News & Features » February 2015 » Spotlight on the NYU Creative Writing Program
Spotlight on the NYU Creative Writing Program
On Friday, February 13, the NYU Creative Writing Program will feature Akashic authors Nelson George, Bernice L. McFadden, and Arthur Nersesian as part of their Reading Series. Nelson George has twice been nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award. He is most recently the author of The Lost Treasures of R&B, the third novel in his D Hunter Mystery Series. Bernice L. McFadden is the author of nine novels, including Gathering of Waters (a New York Times Editors’ Choice and one of the 100 Notable Books of 2012) and the recently reissued Loving Donovan. Arthur Nersesian’s debut novel, the Lower East Side cult classic The Fuck-Up, was also the first title published by Akashic Books. This event is hosted by editor Aaron Petrovich and will take place at NYU’s Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House (58 West 10th Street, NYC) at 5:00 PM. It will be free and open to the public, and refreshments will be provided. Click here for more information about the event.
In honor of their hosting our event, today Akashic is thrilled to spotlight the NYU Creative Writing Program:
The NYU Creative Writing Program is deemed one of the best in the country. With its esteemed facility members leading a spectrum of courses, it’s no wonder it is so highly regarded. NYU’s program attracts an array of students from around the world to learn, cultivate, and develop their talents. This diversity lends itself to the overall enjoyment and benefit of the learning experience.
The Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House, located in the heart of Greenwich Village, is the hub of the writing program. Nestled in a historic townhouse, these idyllic quarters truly do inspire the students lucky enough to be taught there.
NYU proudly offers courses to both undergraduate and graduate students. The carefully devised curriculum equips both student levels with the writing fundamentals, while at the same time furnishing them with an environment for deeper, more individualistic expression. NYU’s literary department facilitates students’ interests in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.
Given the nature of this dynamic program, learning does not stop in the classroom. Students are strongly encouraged to immerse themselves in a range of extra-curricular activities, including the Reading Series, a series of free talks lead by poets, writers, and translators in the field. There are also departmental writing contests and internship opportunities for current students to take advantage of. Furthermore, students can contribute to West 10th, an undergraduate literary journal, as either writers or editors. With so many opportunities, students can go from strength to strength as they keep abreast with the ever-changing literary world.
NYU boasts a diverse teaching department, notably Cris Beam, John Murillo, Matthew Rohrer, Rachel Zucker, Joanna Yas, Darin Strauss, Irini Spanidou, Helen Schulman, Elissa Schappell, and Saïd Sayrafiezadeh. Students are left in the capable hands of these specialized individuals, who share the same genuine passion for writing. Not only do they teach, they are also active and influential figures in their specific literary field.
In addition to the noteworthy faculty of NYU’s Creative Writing Program, the writers in residence include some of the most poignant voices of our time—Jonathan Safran Foer, Amy Hempel, and John Ashbery, to name but a few.
The NYU Creative Writing Program offers students the unique opportunity to study aboard during the summer, with campuses in both Florence and Paris. Notably, it has just been announced Zadie Smith will be joining the faculty in Paris this summer. This cultural exchange gives budding writers the chance to be inspired by rich cultures and customs.
Visit their website to learn more about the NYU Creative Writing Program.
Posted: Feb 11, 2015
Category: Akashic in Good Company | Tags: Aaron Petrovich, Akashic in Good Company, Arthur Nersesian, Bernice L. McFadden, creative writing, Creative Writing Program, event, Florence, France, Italy, Loving Donovan, Nelson George, New York, New York City, NYU, NYU Creative Writing Program, NYU CWP, Paris, spotlight, The Fuck-Up, The Lost Treasures of R&B