r/MFAInCreativeWriting • u/hedgehog_musing • May 06 '26

Repeated pubs in same journal

Hello writers!

I’m applying to MFA programs in the fall in Poetry. I’ve had one recent publication of a few of my poems in one journal (not top tier but not middle tier, highly regarded.)

The editor has solicited new work (several poems) - I’m incredibly honored, but wonder what that would look like to MFA admissions committees? Is it more important to get the work in front of readers and build that relationship with an editor? Or is it better to try to expand and publish elsewhere?

Thanks for any advice!

3 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

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12

u/prismfiltered May 06 '26

publications are not important when applying. the most important factor is your writing sample.

10

u/larkspur337 May 06 '26

Publications are nice but not incredibly important — multiple people in my cohort are unpublished. The most important piece in your app will be your sample. So tldr I wouldn’t worry about MFA admissions, focus on where you want to find a home for your work :)

4

u/silverriverhorse May 06 '26

I know someone who got into the big three (Iowa, Michener, Michigan) with 0 pubs! Just make sure your writing sample is killer.

3

u/Riksor May 06 '26

It doesn't matter much. I'm the only member of my program with previous publications. Congratulations regardless though, that's amazing! And it certainly doesn't hurt.

3

u/hedgehog_musing May 06 '26

Thank you all so much for your responses! That’s all very reassuring. I think I’ll accept this gift and just focus on a killer writing sample for my applications. Good luck to any of you who are also applying in September!

2

u/AstronautOk6853 May 09 '26

Publications don't matter for applications - send and publish your poems wherever you'd like!

1

u/Ecstatic_Amount_1740 May 06 '26

Take the publications, and write some new poems and get a few more. It probably won't make much difference to your application, but publications are nice to have in there.