POPULAR FICTION WRITING & PUBLISHING

What can you do with an MFA in Pop Fic Writing & Publishing?

With an MFA in Popular Fiction Writing & Publishing, you can pursue various career paths in the creative Writing & Publishing industry. Options include becoming a fiction author, working as an editor or literary agent, or entering roles in content creation, such as blogging, marketing, writing teachers or coaches, or transmedia storytelling. Your choice will depend on your interests, skills, and the specific focus of your MFA program, and success often involves building a strong portfolio and staying adaptable in the evolving Writing & Publishing landscape.

Tech Knowledge

Professionals with an MFA in Popular Fiction Writing & Publishing can benefit from knowledge of various technologies to enhance their careers. Although this is an extensive list, the specific technologies you need to know can depend on your chosen career path, but some common ones include:

  • Word Processing Software: Proficiency in word processing software like Microsoft Word or Google Docs is essential for writing, editing, and formatting manuscripts.
  • Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity with CMS platforms such as WordPress can be valuable if you plan to work in online publishing or maintain a personal blog or website.
  • Digital Publishing Tools: Knowledge of digital publishing tools like Adobe InDesign for creating ebooks and other digital publications.
  • Social Media Platforms: Understanding how to use social media platforms for self-promotion, networking, and marketing your work is crucial for today’s writers.
  • Self-Publishing Platforms: If you plan to self-publish, you should know how to use platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Apple iBooks, or other self-publishing services.
  • Research Tools: Familiarity with online research tools, academic databases, and libraries for gathering information and conducting research.
  • Editing Software: Tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid can assist with proofreading and editing.
  • Email Marketing Platforms: If you’re involved in marketing your work, understanding email marketing platforms like Mailchimp or ConvertKit can be beneficial.
  • Website Design: Basic website design and HTML/CSS knowledge can be helpful for authors who maintain their websites or blogs.
  • Graphics and Multimedia Tools: Proficiency in graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop) or multimedia tools (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro) can be valuable if you create promotional materials, book covers, or multimedia content.
  • Online Writing Communities: Familiarity with online writing communities and forums can help you connect with other writers, share your work, and receive feedback.
  • Copyright and Intellectual Property Tools: Understanding copyright laws and tools for protecting your intellectual property is important for all writers.
  • Ebook Readers and Apps: Familiarity with popular ebook readers and apps, like Kindle or Apple Books, can help you understand the user experience of your readers.
  • Analytics and SEO Tools: Knowledge of tools like Google Analytics and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) best practices can aid in marketing your online presence.

The specific technologies you need to know will depend on your career goals and the evolving trends in the publishing and writing industry. Staying up-to-date with new technologies and platforms is essential for a successful career in this field.

Competencies + Skills

Competencies and skills needed for a job in Pop Fic Writing & Publishing include specific, measurable skills and qualifications that pertain to the field. These competencies encompass hard skills such as creative writing, storytelling, manuscript editing, and familiarity with publishing industry standards. Additionally, having a strong grasp of genre-specific elements, character development, plot structure, and narrative techniques is essential. Industry knowledge, including an understanding of literary markets, trends, and reader preferences, is crucial for success in the field. Proficiency with word processing and digital publishing tools, along with the ability to effectively market and promote written works, also forms a part of the competencies required for a career in popular fiction Writing & Publishing.

  • Interpersonal Skills: These skills relate to how you interact with others. They include communication, listening, empathy, and conflict resolution. Strong interpersonal skills are essential for building effective relationships and collaborations with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.
  • Adaptability: The ability to adapt to new situations, changes, and challenges. Adaptability is crucial in a fast-changing world where businesses and industries frequently evolve.
  • Problem-Solving: The capacity to analyze complex issues, identify solutions, and make sound decisions. Problem-solving skills are valuable in virtually all aspects of life, both personally and professionally.
  • Time Management: The skill of effectively managing one’s time and prioritizing tasks. This skill is critical for meeting deadlines and increasing overall productivity.
  • Leadership and Teamwork: Leadership skills are essential for leading projects or teams, while teamwork skills are vital for collaborating and working effectively with others. Both are important, and the specific skills can vary depending on the role.
  • Creativity: The ability to think innovatively, generate new ideas, and approach challenges from a fresh perspective. Creativity is valuable in fields that require innovation and problem-solving.
  • Stress Management: The capacity to handle stress, pressure, and difficult situations in a healthy and constructive manner. This skill is vital for maintaining mental and emotional well-being.
  • Critical Thinking: The ability to think analytically and objectively, evaluate information, and make reasoned judgments. Critical thinking is vital for making sound decisions and solving complex problems.
  • Communication Skills: Effective communication, both written and verbal, is crucial for conveying ideas, instructions, and information clearly and persuasively.
  • Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing one’s emotions and recognizing and empathizing with the emotions of others. Emotional intelligence is essential for building positive relationships and effective communication.
  • Patience: Patience is essential in the often time-consuming writing, editing, and publishing process.
  • Detail-Oriented: Being detail-oriented is necessary to ensure accuracy and quality in manuscripts, publications, and promotional materials.
  • Feedback: the ability to provide constructive feedback to authors and receive feedback gracefully is essential for fostering professional growth and improving the quality of written work.

Emerson Campus Orgs

  • Graduate Student Association
  • PopFic Graduate Student Organization
  • Page Turner Magazine
  • Concrete Literary Magazine
  • The Emerson Review
  • Gauge Magazine
  • Stork Magazine
  • The Berkeley Beacon
  • Emertainment Monthly
  • em Magazine
  • Your Magazine
  • Five Cent Sound
  • Atlas Magazine
  • Emerson College Book Club
  • Graduate Reading Series
  • Redivider
  • Writers of Color

You can also consider other non-industry-oriented organizations and assist them with your areas of interest (for example: having your scripts workshopped in SPEC or writing a newsletter for Women in Motion).

Industry Job Boards

Professional Associations and Conferences

Sample Job Titles that require an MFA

Obtaining an MFA in Popular Fiction Writing & Publishing can qualify you for various job titles in the Writing & Publishing industry. Here are some job titles that often require or benefit from this degree:

  • Fiction Author: As a published fiction author, you can create and sell your own novels and stories in popular genres.
  • Editor: Work as an editor for publishing houses, literary magazines, or freelance editing services, helping authors refine their work.
  • Literary Agent: Represent authors and help them secure publishing deals, negotiate contracts, and navigate the publishing industry.
  • Content Writer: Create content for websites, blogs, marketing materials, or other online platforms, often on a freelance or full-time basis.
  • Writing Instructor: Teach creative writing at the college or university level, or offer writing workshops and classes independently.
  • Book Publicist: Promote books and authors, arrange book tours, and manage marketing and publicity efforts.
  • Marketing and Public Relations Specialist: Use your writing skills to work in marketing, advertising, or public relations, creating content and campaigns.
  • Content Strategist: Develop content strategies for businesses and organizations, including brand stories and messaging.
  • Ebook Publisher: Specializes in publishing ebooks for authors, managing formatting, distribution, and marketing.
  • Freelance Ghostwriter: Write books, articles, or content on behalf of others, often for clients who want to publish under their own name.
  • Manuscript Evaluator: Assess and critique manuscripts for potential publication or improvement.
  • Creative Writing Consultant: Offer expertise and advice to authors or organizations looking to enhance their storytelling and writing capabilities.
  • Transmedia Storyteller: Work in transmedia storytelling, where stories are told across various platforms, including books, video games, and other media.
  • Book Reviewer/Critic: Write book reviews for publications, blogs, or websites, sharing your insights on popular fiction works.
  • Self-Publishing Consultant: Assist authors in self-publishing their work, including formatting, cover design, and marketing strategies.
  • Digital Content Producer: Create digital content for websites, apps, and social media platforms, incorporating storytelling and writing skills.
  • Writing Coach: Provide one-on-one coaching and guidance to writers looking to improve their craft and get published.

The specific job titles and opportunities available to you will depend on your interests, skills, and the focus of your MFA program. Networking, building a strong portfolio, and staying up-to-date with industry trends can also play a crucial role in securing and succeeding in these positions.

Companies to note

  • Book Bub
  • BookForum (NYC)
  • Boston Public Library
  • Boston Athenaeum
  • Boston Teen Author Festival
  • Boston Book Festival
  • 826 Boston
  • Grub Street
  • Ploughshares
  • Mass Poetry
  • Mass Cultural Council

Largest National Publishers

  • Abrams
  • B&H Publishing
  • Candlewick
  • Cengage
  • Chronicle
  • Disney Publishing Worldwide
  • Dover
  • Hachette Book Group
  • HarperCollins
  • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
  • John Wiley & Sons
  • Kensington
  • Macmillan
  • McGraw Hill Education
  • Penguin Random House
  • Scholastic
  • Simon & Schuster
  • Sourcebooks
  • Sterling
  • Tyndale House
  • Workman
  • W.W. Norton

Boston Publishing Houses

  • Aptara
  • American Press Publishers
  • Barefoot Books
  • Beacon Press
  • Bedford/St. Martin’s
  • Brill Academic Publishers
  • Candlewick Press
  • Charlesbridge
  • Da Capo Press Hachette Book Group
  • David R. Godine, Publisher, Inc.
  • Elsevier (S&T Books & Cell Press)
  • Harvard University Press
  • Hodder & Stoughton
  • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing
  • Living On Earth/National Public Radio
  • MIT Press
  • National Braille Press
  • Page Street Publishing Co.
  • Ploughshares
  • Publishing Solutions Group
  • Pearson Education
  • School Specialty Literacy and Intervention
  • The Quarto Group
  • The Patriot Ledger

Boston Literary Agencies

  • Aevitas (Formerly Zachary Schuster)
  • Carolyn Jenks Agency
  • Kneerim & Williams
  • Rees Literary Agency
  • The Brattle Agency LLC
  • The Doe Coover Agency
  • The Strothman Agency LLC

Link to other docs to support