providers of writing classes in San Francisco? Did we miss any out? Please let us know in the comments box below!
7 Top Providers of Writing Classes in San Francisco is an article from Writing Tips Oasis . Copyright © 2014-2017 Writing Tips Oasis All Rights Reserved
Hiten Vyas is the Founder and Managing Editor of Writing Tips Oasis .
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About Creative Writing
Passionate about creative writing? This certificate offers an interdisciplinary approach to creative expression and provides excellent preparation for a job in the publishing industry or a degree in creative writing.
Many courses are UC/CSU transferable, and some fulfill general education requirements for CSU. The Creative Writing program offers many benefits, such as discovering your voice through artistic expression, participating in a writers’ community, and gaining experience designing, editing, and publishing our student-run literary and visual arts magazine, Forum , that serves the City College of San Francisco community, greater Bay Area, and beyond. We also host public events including our Visiting Writers Series and our community-based reading series and open mic, LitNight .
Explore Potential Careers
Studying Creative Writing can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have:
- Social Media Manager
- Grant Writer or Technical Writer
Program Options
Click on the certificate to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish.
Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals.
View Requirements in College Catalog
Semester 1
Total Units: 9
Transfer Options
The program coursework you complete at City College will satisfy lower-division requirements for related majors at several colleges and universities. Start planning your transfer by exploring English programs at the following institutions:
- San Francisco State University
- UC Berkeley
- UC Santa Cruz
- Mills College
- California College of the Arts
Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.
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Creative Writing Contacts
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- [email protected]

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The Writers Studio
The Original School of Creative Writing and Thinking, est. 1987
Students of all levels welcome
Our original method sets us apart.
Our students have won Pushcarts, a Pulitzer, Emmys, admission to top MFA programs, and too many book and magazine publications to list. Become one of our students!
The Writers Studio was founded by Philip Schultz, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, in 1987
Ways to learn, online and local communities, san francisco, westchester, craft class, view all available classes, hear it from the writers, about the writers studio.
For over three decades The Writers Studio has been helping students become stronger, more resourceful writers — with more craft at their disposal, more knowledge of what makes a piece of creative writing satisfying to a reader, and more access to the full range of their emotions and imagination.
We have developed our own teaching method, which gives students the opportunity to “try on” many different narrative approaches. In the process of studying and trying out the techniques found in a wide array of published work, students end up discovering their own material and voice. They also find a supportive community of like-minded classmates. The school is flexible enough to meet the needs of students at all levels of experience and commitment. Students can take a single six-or eight-week workshop, or proceed through a series of increasingly challenging classes.
Learn more about us
“The most personal of the programs…”
– The New York Times
News and updates.

Spring 2023 Student Reading

Reading with Two Pulitzer Prize-Winning Poets

The Writers Studio Celebrates Pushcart 2023

Writers Studio Student Jay Kidd Publishes All the Beauty

Writing Pad
Live online classes taught by writers from the biggest shows & publications (Superstore, The Handmaid’s Tale, The NY Times, The Paris Review).
Based in Los Angeles.
Study with your idols.
A sampling of our teachers' credits.

Get Results.
The structure of our classes, quality of our teachers and strength of our community create results..
Students Published
Years of Classes
Student Moth StorySLAM Winners
Maximum Class Size
Students on the Radio
Students in Fellowships
Students Staffed
Percent of teachers who are working writers
Build your writing career.
Join the ranks of our accomplished alumni..

Writer, Marie Claire

Brandon Burkhart
LA Moth GrandSLAM Winner

Jeff Hanson
5x SF Moth StorySlam Winner

Scott Brody
Contributor, NPR’s All Things Considered

Author, The Currency of Love

Kevin McGeehan
Moth Radio Hour

Tammy Delatorre
Writer, LA Times, Salon, Vice and XO Jane

Toni Gallagher
Author, Twist My Charm Series

Staff Writer, Hit the Road
Skip the MFA.
Why spend thousands on classes taught by dinosaurs when you can study with top working professionals at a fraction of the cost and time.

Learn the skills necessary to ace your samples and launch your writing career now.

Build relationships with top writers, agents, publishers, execs, and showrunners.

Career Pathway
Enter the marketplace with confidence, without wasting time or money., learn smarter., over 12 years we've perfected our method of teaching essential skills in a comfortable and supportive environment., a great teacher inspires, motivates and educates. we have the best around. a professional, working writer will give you real-time feedback on your work., not just new friends – future collaborators, allies, and colleagues. join a community of up-and-coming writers., proven method, perfectly paired craft lectures, handouts, and in-class exercises to teach you practical techniques..

"The instructors are not only successful in their respective fields, they are also terrific at passing along their knowledge and the benefits of their experience."
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"The first reason why the classes at the writing pad are the best in LA is the caliber of instructors."
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"As soon as I took the first batch of classes here I was hooked."
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"By far the best writing workshop I have ever participated in – and I have taken a bunch."
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$20 Off Your First Class When you join our email list.
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Welcome to the Department of Creative Writing
The mission of the Department of Creative Writing is to make our writers attentive readers of the literatures of the world and socially aware members of society, who can use writing for self-expression, explorations of the possibilities of the medium, as well as in service of social causes and concerns.
Why Creative Writing at SF State?

In Creative Writing classes, students work with an active, publishing faculty. They learn by vigorous practice; by focused studies of craft; and by extensive reading, analysis and discussion of their work, as well as that of published authors.
Our well-published and well-recognized faculty teach in our undergraduate, masters and masters of fine arts program, in which they guide students in the production and revision of their craft in creative nonfiction, fiction, playwriting, poetry and literary translation. Learn more about our faculty .
A great many of our students, and alumni go on to publish imaginative work of distinction; many others are in positions of leadership in publishing firms, foundations and art organizations. View our extensive list of alumni publications .
Announcements

Congratulations to Matthew Davison on Debut Novel "Doubting Thomas"
Novel by alumnus/faculty member explores impact of anti-LGBTQ tropes. Read more on SF State News .

The President and the Frog by Associate Professor Carolina De Robertis
De Robertis’ novel “The President and the Frog” (Knopf, 2021) was a finalist for the 2022 PEN/Jean Stein Book Award. Read more about the book .

Stop AAPI Hate - Listen!
Community and Historical Content with May-lee Chai. Read more and listen to on Your Call .

New Scholarships Boost Department of Creative Writing Diversity Efforts
Read more about the new scholarship in the Campus Memo !
- February 01, 2023 SF State alum, author Ernest J. Gaines honored with USA stamp Gaines (B.A., ’57) is most known for his novels ‘The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman’ and ‘A Lesson Before Dying’ A San F…
- January 31, 2023 U.S. Postal Service releases Ernest J. Gaines stamp U.S. Postal Service honors the work of author and alumnus Ernest J. Gaines with new stamp as part of its Black Heritage Seri…
- January 25, 2023 Carolina De Robertis named 41st John Dos Passos Prize winner Associate Professor, Carolina De Robertis named 41st John Dos Passos Prize winner. Read the article.
- Mar 02 Just Ask! How to Conduct a Research Interview Thu, March 02, 02:00 pm CA 260, Creative Arts Building
- Mar 09 Analyzing Social Media Data with Python Thu, March 09, 04:00 pm CA 260, Creative Arts Building
- Mar 16 Faculty Mentor Workshop Thu, March 16, 03:00 pm Online (Zoom)
- Apr 05 Research Poster Design Wed, April 05, 04:00 pm CA 260, Creative Arts Building
The What’s Next Panel discusses the variety of pathways in which students might apply their Creative Writing degree. Writers Matt Ortile, Lydia Jen, Trevaughn Roach-Carter, Emily Hunt Kivel and Matthew Clark Davison share aspects of their personal writing journey post-graduation.
The Department of Creative Writing presents a virtual panel of four distinguished authors describing their own pathways to publication in different genres of writing, including first publications, how they determine where and with whom they'd like to be published, working across genres, advice for emerging authors, etc. with a Q&A from audience members.
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: (415) 338-1891
Office Hours
Quick links.
- Advising Resource Center
- SF Bulletin
- Academic Calendar
- Events & Exhibitions
- Campus Expansion

Jasmyn McClelland (MFA Writing 2019).
MFA Writing
Define your voice and explore your creative practice—fiction, nonfiction, and poetry—alongside writers, designers, and visual artists.
Writing at CCA is expansive
The future needs stories that depict and interrogate significantly different worlds, and there are few better pathways to realizing this than art that illuminates our shared future. Writing gives us freedom to live within and to interrogate. In MFA Writing, we’re deeply contemporary in our teaching—thinking and writing about climate change, as well as the writer’s role of articulating, with power and precision, their thoughts on shifting social and natural environments.

MFA writing professor Faith Adiele.
An exciting blend of the emergent and established
Our MFA Writing program recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary, and we embrace the rich literary history of the Bay Area, from the Beat poetry movement and the Language poets, to the annual Litquake literary festival, to the Slam/Spoken Word scene.

Join a top-ranking MFA Writing program
Study.com ranks our program among the top five in California. Located in one of the world’s creative capitals, we encourage MFA candidates to explore many different forms and incorporate visual art into their work.
Alumni publications

The Henna Artist
Class of 2011

The Southern Migrant Mixtape
Vernon Keeve III
Class of 2013

We can Save Us All
Adam Nemett
Class of 2018

The Body Myth
Rheea Mukherjee

Class of 2004

The End of My Career
Martha Grover

REAL AMERICAN
Julie Lythcott-Haims
Class of 2016

TUESDAY NIGHTS IN 1980
Molly Prentiss
Class of 2010

SPEAK OF ME AS I AM
SONIA BELASCO
Class of 2009

HOW TO RAISE AN ADULT

THE PEACOCK ROOM
CATIE JARVIS

Latasha Diggs

A LAMP BRIGHTER THAN FOXFIRE
Andrew Nicholson
Class of 2006
Studios & Shops
Practice critique, readings, and performance.

MFA students are at home in the Humanities and Sciences Graduate Center on CCA’s main San Francisco campus. Outside the studio, we write and meet alongside redwood trees in our beautiful garden. Inside, we hold our workshops, readings, and craft talks. We also host our famed Tuesday Talks series in the Humanities and Sciences Graduate Center. Today’s most dynamic writers, including Hanif Abdurraqib, Camille Dungy, Andrew Sean Greer, R.O. Kwon, sam sax, and Tracy K. Smith, read and discuss new work and lead craft talks during masterclasses. There are endless opportunities to share your writing with peers, get constructive feedback, and nurture your craft.

Support to tell your stories
We help our students locate and tell their stories; we write what we want, how we want. We embrace all forms of writing, from literary novels and poetry to science fiction and mysteries. Our MFA Writing program is designed to make sure each student finds their voice. You can explore nonfiction, fiction, and poetry during supportive workshops that celebrate voice and form. We believe in grounding our work in craft so we emphasize close reading and individualized instruction.

Expand your creative practice
In addition to our vibrant writing workshops and dynamic seminars, we encourage graduate students to immerse themselves in our diverse art and design culture. Want to learn how to design beautiful publications, paint, or make a children’s book? Access CCA’s phenomenal resources, including Risograph printers for making broadsides, audio suites for recording podcasts, and a letterpress studio for making books and zines. You’ll work with top practitioners in their fields across the college’s faculty, grow as a writer, and learn to turn your research passions and written works into literal art objects.

Frame and finish your book
You’ll get regular feedback during writing workshops and meetings with full-time faculty who believe in meeting one on one—not as part of any requirement, but because personalized attention is how you grow as a writer. Close reading, editorial guidance, and individualized reading lists all push our writing students toward success. We teach you craft as well as how to establish and maintain a serious writing practice.
Your creative life at CCA and beyond
From studying one-on-one with faculty mentors to participating in craft workshops with visiting writers—among the best and brightest working today—you’ll be exposed to myriad forms. You’ll learn the elements of podcasting; how to make audio stories; how to prepare a full-length manuscript; and how to collaborate with painters, filmmakers, illustrators, photographers, and more.
Your community of mentors
- Memoirist and travel writer Faith Adiele
- Novelist Tom Barbash
- Novelist Rita Bullwinkel
- Novelist and memoirist Jasmin Darznik
- Poet Tonya Foster
- Poet Joseph Lease
- Poet and performerTrisha Low
- Novelist Aimee Phan
- Eco-memoirist Leslie Carol Roberts
- Short story writer and poet Judith Serin
More studios, shops, and labs

Access lithography presses and a range of bookbinding equipment at the San Francisco Center for the Book

The Black-and-White Darkroom has a range of enlarging stations and two print washers

Check out DSLR cameras, lighting kits, GoPros, and more from the San Francisco campus Media Center
Study with award-winning writers
The faculty of the MFA Writing program are not only well-known figures in American letters, but also committed teachers who have spent their careers teaching and advising emerging writers. They are experienced in working with a variety of different genres and encourage interdisciplinary work. This brings fresh voices and diverse experience to our community.

Jasmin Darznik, Chair of MFA Writing
Chair Jasmin Darznik is a New York Times- bestselling author of three books, The Bohemians, Song of a Captive Bird , and The Good Daughter . Born in Iran, she immigrated to America as a child and is a first-generation college graduate. After receiving a Ph.D. in English from Princeton University, she obtained an MFA in fiction from Bennington College, broadening her academic scholarship to tell stories about women who've been left out or obscured from the historical record. Her forthcoming novel, American Goddess, takes on themes of celebrity, gender, and ethnic identity in Old Hollywood.
MFA Writing Faculty
- Faith E Adiele
Tom Barbash
- Rita Bullwinkel
Jasmin Darznik
- Joseph Lease
- Denise Newman
Leslie Carol Roberts
- Judith Serin
- Michael Wertz
View all MFA Writing faculty
Faculty publications

The Bohemians
Writing, Writing & Literature

Performing Ice

The Dakota Winters

Meeting Faith
Faith Adiele

Kingdom of the Sky
Faculty stories

Two-year intensive program
Our two-year program follows the traditional MFA writing footprint, with workshops and craft seminars each semester. In addition, we engage in practica or labs in areas such as sound, printing, and screenplays. Electives across the arts and design, and one-on-one work with a faculty member, round out your schedule as you work toward a final written thesis manuscript. To get a feel for what awaits, view sample courses .
Year 1: Fall Semester
Year 1: spring semester, year 2: fall semester, year 2: spring semester.
Total 48.0 units
Publish your dream project
MFA in Writing program alumni have impressive success getting their work out in the world, publishing books across genres. Recent publications include:
- Alka Joshi, The Henna Artist , Mira Publishing, a division of Harper Collins, 2019
- Rheea Mukherjee, The Body Myth , Unnamed Press, 2019
- Adam Nemett, We Can Save Us All , Unnamed Press, 2018
- Sonia Belasco, Speak of Me As I Am , Philomel Books, 2017
- Julie Lythcott-Haims, Real American , St. Martin’s Griffin, 2017
- Molly Prentiss, Tuesday Nights in 1980 , Simon & Schuster, 2017
- Catie Jarvis, The Peacock Room , Hyperborea, 2016
- Andrew Nicholson, A Lamp Brighter Than Foxfire , Colorado State, 2015
- LaTasha Nevada Diggs, TWerk , Belladonna Press, 2013
In addition to becoming published authors, our students find traction at established and emergent platforms like Medium , and also work as educators; performance artists; editors; and writers for newspapers, magazines, and marketing agencies.
Potential career paths
- Freelance writer
- Content strategist
- Arts administrator
- Social activist
- Technical writer
- Publication and production assistant
- Small press publisher
Learn about career development
News & Events
What’s happening for mfa writing students.

Reading and lecture series span disciplines

How to Apply
Make writing your top priority.
Our two-year program welcomes students of all ages, career profiles, and backgrounds, including law, advertising, tech, music, and academia. We focus on your writing sample and your letters of recommendation in making admissions decisions.
Start your application
You’ll apply to CCA and submit all required application materials via SlideRoom. Afterward, you may be contacted for an interview with a faculty member as part of the application process. Being selected for an interview doesn’t indicate applicant status or increase or decrease an applicant’s chances of being admitted into their desired graduate program. Interviews are conducted at the program’s discretion and are used to gain more insight into an application.
Create an account and start your application
MFA Writing application requirements
- Application and $70 nonrefundable application fee To be completed and submitted on SlideRoom.
- Resume/curriculum vitae Please outline your educational and professional background and relevant experiences and activities, including community work. Resumes/CVs must be in PDF document format.
- Two recommendation letters You’ll request two letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources in SlideRoom by entering the contact information for your recommenders/references. They will then receive an automated email from SlideRoom with instructions for uploading their letter of recommendation.
- Unofficial college transcripts You are required to provide your complete undergraduate academic history. Students who have already taken graduate courses are encouraged to submit those transcripts, too. For international applicants, all transcripts must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation. Please provide an unofficial transcript from the college where you will receive or have received your bachelor’s degree, as well as unofficial transcripts for all other undergraduate coursework. Unofficial transcripts will be used for review purposes. Once you have been admitted and enrolled, all students will need to submit official, sealed transcripts showing the completion of a bachelor’s degree to our graduate admissions office by August 1 of the fall semester they begin enrollment at CCA.
- Proof of English proficiency (international applicants only) Review and plan to meet our English proficiency requirements for graduate students .
- Personal essay In a personal essay, submitted as a PDF, write 500 to 1,000 words about your writing experience, why you want to study writing at the graduate level, your educational objectives, and any critical influences on your work.
- Portfolio Your portfolio, submitted as one to two PDFs (up to 10 MB each), should consist of a selection of writing samples (totaling no more than 25 double-spaced pages) that reflect your main areas of interest. You may include poems, short stories, a section of a novel, text for performance (include video, if available), creative nonfiction, or writing for new genres. You’re welcome, but not required, to submit visual materials in support of your application, including book arts and videos. Please note: We do not accept co-written material.
For prospective student inquiries, including questions about the program or how to apply, please contact us

Graduate Admissions
+1 415-914-7721 (call, text)
Nurture your craft in a dynamic environment
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A to Z Grantwriting
This course provides students with the hands-on experience and knowledge they need to successfully begin the planning process for projects in need of grant funding. An approach to grantseeking begins with thinking about why the funding is needed and involving the grant applicant's stakeholders in the planning process.
Requirements
A to Z Grant Writing will take you through the planning process for documenting the need for funding in a Theory of Change Grant Project Planning Worksheet. Beginning with writing about what will be implemented (your vision for change and impact) when the project is funded, the worksheet begins to come to life. Exploring why funding is needed is the beginning of articulating the statement of need. You will learn how to document your projection of how, when funded, your project will initiate change. Once you've created the project's goals, the worksheet asks for inputs or resources (mirroring a logic model's format). Your thought processes and imagination will be tested in the implementation activities & timeline section. You'll also have a chance to develop outputs and outcomes for the planned project. Finally, you'll learn how to develop a project budget. Where does all of this lead? Every lesson is one step closer to having 100% of the information you'll need to write a highly competitive grant proposal. Additional features include six teachable moments videos and six choose your own adventure branching scenarios to fuel your creative thinking processes.
Enrollment Options:
Lesson 1 - grant writer roles, lesson 2 - grant funding research, lesson 3 - grant writing planning process, lesson 4 - introduction to peer review and constructive feedback, lesson 5 - executive summary, lesson 6 - statement of need for funding, lesson 7 - benefit to the target population, lesson 8 - project goals and measurable objectives, lesson 9 - evidence-based solutions to address the need, lesson 10 - resources, lesson 11 - funding outcomes and evaluation, lesson 12 - developing a project budget.
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites to take this course.
Requirements:
Hardware Requirements:
- This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows 10 or later.
- Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
- Microsoft Word or equivalent word processor (not included in enrollment).
- Adobe Acrobat Reader .
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
- Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.
Dr. Beverly A. Browning
Dr. Beverly A. Browning is a grant writing consultant and visionary who uses thought leadership to work with nonprofit organizations struggling with the woes of revenue stream imbalances. She has been researching grant funding, grantmaking trends, and board-related barriers to nonprofit capacity building for over 40 years. Together she and her team have helped her clients win over $750 million in grant awards.
Dr. Browning is the founder and director of the Grant Writing Training Foundation and Bev Browning, LLC. She is the author of 44 grant writing publications, including six editions of Grant Writing for Dummies and the 6th edition of Nonprofit Kit for Dummies (to be published in 2021).
Dr. Browning holds graduate and post-graduate degrees in organizational development, public administration, and business administration. She is also a Certified Strategic Planning Facilitator (CSPF), has a McNellis Compression Planning Institute Facilitation Training distinction, and is an Approved Trainer for the Grant Professionals Association (GPA), the Certified Fund Raising Executive International (CFRE, and the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI).
Instructor Interaction : The instructor looks forward to interacting with learners in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have on the course content.
Related Courses
- Search SF State Search SF State Button SF State This Site
Graduate Writing Support

Steps to Graduation

Graduate Studies Deadlines
Continuous enrollment policy, graduate writing support ▶️, academic probation, thesis / dissertation guidelines, apply to graduate, pay graduate fees online, graduate program specialists, frequently asked questions.

College of Extended Learning Writing Support Courses
SF State's College of Extended Learning offers several courses a graduate student may take to meet the minimum written English proficiency requirement. None of these courses can be used to meet master's degree Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) requirements.
To register for your Graduate Writing Support Course:
- Use this link, https://cel.sfsu.edu/courses/classes , to find the available writing courses for this term. Scroll down or click the “G” alpha to find ‘Graduate Writing – Special Sessions.’ Here you can write down the class number you will need for enrollment in the desired Graduate Writing Support Course.
- Once you have the class number, go to your "Student Center" to enroll in the course through your SF State Gateway account. Login here: : http://www.sfsu.edu/login.htm .
- Select "Schedule/Classes" from the Student menu on the left sidebar.
- Continue to the “Student Center” using the link at the top of the page.
- Using the class number you found in Step 1, select the “Enroll” tab at the top of the page (if you get an error message or do not have the option to select the current term, please contact Enrollment Services at (415) 405-7700).
- Enroll using the class number you noted.
- Use the links in the Student Center to complete payment and update your record.
Regular University Writing Support Courses
HSS 700 Graduate Writing in Health and Social Sciences (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Must be a student in a college of Health and Social Science graduate program or consent of instructor.
Preparation for graduate-level writing by strengthening writing organization, integrating sources, critically analyzing publications, APA style, and developing skills for effective written communication. May not be used to meet ATC requirements. (CR/NC only)
ENG 670 Writing for Graduate Studies in the Liberal and Creative Arts (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Graduate status, or application in progress, or consent of instructor. Registration priority will be given to students enrolled in graduate programs in the College of Liberal and Creative Arts.
Development of writing skills for graduate work in the Liberal and Creative Arts, focusing on the kinds of writing needed in these disciplines. May not be used for master's degree ATC requirements.

On-Campus Services
- CARP (Campus Academic Resource Program)
- ETC (English Tutoring Center)
- LAC (Learning Assistance Center)
- Tutoring Resources for Writing
- Writing Group for Graduate Student
Fellowships Office
- Graduate Writing Workshops – cover how to produce more incisive, elegant academic writing
- National Fellowship Program Information Workshops – include detailed information on how to craft the essays and address application prompts
- CSU Pre-Doctoral Program and Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program Information Workshops – include detailed information on how to craft the essays and address application prompts. The Pre-Doc Program workshop includes content required for application to PhD programs
Library Support Services
- Citations & Their Formats (online tutorial)
- Citing References
- Software available for SFSU students (under: Campus software licenses)
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: (415) 338-2234
Office Hours
Quick links.
- ▷ Contact Us
- ▷ Career & Leadership Development
- ▷ Fellowships Office Programs
- ▷ Graduate Advising

IMAGES
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COMMENTS
We're an independent creative writing institute based out of San Francisco. Founded in 2015, we offer writing workshops in several genres to writers of all experience levels from all walks of life. We encourage people to share their work and connect with peers and mentors.
Ripe Fruit School of Creative Writing is the only writing program that offers a progressive, step-by-step series of creative writing classes in the San Francisco - Bay Area. Our intensive writing workshops follow a path of growth custom-designed for beginning and emerging writers.
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We embrace all forms of writing, from literary novels and poetry to science fiction and mysteries. Our MFA Writing program is designed to make sure each student finds their voice. You can explore nonfiction, fiction, and poetry during supportive workshops that celebrate voice and form. We believe in grounding our work in craft so we emphasize ...
Sat, Oct 22, 7:30 PM. Episcopal Church of the Incarnation • San Francisco, CA. Group Book Writing Party! Write a Novel In a Night Over Food/Drinks/Comedy! Group Book Writing Party! Write a Novel In a Night Over Food/Drinks/Comedy!
All levels. at SF Creative Writing Institute - Tenderloin 25 Taylor St, San Francisco, California 94102. In this course, you will gain insights into the publishing industry based on Ying's 20-year career as an award-winning author. Learn how to research the market to inform your story ideas.
A to Z Grantwriting | City Extension, City College of San Francisco A to Z Grantwriting This course provides students with the hands-on experience and knowledge they need to successfully begin the planning process for projects in need of grant funding.
SF State's College of Extended Learning offers several courses a graduate student may take to meet the minimum written English proficiency requirement. None of these courses can be used to meet master's degree Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) requirements. To register for your Graduate Writing Support Course: