Welcome to the Creative Writing Department at Douglas Anderson

a literary haven born in 1990 to meet the growing demand for diverse avenues of self-expression. Rooted in the belief that writing is an integral facet of the artistic spirit, our mission is to propel the art of writing forward, offering a dedicated and nurturing space for passionate wordsmiths.

Our program

Our curriculum is a vibrant tapestry, encompassing a spectrum of courses: from fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction to journalism, screenwriting, digital arts, publication, copy editing, speech, and oral interpretation. In our classrooms, students delve into theory, conduct readings of both contemporary and classical literature, engage in one-on-one conferences, benefit from mentoring, and participate in small group workshops focusing on revision, self-evaluation, and personal growth.

Awards & Accolades

Our students get incredible opportunities normally only afforded to graduate students in writing. The department has grown to produce many talented young writers who have gone on to win awards, to teach, and to publish. DA students have received recognition in or won the following:

REALM (Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines) Awards through the NCTE (National Council for Teachers of English)
US Presidential Scholar in the Arts
YoungArts National Arts Recognition and Talent Search
Scholastic Art and Literary Awards
Arts for Life
Boditch Award in Poetry, Essay and Fiction
Columbia College of Chicago's Young Authors Writing Competition
Hollins University's Nancy Thorpe Poetry Contest

Unique Creative Opportunities

Publications

The department sponsors Élan, an international student literary magazine published twice a year online with a print book compilation at the end of the school year.
The Artisan, Douglas Anderson’s student newspaper, offers staff positions to creative writers in their junior and senior years.

Performances

Coffee House, a student-produced evening of original performance work, is open to all arts areas and combines writing with theatre, dance, visual art, and music.
Our quarterly Open Mic Series is in partnership with the songwriting department in which students of any arts discipline can perform original works in a safe, supportive environment.
Extravaganza During junior and senior year, students develop original works of writing to be performed by students of any grade level.