MFA in Writing

The Michener Center for Writers is the only Creative Writing M.F.A. program in the world that provides full and equal funding to every writer—yet it is our extraordinary faculty and sense of community that most distinguishes us. Our program is a three-year, fully-funded residency M.F.A. with a unique multi-disciplinary focus. Writers apply and are admitted in a primary genre—fiction, poetry, playwriting or screenwriting—and study in both the primary genre they were admitted in and a secondary genre(s) from the fields of concentration. There are no teaching duties, a luxury that allows our Fellows to commit themselves fully to their writing. And because only twelve writers are admitted each year, our faculty can devote ample time and energy to every writer. With unparalleled support and the deeply held belief that literary art matters now more than ever, the Michener Center offers writers 3 years of unencumbered space to make the work that only they can make.

History

James Michener was the Pulitzer-Prize-winning author of over 40 books, including Texas, Hawaii, and Tales of the South Pacific. In his final years, he and his wife, Mari Yoriko Sabusawa, moved to Austin, TX, where they endowed the Texas Center for Writers, a three-year MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Texas. The first cohort of Michener Fellows graduated in 1996. After Mr. Michener’s death in 1997, the Center was renamed in his honor.

News & Events

Burnt Orange background with image of woman with blonde curly hair, white text says Marie Howe with reading date April 2, 2026 at 6pm

Marie Howe Reading & Reception; April 2, 2026

The Michener Center for Writers is excited to welcome 2025 Pulitzer Prize winner, poet Marie Howe, to the Harry Ransom Center on April 2, 2026… Read more

Headshots of award winners on yellow background.

Zachariah Ezer (MCW ’23) Awarded 2026 Inaugural State of the Art Prize from Creative Capital

Congratulations to Michener Center for Writers alum, Zachariah Ezer (MCW ‘23), for being awarded one of the 2026 Inaugural State of the Art Prizes from… Read more

Yuki Tanaka (MCW ’19)’s Chronicle of Drifting Named Finalist for 2025 NBCC Award (Poetry)

Chronicle of Drifting is the debut poetry collection by Japanese poet Yuki Tanaka, exploring themes of rootlessness, belonging, and surrealism through dreamlike imagery inspired by Japanese… Read more

Spring 2026 Visiting Faculty Reading

Join us at the Ransom Center on Thursday, January 22nd for a reading with MCW’s spring Guest Poetry Faculty, Daniel Khalastchi and Guest Fiction Faculty,… Read more