Focus on the links between critical thinking, publication, contemporary literature and creative writing. We will embolden you to be creative and write with the contemporary publishing sector in mind. You will have the opportunity to submit work to the York Literary Review and to our annual Beyond the Walls anthology.

On this course will build complementary creative, critical and professional skills which will put you in a strong position to embark on a career as a writer or in publishing. The creative writing team have expertise in:

• Speculative and historical fiction
• Scriptwriting, screenwriting and adaptation
• Poetry
• Horror fiction
• Literary fiction
• Creative non-fiction, including memoir and true crime

The focus of the publishing element of the course is on all aspects of the world of publishing, but there is a specific focus on contemporary independent publishing, small presses and emergent themes in writing. You will engage with a diverse and inclusive range of creative and critical texts in a variety of forms, enhancing your knowledge of the current publishing landscape.

York is a fantastic place to be if you love books and reading. There is a rich literary history in the city, and each year, the city celebrates its literary heritage with the York Literature Festival, for which our department organises several events. We are also instrumental in the annual York Big City Read with our partner institution, York Explore.

We encourage you to take a professional approach to your study and attend the variety of events provided by the York Centre for Writing. These includes visits from agents, publishers, editors and writers. You will also have opportunities to take part in field trips and a weekend residential writing retreat.