Creative Writing

This postgraduate programme is for writers working on a large-scale creative writing project – a novel, short story collection, full-length work of creative nonfiction, or poetry collection. The best portfolio each year wins the Sir James Wallace Master of Creative Writing Prize of $5000, New Zealand’s richest prize for a creative writing student.

The MCW is designed to support, inform, and develop your creative practice within a lively, committed and diverse community of other writers. The course is convened by the award-winning novelist and short story writer, Paula Morris.

The programme begins in March each year, and classes end in late October. In early November you submit a manuscript for assessment: a novel, short story collection, full-length work of creative non-fiction, or poetry collection.

There are two weekly classes during semester: the workshop and the seminar.

In the weekly workshop (Wednesdays 3–5pm in 2016), you will submit drafts of stories, poems and novel sections for discussion and feedback, and take part in weekly writing exercises.

The weekly seminar (Thursdays 3–5pm in 2016), is a forum for thinking and talking about writing. In these classes we discuss published work and explore the key issues of technique you need to consider in your work – including point of view, form, narrative structure, characterisation, setting, use of language, dialogue, and detail – in focused craft discussions. The seminar class will also include discussions of editing, publishing, international submissions and adaptation.

The seminar class hosts a range of visitors, including local and international writers; practitioners from the world of film, radio and theatre; and speakers from the publishing and literary arts world. Recent visiting writers have included Ben Okri, Eleanor Catton, Owen Scott, David Mitchell, Colm Toibin, Sebastian Barry and Anita Desai.

MCW students serve as volunteers and MCs at the Auckland Writers Festival, and engage in project work for the New Zealand Book Council, the New Zealand Society of Authors, and other literature-related organisations. They also present their work-in-progress at LOUNGE, a series of public readings presented in Old Government House and open to the public.

Duration

One year, full-time. Entry in Semester One (March) only. Part-time study is not available.
 

Required course of study and assessment

Students writing novels, short stories or creative non-fiction are expected to produce a portfolio of between 40,000 and 80,000 words. Poetry collections should have a minimum of 80 pages.

The examination processes followed are those for a 60 ects research thesis at masters level. The grade for this course rests on the assessment of a single extended piece of work. Your work is marked by two examiners, one internal and one external, a noted published writer in your genre.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements for the Master of Creative Writing are:

• a four-year bachelors degree; or
• bachelors honours degree; or
• a bachelors degree combined with either a professional qualification equivalent to one year’s advanced study or at least three years of relevant professional experience.

The requirement that applicants hold a previous degree may be waived in exceptional circumstances.

Applicants must submit a portfolio of creative writing, including a brief outline of the book they want to work on during their MCW year. Please note that we not operate a rolling admissions process. All applications are reviewed after the closing date of 1 November.

We award two Sir James Wallace Scholarships of $3500 each to incoming students, based on the strength of their application. You do not have to apply for this separately. All successful applicants are considered for a scholarship.