Do you want an intensive, full-time program? Would you rather take an evening class, or a weeklong retreat? Do you want a course in which you do a lot of writing, or would you rather listen to a teacher talk?
Different programs have different teaching styles, so make sure you ask a lot of questions before committing to one.
Other considerations are cost, location and the end-product. Is it important for you to have a degree at the end of your studies, or do you just want to learn?
Whatever you're looking for in a writing course, British Columbia schools have something for you.
University of British Columbia
UBC in Vancouver offers a well-respected and comprehensive two-year Masters of Fine Arts in creative writing. Graduate students must work in at least three genres, and produce a substantial thesis of creative work. The MFA is also offered as an optional residency program. Many successful writers have graduate from UBC's MFA, including Steven Galloway, Madeleine Thien and Nancy Lee.
Competition for admission is fierce. Students can also study creative writing at the undergraduate level, or take individual courses.
Simon Fraser University
The Writer's Studio at SFU offers writers a one-year intensive program, working with a mentor in one of three genres. The program includes core courses as well as biweekly mentor group meetings which focus on manuscript critiquing. Successful completion earns students a Certificate in Creative Writing.
SFU also has a long list of creative writing courses, including writing for magazines, writing your life story, and advanced fiction workshops.
At the end of July, writers can participate in the SFU Summer Publishing Workshops and take courses in writing a book proposal, freelance marketing, and grammar techniques.
University of Victoria
The University of Victoria offers both a BA and a BFA in creative writing, and in 2008 they began offering and MFA as well. Students benefit from the program's small size and the vibrant local writing community.
Malaspina University-College
Students at this Vancouver Island school can complete a BA with a major or minor in Creative Writing. Courses focus on fiction, poetry, journalism, book publishing and dramatic writing for tv and radio. The program prepares students for post-graduate programs in creative writing, publishing or journalism.
Langara College
Langara College in Vancouver offers part-time courses in creative writing through its Continuing Education program. These courses are open to anyone and are a reasonably affordable alternative to the more costly courses in the city.
Langara also offers an Associate of Arts degree in Creative Writing.
Choose the Right Writing Course
Look carefully at the instructor's credentials. Get recommendations from other writers in your community. And decide which course most closely meets your needs.
Sarah Turner - Sarah K. Turner's writing has been published in the Utne Reader and Event magazine, where she was a winner of their 2006 annual Creative ...
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