Creative Writing Instructor Jobs
Creative Writing Instructor jobs are open across higher education, K-12 schools, community arts organizations, and online learning platforms, from adjunct and part-time roles to full-time faculty and program director positions, with specializations in fiction, poetry, and screenwriting. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the flagship institution of a strong state university system comprising 17 campuses across North Carolina; neighbor institutions within 25 miles include Duke University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, and Meredith College. Chapel Hill is a vibrant college town near the Research Triangle economic hub and 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
The successful candidate’s duties will include teaching, research, and service. The candidate should be prepared to teach a 2-2 load of undergraduate fiction courses at the introductory, intermediate, advanced, and senior honors level, as well as one of the many fiction electives we offer. The candidate will also contribute to both undergraduate and graduate curricula; mentor students; participate in select administrative activities; and engage in ongoing scholarly research.
Not Applicable.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the flagship institution of a strong state university system comprising 17 campuses across North Carolina; neighbor institutions within 25 miles include Duke University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, and Meredith College. Chapel Hill is a vibrant college town near the Research Triangle economic hub and 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
The successful candidate’s duties will include teaching, research, and service. The candidate should be prepared to teach a 2-2 load of undergraduate fiction courses at the introductory, intermediate, advanced, and senior honors level, as well as one of the many fiction electives we offer. The candidate will also contribute to both undergraduate and graduate curricula; mentor students; participate in select administrative activities; and engage in ongoing scholarly research.
Not Applicable.
Creative Writing Instructor Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsCreative Writing Instructor Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in creative writing instructor jobs.
- MFA in Creative Writing or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant literary field
- Demonstrated publication record in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or screenwriting
- Experience designing and facilitating undergraduate or graduate writing workshops
- Ability to teach across multiple genres or at multiple skill levels
- Familiarity with learning management systems for in-person and online course delivery
- Strong written communication skills for student feedback and curriculum documentation
Tips for Your Creative Writing Instructor Job Search
Tailor your CV to course delivery formats
Hiring committees distinguish between workshop facilitation, lecture-based courses, and one-on-one mentorship. Identify which format each role emphasizes and reframe your teaching experience to match that specific mode, using the same language the job posting uses.
Lead with published work, not credentials
Many creative writing instructor postings list an MFA as preferred but will accept a strong publication record as equivalent. Put your most significant publications near the top of your CV so reviewers with limited time see your creative authority before anything else.
Build a teaching portfolio with sample syllabi
Attach a one-page sample syllabus for a course you have taught or designed. Institutions hiring for curriculum-building roles respond strongly to candidates who demonstrate how they structure a full semester, not just a single lesson.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists creative writing instructor openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare a teaching demonstration that shows revision
Many interview processes include a live workshop or teaching demo. Choose a student manuscript that visibly benefits from feedback, and walk the committee through your revision conversation. Demonstrating your workshop voice matters more than the craft concept you pick.
Negotiate course load and release time explicitly
Creative writing faculty offers often include administrative duties or multi-genre teaching requirements that erode your writing time. Ask directly about course load caps, release time for your own projects, and any service expectations before you accept an offer.
Creative Writing Instructor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most creative writing instructors?
The most active employers for creative writing instructors right now are Writopia Lab, Warren Wilson, and William & Mary, and the most openings are in New York, North Carolina, and Ohio, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is strongest at institutions with dedicated creative writing programs and at online learning platforms expanding their arts curriculum.
How many creative writing instructor jobs are remote?
About 40% of creative writing instructor openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with online course delivery and asynchronous workshop facilitation driving the majority of those remote listings. Roles tied to live workshop instruction or on-campus residency programs are far less likely to be fully remote.
How do you become a creative writing instructor?
Most full-time positions require a terminal degree, typically an MFA or PhD in creative writing or English, combined with a published body of work. Build teaching experience through adjunct positions, community workshops, or writing center roles while you develop your publication record. Assembling a teaching portfolio with sample syllabi and workshop materials strengthens applications significantly before you pursue full-time faculty roles.
Can you get hired as a creative writing instructor with little experience?
Yes, entry-level and part-time roles at community colleges, arts nonprofits, and continuing education programs regularly hire instructors whose teaching experience is limited but whose publishing credentials are strong. Volunteer facilitation at literary organizations, guest workshops at libraries, or co-teaching arrangements can serve as your first formal credits. Framing any mentorship, editing, or tutoring work as instructional experience also helps early applicants stand out.
What does the creative writing instructor interview process look like?
Most hiring processes start with a phone or video screen, followed by a campus or platform interview that includes a teaching demonstration or live workshop session. Candidates are typically asked to discuss their pedagogical approach, their own writing practice, and how they respond to student resistance in workshop. Some institutions also request a writing sample or a detailed course proposal as a final step before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to creative writing instructor jobs?
You can find and apply to creative writing instructor jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your genre background, experience level, and preferred format, whether that is in-person, hybrid, or fully online, and apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 36 Creative Writing Instructor Jobs
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