Jess the Writer
@jesilfa.bsky.social
Just a South Bronx HS dropout who decided to write books.
BA @Columbia.
MFA @Vanderbilt.
Ph.D student @UniofCincinnati
Read my work: https://www.jesilfa.com/projects
BA @Columbia.
MFA @Vanderbilt.
Ph.D student @UniofCincinnati
Read my work: https://www.jesilfa.com/projects
Writers, writing teachers, students, etc: I created a spreadsheet of every creative writing MFA, MA, and PhD program. It includes their current deadline, genres taught, FUNDING/STIPEND INFO, incoming class size, etc. That's data for over 200 programs. Share widely.
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Creative Writing Programs for the 2025-2026 Application Year
docs.google.com
August 25, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Writers, writing teachers, students, etc: I created a spreadsheet of every creative writing MFA, MA, and PhD program. It includes their current deadline, genres taught, FUNDING/STIPEND INFO, incoming class size, etc. That's data for over 200 programs. Share widely.
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
“Florida has always been hot!”
No. Fuck that. This weather is ridiculous. The “feels like” temps have been over 110° so many times. I can’t remember a hotter summer.
No. Fuck that. This weather is ridiculous. The “feels like” temps have been over 110° so many times. I can’t remember a hotter summer.
July 29, 2025 at 7:20 PM
“Florida has always been hot!”
No. Fuck that. This weather is ridiculous. The “feels like” temps have been over 110° so many times. I can’t remember a hotter summer.
No. Fuck that. This weather is ridiculous. The “feels like” temps have been over 110° so many times. I can’t remember a hotter summer.
No one:
Absolutely no one:
My brain: 🎶 I’m not your *inhale* staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar 🎶
Absolutely no one:
My brain: 🎶 I’m not your *inhale* staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar 🎶
July 16, 2025 at 11:24 AM
No one:
Absolutely no one:
My brain: 🎶 I’m not your *inhale* staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar 🎶
Absolutely no one:
My brain: 🎶 I’m not your *inhale* staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar 🎶
My map of Creative Writing MFA Programs has been updated with current deadlines. Its not perfect but maybe folks will find it useful. It lists 200 programs and can be filtered by genre and funding.
www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/e...
www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/e...
Creative Writing MFA Locations (with Filters) - Google My Maps
This is a map of Creative Writing MFA Programs. Ones that are fully funded, which means they offer full tuition remission and a stipend to *every* student, are highlighted in green. Low res programs are in orange. Screenwriting is in yellow and creative non-fiction are in purple. More filters coming soon. Please check program websites for up-to-date information! You can also contact me at jesilfa(at) gmail(dot)com with updates. Feel free to buy me a coffee if you find it helpful. Venmo: @jesilfa
www.google.com
July 14, 2025 at 10:27 PM
My map of Creative Writing MFA Programs has been updated with current deadlines. Its not perfect but maybe folks will find it useful. It lists 200 programs and can be filtered by genre and funding.
www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/e...
www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/e...
This is going to be amazing!
Wednesday! 🌟 watch these fantastic writers read live on Zoom! 🌟 so excited!!
June 24, 2025 at 4:49 PM
This is going to be amazing!
Applying to Fiction/Prose MFA programs this fall?
Join my 6-week MFA Bootcamp for help with your SOP, writing sample, & school list! ✍🏽💥
👤Only six students per session (via Zoom)
📅 Starts June
💸 Funding available!
🔗 jesilfa.com
#MFAapplications #WritingCommunity #BIPOCwriters
Join my 6-week MFA Bootcamp for help with your SOP, writing sample, & school list! ✍🏽💥
👤Only six students per session (via Zoom)
📅 Starts June
💸 Funding available!
🔗 jesilfa.com
#MFAapplications #WritingCommunity #BIPOCwriters
May 13, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Applying to Fiction/Prose MFA programs this fall?
Join my 6-week MFA Bootcamp for help with your SOP, writing sample, & school list! ✍🏽💥
👤Only six students per session (via Zoom)
📅 Starts June
💸 Funding available!
🔗 jesilfa.com
#MFAapplications #WritingCommunity #BIPOCwriters
Join my 6-week MFA Bootcamp for help with your SOP, writing sample, & school list! ✍🏽💥
👤Only six students per session (via Zoom)
📅 Starts June
💸 Funding available!
🔗 jesilfa.com
#MFAapplications #WritingCommunity #BIPOCwriters
The AWP Disabled and D/deaf Writers Caucus meeting is in about half an hour! If you’d like to attend, shoot an email to disabledwriterscaucus[at]gmail[dot]com to get a Zoom link!
March 27, 2025 at 9:51 PM
The AWP Disabled and D/deaf Writers Caucus meeting is in about half an hour! If you’d like to attend, shoot an email to disabledwriterscaucus[at]gmail[dot]com to get a Zoom link!
Am I a creative writing teacher just so I can teach my friends’ work? Yes. Absolutely. 100% and not ashamed of it.
March 13, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Am I a creative writing teacher just so I can teach my friends’ work? Yes. Absolutely. 100% and not ashamed of it.
So University of Cincinnati, like many other institution, has stripped their literature of any mention of DEI. They are currently reviewing “jobs and duties related to DEI and examining our DEI programming, initiatives and projects to bring all areas into compliance.”
February 21, 2025 at 10:21 PM
So University of Cincinnati, like many other institution, has stripped their literature of any mention of DEI. They are currently reviewing “jobs and duties related to DEI and examining our DEI programming, initiatives and projects to bring all areas into compliance.”
When the book hits the happily ever after moment: 😍😍😍
When you realize there are five hours left in the audiobook: 😳😬⚠️
When you realize there are five hours left in the audiobook: 😳😬⚠️
December 29, 2024 at 1:17 AM
When the book hits the happily ever after moment: 😍😍😍
When you realize there are five hours left in the audiobook: 😳😬⚠️
When you realize there are five hours left in the audiobook: 😳😬⚠️
I’m reading this book where a last minute “come back to my place” date is made. She makes him tamales. You know, because she’s Cuban.
Wait, what? 👀
Wait, what? 👀
December 27, 2024 at 8:45 PM
I’m reading this book where a last minute “come back to my place” date is made. She makes him tamales. You know, because she’s Cuban.
Wait, what? 👀
Wait, what? 👀
Oh hey, are we all partying over here now? Hell yes. ❤️
November 13, 2024 at 1:57 AM
Oh hey, are we all partying over here now? Hell yes. ❤️
I know everyone has said this already, but holy frick, Twitter has become absolutely horrible. The number of bots and spam and misinformation is depressing.
April 4, 2024 at 8:21 AM
I know everyone has said this already, but holy frick, Twitter has become absolutely horrible. The number of bots and spam and misinformation is depressing.
MFA hopefuls: I am leading a two-hour Masterclass that will help you write a compelling personal statement, enhance your writing portfolio, and explore the myriad of writing programs available.
Sunday, March 24
2-4pm ET (Zoom)
www.cleavermagazine.com/upcoming-wor...
Sunday, March 24
2-4pm ET (Zoom)
www.cleavermagazine.com/upcoming-wor...
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS Find community and grow your craft in our online workshops. We host both synchronous and asynchronous courses using Zoom and Canvas, an easily accessible, private online platform. W...
www.cleavermagazine.com
March 11, 2024 at 7:24 PM
MFA hopefuls: I am leading a two-hour Masterclass that will help you write a compelling personal statement, enhance your writing portfolio, and explore the myriad of writing programs available.
Sunday, March 24
2-4pm ET (Zoom)
www.cleavermagazine.com/upcoming-wor...
Sunday, March 24
2-4pm ET (Zoom)
www.cleavermagazine.com/upcoming-wor...
Reposted by Jess the Writer
My friend's turtle who was DEAD AND BURIED AT CHRISTMAS just came back to life and dug herself out of her fucking grave and is currently having a snack in the kitchen and I'm gonna need to sit down.
March 1, 2024 at 10:26 PM
My friend's turtle who was DEAD AND BURIED AT CHRISTMAS just came back to life and dug herself out of her fucking grave and is currently having a snack in the kitchen and I'm gonna need to sit down.
Celeste Ng knows my turtle. Mama, we’ve made it!
Is this when I tell people to check out my SoundCloud?
Is this when I tell people to check out my SoundCloud?
The story about the “dead” and buried turtle that dug itself back up reminds me of one of my favorite facts: while dormant for the winter, turtles breathe through their butts!
*technically it’s “brumating” and “cloacal respiration” but in laypeople terms: THEY BREATHE THROUGH THEIR BUTTS
*technically it’s “brumating” and “cloacal respiration” but in laypeople terms: THEY BREATHE THROUGH THEIR BUTTS
March 3, 2024 at 4:05 PM
Celeste Ng knows my turtle. Mama, we’ve made it!
Is this when I tell people to check out my SoundCloud?
Is this when I tell people to check out my SoundCloud?
FTR I know what brumation is. SAL is kept at the same humid temps year round to avoid it. She came into my care 20 years ago after being run over by a lawn mower; she is disabled and therefore not a good digger (or so we thought). She’s done short spells before, but never gone to ground so long.
March 3, 2024 at 5:54 AM
FTR I know what brumation is. SAL is kept at the same humid temps year round to avoid it. She came into my care 20 years ago after being run over by a lawn mower; she is disabled and therefore not a good digger (or so we thought). She’s done short spells before, but never gone to ground so long.
IT’S TRUE. My turtle popped up like, “Hey, being dead sucks. Where’s my $3 can of turtle food?”
My life, I swear to God.
My life, I swear to God.
My friend's turtle who was DEAD AND BURIED AT CHRISTMAS just came back to life and dug herself out of her fucking grave and is currently having a snack in the kitchen and I'm gonna need to sit down.
March 2, 2024 at 4:29 PM
IT’S TRUE. My turtle popped up like, “Hey, being dead sucks. Where’s my $3 can of turtle food?”
My life, I swear to God.
My life, I swear to God.
Are there any application fee resources for international students looking to apply to MFA programs? Like, is there a fund? Can we start a fund? The fees, especially when converted to local currencies, are outrageous.
October 22, 2023 at 9:44 PM
Are there any application fee resources for international students looking to apply to MFA programs? Like, is there a fund? Can we start a fund? The fees, especially when converted to local currencies, are outrageous.
Reposted by Jess the Writer
Bluesky doesn't suppress links like twitter, so here are clickable links, if that helps!
www.map.org.uk
www.pcrf.net
www.wfp.org
www.doctorswithoutborders.org
www.unrwausa.org
www.map.org.uk
www.pcrf.net
www.wfp.org
www.doctorswithoutborders.org
www.unrwausa.org
Anyway i havent posted resources here irt to palestine and no one on this dash is posting anything so heres smn I stole off twitter
October 15, 2023 at 5:27 PM
Bluesky doesn't suppress links like twitter, so here are clickable links, if that helps!
www.map.org.uk
www.pcrf.net
www.wfp.org
www.doctorswithoutborders.org
www.unrwausa.org
www.map.org.uk
www.pcrf.net
www.wfp.org
www.doctorswithoutborders.org
www.unrwausa.org
Reposted by Jess the Writer
OKAY so one of my favorite lines was the one you shared for sure, but I was gripped with this story through to the end. I LOVED it. This is also some favorite prose for me
August 25, 2023 at 8:55 PM
OKAY so one of my favorite lines was the one you shared for sure, but I was gripped with this story through to the end. I LOVED it. This is also some favorite prose for me
In case you’re not on my Book of Face, the accessible on-campus housing U of Cincinnati placed me in does not have an accessible entrance. So I can’t get in or out with my mobility device.
It’s been really stressful, to say the least.
It’s been really stressful, to say the least.
August 19, 2023 at 2:36 PM
In case you’re not on my Book of Face, the accessible on-campus housing U of Cincinnati placed me in does not have an accessible entrance. So I can’t get in or out with my mobility device.
It’s been really stressful, to say the least.
It’s been really stressful, to say the least.
“Nina had to close a pair of eyes once, weeks ago, and sometimes she still felt a phantom tickle of eyelashes against her palm.”
My fiction piece, “An Excessive Number of Beautiful Things,” is in Transition Magazine! You can read it here: https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/3/article/903644
My fiction piece, “An Excessive Number of Beautiful Things,” is in Transition Magazine! You can read it here: https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/3/article/903644
Project MUSE - An Excessive Number of Beautiful ThingsArticle
muse.jhu.edu
August 10, 2023 at 3:08 PM
“Nina had to close a pair of eyes once, weeks ago, and sometimes she still felt a phantom tickle of eyelashes against her palm.”
My fiction piece, “An Excessive Number of Beautiful Things,” is in Transition Magazine! You can read it here: https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/3/article/903644
My fiction piece, “An Excessive Number of Beautiful Things,” is in Transition Magazine! You can read it here: https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/3/article/903644
I’m moving to Ohio on Friday. Cincinnati, to be exact. I’m proud of my new home.
August 9, 2023 at 11:31 AM
I’m moving to Ohio on Friday. Cincinnati, to be exact. I’m proud of my new home.