Write professionally.
On your own terms.
The only writing community built like an MFA, without the cost, commitment, or burden of an academic degree.
Welcome to the last writing community you’ll ever need.
Creative writing and pedagogy professor Joshua Roark founded PocketMFA with the Discover New Art team in 2022. Recognizing the barriers posed by time and financial constraints in traditional MFA programs, the team sought to create a more accessible alternative that focuses on the experience, community, and progress rather than the attainment of a terminal degree.
PocketMFA offers you three routes into its lifelong community of writers and learners, the Workshop, the Studio, and the Retreat—each an intensive yet accessible learning experience akin to an MFA semester. With our focus on mentorship and graduate level rigor, you will leave the experience with clarity on your voice, your ability, and your path forward to a successful writing career.
And at the end of each program, you will join a diverse community of writers, gaining life-time access to exclusive ongoing support, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
“We believe that for many writers, the degree itself is less important than the immersion, mentorship, and support system an MFA provides. We’ve aimed to make that accessible to more writers, and we couldn’t do that without the commitment and enthusiasm of the writers who make the PocketMFA community what it is.”
—Joshua Roark, Founder & Director
Mentorship that works for you
Our faculty have sold hundreds of books and have taught thousands of hours. We seek out the very best authors to mentor writers like you across our craft workshops and manuscript studios.
At PocketMFA, you’ll join the mentor of your choice and develop together an individual syllabus that is best suited to your voice, your manuscript, and your goals.
Modeled after the mentorship of low-residency MFA programs, you’ll receive deep line-by-line feedback, career guidance, and craft expertise.
