Who should I ask for letters of reference?

Use your best judgment in securing meaningful letters. Obviously, letters from professors or workshop instructors of any writing classes you've taken are most useful. If you have been out of school for a while, you might ask for letters from persons you have worked with professionally or in non-academic writing groups. Your sister or your therapist are probably not good alternatives (yes, we've actually gotten such letters).

Do I need to mail them, or should my referees mail them?

If your referees insist on mailing their letters to us directly, please make sure you provide them with our Dean Keeton Street address and that they note on the outside of the letter: REFERENCE FOR (NAME). If possible, though collect your letters - preferably, confidential and signed on the sealed envelope flap - and mail them along with your other materials. (If you do this, please don't place them in additional labeled envelopes; we will know what they are.)

Is it okay to send more than 3 letters?

Three letters are enough. Extra letters generally aren't helpful.