The Department of English offers workshop courses in writing fiction, poetry, memoir, creative non-fiction, and in journalism for those students who wish to gain extensive experience in writing. Students are encouraged to submit their work to college publications such as Manuscript and The Lens, and to enter Carleton’s literary contests. English Majors who are creative writers may choose the creative writing comps option.
Writers on the Carleton faculty include poet Greg Hewett and fiction writer Gwen Kirby. In addition to courses offered by regular faculty members, the department brings visiting writers to campus to read and to conduct workshops in their specialties.
Additional visitors have included playwright Tony Kushner, memoirists Richard Rodriguez and Patricia Hampl, poets Nick Makoha, Robert Creeley, Carolyn Forche, Sharon Olds and Andrew Hudgins, nature writers Dan O’Brien and David Rains Wallace, and fiction-writers Jane Hamilton, Ann Beattie, Maxine Hong Kingston, and Marilynne Robinson.
Creative Writing Courses: 2025-26
Fall Term
ENGL 160: Introduction to Creative Writing – Greg Hewett
ENGL 263: Hybrid Memoir and Creative Nonfiction – Marianne Manzler
ENGL 270: Short Story Workshop – Gwen Kirby
Winter Term
ENGL 160: Introduction to Creative Writing – Gwen Kirby
ENGL 270: Short Story Workshop – Gwen Kirby
ENGL 371: Advanced Poetry Workshop – Greg Hewett
Spring Term
ENGL 160: Introduction to Creative Writing – Christopher Tradowsky
ENGL 370: Advanced Fiction Workshop – Gwen Kirby