Dear Everyone, Join us for the next Writing Talks on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 8 PM (Beijing) to learn about the application processes for MFA programs in Writing. Writers from our community will share experiences and tips for all of you who are planning on applying next year. On April 15, another application period came to an end, and I know at least six of my students, friends, and fellow writers have gotten into one or more wonderful MFA programs and accepted offers that came with assistantships, fellowships, and other awards. If you haven’t written to let me know of your results, please do so, so that I can boast about you too!
What makes me feel so proud is not the acceptances or the names of the schools—these make me happy as I imagine they will make you happy—but how you’ve gone through the application process. A mindful evaluation of your commitment to writing and where you’d like to take your practice in the future, your resilience and continuous effort to put together the most impressive portfolios, and your perceptive responses to the responses, when it came to making decisions about whether or not to say yes, whether or not to reapply, were exemplary and inspiring. I’ve invited Sensen, Entao, Tenny, and Junya to come and talk about their experiences during the application process. They will talk about choosing schools, requesting recommendation letters, writing application letters and/or statements of purpose, and building a writing portfolio to send. They’ll also share some thoughts on applying to a low-residency program, applying for a second time, and where to take one’s writing practice if the offer does not come with enough financial aid.
What’s most important is to think about how to commit to our writing. Getting into an MFA program is one of many ways, and writing the application essays gives us a chance to think deeply about our relationship to our writing practice. For that reason, even if you are not planning on going to grad school for writing, I invite you to join us on Saturday. We will get a chance to congratulate our friends for their efforts and successes, and I know we’ll all leave the meeting with as much information as inspiration. See you then! Our Zoom information is below:WRITING TALKS—MFA Edition! Time: Saturday, May 27, 2023, 20:00 (Beijing)Meeting ID: 849 8724 3842 Passcode: 123456ZOOM does NOT require a VPN! You may also join us by scanning the QR code. Remember to invite friends who'd enjoy learning about MFA application processes! Writing Talks are free and open to all, and we can accommodate 100 people.
Can't make it this time? Our next free event is the second installment of MFA talks, which will take place on Saturday, June 10, at 8 PM. Mark the date! Follow The Ways of Black InkFor free writing resources, information and announcements about reading and writing classes, and that random poem.For questions and comments in English:https://waysofblackink.wordpress.com/waysofblackink@gmail.comWeChat: nazlusha