Cambridge Common Writers exists to provide a supportive community for alumni, faculty, and friends of Lesley University’s MFA Program in Creative Writing, situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. We seek to promote new and diverse literary voices from the Lesley MFA community, and to connect alumni with opportunities to advance and sustain their writing careers after graduation.

Publication News & Announcements, June 2025

Jodi Doff (Nonfiction, January 2013) has an essay in Open Secrets Magazine, “The Ties that Bind: Rape as a Job Hazard.” E. Christopher Clark (Fiction, June 2005) has started a Kickstarter campaign for his Blood of Seven Queens comic book series. Cassie M. Seinuk (WSS, June 2013): City Theatre has […]

Publication News & Announcements, May 2025

Kent Neal (Poetry, January 2023) has a poem “First Flirt” in the current issue of Bicoastal Review. c3 Crew (WFYP, June 2008) has a poetry chapbook, The 8 Ancient Geek Words for Love, available from Bottlecap Press. Rachel Becker (Poetry, January 2025) has three new poems out: “Vanity, Greed, Extravagance, […]

Finding a Creative Community: A Conversation with Jana Van der Veer

Jana Van der Veer, writer, teacher, certified Creativity Coach, alumna and former Interdisciplinary Studies coordinator of the Lesley MFA in Creative Writing program, talks about artistic blocks, accountability, and the importance of finding community with other writers. JANA VAN DER VEER – WFYP, JUNE 2009 Jana Van der Veer writes […]