Department of English Creative Writing
The English Department offers a rotating selection of courses in five different genres of creative writing:
- Prose fiction (ENGL 2236)
- Stageplay (ENGL 2246)
- Screenwriting (ENGL 2256)
- Poetry (ENGL 2266)
- Non-fiction (ENGL 2276)
These courses typically involve intensive writing workshops, and are taught by instructors who are published and/or are active members of the local literary community. See below for current and upcoming Creative Writing courses being offered.
Students are encouraged to work towards publication of their writing in Langara’s W49 Magazine or other publications, and they are also encouraged to read their work at the English Department’s Strangers on a Train reading series.
All our Creative Writing courses are fully transferable to UBC and SFU. For information about transfer credit and articulation of these courses, please visit the BC Transfer Guide.
Featured Courses: Fall 2025
English 2236: Creative Writing – Prose Fiction
Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:30-14:20 (CRN: 30621)
Instructor: Daniel Poirier | dpoirier [at] rstdev3.zyns.com (dpoirier[at]langara[dot]ca)
The “secret” to becoming a better writer is to read broadly and write regularly. We will read stories to understand how they operate and to analyze the decisions their authors made to take them from good-to-great. We will examine some of the craft elements of fiction and write in short bursts. You will write two short stories that will sizzle with such intensity that the words will burn up the paper, will bubble and melt your printers from the sheer heat of them. We’ll aim for that, anyway, and dry out your ink cartridges in the effort.
English 2276: Creative Writing – Non-Fiction
Mondays & Wednesdays 14:30-16:20 (CRN: 30622)
Instructor: Sarah Richards | srichards [at] rstdev3.zyns.com
Students will study the forms and techniques of the personal essay. While we will analyze samples from a variety of published writers, the focus of the course will be on the development of the students’ own writing abilities. In addition to participating in writing prompts in class, and a few "field trips" around campus, students will be expected to produce two personal essays and participate in writing workshops.
