Department of English, Communications and Media adds creative writing and publishing major

The Department of English, Communications and Media recently added a major in creative writing and publishing, which will be offered alongside the popular minor in creative writing. “The new major is particularly exciting because it relies on strengths we already have with our communications, literature and creative writing programs,” said Dr. D. Matthew Ramsey, associate professor and department chair. “It features courses from all of these areas, and it speaks to what many of our students have been asking for.”

The creative writing and publishing major is built around foundation courses like Introduction to Creative Writing, Elements of Craft, and Editing and Publishing, as well as electives in social media, marketing and graphic and visual arts. Majors will engage with a variety of mediums to develop their craft in their choice of fiction, poetry and special topics such as screenwriting and feature writing, as well as genre favorites like fantasy, sci-fi and slam poetry.

The curriculum combines workshop experiences to hone critique and improve a writer’s craft while exposing students to current trends in the writing world, and the senior thesis also gives students the opportunity to work on a larger piece of original writing or collection of smaller works. The interdisciplinary program pairs well with other majors and minors.

“Majoring in creative writing and publishing allows students to become very strong writers capable of producing work in many genres – poetry, fiction, podcasting, screenwriting, social media, feature writing and analytical writing,” Ramsey said. “It allows majors to choose their own path, to create a curriculum that speaks to their interests and future career opportunities.”

The Department of English, Communications and Media has alumni working in the field at The Paris Review, MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group, Penguin Books and American Salon Magazine. Others are pursuing advanced degrees in creative writing and publishing, including many who return to campus for Salve Regina’s Newport MFA in creative writing, founded by New York Times bestselling author Ann Hood.

For a full listing of required coursework, visit the major’s webpage.