Pocket MFA is an active and ever-growing literary community that offers participants priceless opportunities to improve their craft. It is quite literally a pocket-sized MFA education that doesn't end once your 12 weeks are complete. Weekly workshops, ongoing lecture series, and a plethora of resources for a writer's toolbox are just a sliver of the benefits of joining. Whether you write Fiction, Flash, Poetry, or memoir/essay, there is something for every writer in this program.
Joining the Spring 2024 cohort of Pocket MFA was a transformative experience. I was equipped with new tools to read my partner's writing closely and a social media platform to share insights. Everything is managed on The Circle platform, where events, a Living Library, and submission deadlines are often posted. Each community member is encouraged to share updates on their journey, fostering a culture of mutual support and celebration of success. The personal growth and development I experienced during my time in the program were truly inspiring.
The workshop journey
At the program's start, writers are encouraged to select from a list of five to six mentors. The Mentors are all accomplished in their own right, whether widely published in literary journals and small presses, College Professors, or Editors of Literary Magazines. This is where the fun starts. Once paired with a mentor, you are invited to the weekly workshop series and must prepare by sharing the piece you would like reviewed with the rest of your group. Each person must read all submitted work before their sessions and complete a feedback form containing probing questions that must be answered according to the piece. Every week, you receive feedback, with the mentor present to help steer the conversation and keep the meeting focused. Students are encouraged to ask probing questions, elicit any emotional reactions to the piece, and to ask to discuss what struck them as an opportunity within the work. Your mentor will also review two of your manuscripts to dive deeper into what is working and where the work should attempt to go. They aren't there to rewrite or proofread the work you submit but rather highlight areas that may require additional support.
After completing my cohort, I was paired with another writer to keep the workshop experience going. This three-month partnership is called Critique Partnership. If you're a writer without a community of fellow writers, this is where the program more than pays for itself. What do writers crave most? More critical eyes giving feedback on their work. I feel better as a human and a writer after every meeting.
Weekly submission goals, virtual writing sessions throughout the week, and continued learning services are always a click away. Much love has been put into the Pocket MFA, and I'm so thankful I decided to try it for myself.
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