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Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
Reflect on editorial feedback to determine core strengths and weaknesses of one’s own work.
Self-evaluate written work focusing on key elements of creative writing such as character, dialogue, plot, theme, setting, imagery and structure/form.
Apply techniques and strategies acquired through editorial feedback, self-evaluation, reading and self-directed learning to revise and improve one’s own writing.
Employ conventions of grammar, punctuation, spelling and other aspects of technical style within the context of narrative/poetic traditions to write in a clear and professional manner.
Revise and improve elements of literary style such as detail, diction, syntax, active voice, rhythm and tone to sustain reader engagement at the level of the sentence/line.
Manage point of view and associated issues of narrative/poetic voice such as the sociocultural identity and reliability of the narrator/speaker to create a consistent, convincing reading experience.
Employ a variety of research methods to support authentic, convincing writing in narrative/poetic forms.
Explore techniques and strategies used in published works to assess for application to one’s own writing.
Identify prevailing genres, forms and submission requirements present in the publishing industry and literary community to discover professional options for writers.
Mentorship
Learn from industry professionals while earning your credential online!
Apply early to increase your chance of being paired with your preferred mentor.
January 2021 Faculty
David Bergen
David Bergen has published nine novels and a collection of short stories. In 2005 he won the Giller Prize for The Time in Between. His novels have been shortlisted for the IMPAC Literary Award and the Governor General’s Literary Award.
Giles Blunt
Giles Blunt's first "Cardinal" novel, Forty Words for Sorrow, won the British Crime Writers Silver Dagger award, and the second, The Delicate Storm, won the Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis award for best novel, as did the latest, Until the Night.
Karen Connelly
Author of twelve books of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, Karen Connelly is a writer, educator and therapist in private practice.
Elisabeth de Mariaffi
Elisabeth de Mariaffi is the critically acclaimed author of three books: the Scotiabank Giller Prize-nominated short story collection How to Get Along with Women, the literary thriller The Devil You Know, and the brand-new Hysteria, released in March, 2018.
Elizabeth J. Duncan
Elizabeth J. Duncan is the multiple award-winning author of two traditional mystery series: Penny Brannigan, set in North Wales and Shakespeare in the Catskills, set in upstate New York.
Adam Foulds
Adam Foulds has been the recipient of a number of literary awards, including the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year, the Costa Poetry Prize, the Somerset Maugham Award, the South Bank Show Prize for Literature, the E. M. Forster Award, the Encore Award, and the European Union Prize For Literature.
Camilla Gibb
Camilla Gibb is the author of four novels—Mouthing the Words, The Petty Details of So-and-so's Life, Sweetness in the Belly and The Beauty of Humanity Movement—and has been the recipient of the Trillium Book Award, the City of Toronto Book Award and the CBC Canadian Literary Award and has been short listed for the Scotiabank Giller Prize.
Marcia Johnson
Playwriting students will work with Marcia Johnson. Marcia is a Toronto-based actor, writer, dramaturge and audiobook director. Her most recent play (in which she also acted) had its world premiere at Western Canada Theatre in Kamloops in February 2020.
Ashley Little
Ashley Little has written three novels for young adults and two novels for adults. Her work has won the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize and the Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize, been a finalist for the ReLit Award, The City of Vancouver Book Award, and more.
Colin McAdam
Colin McAdam has a PhD in English from Cambridge University. He has mentored writers at the Banff Centre and the University of Guelph-Humber. His first novel, Some Great Thing, won the Amazon/Books in Canada Best First Novel Award.
Donna Morrissey
Donna Morrissey has published six award-winning and nationally best-selling novels through Penguin Canada. She has received awards in Canada, the U.S. and England and her novel, Sylvanus Now was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Prize.
Waubgeshig Rice
Waubgeshig Rice is an author and journalist from Wasauksing First Nation on Georgian Bay. He has written three fiction titles, and his short stories and essays have been published in numerous anthologies.
Dianne Warren
Dianne Warren is a fiction writer from western Canada. She is the author of six books of fiction, including the novel Cool Water, which won the Governor General’s Award for Fiction in 2010.
Tim Wynne-Jones
Tim Wynne-Jones is an English-Canadian author of thirty-seven books for people of all ages from picture books to young adult novels as well as three adult novels.
Alissa York
Alissa York’s internationally acclaimed novels include Mercy, Effigy (shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize), Fauna and, most recently, The Naturalist. Stories from her short fiction collection, Any Given Power, won the Journey Prize and the Bronwen Wallace Award.
September 2021 Faculty
David Bezmozgis
David Bezmozgis, a writer and filmmaker, is the author of Natasha and Other Stories, The Free World, The Betrayers and Immigrant City.
Dennis Bock
Dennis Bock is a Canadian novelist and short story writer. His newest novel, The Good German, was published in September 2020 and has been lauded by Margaret Atwood as "a cunning, twisted, compelling tale of deeply unexpected consequences."
Danila Botha
Danila Botha is the critically acclaimed author of two short story collections, Got No Secrets, and For All the Men (and Some of the Women) I've Known, which was a finalist for the Trillium Book Award, The Vine Awards and The ReLit Award.
Trevor Cole
An editor and writer for more than 30 years, Trevor Cole has won nine National Magazine Awards, including three gold medals.
Omar El Akkad
Omar El Akkad is an author and journalist. He was born in Egypt, grew up in Qatar, moved to Canada as a teenager and now lives in the United States.
Marina Endicott
Kim Fu
Kim Fu is the author of two novels and a collection of poetry. Her next book, a collection of short stories, will be published by Tin House Books in 2022
Trilby Kent
Trilby Kent was born in Toronto, Ontario, and grew up in cities on both sides of the Atlantic. After completing degrees at Oxford University and The London School of Economics, she trained as a maps specialist in the rare books department at Bonhams.
Joseph Kertes
Joseph Kertes founded Humber College's creative writing and comedy programs and was the recipient of numerous awards for teaching and innovation.
Alison Pick
Alison Pick is most recently the author of the novel STRANGERS WITH THE SAME DREAM (September 2017).
Robert Rotenberg
It’s hard for me to remember a time when I didn’t want to be a novelist. I grew up in a family of readers, and even in public school I began to write stories.
Richard Scarsbrook
Richard Scarsbrook is the award-winning author of nine books: the novels Cheeseburger Subversive, Featherless Bipeds, The Monkeyface Chronicles, Nothing Man and The Purple Zero, The Indifference League, and Rockets Versus Gravity, the short story collection Destiny’s Telescope, and the poetry books Six Weeks and Apocalypse One Hundred.
Diane Schoemperlen
Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Diane Schoemperlen is the author of 14 books, including 9 short story collections, 3 novels, and 2 books of literary non-fiction.
Shyam Selvadurai
Shyam Selvadurai's first novel Funny Boy, won the W.H. Smith/ Books in Canada First Novel Award and the Lambda Literary Award in the US. He is the author of Cinnamon Gardens and Swimming in the Monsoon Sea, and the editor of an anthology, Story-wallah! A Celebration of South Asian Fiction.
Olive Senior
Olive Senior is the prizewinning author of 18 books of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and children’s literature. Her many literary awards include the Commonwealth Writers Prize for her first book, Summer Lightning and most recently the 2016 OCM Bocas Award for Caribbean Literature for The Pain Tree.
Richard Scrimger
Richard Scrimger (he, him) is the award-winning author of more than 20 books for children and adults. He has given story talks and led writing workshops around the world.
Sarah Sheard
Sarah Sheard, novelist, editor, and multidisciplinary artist, has published numerous personal essays and four literary novels (Almost Japanese, The Swing Era, The Hypnotist, Krank: Love in the New Dark Times).
Antanas Sileika
Antanas Sileika’s recent memoir was called "dead-on funny" by Miriam Toews, and Publisher's Weekly described his latest novel, Provisionally Yours, as an "urbane thriller."
Cordelia Strube
Cordelia Strube is an accomplished playwright and the author of 11 critically acclaimed novels including Alex & Zee, Teaching Pigs to Sing and Lemon.
Sam Wiebe
Sam Wiebe is the author of the Vancouver crime novels Cut You Down, Invisible Dead, and Last of the Independents, and the editor of the anthology Vancouver Noir.
Alissa York
Alissa York’s internationally acclaimed novels include Mercy, Effigy (shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize), Fauna and, most recently, The Naturalist. Stories from her short fiction collection, Any Given Power, won the Journey Prize and the Bronwen Wallace Award.
The Advantages of Applying to Humber's Creative Writing Program
Summer Workshop in Creative Writing
Since 1992, the School for Writers has offered an immersive, focused workshop to jump start your creative writing. Mornings are spent in classes with one of Humber’s esteemed writing advisors, and afternoons are devoted to craft and industry talks by faculty, publishing experts and special guests. Whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced writer, there’s something for you in this six-day workshop! In 2019, the Workshop in Creative Writing runs from July 7 to 12 at Humber's Lakeshore Campus.
Workshop Rebate
The Creative Writing by Correspondence Program is a complement to the Humber Summer Workshop in Creative Writing, the two together comprising a flexible and affordable alternative to a standard low-residency MFA.
As of 2017, students who complete the Correspondence Program are eligible for a $300 rebate for the Summer Workshop and vice versa.
The rebate is valid for three calendar years; thus students who complete the Creative Writing by Correspondence program in 2019 will be able to apply their rebate for the Summer Workshop through July 2022.
Graduates Offered Advanced Standing in University of Gloucestershire Distance MA in Creative Writing
Humber Creative Writing by Correspondence graduates can work towards a master’s degree from the comfort of their own homes! Thanks to a new arrangement, graduates are eligible for advanced standing in the highly regarded University of Gloucestershire (U.K.) distance MA Creative Writing program. Furthermore, this pathway may lead to a PhD for those who qualify.
Expert Faculty
Creative Writing mentors and professors are among the most accomplished poets, novelists and memoirists working in Canada and the United States. Full-time professors include David Bezmozgis, a critically acclaimed filmmaker and the author of two novels and two short story collections, and Alissa York, an award-winning novelist and story writer with five published books to her name.
“Humber School for Writers was one of my first experiences with writing workshops. I was amazed by how my work jumped to a new level in such a short period of time due to the generosity, experience, and intelligence of my peers and mentors. I said I’d do it again, and I did! Two summers in a row.”
- Madhur Anand, Author, A New Index for Predicting Catastrophes
Scholarship Support for Aspiring Authors
Thanks to the dedicated support of our generous donors, the Humber School for Writers is able to offer a variety of needs-based and merit scholarships to support and foster emerging literary talent.
- Bram & Bluma Appel Scholarship
- By the Lake Book Club Scholarship
- Harlequin Diverse Voices Scholarship
- HarperCollins Writer of Promise Scholarship
- Joe Kertes Scholarship for Creative Writing
- Karen Hill Memorial Scholarship
- Simon & Schuster Scholarship
All scholarships are available to Canadian residents only, and Appel scholarships are available to Ontario residents only. If you wish to apply for a scholarship, please indicate your interest on Slideroom, the website where you complete your application to the program. If you are accepted to the program, you will be contacted directly to initiate the process of providing documentation to demonstrate financial need. Those who do not provide supporting documentation will not be considered for needs-based scholarships.
If you are awarded a scholarship, payment will come some weeks after the program begins. You must make payment up front and be reimbursed later.
Your Career
The main goal of the program is to improve your writing, and publication is a possibility for some. Graduates of this program may use their writing and editing skills in a wide variety of careers and professions in addition to writing books. Some of our graduates write for newspapers, magazines, television and other media. More than 300 Humber School for Writers alumni have published books and Dr. Vincent Lam, who won the 2006 Scotiabank Giller Prize for his literary debut Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures, is just one of our distinguished former students. Other alumni have also been on the bestseller lists in Canada: Suzanne Desrochers for Bride of New France, Cathy Marie Buchanan for The Painted Girls, Shari Lapena for The Couple Next Door and Eva Stachniak for The Chosen Maiden.
Related Programs
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Television Writing and Producing
Credential: Ontario Graduate Certificate
Length: 2 semesters
Program Availability
| START DATE | LOCATION | STATUS | INTERNATIONAL STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2021 | Online | Open | Open |
| September 2021 | Online | Open | Open |
| January 2022 | Online | Open | Open |
Humber
Virtual Information Session: Public Relations Graduate Certificate
Humber
Wed, January 13, 2021
Online
Do you love to share information and collaborate? Are you looking for a fulfilling career?
Humber's Public Relations graduate certificate is an intensive, practical program that arms you with critical skills in all aspects of PR to prepare you for day one of your work placement. Join this info session to find out more! Register here.
Virtual Information Session: Visual & Digital Arts and Art Foundation
Humber
Wed, January 13, 2021
Online
Are you passionate about the visual arts? Learn how Humber's two visual arts programs helps you to develop your skills and portfolio.
Join this virtual information centre to meet Cole Swanson, the co-ordinator of both programs, and to get your questions answered. Register here.
Virtual Information Session: Bachelor of Digital Communications
Humber
Thu, January 14, 2021
Online
Do you like to shape ideas and tell compelling stories?
Humber's Bachelor Digital Communications program helps you develop the writing, visual communication, web and social media skills needed for in-demand communications careers. Meet the program co-ordinator and get your questions answered! Register here.
Humber
TIFF Social Media Specialist Shares Secret to her Success
Mon, December 14, 2020
We sat down with Michelle Nguyen to talk about her role as a social media producer for TIFF, what her creative process looks like, and her experience in the Bachelor of Public Relations program.
Meet Yvonne Shek, M.Sc.
Mon, December 14, 2020
As a user experience (UX) practitioner with over 20 years’ experience in the field, I’m excited to bring my passion and experience to my new role at Humber College.
Which Media & Creative Arts program is for you?
Thu, November 19, 2020
Find out at an upcoming program information session!
From Monday, November 23, 2020, to Friday, January 29, 2021, the Faculty of Media & Creative Arts is hosting one-hour virtual information sessions at various times. Connect with our professors to hear how you'll get hands-on experience through Live Labs, performances, and ongoing work-integrated learning, and learn the industry-specific business skills needed wherever your career and your story take you. Your professional future starts here.
No news at this time.
Faculty of Media & Creative Arts News
Maria Saba Wins 2020 Writers-in-Exile Scholarship
School for Writers
Mon, October 26, 2020
Meet thethe recipient of the 2020 PEN Canada-Humber College Writers-in-Exile Scholarship, Maria Saba.
Industry Insights – Three Questions for Three Leaders
Tue, October 20, 2020
We spoke with three industry professionals and heard their thoughts on how the industry is changing and what students can do to keep up and stand out.
Media & Creative Arts Anti-Racism Action Plan
Thu, June 25, 2020
In being accountable to our communities and to ourselves, our Action Plan will ensure transparency and collaboration around the work we need to do.
No news at this time.
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
Post-Admission Requirements
Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).
Fees
The 2020-2021 fee for two semesters is:
- domestic: $3,650.90
- international: $17,027.00
Fees are subject to change.
Pathways
Pathways are academic routes that students can take to move from one credential to another.
PATHWAYS OUT TO ANOTHER PROGRAM:
TO A PARTNER INSTITUTION
Master of Arts (MA) Creative and Critical Writing (distance)
Humber College and the University of Gloucestershire (UoG) have entered into an agreement to facilitate entry from Humber's Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing – Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Poetry program to the Masters Stage of UoG's MA Creative and Critical Writing.
International students for whom English is not their first language should demonstrate and must provide evidence that they have attained a level of English equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall. Alternative acceptable English Language qualifications can be found at: English Language Entry Requirements.
Students admitted to UoG from Humber will be eligible to receive the international bursary. This award, and its ruling terms and conditions, is subject to change on an annual basis. For September 2020/January 2021 entry, the applicable bursary is £3,000, and will be automatically applied against tuition for successful applicants from Humber. Please note that the bursary is only available to students who are studying full-time at the UoG on campus in the UK, and completing a full degree (not available for distance learning or master's stage students).
Admission to the academic programs listed is at the sole discretion of the partner post-secondary institution. Please contact the institution for detailed admission requirements.
How to Apply
Applications to Humber are made through ontariocolleges.ca. Be sure to submit your application by the equal consideration deadline of February 1. You may apply after February 1, however, post-February 1 applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the availability of the space in the program. To check program availability refer to the Campus/Availability listing on Humber's program pages or ontariocolleges.ca.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
If you’re an international student, you can apply directly to Humber via our International Centre.
