UA creative writing program receives high praise

By: Eric R. Evridge

Posted: 8/27/07

The Masters of Fine Arts programs in creative writing and translation at the UA rank among the top five most innovative in the nation, according to The Atlantic Monthly.

"We're delighted [about the ranking], but we're not surprised," said Davis McCombs, director of the UA creative writing program.

"I think one of the things that make us so special is that we're a four-year program," McCombs said.

"Our graduates leave here having studied the craft of creative writing, poetry and translation," said McCombs.

The reason for the long program and extra courses is to prepare students for teaching the subjects in addition to their professional writing careers, McCombs said.

The students also attend workshops, where work is critiqued by peers, said John Duval, a UA English professor.

"The programs were built on workshops," Duval said. "The students must take each workshop to the feel the agony of each point of view."

"The creative writing and translation programs work together very closely," Duval said.

Another reason for the program's success is the attention each student receives, Duval said.

"The programs have a tradition of working very hard and very closely with students," Duval said. "We try to give extra attention for any student who asks for it."

"We have an incredible, proven track record," McCombs said.

"A long list of distinguished alumni and notable writers can be found on our Web site," said McCombs. Some of those writers include the fiction writer Barry Hannah and poet C.D. Wright.

The programs have been established for more than 35 years and are among the oldest in the country, McCombs and Duval said. The programs were founded by James T. Whitehead, William Harrison and Miller Williams.

There will not be any big changes to the programs because of the ranking, McCombs said. "We're going to keep attracting the best students from around the country."