Antioch University’s low-residency MFA in Creative Writing program empowers writers to refine their craft while exploring literature’s role in fostering justice and community. A cornerstone of the low-residency model is the 10-day hybrid residency, held in June and December, five times over the course of the degree. These immersive residencies— offered in-person at Antioch’s Los Angeles campus in Culver City or entirely online—bring students together for workshops, readings, and community building from anywhere in the world.
“Residencies give me a clearer sense of what I want to do in my writing, and the map to get there comes into focus.” – Justin Hoops, MFA Candidate, Creative Nonfiction
A Community of Writers, Onsite or Online
Residency is designed to foster a literary community. Every seminar and lecture is open to all students, regardless of genre, encouraging cross-disciplinary learning. Prajakta Dengwekar, MFA Candidate, Fiction, says: “Residency gives me a sense of belonging. It reinforces the idea that I belong to a group of multi-identity individuals who are fostering creativity.” Residencies put into practice the program’s priority of community over competition. Alumni can attend residencies after graduating, at no charge, as the program wants to honor student commitments and offers opportunities for lifelong learning.
What to Expect During Residency
The residency includes a variety of structured learning activities designed to develop both creative and critical skills:
- Orientation Activities – Preparing students for residency participation, field study requirements, and their five-month independent study period
- Writing Workshops – Each student participates in an intensive, 3-day workshop within their genre, receiving constructive feedback from peers and faculty
- Faculty and Guest Seminars – Sessions explore craft, culture, literary theory, and the business of writing
- Critical Paper Seminar – A study of literary analysis and how it informs creative work
- Genre Studies – Students are admitted to the MFA program in one genre but may attend classes in any genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Young People, Writing for the Screen, Playwriting, and Literary Translation.
- Graduating Student Presentations and Readings – Celebrating student achievements and providing opportunities to showcase their work and learning during their degree.
Flexible Residency Options to Fit Your Life
Antioch’s residency model offers flexibility and accessibility to accommodate student needs:
- In-Person Residency – Students engage with peers and faculty in Culver City, immersing themselves in the local literary scene while building community.
- Online Residency – Virtual workshops, readings, social activities, and seminars allow students to maintain community engagement while balancing other commitments.
Kelly Baker, MFA Candidate, Creative Nonfiction, lives in Florida but attends the 10-day residency in Los Angeles: “Residency gets me out of my environment, at home with my kids and husband and all the obligations that go along with it, and into a space where I can just focus on being a student and a writer.” Nutschell Windsor, MFA Candidate, Young People’s Literature, lives in Los Angeles and appreciates the flexibility: “I do a mix of in-person and online sessions, so I can go to work in the morning and still partake of all the afternoon sessions and evening readings.”
Following each residency, students enter a five-month online project period, working closely with faculty mentors on creative and analytical writing. During this time, they submit creative work and book annotations, participate in book circles, engage in community-based field studies, participate in Antioch MFA’s literary journal Lunch Ticket or their podcast, Lit Cit, and complete a final manuscript, critical paper, and annotated bibliography—culminating in a comprehensive reflection of their literary growth and influences. The program also gives students the option of attending 6 or 8 week online genre-specific electives on Zoom during the project period, to stay connected and have class time, as well as topical seminars on Zoom each month, to sustain and nurture that learning.
A Flexible, Immersive, and Impactful MFA Journey
The 10-day residency at Antioch University is a crucial element of the MFA experience, preparing students for the project period. Writers engage in deep creative and critical exploration, build lasting connections with peers and faculty, and maintain the flexibility to balance professional and personal commitments. With its unique hybrid structure and emphasis on community-based social engagement, Antioch’s MFA program prepares students to become thoughtful, impactful voices in contemporary literature.
