tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14016238.post4689232061919800713..comments2023-11-03T07:01:16.104-05:00Comments on C. Hope Clark: Self-pubbing vs. MFA ???Hope Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319310910383413396noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14016238.post-913046359708136402011-05-13T13:27:05.035-05:002011-05-13T13:27:05.035-05:00I realize I'm quite late in commenting here, b...I realize I'm quite late in commenting here, but I thought I'd throw in a little contradiction. I went to a full-time MFA program rather than low-res,which I understand is quite expensive, but I didn't pay a dime. They paid me. Everyone accepted to the program I entered receives a graduate assistantship which usually consists of teaching one course per semester. Tuition is covered as well as a stipend. Granted it wouldn't likely be enough to support someone with a mortgage and three kids, but it was just fine for me. I have no debt related to my schooling, I acquired some teaching experience, and I got to spend three years focusing on my writing. Quite a gift in my opinion.ShelbyandJoshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12287646343004917609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14016238.post-211901702554603832011-04-17T07:13:33.109-05:002011-04-17T07:13:33.109-05:00Hope, possibly. I'm not sure how much MFAs are...Hope, possibly. I'm not sure how much MFAs are in the US, but in the UK an MA in CW is approx. £3500-4500 ($5700-7300). For my MA, we get 5 hours group contact time for about 20 weeks, plus around approx 15 hours personal contact time throughout the year, plus loads and loads of written feedback, plus around 20 hours contact time with a variety of industry professionals... So that's probably about £29 an hour, not including written feedback and the time tutors take to mark work. I would say that isn't too bad... I guess it could be better.<br /><br />I think it depends a lot about how you work. If a one-on-one personally tutor works better for you than a group and a variety of tutors, then it would be better value to spend the money on that.<br /><br />I is a shame that creative writing tutoring is so pricey. But I think we end up paying for a lot of out-of-contact-hours/behind the scenes knowledge and work, too.<br /><br />Value vs Price is a tricky argument. Very subjective and flexible.Sophie Playlehttp://www.sophieplayle.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14016238.post-2014051901718566272011-04-16T06:39:18.033-05:002011-04-16T06:39:18.033-05:00Hope--I agree. I'd love to be able to afford t...Hope--I agree. I'd love to be able to afford the luxury of working on an MFA, but can't. I too fail to see the real benefit.<br /><br />If you go to my April 13 post, I wrote about you...Sioux Roslawskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17924021828536277618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14016238.post-57873287769322742902011-04-15T09:22:13.362-05:002011-04-15T09:22:13.362-05:00Thanks, Debra. And Sophie, the cost of an MFA is s...Thanks, Debra. And Sophie, the cost of an MFA is so high compared to what you take away from it - at least in most cases. Isn't it easier to hire that special teacher for after hours tutoring or seek out a mentor? Don't get me wrong. I'd kill for an MFA. I just can't justify the exorbitant expense. I can get an MBA cheaper than an MFA.Hope Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17319310910383413396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14016238.post-40344682629194189882011-04-15T07:52:59.073-05:002011-04-15T07:52:59.073-05:00This is definitely food for thought. Makes me real...This is definitely food for thought. Makes me realize I don't want that book contract at all costs. I want to contribute something of value through my writing! Love you blog and I'll be back!Debra Mayhewhttp://www.debramayhew.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14016238.post-27021973612538704802011-04-15T06:24:31.406-05:002011-04-15T06:24:31.406-05:00I agree... to an extent.
I think there may be a ...I agree... to an extent. <br /><br />I think there may be a slight difference between the MFAs in the US and the MAs here in the UK. The UK MAs are much cheaper, I believe, and I *think* there are fewer of them.<br /><br />Thought the institutions are obviously gobbling up the money that students pay, if you're lucky, you have a tutor (or two) who really does care about your writing. And your team of fellow classmates, too. So though you are still forking out money, you ARE getting a fruitful learning environment.<br /><br />Secondly, you say that students go on MAs/MFAs to improve the quality of their writing, but really with the agenda of getting a book deal at the end. Surely that isn't such a bad thing? As long as the MAIN agenda is to IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR WRITING. Surely that's a worthy agenda? A book deal is a nice bi-product of improved writing (with a marketable idea thrown in, of course). <br /><br />But I think that is the main difference between vanity/self-publishers and MFA/MA programs. Yes, both businesses make money out of the writer. But it is the writer's choice to use them, and which service they choose will depend on their agenda. Do they want to learn and improve, or just see their name in print as quickly as possible?Sophie Playlehttp://www.sophieplayle.comnoreply@blogger.com