creative writing store san francisco

Talking to Strangers reading at Medicine for Nightmares bookstore with (l-r): Tureeda Mikell, Kimi Sugioka, Shizue Seigel, Karin Turner, Sandra Bass, Tony Aldarondo, Josiah Luis Alderete, Dawn Angelicca Barcelona

SUPPORTING WRITING & ART BY PEOPLE OF COLOR

Write Now! SF Bay builds multicultural community by reflecting the complex diversities among the Black, Brown, Indigenous and People of Color that comprise 60% of the Bay Area's population.

Since 2015, we have supported over 400 emerging and established BIPOC writers and artists. Their prose, poetry and artwork reflects the lived realities of people from all walks of life—educators, healers, activists, immigrants, LGBTQ, the formerly unhoused, and just plain folks with roots in Native America, Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and beyond.

WE SUPPORT WRITERS AND ARTISTS OF COLOR THROUGH:

BOOKS : Multicultural anthologies of prose, poetry and artwork

WORKSHOPS : Free monthly creative writing wo rkshops

EVENTS : Virtual and live readings and events

VIRTUAL • MONTHLY • YEAR ROUND

in partnership with The History Center of SLO County, the San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church,

Mothers for Peace, and other local orgranizations.

Come explore how history, race, class, culture, gender and life experience have impacted your values and identity. Discover your voice and style, sift through your family albums and your memories, build writing and listening skills, and create community with a diverse group of interesting folks. If you're not ready to write, come listen; you might get inspired.

Shizue Seigel has been leading Write Now! SF Bay workshops and readings in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2015. This year, to honor her family roots in Shell Beach and SLO Japatown, she is offering monthly virtual workshop for residents of SLO County, Santa Maria and Guadalupe. REGISTER HERE. Dates and time TBD.

Write Now! SF Bay’s 5th anthology UNCOMMON GROUND: BIPOC JOURNEYS TO CREATIVE ACTIVISM

22 Bay Area BIPOC writers and artists share

their journeys to a sustainable practice as

artists and activists.

MONTHLY WORKSHOPS

( Tickets on Eventbrite. Follow organizer: Write Now! SF Bay). MORE INFO HERE

Write Now! 3rd Saturday Creative Writing Workshop , 3-6 pm. Usually 3rd Saturday of the month. HYBRID. BIPOC writers meet to share work in progress on Zoom and on site at the San Francisco Public Library, 30 Grove St, Paley Room, 3rd floor. Jan 21, Feb 25, Mar 18, Apr 15, May 20, Jun 6. Free .

The BIPOC Hatchery Creative Writing Workshop, usually 2nd Tuesdays, 6-8pm on Zoom . J an 10, Feb 7, Mar 14, Apr 11, May 9, Jun 27.

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Writing Tips Oasis

7 Top Providers of Writing Classes in San Francisco

By Hiten Vyas

Are you a writer looking for writing classes in San Francisco?

A writing class can help you to improve your craft and develop the skills to plan out your next book. Not only are writing classes an educational experience, you also get to meet likeminded writers who are on a similar journey to you.

Some will be less experienced than you. Others will be more experienced. All of this contributes to creating solid ground for cross-fertilization of ideas and opinions.

Of course, with a writing class you also get trained by experts in the field and create new relationships with mentors and teachers, which can last way beyond the duration of a class you might take.

If you’re searching for a writing class in San Francisco, we’ve compiled a list of 7 top providers to help you in your quest to find the best one for you. Read on to learn more about what’s on offer from organizations based in Northern California’s financial, cultural, and commercial center.

1. The Grotto

Founded in 1993 by three writers – Po Bronson, Ethan Canin and Ethan Watters. These individuals came together to rent out a shared space in San Francisco, in order to work together as a community and to help and inspire each other to become better writers. Since its humble beginnings, the Grotto has grown from strength to strength with current premises being an entire floor of an office building and the organization now having more than 100 members. The Grotto also offers writing classes in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoir, screenwriting and journalism. Classes are taken by qualified and published authors who teach in the type of genre they’ve been published in.

You can find out about upcoming classes at the following link. Prices of these particular classes range from $125 – £165:

https://www.sfgrotto.org/classes/upcoming-classes/

The Grotto can be found on 490 2nd Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94107.

2. The Writers Studio San Francisco

The Writers Studio, founded in 1987 by The Pulitzer Prize winning poet Philip Schultz, offers both class-based and online classes in fiction and poetry. Classes in the Writers Studio Method, which has a strong emphasis on the teaching and practice of narration, are offered in New York City, Hudson Valley, Tucson, and San Francisco. The San Francisco operation has workshops for beginners, intermediate level writers, advanced writers and for those writers who are on the path of developing mastery with their craft.

All the classes operate on 10 week basis (one class per week) with prices ranging from $410 – $430. The faculty who deliver the classes are all renowned published authors and are also former students of the Writers Studio. Take a look at the following link to find out about upcoming classes in San Francisco:

https://www.writerstudio.com/courses/all-courses/#san-francisco

Classes take place at 57 Post St #702, San Francisco, CA 94104.

3. SF Creative Writing Institute

SF Creative Writing Institute initially started by running classes in the Jack Grapes Method Writing Program and has now expanded to offering new classes. The main writing class leaders are Alexandra Kostoulas, Nick Mamatas and Hollie Hardy. The organization has increased the number of its vetted instructors in order to deliver a wider range of classes in genres such as poetry, fiction, non-fiction, memoir, screenwriting, and playwriting. Instructors are both experienced in teaching writing and published authors in particular genres they specialise in. Prices for the workshops range from free up to $425 with some being one day classes and others taking place over a period of up to 7 weeks. To find out more about the classes you could take, have a look at the following link:

https://sfwriting.institute/

SF Creative Writing Institute can be found at 25 Taylor Street San Francisco, CA 94102.

4. Writing Pad

Writing Pad is an award-winning writing school co-founded by Marilyn Friedman and Jeff Bernstein. Writing Pad offers classes both in San Francisco and Los Angeles in subjects as wide as writing a novel, memoir, short story writing, storytelling, personal essay, TV writing, screenwriting, blogging and publishing. Online classes are also available and the organization has a huge team of instructors; all of which are renowned experts in their respective genres and many of whom are award-winning authors, journalists and television and film professionals. You can find out more about them here .

You can find out learn more about the writing workshops in San Francisco at the following link. Durations for the classes can range from 1 day to 7 weeks with fees ranging from $180 – $550:

http://writingpad.com/san-francisco-creative-writing-classes-and-workshops/

The address for Writing Pad in San Francisco is 1695 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94107.

5. Ripe Fruit School of Creative Writing

If you’re looking for a more structured learning opportunity, you may want to take a look at Ripe Fruit School of Creative Writing, whose classes follow a step-by-step, progressive approach called Path of Growth. Currently in its 22nd year, the organization was founded by Leslie Kirk Campbell, a national award-winning author and master trainer of writing. You can take 1 day intensive workshops and also longer writing courses spread out over 9 weeks. Prices of the workshops and writing courses range between $105- $425. To find out more about the Path of Growth program, and descriptions of its classes and writing courses, have a look at the following link:

http://www.ripefruitwriting.com/classes/

Classes take place at 469 Hill St, San Francisco, CA 94114.

6. The Writing Salon

The Writing Salon was founded in San Francisco by Jane Underwood in 1999. Due to high demand, Jane opened at a location in Berkeley in 2002. The organization offers classes for writers of all levels and has a comprehensive list of workshops to choose from, which include genres such as fiction, poetry, memoir, screenwriting, personal essays, spiritual writing, comedy writing and many others. Classes range from 1 day sessions to those spread out over 9 weeks. Prices for the longer classes are generally around $275 for non-members, with members typically getting a $10 discount. Instructors are all experienced individuals including published authors, poets, editors and qualified teachers of writing.

You can find out about upcoming courses both in San Francisco and Berkeley at the following link:

http://www.writingsalons.com/

The location for San Francisco classes is 2042 Balboa Street.

7. MFA in Writing at University of San Francisco

If you’re ready to take a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) graduate degree in Writing, the University of San Francisco offers one. The program was founded in 1986, runs over two and half years, and a new program begins every autumn. Workshops are given in all the major genres such as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, along with seminars on writing styles, literary models, and tools and techniques for craft development. The faculty for the program are working professionals who have published extensively in different literary mediums including books, anthologies, academic journals and online.

Workshops take place on Tuesday evenings, and seminars on Thursday evenings. Each class corresponds to 3 units with there being 33 units altogether. Students also have an opportunity to develop two theses with one-to-one support from a faculty instructor, getting feedback on their work, with the end result being a novel, collection of stories or poetry, a collection of creative nonfiction, or a works which combines these genres together meaningfully. The estimated average annual fee for the MFA program is $20,100. The following link provides further information:

https://www.usfca.edu/arts-sciences/graduate-programs/writing/program-details So, what did you think of our top providers of writing classes in San Francisco? Did we miss any out? Please let us know in the comments box below!

Hiten Vyas is the Founder and Managing Editor of Writing Tips Oasis .

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Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Our two graduate programs differ in scope, distinguished by innovative classes. Both include seminars, workshops, opportunities for community projects and a thesis.

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is a 54 unit program which consists of writing workshops as well as creative process and/or literature courses. It also requires a 12 unit correlative, a cluster of courses related to your special interests. The M.F.A. degree takes about three years for a full time student to complete; M.F.A. students can attend part time and have seven years in which to complete all the requirements for their degree. The M.F.A. is the terminal degree in creative writing. If your goal is to teach creative writing at the four year college or university level, you will need an M.F.A. degree in addition to book publication; now, many community colleges also hire M.F.A.s to teach in their English Programs. The M.F.A. will, like the M.A., prepare you for an English Ph.D. program.

Read more about our programs in our graduate program brochure (pdf) or our graduate handbook (pdf).

View the bulletin page for the M.F.A. in Creative Writing

View the M.F.A. Advising Worksheet (pdf)

Please do not use the Degree Progress Report to track your degree progress. The DPR is not yet in use for our Graduate students at this time and may not be accurate.

Please email [email protected] with any questions!

Graduate Applications
Application FAQs
Community Projects
Thesis Admisison Forms

Deadlines for Fall 2024 Admission:

Fall 2024 applications open October 1. The Creative Writing Department does not offer Spring admissions to the Graduate Programs in Creative Writing.

Round 1 Deadline: February 15th for Priority Consideration for Scholarships
Round 2 Deadline: April 19th

All materials for the application are to be uploaded via the Cal State Apply for Graduate Study website. Creative Writing only has applications open once a year, however you can choose to defer your study for a single semester or to the following Fall semester if you are interested in starting at a later date. Applicants need a B.A. degree, or equivalent, and a 3.0 GPA or equivalent.

Cal State Apply for graduate admission materials required for either the M.A. Creative Writing Degree Objective or the M.F.A. Creative Writing Degree Objective:

Cal State Apply for Graduate Study
Cal State Apply application fee; currently $75.
One set of unofficial transcripts for all college and/or university coursework (If you are chosen for admission, official transcripts will be requested to finalize admission). Please note: If you previously attended SF State University, you do not need to submit an SF State transcript. All are submitted electronically by uploading as part of this complete application to Cal State Apply for Graduate Study
Statement of purpose - briefly write (500 words) why you wish to study at the graduate level, what led you to choose creative writing, your experience writing and reading, etc.
One manuscript in one of the following genres- creative nonfiction or fiction: 15-20 pages double-spaced, single-sided pages (either one or more stories, or 15-20 pages of a longer work); 15 poems; 1 play: either a finished play of any length, or 20-25 pages of dramatic writing (theater plays only! No Film scripts, no radio plays, nor television plays; they will not be considered); 10 pages of literary translation into English accompanied by 10 pages of the literature in the original language. Manuscripts must be legibly typed to be considered.
Two letters of recommendation, preferably from an academic reference such as a former instructor, tutor, or someone who can speak of your writing skills from a position of knowledge. Creative Writing does not have a template for letter writers.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: please reference Cal State Apply for International Students for the following:

Academic requirements by country .
English language requirements .
Summary of CSU Application for Graduate Study process .

FAQs for the Graduate Application

Please click on the following question to be taken to the answer on this page. If your question is not addressed on this page, please email Katherine Kwid at [email protected] .

I'm interested in a graduate degree in Creative Writing, but I'm not sure if the M.A. or the M.F.A. is right for me. What is the difference between the M.A. and the M.F.A. ?
What do I need in order to qualify for a graduate degree in Creative Writing ?
I'm about to send in my application materials that are requested by the Creative Writing Department, but am afraid I've forgotten something! What is supposed to be included ?
I just got an email from the Division of Graduate Studies that told me I am missing items for my application. I'm not sure what items are missing. How can I find that out ?
I'm not sure who to ask for my letters of recommendation. What is the Admissions Committee looking for ?
How many students are admitted to the Graduate Program each year ?
Can I apply for Spring Admission ?
Is the GRE required for admission to the Creative Writing Graduate Programs ?
I'm not sure how to finance my education. Does SF State offer any financial assistance ?
How much does it cost to be an M.F.A. or an M.A. student in Creative Writing ?
How do I establish residency ?
I've been accepted to the M.F.A. (or M.A.), but something has come up. Can I defer my admission ?

I'm interested in a graduate degree in Creative Writing, but I'm not sure if the M.A. or the M.F.A. is right for me. What is the difference between the M.A. and the M.F.A.?

The M.A. degree program is 30 semester units: 3-6 units (1-2 classes) of writing classes, 3-6 units of process classes, 3-6 units of special topic creative process courses, 9-12 units of teaching courses guided elective classes and a 3 unit thesis (written creative work); the time it takes to finish the M.A. program typically is two years, but you have up to seven years to complete the program. California community colleges typically want to hire people with an M.A. in English; this degree will increase your potential for obtaining a teaching position in 2 year colleges.
The M.F.A. degree program is 54 semester units with a fair amount of latitude in your choice between workshop, seminar and literature seminar classes (there is a required minimum of 2 M.F.A. workshops and 2 M.F.A. seminars) and a 6 unit thesis (written creative work): the time it takes to finish the M.F.A. program typically is three to four years, but again, you have up to seven years to complete the program. Four year university creative writing departments typically hire adjunct and permanent faculty with this degree. BOTH degrees will prepare you for application to Ph.D. programs.
One way of getting a feel for the program beyond our bulletin requirements, is to attend an event, either at the SF State Poetry Center or one of the many events listed on our public Facebook page (public - so you don't need to have a Facebook account to view all content, simply click on the "f" icon on the right-hand side of our webpage.)

What do I need in order to qualify for a graduate degree in Creative Writing?

A bachelor's degree or a recognized equivalent from a regionally accredited institution (See the Bulletin for information regarding Applicants from Institutions Without Regional Accreditation).
A satisfactory scholastic average; a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0.
In good academic standing at the last college or university attended.
Complete the application process outlined on the Graduate Application section on this page.
Completing these steps does not guarantee entry to the program. A formal offer of admission will be sent to you by mail by the Division of Graduate Study after the decisions have been made.

I'm about to upload my supplementary application materials that are requested by the Department of Creative Writing, but am concerned I may have forgotten something! What is supposed to be included?

One manuscript sample of your work (appropriate submissions are detailed on the Graduate Applications tab on this page).
One 500 word statement of purpose.
Two letters of recommendation.
Unofficial transcripts for each institution attended.

I just got an email from the Division of Graduate Study that told me I am missing items for my application. I'm not sure what items are missing. How can I find that out?

Open a browser (Internet Explorer is recommended for best function) to sfsu.edu .
Click the Login link at the top of the page.
Click SF Gateway.
Enter your SF State ID and your password. If you have forgotten your password, click the link below the login box.
Click on Academics, under STUDENT.
Click on the Student Center "button" in the bottom of the box in the middle of the page.
On the right hand side, there is a "To Do List". You will find the items that are missing listed under the "To Do List" .

I'm not sure who to ask for my letters of recommendations. What is the Admissions Committee looking for?

Your options range widely, anywhere from a writer in the field of Creative Writing, to a teacher or professor of an unrelated subject who knows your study habits. People who can speak of your skills as a writer are preferred, but not necessary. If you cannot find someone who can speak of your writing, someone who can speak of you in a professional setting would be preferred.

How many students apply to and are admitted to the Graduate Program each year?

Our program adds between 30 and 50 Graduate students per year, and we get approximately 120 applications per year. Approximately 1/4 of the applied students are admitted to our MA program.

Can I apply for Spring Admission?

No. Our admission dates are from October 1st to February 15th for priority consideration for our entry scholarship, for the following Fall semester only. Students admitted for the fall semester may request to defer their admission for up to two semesters, if spring admission is desired.

Is the GRE required for admission to the Creative Writing Graduate Programs?

No, the GRE is not required for the application to the Department of Creative Writing.

I'm not sure how to finance my education. Does SFSU offer any financial assistance?

New students in both graduate programs are automatically considered for our three scholarships for new students: The Joe Brainard Fellowship (two or more prizes, amount varies between $1000-$5000), the William Dickey Fellowship in poetry (two prizes; amount varies between $500 – $2000), Miriam Ylvisaker Fellowship in Fiction (one prize; amount varies between $500-$1000 scholarship)
The Kathryn A. Manoogian Scholarship (one prize; amount varies between $500 - $2000) is awarded to one graduate student, new or continuing, based on merit and financial need. A call for applications will be posted to our students at the beginning of the fall semester.
For information on applying for financial aid, please contact the financial aid office; [email protected] . SF State Financial Aid Office website. Please be advised that it has come to our attention that California State University Grants, SUG, are available for only ONE graduate degree per student. If you have other questions about Financial Aid, including the SUG issue, you should call (415) 405-7000 or email [email protected] . The best way to get in touch with them would be to visit them in person at their desk in the One Stop Student Center .
The Federal Student Aid website has information for international applications about U.S. Financial Aid eligibility requirements.
The Financial Aid Office at SF State also has more information about other scholarships .
The University and national scholarships page is a resource web page that offers useful links, including information about how to make a one-on-one appointment with a fellowship advisor. Of special interest to graduate student is the Graduate Equity Fellowship.
There are approximately 3-5 teaching positions available to graduate students per academic year. It is by application in the Spring semester, for the coming academic year; minimum qualifications are classified graduate standing in the SF State Creative Writing M.F.A., English; Creative Writing M.A. program or the M.A. in Creative Writing; suggested completion (grade B or better) of C W 860 Teaching Creative Writing. Successful completion of C W 859 Practicum in Teaching Creative Writing which is a course which offers Graduate Instructional Aides (you assist in a class under the mentorship of the instructor of record for credit) an opportunity to practice, reflect upon, and revise teaching choices and strategies is also helpful when applying to these positions.

How much does it cost to be an M.F.A. or an M.A. student in Creative Writing?

Note: Campus fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the President and/or Student Fee Committee, without notice.

CURRENT fees PER SEMESTER for graduate study at SF State:

More information about California resident fees can be found on the SF State Bursar website.

Out of State/International, these fees are based on the California resident fees, plus $396 per unit: - 3 Units (1 course): $2,082 + $1,188 = $3,270 - 6 units (2 courses): $2,082 + $2,276 = $4,458 - 9 units (3 courses): $3,588 + $4,458 = $8,046 (3 units x $396 = $1188; 6 units x $396= $2276; 9 units x $396= $4458)

How do I establish residency?

You can find basic guidelines on how to establish residency and find out if you are eligible on the Division of Graduate Studies website . Because neither campus nor Chancellor's Office staff may give advice on the application of these laws, applicants are strongly urged to review the materials for themselves and perhaps consult with a legal advisor.

Can I defer admission to the Graduate Program in Creative Writing?

You can defer your admission until the following spring or following fall semester to which you applied once you have accepted your seat in the program. You can do this, you would submit a Petition for Graduate Admission selecting the option for "other" and stating that you wish to delay your start term to either Spring or Fall of the following year. Please email Katherine, [email protected] , with any questions.

Many organizations are interested in working at a distance with our students during this time. Early in my search for workable community engagement, quite a few organizations have stepped forward to express interest in CW 675 and 875 students:

These include Aunt Lute Books, Haight Ashbury Literary Journal, Omnidawn Publishing, Red light lit, Small Press Traffic, Mount Tamalpais College & the Milvia Street Journal, two different organizations that connect writers to incarcerated people, The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation (TAAF) and more.

Students will also be free to make their own connection for a writing projects that sustain us through COVID. Class meets at the beginning and end as a group; you do your community project in the middle and contribute through I-Learn to an ongoing discussion of your project. Email Anne Galjour, agaljour @sfsu.edu if you want to get your own community project idea approved before the class.

CW 675/875 Community Projects in Literature is an opportunity to gain experience in the fields of publication, teaching, and arts administration, which will make valuable additions to your resume. Though each internship will be individually shaped, you will make a commitment of at least six hours a week for the length of the semester to earn three units credit.

Below is link to a list of organizations which you may use as a guide to finding a community project, or you can find one on your own. This list includes on-campus opportunities, such as the Poetry Center. You also may create your own project as well; for example, teaching writing workshops in community, institution or school settings, or creating a reading series.

Typically, the organizations listed will ask you for a brief resume; try to give them some idea of the kinds of experience you already have. For example, did you work on a campus journal, can you operate a computer, file, write clearly?

Community Projects Leads

Submitting your ATC and PCE Forms

If you are planning on enrolling in your thesis next semester, please review the following information.

There are two forms due the semester before enrollment in your thesis course. These are the Advancement To Candidacy (ATC) form and the Petition for Culminating Experience (PCE) form and can be found in step two and three of the Steps to Graduation guidelines . These forms are due November 1 for the following Spring Thesis enrollment, or April 1 for Fall Thesis enrollment. There’s a helpful deadline calendar for all things graduation.

Petition for Culminating Experience ( PCE)

Please select 893 Written Creative Work to generate the appropriate petition.
The Petition for Culminating Experience proposes your thesis. The description needs to be at least 40 words, and we recommend keeping it vague if you think your thesis has the potential to change. The timeline asked for is a general guideline and not one you will be held to. Your thesis chairperson can help you come up with these dates and they are generally listed as reviewing sections of the thesis; first 4 chapters, first two acts, x number of poems, and so on.
Your thesis chairperson should be a tenured professor of your choosing. Please reach out to the professor to request that they be your thesis chairperson before the petition is submitted. Each professor has a limited number of thesis spots available and permission is required. The tenured faculty are listed at the top of the a dvising page under faculty academic advisors. You will also need a second reader who is an informal position on your thesis committee. The second reader only signs the paperwork, and will not be working with you on your thesis . Please reach out to a tenure track professor to be the second reader. The only reason I’ve seen someone say no to this informal position is when they will be on leave the semester the thesis is completed. Once a first and second reader have agreed to work with you, please follow directions on this page to upload your 893 paperwork for processing and signatures; Proposal for Culminating Experience (PCE) | Division of Graduate Studies . No third reader is needed.

Advancement To Candidacy ( ATC )

For the ATC form you will need to list the courses you are using to fulfill the degree requirement. You can determine which courses should be listed by filling out an advising worksheet for your degree which can be found on our Advising page. The courses listed on the ATC form will be the same ones you would use to complete the worksheet.
The class schedule for the Spring is not generally not yet available before the due dates for the ATC petition, so we ask you to guess which course you would like to use to complete your requirements if you have more than just the thesis course to complete. If the course you guess will be offered does not end up being offered next semester, you would then find an appropriate course to enroll in and submit an ATC substitution form on the Grad Forms website to amend the course list.
If you are using any coursework towards your degree, as approved by your faculty advisor, you will need to fill out an ATC substitution which you can do by following these procedures; DocuSign .
Your graduate advisor should be a tenured professor of your choosing, and this signature is usually given by your thesis chairperson. We do not assign advisors, rather encourage you to reach out to a faculty member you would like to work with in your genre. Tenure track faculty are on the top of the office hours page , or anyone with professor in their title on the people page .
Once you have the form completed, please follow the submission guidelines for processing and approval available on the Advancement to Candidacy Substitution Submission website.

Please note that completion of these forms does not automatically enroll you in your C W 893 Thesis course. Please request a class number and a permit number from your thesis chairperson when registration begins for the semester of your thesis enrollment.

You can find examples of the petitions below.

M.A. ATC Sample (pdf)
M.F.A. ATC Sample (pdf)
PCE Sample (pdf)
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (415) 338-1891

Office Hours

Quick links.

Undergraduate Advising Center
SF Bulletin
Academic Calendar

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San Francisco State University

Creative Writing

Department of Creative Writing

Location: 1600 holloway avenue humanities building, room 573 san francisco, ca 94132 (see map), hours: monday through friday, 9am to 5pm, contact: email: [email protected] phone: (415) 338-1891, webpage: https://creativewriting.sfsu.edu/, information and student experience.

The Department of Creative writing at SFSU aims to teach students how to fully express themselves and push the boundaries of the writing medium itself.

Personal Experience: Professor Steve Dickison is a great professor for Creative Writing, especially if poetry is an object of your interest

Important Links

View published work by Creative Writing Alumni: https://creativewriting.sfsu.edu/alumni-student-publications

Article about acclaimed poet joining SFSU Creative Writing faculty: "Writing into the unknown: a conversation with Marcus Endowed Chair Tonya M. Foster"

College of Liberal and Creative Arts
Fiction Writing

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WordPress launches generative AI assistant to enhance content writing

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WordPress has announced a proprietary AI-powered writing assistant to help users create and edit blog posts. The new tool, called Jetpack AI Assistant , is now readily available on WordPress.com and seamlessly integrates into the editor interface.

Users with WordPress blogs hosted on other platforms can also access this tool by utilizing a Jetpack plugin, which offers features to enhance marketing, security, and anti-spam efforts.

The assistant employs generative AI technology similar to OpenAI’s large language model (LLM) chatbot, ChatGPT. However, the company’s blog post does not provide specific information regarding the AI architecture.

Operating similarly to its counterparts, Jetpack utilizes user prompts to generate content. Additionally, the AI assistant can tailor and refine text to match specific tones and styles, enabling writers to adapt their writing to resonate with their target audience.

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Jetpack AI Assistant currently supports 12 languages, including English, Hindi, Spanish, French, Chinese, and Korean. The tool claims to automatically rectify spelling and grammar errors while facilitating seamless translation among the supported languages.

Automattic , the company behind WordPress and Jetpack AI Assistant, believes that this functionality empowers writers to create content in their native language, yet will enable them to market their content in different languages.

Leveraging generative AI to deliver personalized content

The company characterizes the tool as a “creative writing partner” that empowers users to effortlessly generate diverse content, substantially streamlining the content creation process.

With Jetpack AI Assistant, users can summarize a blog post into a headline and adjust the tone of their text by selecting options such as “formal,” “provocative,” or “humorous.”

If users prefer to write their post, they can still use Jetpack AI Assistant to generate a headline based on their writing.

Moreover, the company asserts that the assistant surpasses the standard built-in tools in WordPress by offering advanced spelling and grammar correction features.

WordPress’s introduction of this generative AI feature seems well aligned with the prevailing trend of companies embracing AI-powered assistants for business automation and content creation. Notably, OpenAI’s AI models have quickly gained adoption by various companies, including Grammarly Inc.’s GrammarlyGo and Microsoft Corp.’s Office365 products, such as Word.

Users can avail themselves of a complimentary Jetpack AI Assistant block trial, allowing for up to 20 requests. However, to continue using the feature after that, there is a monthly fee of $10.

The future of content development in changing tech culture

Responding to the WordPress news, Josh Koenig, co-founder & chief strategy officer at WebOps platform Pantheon , said that the ability to generate text and image content has become indispensable in the age of large language models (LLMs).

He stated that while AI will greatly accelerate content creation, it cannot completely replace content creators.

“In a world where it becomes virtually free to produce large amounts of average/mediocre content, human creativity, and insight will still be needed to create something truly excellent that can break through,” Koenig told VentureBeat. “With AI taking over more of the grunt work of putting together individual insights, creators’ work will become more interesting and strategic. Creators will need to upskill, as more and more purely operational tasks are automated. The human value-add will be in creativity and decision-making.”

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