Jess the Writer

Creative Writing Programs for the 2025-2026 Application Year

Writers, writing teachers, students, etc: I created a spreadsheet of every creative writing MFA, MA, and PhD program. It includes their current deadline, genres taught, FUNDING/STIPEND INFO, incoming class size, etc. That's data for over 200 programs. Share widely.

docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

“Florida has always been hot!”

No. Fuck that. This weather is ridiculous. The “feels like” temps have been over 110° so many times. I can’t remember a hotter summer.

No one:

Absolutely no one:

My brain: 🎶 I’m not your *inhale* staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar 🎶

Creative Writing MFA Locations (with Filters) - Google My Maps This is a map of Creative Writing MFA Programs. Ones that are fully funded, which means they offer full tuition remission and a stipend to *every* student, are highlighted in green. Low res programs are in orange. Screenwriting is in yellow and creative non-fiction are in purple. More filters coming soon. Please check program websites for up-to-date information! You can also contact me at jesilfa(at) gmail(dot)com with updates. Feel free to buy me a coffee if you find it helpful. Venmo: @jesilfa

My map of Creative Writing MFA Programs has been updated with current deadlines. Its not perfect but maybe folks will find it useful. It lists 200 programs and can be filtered by genre and funding.

www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/e...

This is going to be amazing!

A promotional graphic with a dark blue background featuring bold white and yellow text that reads: "Creative Writing MFA Bootcamp. Are you applying to Fiction/Prose MFA programs this fall? Have you already applied once but haven’t gotten the results you wanted? Apply for my MFA bootcamp!" Below are three yellow checkmarks next to white text: "SOP Basics," "Sample Prep," and "Program Guidance." At the bottom left, yellow text says: "Signup at jesilfa.com" with a yellow button below it. In the bottom right corner is a circular photo of a smiling person with curly hair and glasses, framed in yellow and navy circles. A blurred background shows someone writing in a notebook.

A dark blue and yellow promotional graphic listing the MFA Bootcamp details. Three yellow checkmarks next to bold text say: “Six weeks (via Zoom)” “Six students a session” “$200 a session (full and partial funding available!)” Below, on a yellow background, session dates and times are listed: "Session 1: Tuesdays 6pm – 8pm ET, June 3rd – July 8th" "Session 2: Sundays 9am – 11am ET, June 9th – July 13th"

Applying to Fiction/Prose MFA programs this fall?
Join my 6-week MFA Bootcamp for help with your SOP, writing sample, & school list! ✍🏽💥
👤Only six students per session (via Zoom)
📅 Starts June
💸 Funding available!
🔗 jesilfa.com
#MFAapplications #WritingCommunity #BIPOCwriters

The AWP Disabled and D/deaf Writers Caucus meeting is in about half an hour! If you’d like to attend, shoot an email to disabledwriterscaucus[at]gmail[dot]com to get a Zoom link!

Am I a creative writing teacher just so I can teach my friends’ work? Yes. Absolutely. 100% and not ashamed of it.

Screenshot reads: What does all of this mean for UC as of today? Our leaders have begun evaluating jobs and duties related to DEI and examining our DEI programming, initiatives and projects to bring all areas into compliance. In addition, we have begun removing references to DEI principles across university websites, social media and collateral materials. This will be a heavy lift, and I am thankful for our university leaders and their teams who grasp what is at stake in this moment. We must approach this process with the thoughtfulness and thoroughness that such complex comprehensive endeavors entail, while always keeping the well-being of the people most affected at the heart of our efforts.

So University of Cincinnati, like many other institution, has stripped their literature of any mention of DEI. They are currently reviewing “jobs and duties related to DEI and examining our DEI programming, initiatives and projects to bring all areas into compliance.”

WHY IS SNOW WHITE SELLING ME ALLERGY MEDICINE?!

An ad for Allegra, an allergy medicine, with a still from the new live action Snow White film.

We’re in hell.

When the book hits the happily ever after moment: 😍😍😍

When you realize there are five hours left in the audiobook: 😳😬⚠️

I’m reading this book where a last minute “come back to my place” date is made. She makes him tamales. You know, because she’s Cuban.

Wait, what? 👀

Oh hey, are we all partying over here now? Hell yes. ❤️

Thank you for sharing! I kinda fell off (out of?)the Bluesky but am trying to come back now that more people are wandering this way. 😊

Omg this.

I know everyone has said this already, but holy frick, Twitter has become absolutely horrible. The number of bots and spam and misinformation is depressing.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS UPCOMING WORKSHOPS Find community and grow your craft in our online workshops. We host both synchronous and asynchronous courses using Zoom and Canvas, an easily accessible, private online platform. W...

MFA hopefuls: I am leading a two-hour Masterclass that will help you write a compelling personal statement, enhance your writing portfolio, and explore the myriad of writing programs available.

Sunday, March 24
2-4pm ET (Zoom)
www.cleavermagazine.com/upcoming-wor...

So tired. I don’t blame SAL for checking out for a bit. Next time, she needs to leave me a note though. Sheesh.

My friend's turtle who was DEAD AND BURIED AT CHRISTMAS just came back to life and dug herself out of her fucking grave and is currently having a snack in the kitchen and I'm gonna need to sit down.

One year we found her under the Christmas tree. She had pushed baby Jesus out of the manger, knocked over the three kings, and was like, “Why is there a tree here but no foraging snacks?” 🤦🏾‍♀️

Celeste Ng knows my turtle. Mama, we’ve made it!

Is this when I tell people to check out my SoundCloud?

I love her so much, but I’m pretty sure she’s siphoning years off my lifespan. That’s the real reason they live so long.

Yes! My family couldn’t settle on a name.

Speedy (for the irony)

Altagracia (bc a holy name might help her injuries)

Lumpkins (after a villain in the Powerpuff Girls)

We decided SAL was good enough. And given that she’s salty af, it fits.

Thank you!! When she came to me, her shell was massively cracked and I had to patch it together. It took about two years for it to heal. She’s disabled so I still check her shell weekly (while she huffs and sasses me). Her diet and humidity have helped keep things at bay.

FTR I know what brumation is. SAL is kept at the same humid temps year round to avoid it. She came into my care 20 years ago after being run over by a lawn mower; she is disabled and therefore not a good digger (or so we thought). She’s done short spells before, but never gone to ground so long.

They’re a menace to society. I love her though.

A box turtle pate of apples and bananas with some Timothy hay. 😂

Her name is SAL. Yes, all caps. It stands for Speedy Altagracia Lumpkins. The family couldn’t decide on a name.

Going to hang this in her area. It’ll be her version of the “Hang in there” kitten poster.