About the Program
About the Program
How the Program Works
Seton Hill’s flexible, low-residency format allows you to earn a master of fine arts degree while working full-time or caring for a family. One-on-one mentoring by established writers enables students to develop a novel-length writing project in a genre of their choice.
Online
As students complete reading and writing assignments, online contact with mentors, faculty and fellow writers ensures that they participate in a writing community and receive varied commentary on their work-in-progress.
On-Campus Residencies
Week-long residencies twice per year inform and enliven the writing experience, bringing students together on Seton Hill’s campus to learn the basics and complexities of popular fiction. Each residency also includes special events designed to help students learn from working authors and other industry professionals.
- Every January, Seton Hill hosts a visiting professor who works with both undergraduate and graduate students during the course of the week. Recent visiting professors include N.K. Jemisin, Eloisa James, Juliet Blackwell, and Kevin Hearne.
- Every June, Seton Hill hosts guest speakers, which may include bestselling authors, agents or editors. Recent guest authors have included Beverly Jenkins, Hank Philippi Ryan, Melissa Marr, and Daniel Jose Older.
Unique Experiences
The Writing Popular Fiction Program is connected to genre writers around the world - and that means lots of opportunities for unique writing, research and networking experiences for you. For example: in 2018, Seton Hill sponsored the International Vampire Film and Arts Festival in Transylvania. Faculty, students and alumni of the program attended, presented papers, and had an appropriately horrific time.
Nicole Peeler, Associate Professor of English and Program Director of Writing Popular Fiction, shares of her experience: "The International Vampire Film and Arts Festival is held in Sighisoara, Romania, better known as TRANSYLVANIA.
Nicole shares: "Here's Mike Arnzen and me with our keynote Christopher Golden and two of our own Seton Hill alums, Claudia Kovach and Jennifer Loring. Claudia's paper was called Vamping the Supes, and Jennifer is speaking on Monstrous Women, Transgressive Sexuality, and Postmdern Paranoia. But here we're enjoying the sites at Peles Castle."
Nicole writes: "Here we are with our keynote Christopher Golden, who gave a fantastic talk on what brought him to write about vampires and what vampires represent in our popular culture."
Christopher Golden speaks at Vampfest.
Nicole exclaims: "We're excited to have Laura Lam from Edinburgh Napier University with us for #ivfaf. Seton Hill and Edinburgh Napier have partnered together to create an exciting transatlantic dual degree MA/MFA in popular fiction. Students spend their first year starting their novel in beautiful Edinburgh, Scotland, face to face with their instructors. After they earn their MA, they begin a low residency journey through Seton Hill, finishing their novels and earning their MFA."
Nicole explains: "Today was the last day of Vampfest, featuring readings and talks as part of the literary festival. Our #shuwpf alum Jennifer Loring read alongside Christopher Golden, Tim Lebbon, Rio Youers, Mike Arnzen, and I nattered on a bit as well."
Speakers at Vampfest 2018.
Nicole shares: "We visited Snagov Monastery, reputed burial place of Vlad Dracula, or Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler). Dracula means Son of the Dragon, as Vlad's father was a member of the Order of the Dragon, an order of Crusader knights. Vlad Dracula is a Romanian hero, famous for defending Christendom against the Ottoman Empire. He was a brilliant military tactician, but also a sadistic brute, and he's known as the Impaler as that was his favorite form of punishment."
Snagov Monastery in Romania.
Snagov Monastery in Romania.
Snagov Monastery in Romania.
Snagov Monastery in Romania.
To contact the Office of Graduate and Online Studies about graduate-level programs, fill out the online Request for Information form. Ready to apply? Apply online now for free! You may also call Graduate Admissions at (724) 838-4208 or email us at gadmit@setonhill.edu.