BEST PATH TO POETRY CRAFT: MFAs, Certificates, Workshops, Conferences

[NicoleMichaels]

SEEKING INPUT ON MFA PROGRAMS, certificate programs, workshops and conferences not for bragging rights, but to be the best poet you can be. I am looking at fully funded MFA programs that take like 5% of their applicants and also more accessible non-traditional paths. I am excited to see some affordable conferences, some of which include a 1:1 with a poet who will review your work. Highlights for me are the very generous writing festival in Iowa City every year, as well as a little event down in Texas between Austin and Houston. I am also considering relocating to Iowa City if I like the vibe, just to be a symbiotic parasite on the university system and take graduate level classes as a non-degree seeking student and do all the summer workshops that I can.