Writing Residencies

Pacific University MFA in Writing program residencies are an opportunity for students to connect with faculty mentors and guest authors in idyllic settings focused on the craft of writing. Over the 10 intensive days of events, students meet some of the best minds of the literary world.

Each day is filled with an expansive selection of presentations and events designed to provide tools and inspiration for the art of writing. In the mornings, students typically attend a craft talk and workshops. After lunch they may choose among a number of talks, panels, classes and readings. Each evening closes with readings by the faculty and students. In addition to the scheduled events, the residency includes time for contemplation, writing and informal gatherings. Though students in the program specialize in a particular genre for their degrees, the residency offers opportunities to experience and appreciate the relationship among all the literary genres.

In addition to the formal sessions, the schedule includes time set aside for contemplation, writing, and informal gatherings. Toward the end of the residency, each student is paired with a faculty advisor and together they create an individualized study plan that outlines the student’s projects for the guided study that follows. The residency is both a rich reward and a stimulus for the months of solo work that lie ahead.

Writing Residency at the Oregon Coast

Each January, the MFA in Writing program hosts its residency in Seaside, a charming resort town on the Oregon Coast. A two and a half hour drive from the Portland Airport, Seaside offers an off-season solitude that writers enjoy. Winter weather on the coast changes by the hour, and many visitors come to see the dramatic storms that roll in off the ocean. But the mild Oregon climate also means January can bring sunny and even balmy days, followed by cool nights perfect for a beach bonfire.

Students and faculty stay in private rooms at the Best Western Ocean View Resort in Seaside. Lunches and two buffet dinners are included in the residency.

During free time, students enjoy beach-front access to Seaside's famous boardwalk and easy access to a public library, restaurants and shops. Neighboring towns of Cannon Beach and Gearhart provide scenic getaways for exploring the outdoors, shopping and more. 

Writing Residence in Oregon Wine Country

In June, the MFA in Writing program residency is hosted on the Pacific University Forest Grove Campus. The historic campus, founded in 1849, is a picturesque setting of green lawns, tall shade trees, and brick academic buildings mixed with new and environmentally friendly facilities. 

Students share suites on campus with private bedrooms and shared kitchens and living spaces. Lunches and two buffet dinners are provided as part of the residency, and students can prepare their own additional meals or walk to a wide selection of nearby restaurants.

Forest Grove offers urban amenities in a striking rural setting. Downtown restaurants and shops abound, and the small town is in the heart of Oregon’s wine country, just a 45-minute drive from the Oregon Coast or from the Portland's vibrant metropolitan area.