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Creative Writing Program

The Creative Writing Program at the University of Montana offers a comprehensive education in creative writing. The program has a rich history, dating back to 1920 when H.G. Merriam began teaching creative writing with five students. Together, they founded a literary magazine that became a distinguished quarterly journal published at the University of Montana from 1920 to 1939.

History of the Program

H.G. Merriam was responsible for creating a Bachelor's degree in creative writing at the University of Montana, which was the second of its kind in the United States. The Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing was established and approved in 1964. The program has a strong tradition of supporting young authors, and the Merriam-Frontier Award continues this custom.

Merriam-Frontier Award

The Merriam-Frontier Award is a prestigious award that supports writers. Entries for the award should be in one of the following categories:

• Poetry: 20-30 pages
• Fiction: 40-60 double-spaced pages
• Creative Nonfiction: 40-60 double-spaced pages A cover page with title and contact information (name, email, phone number, and address) should be included. Submissions are limited to one per enrolled student at the University of Montana.

Past Winners

Past winners of the Merriam-Frontier Award include:

• Erin O'Regan White, 2024
• Erik Norbie, fiction, 2021
• Jesse Nee-Vogelman, fiction, 2020
• Barry Maxwell, nonfiction, 2019
• Anna Blackburn, poetry, 2018

Program Details

The Creative Writing Program at the University of Montana offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in creative writing, including coursework in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. The program also offers opportunities for students to engage in undergraduate research, attend events and readings, and participate in publications.

Research Areas

The program has a strong focus on research, with faculty and students working in a variety of areas, including:

• Undergraduate research