Where craft meets coast

For aspiring writers, the Newport MFA at Salve Regina University offers more than a degree – it offers immersion. Tucked into a historic coastal New England town long associated with artists, thinkers and storytellers, Salve’s Master of Fine Arts in creative writing invites students to sharpen their craft in a setting that encourages deep focus, reflection and creative risk. Central to that experience are the program’s craft talks and guest readings, which bring nationally recognized authors and publishing professionals into direct conversation with students and the broader community.

This January, Newport MFA’s winter workshop continues that tradition, welcoming best-selling and award-winning writers who not only shape the literary landscape but also teach within the program itself. Open to the public and free to attend, the week-long series offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from working writers about process, persistence and the realities of building a literary life while offering a window into what it looks like to study writing at Salve.

The series opens Monday, Jan. 5, with novelist and memoirist Andre Dubus III, whose work has earned a lasting place in contemporary American literature. Dubus has authored nine books, including “New York Times” bestsellers “House of Sand and Fog,” “The Garden of Last Days” and his acclaimed memoir “Townie.” His most recent novel, “Such Kindness,” was published in 2023, followed by the essay collection “Ghost Dogs: On Killers and Kin” in 2024. Known for his unflinching exploration of class, violence and empathy, Dubus brings to Newport a voice shaped by decades of lived experience and literary excellence, one that resonates deeply with writers learning to tell difficult, human stories with care and precision.

The following day, Tuesday, Jan. 6, novelist Stewart O’Nan leads two talks, offering participants a rare chance to engage deeply with a writer whose body of work spans more than three decades. Named by “Granta” as one of America’s best young novelists, O’Nan is the author of “Snow Angels,” “A Prayer for the Dying,” “Last Night at the Lobster” and “Emily, Alone.” 

His fiction is often praised for its quiet intensity and attention to everyday lives, qualities that mirror the Newport MFA’s emphasis on craft rooted in observation, discipline and emotional truth.

Midweek, the focus shifts from writing to publishing with a conversation that pulls back the curtain on how books move from manuscript to shelf. On Thursday, Jan. 8, Penguin editor Nick Magliato joins author Michael Ruhlman for a discussion that bridges creative vision and editorial reality. Ruhlman – best known for his influential work on food, chefs and the culture of professional cooking – has written across genres and formats, while Magliato’s editorial list spans fiction, nonfiction, young adult and board books. Together, they offer insight into the collaborative relationship between writer and editor, and the evolving marketplace writers must navigate.

The series concludes Saturday, Jan. 10, with a reading by Hester Kaplan, an award-winning short story writer and novelist whose work has appeared in “Ploughshares,” “Agni Review” and “The Best American Short Stories.” Kaplan’s fiction – rooted in intimacy, restraint and emotional complexity – reflects the kind of close attention to language and character that the Newport MFA encourages students to develop over time.

While communing with the authors is a significant opportunity, the setting matters, too. Newport’s winding streets, coastal vistas and quiet winter rhythms create a natural backdrop for writing and reflection. For those considering an MFA, attending a craft talk or reading offers a glimpse into that experience: sitting in a room where craft is discussed seriously, questions are welcomed and writing is treated not as a solitary pursuit but as a shared practice.

For members of the public, the series offers something equally valuable – a chance to engage with literature beyond the page, to hear how stories are shaped, revised and sustained over a lifetime of work. Whether you’re an emerging writer, an avid reader or simply curious about the creative process, Newport MFA’s winter craft talks and readings invite you into the conversation.