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: Spring 2026
English 2236: Creative Writing – Prose Fiction
Mondays & Wednesdays 10:30-12:20 (CRN: 10422)
Instructor: Jill Goldberg | jgoldberg [at] langara.ca (jgoldberg[at]langara[dot]ca)
In this class, students will write at least two short stories, they will give and receive feedback, and they will edit their own writing until it shines. In the early parts of the semester, we’ll discuss the art and craft of writing, looking at issues including generating plot/conflict, writing believable characters and dialogue, and making the written word sing. Students will gain an appreciation for what makes fiction work, have opportunities to explore and refine their own narrative voice, and form a community of peers who take seriously the drive to create art of beauty and significance. If this adventure appeals to you, join us!
English 2256: Creative Writing – Screenplay
Mondays & Wednesdays 12:30-14:20 (CRN: 10423)
Instructor: Aaron Bushkowsky | abushkowsky [at] langara.ca (abushkowsky[at]langara[dot]ca)
Want to be an avant-garde writer for film? Or maybe the next Kevin Smith (Clerks). Then this is the class for you. Learn the basics of writing for the screen, including formatting, plotting, character development, conflict, and simple story structure. This is a workshop-heavy class with initial lectures on how to get started. Dream big, write hard. Maybe write something you and your friends could shoot using a nice Nikon or Canon. Screenwriting is a craft. Learn the craft first.
English 2266: Creative Writing - Poetry
Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:30-14:20 (CRN: 10424)
Instructor: Thor Polukoshko | tpolukoshko [at] langara.ca (tpolukoshko[at]langara[dot]ca)
This course will explore the fundamentals of poetry writing. Through careful study of a variety of poetic theories and practices and a selection of work by local poets, students will learn to recognize and emulate a wide range of formal and thematic techniques and concepts used in contemporary poetry. Students will be given daily writing prompts and will share their poems in workshop environments.
Upcoming Courses
Summer 2026
| ENGL 2236 | Creative Writing: Prose Fiction | tnewland [at] langara.ca (Trevor Newland) | 3.0 |
| ENGL 2246 | Creative Writing: Stageplay | koliver [at] langara.ca (Kathleen Oliver) | 3.0 |
Fall 2026
| ENGL 2236 | Creative Writing: Prose Fiction | dpoirier [at] langara.ca (Daniel Poirier) | 3.0 |
| ENGL 2266 | Creative Writing: Poetry | tpolukoshko [at] langara.ca (Thor Polukoshko) | 3.0 |
| ENGL 2276 | Creative Writing: Non-Fiction | srichards [at] langara.ca (Sarah Richards) | 3.0 |
Spring 2027
| ENGL 2236 | Creative Writing: Prose Fiction | srichards [at] langara.ca (Sarah Richards) | 3.0 |
| ENGL 2256 | Creative Writing: Screenwriting | jgoldberg [at] langara.ca (Jill Goldberg) | 3.0 |
