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​ABOUT THE EVENT ✏︎

​Thinking about an MFA? We all know the statistics—MFAs are incredibly hard to get into, let alone get funding for, and the application process is a bit of a mystery. What should you write in your personal statement? How do you choose your writing portfolio? What is even relevant to include on your resume? In this workshop, we’ll walk through every part of the MFA application—from choosing the right programs to polishing your statement and writing sample. You’ll leave with real examples, insider tips, and a clear plan to apply with confidence. Whether you’re applying this year or just starting to think about it, this session has what you need to get serious—and get in.

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​​​​INSTRUCTOR BIO ✏︎

​Justine Payton is an MFA candidate at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, where she is a recipient of the Philip Gerard Graduate Fellowship, the Bernice Kert Fellowship in Creative Writing, and the Robert H. Byington Award. Her writing can be found in Bellevue Literary Review, Isele Magazine, The Masters Review, Terrain, and others. She is currently an editor for Ecotone Magazine, a guest editor for The Masters Review and CRAFT, the non-fiction editor for ONLY POEMS, and a former editorial intern with Tin House. She is also co-editing the anthology Between Our Legs, forthcoming from University of Iowa Press in 2026. An avid hiker and ecofeminist, Justine has traveled and worked across four continents.