The MFA program is excited to welcome the newest class of writers to the Butler community. Courses begin Wednesday, August 27th, but as current students will attest, the Butler’s MFA program extends beyond workshops and electives.
The following are a few ways to get involved, connect with the writing community, and get the most from Butler’s MFA experience.
1. Attend the MFA Welcome Back Celebration
This Saturday, August 22nd, join faculty, staff, and all students at the Efroymson Center for Creative Writing. The party is truly a celebration of new students as well as a fun social event to catch up on summer news. Be sure to ask Mike Dahlie and Allison Lynn about the adventures at their Chamonix workshop or ask a student from Dan Barden’s Story Structure class about their victory at the Brew Pub’s Trivia Night this summer. The Welcome Back Celebration is from 3-6 and includes snacks.
2. Attend Visiting Writers Events
Butler’s Vivian S. Delbrook Visiting Writer’s series is incomparable. Big names in literature, prize-winning poets, and popular writers appear on campus to give public readings. There are usually six writers every semester across all genres. The writers meet with MFA students at the ECCW for an informal Q&A. Here, you can get writing advice straight from the mouths of our writing heroes. A complete list of dates and times is forthcoming.
3. Read for Booth or Pressgang
Reading for Booth, Butler’s lit mag, or Pressgang, Butler’s small press, gives students the experience of seeing how books are made from the beginning. Learn how submissions are chosen, be a part of the discussion on what makes a work successful, and then bask in the glory of a beautiful book with your name on the inside cover. Round table discussions are once a month. In addition to great debates about good writing, the round tables also involve good food, friendship, and plenty of laughter. Although the application deadline for Booth readers for this year has passed, keep your eye out for special reading periods, Pressgang’s next project, or talk to a current reader or Editor Rob Stapleton to learn how and why to get involved next year.
4. Get Involved with Writing in the Schools
WITS is Butler MFA’s award winning partnership with Indianapolis Public Schools, now housed at Broad Ripple High School, just minutes from campus. WITS seeks to foster the creativity of young writers through mentorship. It is not only an excellent way to gain teaching experience but is also a way to connect with the Indianapolis community and give back. Program director Chris Speckman says, “as a mentor, you are making a difference in the community and in the lives of students. The opportunity to interact with people who come from different backgrounds, to give them the opportunity to succeed in situations where for some students writing is a way to something bigger, something better – to be able to contribute to that journey is the ultimate reward.”
An independent auditor who visited Butler last year touted WITS as a gem of the program. He said that kind of experience is invaluable and makes Butler’s MFA program stand out. Do not miss this opportunity. Visit the WITS website or contact Chris Speckman for more information on how you can get involved.
5. Attend Poetry Luncheons
Designed for poetry readers of all levels, the poetry luncheons are a great way to connect with others in the MFA community and share a common passion – the discussion of words. Our beloved MFA administrator, Mindy Dunn, welcomes all to the casual poetry discussion held twice a month in the ECCW. Mindy will email you the selected poems, provide lunch, and guide the discussion that makes even rookie poetry readers appreciate the beauty of the poems. The first luncheon is Friday, September 11th at 12:30. Please email Mindy Dunn to RSVP.