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Creative Writing

Students from all around campus come together in this minor to flex their creative muscles as they learn more about writing fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and scripts for the stage or screen. In classes led by active publishing writers, surrounded by other students who share their passion, students who choose the minor hone their skills in their preferred genres. Whatever your long-term goals, adding a creative writing minor to your major tells employers you are creative and adaptable.

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Creative Writing

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Degree Level
Minor
Delivery
In Person / Hybrid
Careers
Language, Postsecondary, Teachers, Proofreaders, Markers
Creative Writing students at EIU

Why Study Creative Writing at EIU?

  • Get introduced to all the major genres, where you can discover new interests and strengths
  • Choose intermediate and advanced courses in the genres that interest you most
  • Mix and match classes that are on-campus and online to offer you flexibility in completing the minor
  • Classes are typically between 12-18 students to ensure plenty of time for individual attention
  • The Mary Coon Cottingham scholarship fund, one of the largest funds for English, focuses on creative writing students and is open to students in the minor as well as the major
"I chose to attend EIU because of the sense of community and togetherness, the smaller class sizes, and the kind, supportive faculty within my department."
Jenna Tobias
English (Creative Writing) | Class of 2026
Jenna Tobias, English (Creative Writing) at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • Our student literary magazine, The Vehicle, offers students the opportunity both to publish their work and to work on the staff of a literary magazine
  • Each year, the Little Bluestem literary festival brings guest writers to campus to offer master classes (for free!) to aspiring writers
  • At our student conference each spring, writers can get their first opportunity to read their work publicly
Explore Courses
Hands-On Experience, Creative Writing students at EIU

What You'll Learn

The Creative Writing minor lets you practice any of the major creative writing genres that interest you: fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction and playwriting or script writing. It is a fit if you want to flex your creative muscles alongside any major.

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Career Outcomes

  • English Language & Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
  • Secondary School Teachers
  • Proofreaders & Copy Markers

Career Insights

Job Outlook Average Outlook
Preparation Needed Considerable (4/5)
Personality Fit Social

Connect With Us

Angela Vietto
Professor of English and Chair, Department of English
arvietto@eiu.edu
3341 Coleman Hall
217-581-2428
Angela Vietto Message Angela

Message Angela

or email arvietto@eiu.edu directly
Michael Cornebise
Interim Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences & Professor, Geography
mwcornebise@eiu.edu
2214
217-581-7486
Michael Cornebise Message Michael

Message Michael

or email mwcornebise@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

Message Billy

or email billy@eiu.edu directly

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