MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics - University of Washington Bothell

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MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics - University of Washington Bothell

Applications are now open for the MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics: an innovative interdisciplinary

The MFA poses the central questions of poetics, inquiring into the social, cultural, and technological aspects of writing to ask: How is creative writing an ethical, political and aesthetic endeavor? What forms might creative writing take in an interconnected, transnational society? How does new media alter the environment and possibilities for creative writing? Each academic year kicks off with t

he Fall Convergence, a gathering of nationally and internationally renowned writers and artists to engage topics in contemporary poetics. The year closes with the Spring Festival, where graduating students share their thesis work publicly and receive a benedictory reading from a student-nominated invited speaker. Program Highlights
-Focus on experimental writing and hybrid forms
-Vibrant roster of visiting writers, conferences, and festivals
-Evening program designed for students with jobs and other commitments
-Optional residency in second year
-Flexible part-time or full-time thesis completion
-Connections to Seattle’s thriving literary and arts scene

04/17/2026

Earlier this week was Gamut's second Office Hours event, conversations and readings between students and faculty. The theme was Gothic and Horror writing, with presentations from students Erik Keevan, Leanne Machado, affiliate instructor Evan J. Peterson and director Joe Milutis. Gamut's next Office Hours event will be next week, Monday, April 20 at 7 pm . The topic will be Visual Poetry, and will include presentations from Associate Professor Amaranth Borsuk, with students Ashley Gilland, MK Reed, and Angelica Urquizo.

Photos by Joe Milutis, MK Reed, Angela Urquizo and Erik Keevan

04/15/2026

Our new promotional video is now online, featuring a star-studded cast of students, faculty and friends from all corners. Check it out!

04/13/2026

Tonight, join in their next installment of Office Hours Reading Series.

A collaboration bringing together faculty and students from the University of Washington Bothell Creative Writing and Poetics MFA. Featuring: .j.peterson

• When: Tonight, April 13th, 7:00pm
• Where: Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, Seattle,
WA 98122

A night of readings centered the world of all things gothic and horror.

03/09/2026

We are glad to have seen everyone who visited our booth over the weekend at the AWP, continuing our shared partnership with Kelsey St. Press.
We are having our next info session for prospective grad students tomorrow, Tuesday March 10 at 12:15 pm via Zoom. Here are the relevant links and information:
https://www.uwb.edu/graduate/graduate-info-sessions?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D196391877

02/10/2026

Gamut is back to announce the second installment in our GLOW (Graduate-Led Occupational Workshops) series presented by current writers within the UW-B MFA program.

On Sunday, February 22nd from 3-4:30pm we have a Poetics of Outer Space Workshop led by Vitoria Ramos, second-year scholar and poet in the UW-B MFA program. In this workshop Vitoria will provide you with an introduction to cosmic language, exploring themes of vastness, self-discovery, and romance through a celestial landscape. There is no previous space knowledge or writing experience required but a natural wonder of the universe is recommended to participate! Register here to save your spot.

As a reminder, the GLOW series will primarily be held on Zoom in order to remain accessible to as many folks as possible. We’ll always do our best to accommodate, so please reach out with any thoughts on particular accessibility issues in the future.

Follow us on Instagram at to stay up to date with future GLOW programming as well as the other events we’re planning for 2026 and beyond! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

Warmly,
Gamut Literary Series
UW-Bothell MFA program

02/06/2026

Students from Evan Peterson's interactive fiction class discuss their work last night.
UW Bothell's MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics provides an opportunity for students to explore multiple modalities of creative writing, including genres applicable to game media and interactivity. Our hybrid and experimental approach allows students to gain mastery in foundational skills, while exploring emergent forms. By the end of this year, our cohort will have had the opportunity to explore internet poetry, video art, interactive writing, arts writing, remix collage and book arts, in addition to the many independent paths our students can explore with campus resources. Recently students have worked on theses that have included comics art, video, sound, knitting, installation, performance, internet writing, book arts, and collage.
While the priority deadline has passed, we are still accepting applications for 2026-27. Our next informational session is March 10 at 12:15.

02/05/2026

Salon culture is an important part of our MFA experience, with second- year thesis students presenting their work during these monthly gatherings. Faculty and affiliate instructors Amaranth Borsuk, Nadine Maestas, Richard Chiem, Kristina Podesva and Joe Milutis are in attendance for last night's salon event as well as students from both cohorts.
While the priority deadline for this year has passed, we are still accepting applications for 2026-27. There will be an informational meeting this afternoon at 4:30, and another on March 10.

https://www.uwb.edu/graduate/graduate-info-sessions?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D196374131

Photos by Stephanie Le and Ricardo Ruiz

12/13/2025

Merry Mise-en-Abyssmas!

Check out our new full-page ad in the new issue of Dispatches, deputy-edited by alumnus , with contributions by previous Convergence guests and program friends Lytle Shaw, Mónica de la Torre, and Clark Lunberry and MFA Director Joe Milutis. A packed issue on the concept of "Media." Here pictured, both inside and out, with our current cohort at our annual Winter Mixer.

Applications for next year's cohort open now with priority deadline February 1, and info sessions on January 15, February 5, and March 10.

Dispatches online:
https://dispatchesmag.com/

And in print:
https://dispatchesmag.com/product/issue-06-beyond-media

11/21/2025

We’re ending the quarter by sharing a little magic from writers in our program. Come be in space with us as we share good food, bright company, and readings that fill the room.

Dec 11 · Discovery Hall · 6–9 PM ✨

RSVP via provided QR Code or the link in our bio

11/20/2025

Throwback Thursday! First in-person meeting of COVID-era students after a year in Zoom (June 2021). We discover how tall we are.
Would you like to join next year's cohort? Our last information session for the fall is Monday, December 8 at 4:30 via Zoom. We will also be hosting a Q&A and meet and greet with students and faculty on December 11, 5pm on campus, after which you are welcome to attend our yearly Winter Mixer for readings from current students, from 6-9pm in Discovery Hall 061.
RSVP for information session here: https://graduate.uwb.edu/portal/IAS-recruitment-events?id=b871f535-30a5-45bb-a77d-d73dd4308c6c
More information about winter mixer to come!

11/04/2025

We are happy to continue our sponsorship of Seattle Arts & Lectures last night with a fascinating reading by poet Li-Young Lee, who regaled us with thoughts concerning mortality, lyric, religion and the spiraling structures of verse.

Lee's presentation will still be available for streaming access for another week, available for purchase on a sliding scale:
https://seattle-arts-and-lectures.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/ #/instances/a0FTS0000070va92AA

We also have a few free streaming passes left for MFA staff, students and alumni. If interested, be in contact with MFA Director, Joe Milutis ([email protected])

Address

18115 Campus Way NE
Bothell, WA
98011

Website

http://www.uwb.edu/mfa

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