Students and faculty support each other and thrive in the wide-range of literary arts activities on and off campus. We’re active on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Students maintain The MFA and Beyond, a blog with helpful articles about the writing life. One cohort has recently started Working Title: A Podcast About the Writing Life.
The strong sense of community among our students allows them to be respectful, honest, and valuable colleagues to each other. Students regularly gather for submission soirees, backyard BBQs, writing marathons, movie nights, and, of course, day trips to Disney or the beach.
On Campus Experiences
Graduate Writers’ Association
Graduate Writers’ Association (GWA) helps students successfully transition from the university into the greater literary field by creating and participating in networking and professional development opportunities and sharing knowledge of existing literary organizations. In addition to Parcels, GWA organizes social events throughout the year.
As a Registered Student Organization (RSO) at UCF, the GWA secures funding for our MFA students to travel to the annual Association for Writers & Writing Program (AWP) national conference, as well as one additional regional conference.
Parcels: MFAs in Progress
Parcels: MFAs in Progress is a monthly reading series organized by current UCF graduate students pursuing MFA degrees in Creative Writing. The series aims to share the talents of the current UCF MFA students with the Orlando community.
Parcels is hosted once a month, currently at CREDO/Zeppelin Books in the North Quarter. The readings are free and open to anyone interested in hearing fresh, contemporary poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Please see the MFA Creative Writing Blog for current information.
The Florida Review
The Florida Review is UCF’s national literary magazine published twice yearly by the department, established in 1972. Each issue includes poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and graphic narrative. Established in 2017, Aquifer is the interdisciplinary online supplement to The Florida Review and publishes poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, graphic narrative, book reviews, author interviews, visual art, short film, and digital and electronic narratives.
There are many ways for graduate students to be involved with TFR to gain hands-on experience in the editing profession, as well as behind-the-scenes knowledge of the submission process.. For details and more information, visit The Florida Review, For Students webpage.
Writers in the Sun
Writers in the Sun is a reading series supported by the department that brings to campus writers of national reputation. Typically, this series brings in two writers in the fall and two in the spring semesters. Recent visiting writers include Tim Siebles, Marya Hornbacher, and Laura Kasischke.
The Cypress Dome
The Cypress Dome is UCF’s undergraduate literary publication. It is edited and run by undergraduates and is open to submissions from any UCF student.
The Literary Arts Partnership
The Literary Arts Partnership is a program that uses the literary arts to improve the learning attitude, ability, and self-sufficiency of vulnerable youth and adults in our community. At the same time, this project provides an opportunity for college students to apply their knowledge in the “real world” and builds a bridge between their academic world and the greater community, potentially leading them to careers and long-term commitment in community service.
English Symposium
English Symposium is an annual symposium the intent of which is to capture a snapshot of the intergenerational and multifaceted contributions of students, alumni, and faculty to our dynamic learning community. In this one-day event, we seek not only to highlight the importance of the humanities in the university but also to foster a sense of shared discourse and intellectual collaboration and to celebrate all the different kinds of work that we do.
Orlando Area Experiences
Atlantic Center for the Arts
Atlantic Center for the Arts (ACA) is a non-profit multidisciplinary artist residency facility located in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. UCF College of Arts and Humanities and ACA are partners, and our faculty, students, and alumni attend residencies on scholarship (free) if selected by the Master Artist. Additionally, usually each summer and winter, our alumni organize a low-cost, week-long private retreat at ACA for MFA students and alumni.
Burrow Press
Burrow Press is an independent, literary publisher based in Orlando, FL. As one of only a few literary publishers in Florida, our mission is twofold: to expand the boundaries of Florida Literature by (1) publishing the best contemporary writing by new and established authors, and (2) fostering literary community in Orlando, Florida, and beyond.
Loose Lips
Loose Lips Reading Series: On the first Tuesday of every month at Lil’ Indies, writers share new work inspired by the last 30 days of news. 8PM, FREE, 1036 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL. Founded by Tod Caviness and hosted/curated by a rotating cast of Orlandoans.
The Kerouac Project
Jack Kerouac Project supports writers through residency and other programs that seek to enrich the Greater Orlando community.
The Drunken Odyssey Podcast with John King
The Drunken Odyssey Podcast with John King is a forum to discuss all aspects of the writing process, in a variety of genres, in order to foster a greater sense of community among writers.
Rollins College Winter with the Writers
Rollins College Winter with the Writers is sponsored by the Rollins Department of English. This festival of the literary arts couples world-class writers with the College’s creative environment, encouraging an appreciation of literary excellence in our American culture.
Valencia State College Visiting Authors Series
Valencia College Visiting Authors Series is sponsored by the English Department at Valencia College in Orlando, featuring regional and national writers. Recent visiting writers include Taylor Mali and Julianna Baggott.