Misconception #3

Continuing our unofficial miniseries on misconceptions about writing and publishing, I thought I’d add this little gem: you don’t have to have an MFA in Creative Writing in order to be an author. I know, it sounds obvious and silly to say it so bluntly, especially here in late 2026. It’s so easy to self-publish or go through an independent publisher and there aren’t any requirements to do so, other than having a story you want to tell. Gather ‘round, kids, and I’ll tell you something: it wasn’t always this way. See my previous post about agents, where they truly were the gatekeepers to getting your book published. If you didn’t get past them, your book didn’t get published. Sure, there were a few vanity presses, but they were expensive and didn’t offer distribution.

Did you really have to have that MFA to get your book published before self-publishing and POD became a thing? Not necessarily. Look at the bestselling authors in the late twentieth century and early 2000s. Beyond them, though? If you wanted to publish a short story or poetry, that MFA pedigree really helped. If you had aspirations for literary fiction, the degree opened doors. Look in the acknowledgments of a lot of books and you’ll find the author thanking the program at a school.

So, what’s my point? Are MFA programs for Creative Writing bad? No, not at all. Learning the craft of writing is important and many people want to take the time to do so. Is it a requirement in order to get an agent and a book deal? Not at all. My advice, especially if you don’t have the inclination, money, or time, for classroom learning, is to write, write, write, and then write some more. It’s the only way to get better, whether you’re at school or pounding at a keyboard in a coffee shop.