Northwestern University's MA in Writing & MFA in Prose and Poetry Programs

Sharing an interview with one of our creative nonfiction faculty, Donna Seaman, about her most recent book, RIVER OF BOOKS. This interview originally appeared in Newcity Lit and was conducted by faculty director Christine Sneed - republished recently in Sneed's Substack, BOOKISH.

Thinking with Your Entire Being: An Interview with Writer and Editor Donna Seaman Her newest is River of Books: A Life in Reading

New and recent books by our graduate creative writing faculty - EVERY EXIT BRINGS YOU HOME - Naeem Murr; DEFIANT ACTS - James Stewart; HOW TO WALK ON WATER - Rachel Swearingen; RIVER OF BOOKS - Donna Seaman; SCARED VIOLENT LIKE HORSES - John McCarthy; WRECK YOUR HEART - Lori Rader-Day!

This Friday, May 29, 2026 join MFA fiction alumnus Ignatius Valentine Aloysius for a book launch at 7 pm at Roscoe Books in Chicago.

His second collaborative poetry collection is Everything I Touch Is—& Isn’t—You (Roadside Press), a collaboration with recent Santa Cruz, CA poet laureate David Allen Sullivan! Also featuring Carlos Cumpián, Faylita Hicks, and Nina Sudhakar!

Last night’s MFA faculty reading with .stewart312 John McCarthy 🖊️📚!!

MA & MFA Faculty Reading
Next Friday, May 15!
6:30 PM
In-person at The Book Cellar
4736 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago
Northwestern University School of Professional Studies
Featuring Rachel Swearingen JJames Stewart Donna Seaman, Naeem Murr & John McCarthy, hosted by Christine Sneed- please join us for a convivial literary event!

Congratulations to fiction faculty member Laurie Lawlor who won the Society of Midland Authors' Children's Reading Round Table Award for her nonfiction book Many Voices: Building Erie, the Canal That Changed America!

Many Voices: Building Erie, The Canal That Changed America Building Erie, The Canal That Changed America

There's still time to apply for classes starting in September 2026! Our next admissions deadline for the MA in Writing & the MFA in Prose & Poetry is July 15.



Northwestern University School of Professional Studies

More information available here:

Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) in Prose and Poetry | Northwestern SPS: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University Explore Northwestern's creative writing MFA. MFA in prose and poetry specializations include poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, popular fiction, publishing and more.

What inspires a novel, and how do writers sustain their craft?

Award-winning author and Northwestern faculty member Naeem Murr discusses his new novel Every Exit Brings You Home (W.W. Norton, February 2026) and his work with students in Northwestern University's MA in Writing & MFA in Prose and Poetry Programs.

In this interview, Murr reflects on the origins of the novel and the rewards of mentoring emerging writers.

Read the interview: https://sps.northwestern.edu/stories/news-stories/mfa-creative-writing-naeem-murr-every-exit-brings-you-home.html

MFA alumnus and editor Tim Chapman, Author & Artist recently published a new issue of his journal LitBop - Kindle edition available here and hard copies also available from your favorite bookstore.

Litbop: Art and Literature in the Groove #5 Litbop: Art and Literature in the Groove is an annual literary journal that publishes fiction, poetry, art, and photography. Every issue features work by a diverse group of creators from around the world. This, our fifth issue, is the first to include essays. Contributors for this issue include a...

Fiction faculty Gina Frangello recommends two books on the craft of writing in a new Word Cafe post 🖋️📘

Creative Writing Faculty Member Gina Frangello Recommends Two Books on the Craft of Writing : School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University Summer reading lists abound and we thought we’d ask various members of our community to share what they’re reading or recently read and enjoyed. Here is a sampling of different books that have have captured our students’, faculty’s, staff’s and alumni’s imaginations. Happy reading!