My god, people are selling their work and people are…
“My god, people are selling their work and people are reading it! The horror! That MFA programs have to advertise that they'll let you write YA or fantasy or what-have-you is just absurd, but we do, because the presumption is that they're closed to that sort of thing. You're offering an MFA in creative writing? Teach people how to write well, worry about that part, let the writers come up with the stories.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Critiques the commercialization of creative writing education and the mismatch between program promises and literary standards.
In simple terms: MFA programs are too commercial and unrealistic.
Key Takeaway
Focus on teaching craft, not market trends.
Themes
education
literature
commercialization
Mood
frustrated
critical
Type
analytical
opinionated
When to use this quote
- prospective writers
- university administrators
- literary agents
Key Concepts
creative writing
academic standards
market forces
Questions to Reflect On
- How can writing programs balance craft and market demands?
- What defines literary value today?
A Different Perspective
MFA degrees may not guarantee literary quality.