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Whom to Contact

Robin Metz
Philip Sidney Post Professor of English and Director of Creative Writing Program
2 East South Street
Galesburg, IL 61401-4999
800-678-KNOX

Creative Writing

Major, Minor

So how have we earned such a stellar reputation?

According to the Poets & Writers article, "Undergraduate creative writing programs (require) gifted teachers willing to spend lots of time with each student." Our professors are certainly gifted authors, poets, and scholars. Many have received major national and international awards, from the Rainer Maria Rilke International Poetry Prize and the Marshall Frankel American Fiction Prize to the Scotsman Orange Short Story Award.

While these awards may sound a bit intimidating, the recipients certainly aren't. Knox creative writing professors are devoted to bringing out the best in each of their students, whether it's in the classroom, during writing workshops, or over a cup of coffee as the two of you work together to hone your skills. As a Knox creative writing student, you will not only share your work with your professors, but will have the opportunity to sharpen your skills through many venues, such as on- and off-campus readings, the student newspaper, radio station, online journals, and playwright workshops.

There are also many opportunities to have your work recognized. Your poetry or short story may be published in Knox's student-produced, award-winning literary journal, Catch, which has won four top national and international awards in the past six years. Or you can publish in Cellar Door (literary magazine), The Knox Student (newspaper), Common Room (online literary journal), Wynken, Blynken, and Nod (online children's literary magazine), or The Third Level (online science fiction and fantasy literary magazine). Your work may also be recognized with one of the many awards given by the creative writing program. You will be encouraged to submit your best work for national publication and to enter writing competitions, such the prestigious ACM Nick Adams Fiction Competition-which, in its 32-year history, has had more winners and finalists from Knox than from any other college.

One of the best ways Knox College prepares creative writing students for the writing life is by regularly bringing outstanding writers to campus for lectures and individual conferences with students-building a community of artists that transcends campus. Several U.S. poet laureates have presented their work at Knox.

Upon graduation you may choose-as many Knox creative writing students have-to complete an MFA or Ph.D. degree from an outstanding graduate school such as New York University, Brown, University of Southern California, Northwestern, or the acclaimed Iowa Writers' Workshop. These are just a few of the graduate programs that have applauded-and provided graduate fellowships in support of-the achievements of Knox students.

Knox's sustained commitment to nurturing individual talent on campus has resulted in a record of truly remarkable success within the nation's interlocking and comprehensive literary communities. Our graduates have gone on to win the Pulitzer Prize, The American Book Award, the Tony Award, and the Emmy Award. They have received outstanding reviews on National Public Radio and in national publications such as The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times and many others.

At Knox, the study of language and literature can clarify your own experiences and help you articulate your own thoughts-important not only for careers and graduate school, but for lifelong learning. Majors often choose to apply their knowledge and skill in creative writing to careers in teaching, publishing, journalism, law and many other fields.