Department of English Creative Writing
The English Department offers one first-year creative writing course:
- Introduction to Creative Writing (ENGL 1136)
We also offer a rotating selection of second-year courses in five 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 2026
English 2236: Creative Writing – Prose Fiction
Mondays & Wednesdays 1430-1620 (CRN: 30434)
Instructor: Daniel Poirier | dpoirier [at] langara.ca (dpoirier[at]langara[dot]ca)
The “secret” to becoming a better writer is to read broadly and write regularly. We’ll 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’ll 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 2266: Creative Writing – Poetry
Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:30-14:20 (CRN: 30436)
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.
Course Overview (PDF)
English 2276: Creative Writing – Non-Fiction
Tuesdays & Thursdays 1430-1620 (CRN: 30437)
Instructor: Sarah Richards | srichards [at] langara.ca (srichards[at]langara[dot]ca)
You’ll learn how to write and revise creative non-fiction through lectures, readings, and workshops. Although there are no hard and fast rules for writing, there are several common stumbling blocks that new writers often trip over when learning craft, and in this course, we pay close attention to these problem areas and come up with strategies for avoiding them. In addition to writing prompts in class, as well as a few "field trips" around campus, you’ll be expected to produce two personal essays and participate in writing workshops. A revision assignment and pitch letter will also be given.
Upcoming Courses
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 |
