by Writing Workshops Staff
A week ago
The path to becoming a published author has never followed a single route. While traditional MFA programs have long been considered the gold standard for serious writers, a growing movement of independent writing programs is proving that exceptional craft education, meaningful mentorship, and publication success don't require six-figure debt or uprooting your entire life.
The IndieMFA program at WritingWorkshops.com represents this new era of creative writing education—one built on flexibility, accessibility, and measurable outcomes for writers at every stage of their journey.
A National Conversation About Independent Writing Education
The rise of independent writing programs has garnered attention at the highest levels of the literary community. In a landmark discussion published in The Writer's Chronicle—the official publication of the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP)—leaders from some of the nation's most innovative independent writing schools came together to explore how non-MFA programs are reshaping creative education across the country.
"I got an MFA, but before that, I went to community college and took the same class, Introduction to Fiction, three semesters in a row, and I found myself on the other side of my MFA, trying to get back to the joy that I found of writing in that community college class... That's what we're trying to do with students who come in—look at craft, have the joy of writing, and push their work forward in new and interesting ways."
— Blake Kimzey, Founder & Executive Director of WritingWorkshops.com
This important conversation, moderated by Blake Kimzey, brought together voices from Rebecca Makkai of StoryStudio Chicago, G. E. Patterson of The Loft Literary Center, and Julia Fierro of Sackett Street Writers to discuss how these organizations are creating vibrant alternatives to traditional academic pathways.
The True Cost of an MFA—and What You're Really Paying For
Let's talk numbers. Columbia University's MFA program—one of the most prestigious in the country—now costs over $130,000 for two years of tuition alone, not including living expenses in New York City. Even "affordable" low-residency programs often run $40,000 to $60,000. And while fully-funded programs exist, they accept only a tiny fraction of applicants: Syracuse admits around 6%, and Hunter College just 2%.
For most writers, the math simply doesn't work. The vast majority will never recoup their educational investment through writing income alone. And yet, what writers actually need from an MFA—rigorous craft instruction, expert feedback, meaningful mentorship, and connection to a literary community—doesn't require massive institutional overhead.
The IndieMFA program delivers these essential elements at a fraction of the cost, without asking you to quit your job, relocate your family, or take on crushing debt.
What Makes IndieMFA Different
The IndieMFA program at WritingWorkshops.com combines the best elements of a low-residency MFA with a strong focus on the art, craft, and business of writing. Here's what sets it apart:
Award-Winning Faculty Who Are Working Writers
Our roster includes National Book Award finalists, New York Times bestsellers, Pulitzer finalists, and contributors to The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The Paris Review. Current and past faculty includes Ramona Ausubel, Marie-Helene Bertino, Brandon Hobson, Morgan Talty, Chloé Cooper Jones, Stewart O'Nan, Karen E. Bender, Isaac Fitzgerald, and dozens more.
These aren't tenured professors who published their last book a decade ago—they're actively publishing writers who understand today's literary marketplace and can guide you through it.
More One-on-One Time Than Traditional Programs
In a traditional MFA workshop of 12 to 15 students, your work might be discussed two or three times per semester. Our intentionally small class sizes and one-on-one mentorship programs ensure you receive sustained, personalized attention from faculty who are invested in your development.
This isn't assembly-line education—it's artisanal craft instruction designed around your specific project and goals.
Flexibility That Fits Your Life
Unlike traditional MFA programs, which can be nearly impossible to complete while working full-time, the IndieMFA program allows you to pursue rigorous craft education without sacrificing your income, your family time, or your geographic roots. Complete your coursework online, on your schedule, while building the skills that will serve your writing for decades.
Optional Destination Retreats Around the World
For writers who crave the intensity of in-person residencies, our destination writing retreats offer immersive weeks of workshops, craft seminars, and one-on-one conferences in extraordinary locations: Paris, Dublin, Iceland, Tuscany, Santa Fe, New Orleans, and more. These optional residencies bring your IndieMFA experience to life without requiring you to commit to years of relocation.
Publication Success That Speaks for Itself
The ultimate measure of any writing program is what its students achieve. Our alumni have:
Signed with literary agents and published books with major presses
Been selected for the TODAY Show book club, Read with Jenna
Won major literary awards, including the Halifax Prize from American Short Fiction and the Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction from Sarabande Books
Earned admission to top-tier funded MFA programs, including The Iowa Writers' Workshop, The Michener Center for Writers, Syracuse, Michigan, NYU, Columbia, Brooklyn College, Hunter College, and UC-Irvine
Received prestigious fellowships from the Tin House Workshop, The Vermont Studio Center, the Sewanee Writers' Conference, the National Book Critics Circle, and The Elizabeth George Foundation
See what our alumni have accomplished:
Browse Student Success Stories →Official Education Partner of Electric Literature
WritingWorkshops.com is proud to be an official education partner of Electric Literature, one of the most respected independent publishers in contemporary letters. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to literary excellence and our belief that great writing education should be accessible to writers everywhere.
Our programs have been featured in Literary Hub, The London Review of Books, The Writer's Chronicle, Poets & Writers, Book Riot, and the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP).
Who Is IndieMFA For?
The IndieMFA program serves writers who are serious about their craft but recognize that the traditional academic pathway isn't the only route to publication success:
Working professionals who can't take two to three years away from their careers
Parents and caregivers who need flexibility around family commitments
Writers who've already completed MFAs and want continued development (as G. E. Patterson of The Loft Literary Center noted in The Writer's Chronicle discussion, many writers with MFAs seek out independent programs for additional growth)
Emerging writers building toward MFA applications who want intensive preparation
Established writers looking to push their work in new directions with expert guidance
The Long Game of a Writing Life
As the leaders of America's top independent writing programs discussed in The Writer's Chronicle, the question isn't just how to produce better pages—it's how to build the motivation and craft foundation for the long game of a writing life.
Traditional MFA programs offer one version of that foundation. But for many writers, an independent path offers something equally valuable: the ability to develop your craft deeply while maintaining the life that sustains your writing.
Whether you're drafting your first novel or polishing your third collection, the IndieMFA program at WritingWorkshops.com offers a pathway built around your goals, your timeline, and your budget.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Explore our IndieMFA programs and find the pathway that fits your writing life.
Explore IndieMFA Programs →WritingWorkshops.com is an independent, artist-run creative writing school and the official education partner of Electric Literature. Since 2016, we've helped writers strengthen their voice, develop a greater understanding of craft, and forge a path to publication. Our mission is to bring your writing out of the wilderness and into community.
