Whether you’re a creative writer, or you simply admire the craft, there’s so much to discover in the great city of Houston. From workshops and programs, to festivals and art events, read on to discover the many ways creative writing thrives in the city.
Houston’s relationship with creative writing runs deep, largely thanks to the University of Houston’s creative writing program. Founded in 1979, the program quickly grew to one of the nation’s best. It also became one of the only programs across the country to offer a PhD in the craft.
Within years of opening, the university’s Creative Writing Program boasted a faculty made of some of the top writers in the country, including:
Cynthia MacDonald: Program co-founder and poet known for “The Stained Glass Woman,” “The Stained Glass Man,” and “Burying the Babies.”
Stanley Plumly: Program co-founder and poet known for In the Outer Dark and “Out-of-the-Body Travel.”
Donald Barthalme: Postmodernist short story writer known for Sixty Stories, The Dead Father, and more.
Edward Hirsch: Poetry critic and columnist known for A Poet’s Glossary and How to Read a Poem: And Fall in Love with Poetry.
Phillip Lopate: Master essayist known for The Art of the Personal Essay.
Beyond the doors of the University of Houston, Houston’s creative writing scene was alive and well, too. Authors including Attica Lock (Heaven, My Home), Lary McMurtry (Lonesome Dove), and Oscar Cásares (Brownsville: Stories) hail from Houston and feature Texas heavily in their stories.
Ways to Get Creative in Houston
Interested in flexing your creative writing muscle in Houston, Texas? Read on to learn the many ways to get involved in the city’s lively creative writing scene.
The University of Houston’s Creative Writing Program continues to be one of the best in the nation, but it’s not the only art program in Houston dedicated to the craft. Explore these creative writing workshops and programs for people of all ages across the city:
Writers in the Schools (WITS): Dedicated to getting kids involved in creative writing in Houston, WITS connects children with professional, award-winning writers. They host events in classrooms and after-school programs, as well as summer writing camps in Houston to teach children the art of storytelling.
Inprint Houston: These Writers’ Workshops bring graduate-level creative writing lessons to people of all backgrounds, from beginners to aspiring writers. Inprint incorporates a range of workshop topics, including essay, fiction, memoir, and poetry in Houston. These workshops and classes are led by local authors, alumni, and faculty from the University of Houston’s Creative Writing Program.
Writespace: A grassroots literary arts organization, Writespace offers weekly writing workshops, manuscript consultations, write-ins, and more to aspiring creative writers in Houston. Their goal is to give writers who may not be able to afford the prestigious Creative Writing Program an opportunity to get the same high-quality training and mentorship.
Literary Events
There are plenty of literary events across Houston to enjoy. Discover these great ways to connect with other writers throughout the year:
TeenBookCon: This yearly event connects teens and adults with some of the most popular Young Adult authors for a day full of panels. Attendees can hear authors speak, ask questions, and connect with local public libraries at the event.
Café Cantante: Hosted by the Flamenco Poets Society, this yearly series combines poetry, music, and dance. Some years, the celebration focuses on a specific poet, like Pablo Neruda, whereas others focus on themes.
Write About Now Poetry Open Mic Night: Touted as the best open mic in the nation, the Write About Now Poetry Open Mic Night is open to all. Catch some of the best poets in Houston as they share their original poems.
RAWIfest: This biannual conference brings together Arab and SWANA creatives, including poets, prosewriters, and playwrights, for a series of readings, panels, roundtables, and prose and poetry workshops in Houston. The event aims to bring together Arab American and SWANA artists, as well as their readers, allies, and admirers, in an inclusive and welcoming space.
Literary Journals and Presses
With such a lively, creative writing scene, it’s no wonder Houston is home to some of the best literary journals and presses in the nation:
Defunkt Magazine: This non-profit literary journal and press publishes works from both established and emerging artists. Their mission states, “We seek to offer an authentic reflection of the contemporary, and most importantly, to uplift marginalized voices in a fascinating and brutally honest way.”
Arte Publico Press: The “oldest and most accomplished publisher of contemporary and recovered literature by US Hispanic authors.” Under the name Piñata Books, its press showcases Hispanic creative writing, arts, and culture.
Bloomsday Literary: A non-profit publishing house, Bloomsday, aims to make overlooked storytellers heard. They publish novels, novellas, poetry, creative non-fiction, and more.
So much of Houston’s creative writing revolves around themes of the city and its people. With so many great things to do in Houston, it’s no wonder why. Next time you’re looking to get the creative juices flowing, check out our favorite places to eat in Houston to get some brain food, or our ideal place for inspiration, Meow Wolf Houston’s Radio Tave– an immersive art museum that combines Texas art, sound, and multiversal mystery.
