Seminar is Saturday, November 1st, 2025

This class will meet via Zoom, 10AM- 1PM Pacific / 1PM - 4PM Eastern

Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button (lower left) to talk with us.

Led by Ploi Pirapokin, who sits on the board for Khōréō Magazine, Hivemind: Global Speculative Fiction Magazine, and the Ragdale Foundation. Her work is featured in Tor.com, Pleiades, Ninth Letter, Sycamore Review, Gulf Stream Magazine, and The Art and Craft of Stories from Asia: A Writer's Guide and Anthology from Bloomsbury Academic. Ploi is a graduate of the Clarion Writers Workshop and the MFA in Creative Writing at San Francisco State University.

Read an Interview with Ploi on MFA Applications, Genre Fiction, and Finding Your Program Fit

With more than 250 M.F.A. programs in Creative Writing available to apply to, each with its own application system and deadlines, this 3-hour webinar will help narrow the choices for those looking to submit applications to M.F.A.s in fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry.

Do you need financial assistance, genre specific concentrations, or low residency options?

Are you changing careers, finally returning to writing, or wondering if this calculated risk is worth it?

We'll look at what it means to create a resonating application with tips on revising writing samples in appropriate genres, strategies in putting together a cohesive application, with a focus on how to craft your personal statements and cover letter on why this M.F.A. and why now, while showcasing your writing style and artistic intention. 

The second part of class will be focused on drafting that cover letter, aided by examples from successful past applicants to top M.F.A. programs.

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

Strategic Program Selection Framework

Learn how to navigate and narrow down 250+ MFA programs based on your specific needs, whether you require financial assistance, genre-specific concentrations, or low-residency options. Develop a personalized criteria system to identify programs that align with your career goals, lifestyle, and artistic vision.

Craft a Compelling "Why This MFA, Why Now" Narrative

Master the art of articulating your unique artistic journey and intentions in personal statements and cover letters. Learn to address career changes, writing hiatuses, or first-time applications with confidence while showcasing your authentic writing voice and demonstrating why you're ready for graduate-level creative work.

Cohesive Application Strategy Across Multiple Components

Understand how to create synergy between your writing samples, personal statements, and cover letters to present a unified artistic identity. Gain insights on revising writing samples for specific genres and ensuring all application elements work together to strengthen your candidacy.

Real-World Application Examples and Templates

Access proven examples from successful applicants to top MFA programs and participate in hands-on cover letter drafting exercises. Leave with practical templates and specific language strategies that have helped others gain admission to competitive creative writing programs.

STUDENTS LOVE PLOI:

"I have learned so much from Ploi Pirapokin’s speculative fiction workshop and have enjoyed it immensely! I don’t want it to end—not only because I’m enjoying the learning and the community of writers, but also because I’m just excited about writing again! Each week, Ploi guides us by sharing expertly curated and inspiring content on the craft of speculative fiction, plus readings of some of the best. She provides personal feedback on our responses to her weekly exercises and our workshop pieces, which I’ve found so helpful and instructive. Ploi’s approach makes me feel comfortable to dive right in and try new approaches I never have before. Since starting this workshop, I’ve had multiple ideas for new short stories and have begun writing them. Thank you, Ploi, for sharing your time and talent with writers." -Brittany G.

"Thank you for being such a wonderful teacher!! Your class was such a bright spot of the week, and the conversations were always so engaging and thought provoking. Thank you for believing in us as writers! I got so much out of your workshop and all the advice, and the way you took us seriously as writers and artists, and how you pushed us to embrace how we organically tell stories, helped me take myself more seriously and is advice I’ll take with me for a long time!”

“Ms. Pirapokin’s content in the course itself was outstanding. She provided a series of texts and video presentations illustrative of the material we were studying. She made herself available not only to me, but also to all the students in the class. Her kindness radiated from her and she was very attentive to all our needs.”

“Here's the crux of the matter: by the end of the course, I was so impressed by how much of herself Ploi had put into the course that it made me work all the harder to complete assignments and do my best. That our course was concluding around election time made it difficult for everyone, but Ploi's sincerity and focus helped pull us across the finish line. You should be very happy to have such a dedicated, erudite and honest teacher on your roster.”

"This was hands down the best Catapult class I have taken so far... Ploi was warm, encouraging, insanely prepared and knowledgeable, generous... I felt so enriched afterwards and look forward to staying in community with my classmates!!" --Former Catapult Student

"Ploi was a beacon for me and my classmates. The ideal teacher to nurture creativity and confidence. She provided heartfelt knowledge and created a space to celebrate each other."--Former Catapult Student

ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:

This class will meet live via Zoom.

• Instructor: Ploi Pirapokin
  
• Class size limited to 20 writers
• Seminar is Saturday, November 1st, 2025
• This class will meet via Zoom, 10AM- 1PM Pacific / 1PM - 4PM Eastern
• Tuition is $75.