best online courses creative writing

The Best Online Creative Writing Courses: 12 Things to Look For

Sean Glatch  |  April 11, 2024  |  Leave a Comment

Are you looking for the best online creative writing courses? You may have found some promising classes online, but you may also be unsure if the course is actually good. How can you know you’ll benefit from the course without spending your money first?

The good news is, there are creative writing courses out there for everyone, and they’re sure to improve your writing. Even better news, the best online creative writing courses share many of the same qualities.

If you want to learn how to write creatively, or if you simply want to improve your everyday writing, the best online creative writing courses can transform your writing abilities. Let’s explore what you might learn in creative writing classes, and how they help writers of all skill levels.

The Best Online Creative Writing Courses: Contents

What do you do in a creative writing class?

• Reputable Instructor
• Clear Course Description
• Promise of a Great Experience
• Constructive Feedback
• Focus on Craft
• Respect Your Creative Autonomy
• A Writing Community
• Motivate You to Write
• Jumpstart a Writing Habit
• Broaden Your Literary Horizons
• Offer a Healthy Creative Outlet
• Give You Next Steps

How to Make the Most of Online Creative Writing Courses

Every online creative writing class is unique, and different courses emphasize different things. We have classes that are entirely generative, meaning the focus is on writing new poems, essays, stories, or making headway into a novel or memoir project. Other courses might have more of a workshop component, in which you share your work with the class and receive feedback on how to improve your writing.

Some online writing courses also focus on specific skills or types of writing. You might take a class focused entirely on learning the tools for revision, or on learning the elements of fiction writing so you can later employ them in a story or novel.

In short, the best online writing courses typically include the following:

• Lectures and discussions on a topic of creative writing craft.
• Assignments that help you generate new work or revise old work.
• Opportunities to give and receive feedback with your fellow classmates.
• Feedback on your work from the instructor, who themselves is a successfully published author of the type of writing you’re producing.
• A weekly video call. Some courses, including ours, are entirely text-based and asynchronous, but many classes meet at least once a week on Zoom.

In addition to all of this, you will make new friends and connections in the best online creative writing classes. Writing is often a lonely experience for writers, and the bonds you make in creative writing workshops can last a lifetime.

12 Things to Look For In the Best Online Creative Writing Courses

The best online creative writing courses will sharpen your writing skills, help you find your confidence, and introduce you to new communities of writers. How do they do it? Here’s 12 things to look for to make sure you’re spending your money on the right online writing class. 

1. The Best Online Creative Writing Courses Have a Reputable Instructor

Your course is only as good as the instructor who teaches it. For online writing classes to teach you the craft, they need to have reputable, trustworthy instructors. A great instructor will also be empathetic, community-oriented, adaptive to your writing needs, and a great writer themselves.

A great instructor will also be empathetic, community-oriented, adaptive to your writing needs, and a great writer themselves.

Do some research on the course instructor: they should have a terminal degree in their field (M.A., M.F.A., Ph.D., etc.), as well as a significant publication history. A reputable instructor will make all the difference in your course: as part of their education, the instructor should have undergone dozens of writing workshops, submitted to countless literary journals, and had their work scrutinized by critics and book lovers alike.

In order for an instructor to help you develop your creative writing skills, they need to be successful on their own. The best instructors are what make the best online creative writing courses.

2. The Best Online Creative Writing Classes Have a Clear Course Description

What does the course teach you, and what will you learn week by week? In addition to listing a reputable instructor, the course description should tell you exactly what you’ll gain from taking the course.

In addition to listing a reputable instructor, the course description should tell you exactly what you’ll gain from taking the course.

Be sure you know exactly what you’re getting out of your online creative writing course, including what you might learn and write in the process. Consider what will help you the most as you embark on your writing journey: entering a course with certain goals or learning objectives will help you make the most of the course’s lectures and writing assignments.

There should be no ambiguity: if you’re paying for the course, you deserve to know exactly what you’re paying for. And, if you have questions, ask the program administrator before you enroll. They should be happy to hear from you!

3. The Best Online Creative Writing Classes Promise a Great Experience

The best online creative writing courses prioritize one thing: YOU! Your learning, your goals, and your writing should be at the center of your experience. And, your course should guarantee that experience.

The best online creative writing courses prioritize your learning, your goals, and your writing.

Creative writing classes can be a risk, since they probably won’t confer university credit and you probably haven’t interacted with that instructor before. You want to be confident that your learning is guaranteed, otherwise you’ll only waste your time, money, and creativity.

Before you enroll in an online writing course, look to see if the program administrators have a student promise . Your experience in the course should be the number one priority of the instructor and administrators; otherwise, you’re better off looking elsewhere for the best online creative writing courses.

4. The Best Online Creative Writing Courses Offer Constructive Feedback

In addition to useful lectures and assignments, creative writing courses give you access to helpful, instructional feedback. Most instructors hold Masters or Doctoral degrees in English or creative writing and, as a result, they have ample knowledge of what works in literature, as well as tons of experience in giving feedback.

Creative writing courses give you access to helpful, instructional feedback.

In the best online creative writing classes, an instructor will both inspire you to write and guide you towards being a better writer. Their feedback will cover the many aspects of great writing. For example, your instructor might comment on:

• Unclear language
• Ideas that need to be expanded
• Sentences that are too wordy or passive
• Opportunities to use more engaging vocabulary
• Places to improve writing structure
• Grammar and spelling corrections

Finally, an instructor will tell you what you are already doing well in your writing. When you write a really great metaphor , use interesting word choice, or find a moment of great insight, your instructor will tell you—highlighting the creative writing skills you have already mastered.

5. The Best Online Creative Writing Courses Focus on Craft

You might be wondering how creative writing classes are different from high school English. The big difference is that, where a typical English class focuses on basic grammar and literacy skills, creative writing classes focus specifically on craft.

Creative writing classes focus specifically on craft: the elements of language and storytelling that make a work of prose or poetry successful.

What is creative writing craft? Craft involves the elements of language and storytelling that make a work of prose or poetry successful. Focusing on craft is how creative writing classes primarily improve your writing.

Your writing class might focus on the structure of a short story, the different types of literary devices , the importance of effective word choice , or the elements of storytelling . A writing class should break down successful works of literature into the components that make it work, giving you the tools to practice your own creative writing skills.

Additionally, craft-focused writing helps you with everyday writing. From improving your vocabulary to structuring an email, the creative writing practice translates to improved writing in every aspect of your life.

6. The Best Online Creative Writing Classes Respect Your Creative Autonomy

One of the benefits of creative writing classes is the perspective you get from different writers. No two writers are working on the same projects, and in your course, you’re likely to work with students of different genres and writing styles.

your creative authority should be respected no matter how new you are to creative writing.

With so many different writing philosophies in one class, the new ideas you encounter can help strengthen your own writing. But in the worst-case scenario, a student or instructor might try to force their writing philosophy onto you. This is always unfair, as there is no one-size-fits-all writing advice, your creative authority should be respected no matter how new you are to creative writing .

For example, let’s say you’re writing a poem about your childhood cat, and the instructor thinks it should be a poem about your experiences growing up. No matter how many times you explain you want this poem to be about your cat, the instructor keeps telling you to write more about your childhood. By ignoring your goals for the poem, the instructor is not respecting your creative autonomy, because they think they know your writing needs better than you do.

No matter where you are in your writing journey, you are a writer, and you deserve respect and compassion as such. Every writer is on a constant journey of growth and discovery; your instructor and course should acknowledge and respect that. In your course, you will encounter many different ideas, but you should also encounter the freedom to accept or reject those ideas. It’s your writing: you get the final say!

7. The Best Online Creative Writing Courses Foster a Writing Community

A creative writing course fosters a creative writing community . This community gives you the motivation to create, as it creates a safe environment to experiment, take risks, and grow in your writing practice.

A writing community gives you the motivation to create, as it creates a safe environment to experiment, take risks, and grow in your writing practice.

For even the most solitary of writers, writing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Participating in a community of word enthusiasts can jog your creativity and give you useful feedback on your work. Additionally, the feedback you provide other writers in the community also helps you learn. It’s a self-fulfilling, self-sustaining process, where members of a writing group can continuously grow, improve, and fine-tune their love of the craft.

In fact, well-known authors throughout history have been a part of valuable writing communities, such as The Beat Poets, Stratford-on-Odeon, and other famous writing groups .

When you enroll in creative writing classes, you also take part in a writing community. Foster relationships, make new writing friends, and forge your own writing group—it may one day be famous, too!

8. The Best Online Creative Writing Classes Motivate You to Write

Writing is a skill that you can only develop through practice. For anyone just starting on our writing journeys, the best online creative writing classes keep you motivated and accountable.

The best online creative writing classes keep you motivated and accountable.

Every instructor works differently, but you can expect the following in a creative writing class:

• Creative writing prompts
• Daily journaling assignments
• Helpful revisions
• Inspirational readings
• Ideas to combat writer’s block
• Different opinions on how to write creatively

Some courses are even designed to motivate you, such as our course Write Your Novel! The Workshop With Jack . Sometimes, the biggest struggle is simply to begin, and creative writing courses help you do that.

9. The Best Online Creative Writing Classes Jumpstart a Writing Habit

The best online creative writing courses will get you into a writing habit. By combining lectures with thought-provoking assignments, one of the primary goals of a writing course is simply to get you writing.

You’ll gain the most from your creative writing courses if you block out the time to write every day.

To make the most of your creative writing classes, try to find time to write every day. It’s best to write at the same time every day, but if your schedule doesn’t allow this, sneak time where you can.

Here are some ways you can steal time as a writer:

• Journal for 15 minutes before you go to bed.
• Write while you wake up with your morning breakfast or coffee.
• Keep a journal on your phone during work and lunch breaks.
• Write on your commute to and from work. If you’re driving, consider keeping an audio journal, where you write by speaking into your phone’s recording device.
• Write on your phone while running on the treadmill.
• Put pen to paper while taking a bath.

These ideas won’t work for everyone, and it all depends on your schedule and lifestyle. Nonetheless, you’ll gain the most from your creative writing courses if you block out the time to write every day, no matter how brief that time is. And, your course should help you find the time to write!

10. The Best Online Creative Writing Courses Broaden Your Literary Horizons

You need to read great writing to produce great writing. The best online creative writing courses will introduce you to great literature, giving you additional opportunities to explore the writing craft.

The best online creative writing courses will introduce you to great literature, giving you additional opportunities to explore the writing craft.

In creative writing classes, you might read both classic and contemporary literature. As writers, it’s good to have knowledge of both worlds. Classic literature introduces you to the bedrock of modern writing, including the devices and rhetorical strategies that make for effective poetry and prose.

Contemporary literature, on the other hand, gives you a glimpse into today’s literary zeitgeist. It’s important to understand today’s publishing landscape and the type of work that’s being published, even if you don’t intend to write like contemporary authors.

In fact, it’s better if you don’t try to write like anyone else! Reading other writers shows you what works in literature and what doesn’t, giving you opportunities to experiment with form and style. But, at the end of the day, your writing is for you, not for publishers or particular writing schools.

Use your creative writing classes as opportunities to explore literature, experiment with words, and discover what you’d like to write yourself.

11. The Best Online Creative Writing Classes Offer a Healthy Creative Outlet

Creative writing classes offer a healthy outlet for your creativity and emotions.

A healthy writing space can supplement your emotional health and wellbeing.

How is that so? With a space to put thoughts to paper, many writers inevitably reach breakthroughs about their own feelings and experiences. This is true regardless of whether you write poetry, fiction, plays, articles, or creative nonfiction.

Now, even the best online creative writing courses can’t replace the benefits of therapy. But, a healthy writing space can certainly supplement your emotional health and wellbeing. Between the prompts, community, and writing habits that a creative writing class fosters, you’re sure to come away from your course with renewed emotional health.

12. The Best Online Creative Writing Courses Give You Next Steps

Your education doesn’t end at the end of your course. If anything, the best online creative writing courses are only the beginning of your writing journey!

The best online creative writing courses are only the beginning of your writing journey!

The best online creative writing courses give you opportunities for continuous growth. Those opportunities can take many forms, such as: a list of literary journals to submit to, further readings on a topic of interest, future creative writing classes, or even simply the instructor’s email.

If you’re ready to move on to the next level of your career, your instructor should provide you with next steps. And if you crave more learning, ask the instructor!

A creative writing course is much like life: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. Being an active participant will teach you as much about creative writing as the instructor will, because engaging with language is how you grow as a writer. Actively working with suggestions and ideas, keeping a daily writing practice, and offering other students constructive feedback will all boost your creative writing skills.

A creative writing course is much like life: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it.

Additionally, do your research before you enroll in the course, or you might end up taking a class that isn’t suited to your needs. Look up the instructor for the course, their teaching style and previous publications, and how much experience they have as a writing coach. If they don’t seem well suited towards your learning style, they might develop your creative writing skills, and they won’t be worth the cost.

Find the Best Online Creative Writing Courses at Writers.com!

Are you looking for a writing community? Are you ready to get writing? Check out some of the upcoming courses at Writers.com , the oldest creative writing school on the internet.

Sean Glatch

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The 10 Best Online Creative Writing Classes of 2023

Written by Mary Van Keuren

Updated: April 27, 2023

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The stereotype of the writer starving in their garret while waiting for inspiration to strike is far from the truth for today’s authors. Writers work in many fields, and the best of them get where they are through education and practice. A good writing course will feature a knowledgeable instructor, along with the opportunity to practice the skills they are teaching. To help you determine the best one for your own needs, we’ve sifted through the top options and reviewed the 10 best online writing courses below.

• Coursera — Creative Writing Specialization by Wesleyan University — Top Pick
• Udemy — Secret Sauce of Great Writing — Most Affordable
• MasterClass — Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing for Television — Best for Multimedia Writing
• The Novelry — Writing for Children — Best for Children’s Literature
• Writer’s Digest University — Creative Writing 101 — Best for Beginners
• Bookfox — Two Weeks to Your Best Children’s Book — Best Editorial Support
• CreativeLive — Writing Your Story — Best for Memoir Writing
• Grammar Lion — A Grammar Refresher for All Writers & Editors — Best for Grammar Review
• LitReactor — Writing the Weird — Best Online Community
• Gotham Writers Workshop — Fiction Writing Level 1 — Best Supporting Materials

Our Ranking Criteria

The best online writing courses offer you the chance to take your natural writing skills and shape them into a form that will open the doors in your chosen field. Whether you want to pen tv sitcom scripts or write the next great American novel, the best online writing course for you will take you further than you would be able to go on your own, helping you develop professional-level skills that will allow you to obtain the job of your choice. We based our decisions for the best courses on the following criteria.

Basic Ranking Criteria

There’s no one factor that makes a writing course the best. Instead we looked at multiple aspects for each of 74 online classes and factored them all into our final ranking. In our first pass, we looked at basic ranking criteria:

Time to complete. Although it’s important to have the time you need to thoroughly understand what you’re learning, no one wants to spend more time in class than is necessary. Some of our chosen classes are self-paced, others take less than an hour to one year.

Prerequisites required. None of our finalists has any prerequisites, which means that anyone with a basic understanding of the English language can participate and learn. If you do have previous writing experience, all the better — but it’s not necessary.

Flexible schedule. All but two of our choices feature a flexible schedule. Your life is busy, and for most people it is difficult to have to sign into the course at a specific time. Eight of our chosen courses allow you to take the classes and do the work as you are able, at a time that’s convenient for you.

Certificate of completion. A certificate of completion is not standard for writing courses. However, if one is available, it is often a plus to add the certificate to your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Advanced Ranking Criteria

Once we reviewed results for the basic ranking criteria, we looked at more advanced features which are specific to the topics of the courses. Since many of our finalists have different focuses (such as children’s literature or creative writing), we were more concerned that they each covered their topic completely, rather than covering the same things as the other courses.

• The course thoroughly covers the material needed for an understanding of the topic.
• Instructors have solid credentials in the field they are teaching.
• The course includes materials that are appropriate to someone without skills or training in that area.
• The course includes opportunities for students to practice their writing skills.
• Instructors are personable and engaging.
• Alumni of the course are equipped to write at a beginning professional level.
• Graduates of the course have landed good jobs in their field.
• The course does not require software beyond a basic writing program such as Microsoft Word.
• Goals for the course are clear from the beginning.

10 Best Online Writing Courses Courses or Bootcamps

Coursera creative writing specialization by wesleyan university.

Intelligent Award: Top Pick

Coursera’s business model is somewhat different from many online education companies. It partners with established colleges and universities to offer classes at the higher-ed level. You don’t earn college credit for many courses, but can gain valuable certificates by completing specializations. The Creative Writing specialization consists of five courses that focus on three genres: short story, narrative essay, and memoir. Within those genres, you’ll learn about crafting characters and settings, writing descriptions, and developing your style, followed by a capstone class that will result in a completed story, essay or memoir. Throughout the specialization, you’ll have access to peer readers who can critique your work and suggest improvements. The course is taught by faculty at Wesleyan University who are published authors and trained in the creative writing process.

• Price: $49/month
• Time to complete: 3-6 months
• Prerequisites required: None
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of completion: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is best for writers wishing to jumpstart or fire up their creative projects with college-level coursework.

Udemy Secret Sauce of Great Writing

Intelligent Award: Most Affordable

One of the better-known names in the online education industry, Udemy offers both paid and free courses, and, as of April 2021, had more than 40 million students. As you might imagine, an undertaking that vast will have a broad range of quality among its products. One of the company’s many courses on writing, The Secret Sauce of Great Writing stands out. Taught by former Wall Street Journal editor Shani Raja, the class focuses on what Raja believes are the four ingredients of good writing: simplicity, clarity, elegance, and evocativeness. Understanding and using these four ingredients, Raja says, will take your writing from the mundane to the inspiring. And at this price — it’s free! — and with a minimal time commitment (the course runs less than an hour), it is a great way to give your writing a boost and possibly learn some techniques that can enhance your output, whether you’re writing press releases or your autobiography.

• Price: Free
• Time to complete: 41 minutes
• Includes verified certificate of completion: No

Who should take this course? Anyone looking for a short, inspirational course at no cost.

MasterClass Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing for Television

Intelligent Award: Best for Multimedia Writing

Our top pick from MasterClass is Shonda Rhimes MasterClass on writing for television, although there are a number of excellent options for writers, including courses taught by Neil Gaiman, David Sedaris, and Joyce Carol Oates. Rhimes packs a lot into her 30 lessons, including how to create a compelling character, script structure, and writing authentic dialogue. But she also takes it beyond writing instruction, discussing editing, breaking into the industry, and showrunning, among other TV-centric topics. Your annual membership to MasterClass also gives you access to a pdf workbook and the opportunity to download the classes and watch them offline. Rhimes is one of the biggest names in television today and an engaging speaker who seems to relish letting learners in on all the secrets that got her to where she is today.

• Price: $180 annual membership (access to 100+ classes)
• Time to complete: Self-paced

Who should take this course? Best for those with some script-writing experience, or anyone who wants to try their luck with the notoriously-difficult-to-break-into world of TV writing.

The Novelry Writing for Children

Intelligent Award: Best for Children’s Literature

The Novelry offers several programs for children’s writers, ranging from the Classic Course Box Set, which allows you to work through 45 lessons at your own speed for $365, up to The Book in a Year Plan, which guides you from planning, creating, and writing a children’s novel to publishing within a year (costs $1,999). The latter includes nine one-on-one sessions with a children’s fiction tutor to help you shape your creation — a valuable benefit for budding writers. An interactive platform allows you to ask questions or add comments online. Classes are 15-20 minutes in length, and the company recommends that you allow one hour a day for your writing. The platform keeps track of your progress and offers feedback as you go.

• Price: $365 to $1,999
• Time to complete. Self-paced; one year accessibility
• Prerequisites required . None
• Flexible schedule : Yes

Who should take this course? If you already have a great plan for a novel, the Book in a Year plan is ideal. If you’re still searching for an idea on which you can build a novel, try the Classic Course.

Writer’s Digest University Creative Writing 101

Intelligent Award: Best for Beginners

If you are at the very start of your writing career, you should consider checking out Writer’s Digest University. A venerable name in the writing world, Writer’s Digest has been publishing a magazine for writers since 1920, and it has the professional chops to offer solid, comprehensive courses to both beginners and experienced writers. Creative Writing 101 is geared toward those who have an idea and the urge to write, but are not sure where to begin. The classes lead you in shaping your protagonist and antagonist and fleshing out the plot of the story while addressing common writerly concerns such as determining point of view and how to motivate yourself to write. The 12 sessions are available for $579.99, which is a bit on the steep side for what you receive, but the quality of the courses is generally excellent.

• Price: $579.99
• Time to complete: 12 weeks

Who should take this course? Those who are at the beginning of their writing career without a strong sense of direction. It’s also good for established writers who would like a refresher on topics such as imagery and dialogue.

Bookfox Two Weeks to Your Best Children’s Book

Intelligent Award: Best Editorial Support

Bookfox is the brainchild of John Matthew Fox, a former college professor, editor, and writer, who well understands the ins and outs of the publishing world. His courses, which include Two Weeks to Your Best Children’s Book, are packed with information. They delve far beyond the actual writing process, and include how to generate book ideas, the revision process, and, perhaps most importantly, how to successfully publish your book. He also touches on topics including finding an illustrator and agent as well as what you should know if you decide to self-publish. Fox himself teaches each class. The self-paced children’s book class has 14 lessons, which take anywhere from two weeks up to one year. As a one-man operation, Bookfox doesn’t have the highly-polished look and feel of companies like MasterClass, but Fox’s knowledge base more than makes up for his website’s lack of bells and whistles.

• Price: $149
• Time to complete: Up to one year

Who should take this course? Anyone who wants comprehensive information on the editorial and publishing process.

CreativeLive Writing Your Story

Intelligent Award: Best for Memoir Writing

CreativeLive’s Memoir course, called “Writing Your Story,” is taught by celebrated novelist and memorist Joyce Maynard, who first came to public recognition following her account of her affair with J.D. Salinger, At Home in the World . She’s written several other books of an autobiographical nature along with 11 novels. Her teaching style is engaging and idiosyncratic, and involves numerous stories from her own life. If that piques your curiosity, you’ll find her course engaging and informative, with 26 lessons that range from 5-30 minutes long and discuss how to determine what to write, how to write it, and how to handle criticism and rejection. If you enjoy Maynard’s style of teaching, note that there are several other courses taught by her, including How to Write a Full-Length Memoir and How to Write a Personal Essay.

• Price: $11/month for pass that includes 1500+ classes; $89 if you purchase just this class
• Time to complete: Five hours, 19 minutes spread over 26 lessons

Who should take this course? A great option for anyone who wants to tell their own story.

Grammar Lion A Grammar Refresher for All Writers & Editors

Intelligent Award: Best for Grammar Review

Having a great story to tell is important, but unless you have the basic building blocks of writing, you won’t be able to tell it. This means paying attention to grammar, and it’s what the Grammar Lion Grammar Refresher course offers. Appropriate both for those who need to learn about grammar as well as accomplished writers looking for a review of basic material, the course starts out by identifying the parts of speech, reviews sentence structure, delves into verb forms, and discusses shifts in person, tense, and structure. One whole lesson is given to matters of clarity and logic, and course extras include helpful resources and a favorite books list. The instructor is Ellen Feld, an author, editor, and educator who has taught more than 44,000 students in her online grammar refresher courses. You can connect to Feld via a discussion forum or by private email. She also offers one-on-one editing services for an additional fee.

Who should take this course? Beginners who are learning grammar for the first time and experienced writers who need a refresh in the building blocks of language.

LitReactor Writing the Weird

Intelligent Award: Best Online Community

LitReactor’s courses are hip and decidedly off-center. Take, for example, the course Writing the Weird, taught by J.S. Breukelaar, a finalist for the Ladies of Horror Fiction award and author of Collision . Enrollment is limited to 16 students, who take a deep dive into surreal, fantastic, and otherwise bizarre literature to find and write the human elements that make a story stand out. The four week course is divided into four topics: humanity, structure, setting, and resolution. You’ll explore the work of writers from Kelly Link to Matt Bell, and discover how conventional narrative can be a starting point for delving into innovative and speculative fiction. Each week you’ll be given writing assignments that will be critiqued by Breukelaar and your classmates, and in the fourth and last week, you’ll develop a story from start to finish based on what you’ve learned. Depending on your job title, this class may be the least likely to get you a raise. But it just may be the most fun of all our finalists.

• Price: $350
• Time to complete: 4 weeks

Who should take this course? Anyone with a taste for the off-beat and a willingness to stretch themselves and think outside of the box.

Gotham Writers Workshop Fiction Writing Level 1

Intelligent Award: Best Supporting Materials

Gotham Writers Workshop has made a name for itself in the NYC region with in-person and Zoom classes, but it also offers well-regarded online classes. Level I classes, such as Fiction Writing I, max out with 16 students per class, so you are guaranteed personal attention from the instructor. Level II and III classes (which include the continuation of the Fiction Writing series), have a maximum of 14 students. You can access each class and do the accompanying exercises anytime during the week for the 10 week workshops. The online interface makes it easy to submit work and read critiques from instructors and fellow students. Lessons are text-based rather than video, and there is a wealth of accompanying materials, such as reading lists and podcasts, to help you extend your learning experience.

• Price: Registration fee: $25; Online: $409; Returning students: $379; One-on-one: $1,745
• Time to complete: 10 weeks
• Flexible schedule: Modified flex time, with work needing to be completed within a week

Who should take this course? Anyone who prefers text-based lessons; those who want to interact personally with their instructor and peers.

Online Course Comparison Chart

Tips for Succeeding in an Online Writing Course

1. consider the cost, how much do online writing classes cost.

Online writing courses are offered at a broad range of price points, our cheapest option is free, and the highest is nearly $2K. Generally, the more personal one-on-one time you have with an editor or your instructor, the more you’ll pay. LitReactor, for example, has a vibrant online community and regular feedback from your instructor, and costs $350 for the roughly four-week class.

Many of our choices are paid for in one lump sum when you sign up. A few, however, follow Coursera’s model of charging by the month or year. Also, keep in mind that some of our choices, such as MasterClass, give you access to all courses for the membership fee. So, if you have the time and interest, your $180 annual fee at MasterClass could net you literally dozens of courses in a range of topics.

Will my employer pay for me to take the course?

If you work in the communications industry, or in any industry that values good, clear writing skills, you may be able to have all or part of your writing course fees paid for by your employer, especially if you can show them how the course will benefit them. It’s worth asking your boss or your HR supervisor if they will help out with the cost.

2. Get your tech squared away

You shouldn’t need any special software or hardware to take an online writing course. You will need a good internet connection and a computer that is loaded with the most recent version of your chosen browser and system files. Most courses are formatted to work on both desktop computers and other devices, such as your tablet or smartphone.  One handy app if you use Google Chrome is the company’s Video Speed Controller , which allows you to speed up or slow down HTML5 video, as needed.

3. Use the right study resources

One resource that many writers swear by is a good style guide. There are several of these, and you can generally find out which style guide your company uses with a quick question to the marketing or communications department. Here are the most common:

• Associated Press Stylebook — now in its 55th edition, this is the granddaddy of them all. Used by journalists, it is also the favored choice for much web writing as well as some academia.
• The Chicago Manual of Style — a wealth of information, the 17th edition features chapters on grammar and usage, a glossary of problematic words, and extensive information on citing sources.
• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association — in its 7th edition, this style guide is used extensively by researchers and those in science and health care.

Career Outlook for Creative Writing

The skills you learn in an online creative writing class can be applied to multiple careers and offer plenty of opportunities to share your ideas and perspectives. Few people are full-time authors. But the vast majority of professions, from legal work to health care, require those who can write clearly and concisely. According to the government’s Occupational Outlook Handbook , a full-time writer earns an average of $67,120 a year — but you can earn significantly more, depending on your job skills and professional area. Below are additional jobs related to creative writing:

Authors tell stories in a written medium. They may generate their own work based on their personal interests or areas of expertise, or they may work on commission for a third party. The writing process includes brainstorming, researching, outlining, drafting, and revising. Because authors typically work on contract, their salaries vary widely. As of May 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual salary for writers and authors is $69,510 . Authors receive payment through a combination of advances, royalties , and net receipts or via a flat fee .

Screenwriter/Playwright

Screenwriters and playwrights use their creative writing talents to tell stories through performance-based mediums like TV, film, and live theater. These roles are often collaborative, with writers working as part of a team that includes directors, producers, actors, and designers. Screenwriters and playwrights must generate ideas, conduct research, outline, write, and rewrite. These jobs are often contractual, with salaries varying greatly. According to Salary.com, screenwriters earn a median annual salary of $67,501 .

Public relations specialist

Public relations specialists and publicists rely on strong written communication skills to produce press releases, articles, speeches, and more. These individuals use the narrative-crafting skills they learn in creative writing classes to tell stories for their clients, who can be organizations, brands, or products. BLS projects an 8% increase in public relations specialist jobs through 2031 and reports that the median annual wage is $62,800 .

Marketing copywriter

Marketing copywriters use their creative writing skills to describe and promote brands, products, services, and more. They write for a variety of print and digital platforms, including catalogs, commercials, social media, and more. Virtually every industry employs copywriters , including finance, retail, business consulting, and IT, making this an ideal career path for individuals with expertise in a field other than writing. The annual salary range for copywriters falls between $46,255 and $59,729 , according to Salary.com.

Blogger/Web content writer

Creative writers can use the internet to share and monetize their writing . Bloggers may be self-employed and run their own blog based on their interests or they may write for an outside company as a freelancer or salaried employee. Brainstorming, researching, writing, and editing are all common elements of a blogger’s job. They may also need to create photo or video content and promote the blog. The average salary for bloggers is $47,910 , according to Salary.com.

Educational requirements for careers in creative writing

Whether a job in the creative writing field will require a specific degree or formal training largely depends on the role or the employer. Nobody needs formal training or credentials to write a book, blog, movie script, play, etc. Individuals often teach themselves through the practice of writing. Still, formal training can be helpful if you want to familiarize yourself with storytelling techniques and principles and to learn more about the particular industry you want to join. For certain jobs, such as editor or journalist , a bachelor’s degree can open up more opportunities and increase earning potential.

Frequently Asked Questions About Writing Courses

Are there free online writing courses.

Yes. In fact, one of our ten best choices is Udemy, which offers a broad range of free courses. In general, however, the old adage about how you get what you pay for holds true — the best, most well-designed courses will usually have a cost attached to them.

How long is the average online writing course?

Online writing courses vary from less than an hour to up to a year. Since most offer a flexible schedule, you can do them when you have time available. Keep in mind that in addition to lectures you’ll be watching or reading, you may also have exercises to complete, which take additional time.

Are online writing courses worth it?

They can be. Like many things in life, you will get as much out of it as you put into it. If you are taking a course for personal enrichment, all our chosen courses should benefit you. If you’re looking for professional advancement, a course with a certificate of completion may be a good idea, so you can show the certificate to your boss when done.

What are the best online writing courses?

There are probably hundreds of online writing courses — we looked at nearly 75 for this review. The best online writing courses are the ones we’ve featured above. The best writing course for your needs will depend on what you are looking to get out of it. If you’re hoping to write a best-selling children’s book, for example, the best writing class might not be Shonda Rhimes’ MasterClass. You’d be better off choosing an option like The Novelry’s program or John Matthew Fox’s Bookfox.

Interested in a degree instead?

Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Best Online Writing Courses: 18 Top Options (2024)

Choose the best online writing classes today.

Discover the best online writing courses to help you take your career and craft to the next level.

I spent a year taking a traditional in-person writing class. We covered topics like writing short stories and personal essays. It was fun to meet other writers, but a conventional writing class involves traveling to a location at a set time each week. It’s often hard to do this with a job and family commitments.

New and experienced writers can choose from a plethora of online writing classes. You can learn a specific topic related to the craft at your own pace. No matter what you write, write books, articles, blog posts, and so on, there’s an online writing course for you.

Online writing courses provide valuable lessons for new and established writers. No matter your skill level, you can continually improve and build new skills with the help of industry experts. Some of my most valuable skills have been gained from online classes.

Using online writing courses can open up opportunities to further your career. This could include launching your online blog with articles, publishing your non-fiction or fiction book, beginning a copywriting career, or delving into journalism. Whatever your passion is, online courses are a great way to develop your skills and start your next adventure.

Learn from the world's best teachers and instructors about writing, business, creative pursuits and more. It's affordable and includes dozens of hours of high-quality lessons that you can't get anywhere else. It costs just $10 per month.

Establish Your Goals for an Online Writing Course

Set your course budget, the best online writing courses , 1. the successful writers’ club, 2. masterclass, 3. the novelry, 4. creativelive, 6. storylogue, 7. writers village university, 8. your first 10k readers, 9. self-publishing formula/ads for authors, 10. authority pub-academy, 11. brandon sanderson’s writing lectures at brigham young university, 12. accelerated program for six-figure copywriting, 13. skillshare, 14. coursera, 15. writer’s digest university, 16. bookfox, 17. grammar lion, 18. litreactor, why you can trust us, best online writing courses: the final word, do creative writing courses help, are writing-intensive courses hard, are writing courses worth it, masterclass resources.

What to Do Before Starting a Writing Course?

The first step towards  improving your writing skills  is to understand online writing classes vary widely in price, content, and theme. Before picking a class, decide what part of the writing process you want to learn more about and your budget.

Before spending money on a course, it’s a good idea to reflect on what you write, who it’s for, and your ideal learning goal. For example, a non-fiction writer probably has different creative goals than a novelist. The former may want more clients, whereas the latter may be interested in world-building. So here are several questions to ask yourself before handing over your credit card details:

• Are you a new writer looking for something to inspire you to start writing?
• Do you need help with writer’s block?
• Are you trying to hone your writing style?
• Would you like to write your first book?
• Or perhaps you want to pen and publish a personal essay?
• Do you need help with novel writing?
• Do you want to increase revenue by self-publishing your book on Amazon?
• Are you a freelance writer who wants to develop better business writing skills?
• Would you like to improve your brand storytelling skills?
• Or do you want to hone everyday writing skills, like  self-editing ?
• Do you need help launching and marketing a potential best-seller?

Online writing courses exist for all types of creative and business pursuits! These courses can help you improve several aspects of your writing skills. Some of these classes are available today, whereas others only open their doors several times a year.

Next, you must determine how much you are willing to invest in a course. For example, if you are new to online learning, you might want to try free online courses like Brandon Sanderson’s lectures for genre fiction writers.

You can check out affordable courses like Udemy or The Successful Writers’s Club. Then, once you have covered the absolute basics of the writing format through free online courses – step up to a more advanced paid class like Masterclass.

Remember, set your budget for what you can afford now and what is suited to your skill set. You can always note down interesting courses and add them to your wishlist to revisit at a later time. It is better to start small and build up to more comprehensive courses than pay for something above your skill level out of pocket.

I teach new writers how to share their stories, make an impact and get paid to write. With a plethora of experience, I share my insights into what makes a great book and how you can achieve your writing goals. By pulling from my writing, I share skills that will help you write online, get paid and make an impact. I also delve into popular topics like publishing a book, blogging and SEO for writers. The club comprises a series of mini-courses for writers and comes with a 30-day money back guarantee. 

Key Concepts:

I cover topics like

• What it takes to go from the blank page to a finished book
• Conquering writer’s block once and for all
• Editing that messy first draft like a pro!
• Getting paid as a freelance writer
• How to find readers using blogging and SEO
• Lots more… I record new mini courses regularly

Instructor(s):  Yours truly

Course Schedule:  Self-paced

Recommended for:  This course is suitable for bloggers, aspiring non-fiction authors, and freelance writers.

Pricing: It only costs $20 per month

With thousands of courses to choose from, Masterclass provides a professional platform for acclaimed experts to share their knowledge. In addition, Masterclass  offers writing classes focusing on the craft and theory of fiction and non-fiction writing. Where else will you find talented authors talking about their writing process and style in such great detail? Click here to read our detailed  Masterclass review .

Each lesson is between five and ten minutes long, and you can watch them on your mobile or desktop. They also come with downloadable materials like PDF worksheets and notes. You can also engage with other writers and students. If you’re lucky, one of the celebrity tutors may even workshop your piece!

Instructor(s):  Masterclass superstar writing tutors include: James Patterson, Malcolm Gladwell, Margaret Atwood, and David Mamet. You might want to consider Patterson’s class if you write fiction and Gladwell if you write non-fiction. In addition, students can pick from over a dozen  Masterclass courses for writers .

Course Schedule:  The course is self-paced.

Recommended for:  From fiction to creative non-fiction to script-writing – Masterclass has courses for every kind of writer, including novelists, bloggers, and aspiring authors. You’ll learn about everything from character development to getting published.

Pricing:  These classes are relatively affordable and cost approximately $100. You can access digestible materials from great writers who are usually inaccessible.

The Novelry supports writers from the twinkling of an idea to submission to their literary agency partners. In addition, the Novelry  offers online creative writing courses for the budding author keen to complete a novel. Founded by award-winning Booker-listed novelist Louise Dean, The Novelry supports writers from the twinkling of an idea to submission to their literary agency partners. I recently interviewed  Louise Dean  for my podcast, and she has a great approach that helps writers finish a draft in 90 days.

Course Schedule:  Self-paced.

Recommended for:  Fiction writers. Aspiring novelists.

CreativeLive  is an exciting alternative to Masterclass. Rather than featuring celebrity writers and authors, many of CreativeLive instructors are entrepreneurs, bloggers, and online personalities.

Having taken several of these classes, I found them more practical than Masterclass offers. However, if Masterclass provides the theory, CreativeLive provides the steps you must take to succeed at blogging or book writing.

Click here to read my detailed  CreativeLive review .

These writing classes are recorded in a live studio by instructors teaching or presenting to other writers. It’s an exciting way to learn because you can see the audience’s reactions and get ideas from their questions for the writing instructors.

Again, the materials are readily digestible. With some exceptions, the lessons are between five and 15-minutes long. The CreativeLive writing classes also include downloadable PDFs, exercises, and worksheets. You can watch the materials on your desktop or through the CreativeLive app on your mobile device.

If you’re unsure where to start, consider  Wired for Story: How to Become a Story Genius  by Lisa Cron.

Instructors:  Notable instructors include New York Times  best-selling authors  Ramit Sethi and Tim Ferriss.

Recommended for:  CreativeLive has classes for bloggers and fiction and non-fiction writers.

Pricing:  The cost varies depending on the class. Classes start from $20.

Master your craft, your passion, or something new

with creative classes taught by the world’s best.

These Udemy classes cover everything from critical concepts like basic grammar and punctuation to freelance writing, self-publishing, and blogging. Udemy is the supermarket of online learning. It also has courses on hundreds of topics other than writing. You can choose from dozens of different writing classes of varying standards. These Udemy classes cover everything from critical concepts like basic grammar and punctuation to  f reelance writing , self-publishing, and blogging.

Typically, these writing classes involve the instructor recording a video from their office, sometimes supported by a PowerPoint presentation. However, the quality of the lesson materials varies widely from class to class, so make sure you read the reviews before buying one. In addition, consider taking the Secret Sauce of Great Writing by former  Wall Street Journal  editor Shani Raja. His other course writing with flair is popular.

Instructors:  Many of the instructors on Udemy are less well-known than CreativeLive or Masterclass.

Recommended for:  Udemy is an excellent place to start if you’re new to online learning, as the classes don’t cost much, and you can buy them anytime.

Pricing:  Udemy online  writing classes are cheap to start with and often sold at a discount . The cost varies depending on the class. Classes start from $9.99.

Run by screenwriter, author, and creative instructor Robert McKee, Storylogue is one of the lesser-known online writing classes available today. It’s based on what McKee teaches in person and his excellent book Storynomics.

Robert McKee’s in-person workshops cost several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on where and when you take them. However, the online writing class Storylogue distills what McKee knows about storytelling, emphasizing screenwriting and business writing. These lessons typically involve McKee speaking straight to the camera from his office.

The materials aren’t as well-organized as those in a Masterclass or CreativeLive. I had to use the search feature to find suitable lessons. They’ve updated the user interface since I was a member. The slight emphasis on screenwriting may also deter some writers.

Instructor(s):  Robert McKee is an author, lecturer, and story consultant. He consulted on business storytelling for companies like Microsoft, Nike, Hewlett-Packard, Time Warner, and Siemens. I attended Robert McKee’s in-person business writing class several years ago in Kerry. He was an engaging and inspiring instructor. At one point, McKee became so passionate about a story that his eyes watered.

Recommended for:  This course is suitable for screenwriters,  content marketers , and anyone who wants to improve their storytelling skills.

Pricing:  You get access to all lessons for $19.97 (paid monthly) or $197 (paid annually).

Writer’s Village University is a popular online writing class and community aimed at fiction writers. The emphasis here is on the community. So consider Writer’s Village University, an online version of your local creative writing group. It’s been around since 1995, too, making it the oldest writing class in this review. I joined for two months out of curiosity, even though I don’t write much fiction.

The website contains an active forum. There are over 200 different short classes you can take at your pace. They cover topics like writing poetry, crafting thrillers,  essay writing , and more. There’s less emphasis on video learning than in other classes featured in this review. Instead, you receive a series of writing assignments via email.

You can then submit your homework assignments to your online writing tutor and other students to the workshop. I joined this website for three months before moving on. That said, it struck me as a valuable resource for fiction writers who hunger for a community.

Instructor(s):  It is a community of writers.

Course Schedule:  Click  here  for more upcoming courses.

Recommended for:  These courses are suitable for fiction writers who want the support of other writers.

Pricing:  It costs $30 for a 30-day trial. After the trial period, a one-year Writers’ Village University membership costs $99.

Try Writers’ Village University

This online writing class is aimed at fiction and non-fiction authors who want to self-publish and sell more books. The instructor is Nick Stephenson, an author from the United Kingdom. Self-publishing is an underrated pathway to becoming a successful author. Nowadays, self-publishing has become the new normal. With the influx of social media, it is possible to self-publish, self-promote, and self-market.

I took this course in 2017. It walks you through some basic and more advanced book marketing strategies that work. For example – It teaches you the process of self-publishing a short book that you offer for free. This book serves as an introduction to your series or a reader magnet. The goal of this free book is to encourage people to buy your next book.

Instructor(s):  The course is offered by British indie author Nick Stephenson, known for his thriller novels.

Course Schedule:  Stephenson only opens this course several times a year, so you’ll need to join his email list first.

Recommended for:  This course suits authors who want to earn money from self-publishing books.

Pricing:  This course, in its entirety, costs around $595. However, you can sign up for a free training session.

Both of these courses are taught by bestselling author Mark Dawson, a noted indie author from the United Kingdom. He’s also an expert in book marketing through paid advertising.

Self Publishing Formula  teaches the basics of writing, publishing, and promoting a book on Amazon and other stores. Dawson’s second course,  Ads for Authors , will help you sell more copies of your book. He explains how to use various ads to sell your books, including Facebook, YouTube, and Amazon ads. In 2016 and early 2017, I struggled to earn a profit from selling my books on Amazon. But, thanks to Dawson’s second course, I learned how to run profitable Amazon ads, making me an excellent monthly return on my books.

Instructor(s):  Mark Dawson is a British thriller author. He has reportedly  earned $450,000 a year  by publishing books on Amazon!

Course Schedule:  Dawson only opens the doors to his courses a few times a year, so join his email list first.

Recommended for:  This course is suitable for aspiring indie authors or established authors who want to increase their profits.

Pricing:  This course, in its entirety, costs around $497.

Authority Pub-Academy  is an online learning class run by noted indie authors and entrepreneurs Steve Barrie and Barrie Davenport over at  Authority Pub .

I haven’t taken this writing class, but many other indie authors recommend it. I have browsed the curriculum, and it’s similar to what Bolt, Dawson, and Stephenson teach. In other words, this course walks you through the basics of writing and self-publishing a book that sells. The course contains six lessons, with multiple lessons in each one. Some lessons include:

• The Current State of Self-Publishing
• How to Research and Pick A Winning Niche
• How to Create A Bestselling Topic
• Ten-Day Free Book Launch Strategy
• How to Create a Facebook Ad For Your Books

This writing course has been around for nearly ten years, which is encouraging. I will update this online writing course review when I take it.

Instructor(s):  Steve Barrie and Barrie Davenport have published nearly 100 books.

Recommended for:  It’s suitable for aspiring writers who want to learn about self-publishing.

Pricing:  The course, in its entirety, costs around $797.

In 2016, Brandon Sanderson recorded a course focused on writing fantasy books. Then, he uploaded these classes and published them as a  YouTube playlist . Now, you can take Sanderson’s curriculum online in the same sequence as his students.

I don’t write fantasy stories (at least, not anymore), but I watched nearly a dozen of Sanderson’s writing classes. I was fascinated to hear him describe his world-building techniques and genre fiction writing.

Some of the classes are hard to follow because of background noise. Also, the classes were typically between 30 and 60 minutes long, and it took me a long time to go through them. Still, Sanderson’s classes are free and an excellent introduction to learning online for aspiring fiction authors.

Instructor(s):  Brandon Sanderson is a famous American fiction author specializing in fantasy. Notable works of his include the Mistborn series and his conclusion to the Wheel of Time series.

Course Schedule:  You can watch all of his videos at your leisure.

Recommended for:  These lectures are a great introduction to online writing courses. It is suitable for fiction writers (specifically fantasy).

Pricing:  You can watch all of his lectures for free!

Copywriting is a specialism for non-fiction writers that involves writing words that sell. In the past, I’ve taken several types of copywriting classes and enjoyed reading many books about this art. Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting is the most popular online writing class for copywriters. Many noted online writers recommend it.

I haven’t taken this online writing class yet, but it’s on my list. I will update this writing class review with more information when I complete this class.

Instructor(s):  American Writers & Artists, various copywriters

Recommended for:  Suitable for bloggers, freelance writers, and copywriters who want to improve business writing skills.

Pricing:  The course in its entirety costs $497.

Students can take a class on almost anything by participating in nearly 30,000 classes. You can watch unlimited lessons while your subscription lasts, but when it expires, you lose access. With unlimited access, this course is brilliant if you want to scale up your skillset in multiple ways. Read our  Skillshare review

Key Concepts: Writing, coding, graphic design

Instructors : Varies

Recommended for:  This course is suitable for bloggers, freelance writers, and creative entrepreneurs.

Pricing : Free trial available

Explore your creativity with classes in illustration, photography, design, content writing and more.

By partnering with established colleges and universities, you can gain access to valuable certificates by completing specializations.

Key Concepts: The Creative Writing specialization contains multiple courses you can participate in, including short stories, narrative essays, and memoirs. Coursera is a fantastic option for writers seeking official qualifications and certificates and learning from industry leaders.

Instructors: Coursera’s Creative Writing course includes Brando Skyhors (Visiting Assistant professor of Creative Writing), Amy Bloom (Distinguished University Writer in Residence and Director of the Shapiro Centre for Creative writing, Amity Gaige (Visiting Scholar in Creative Writing), and Salvator Scibons (Frank B. Weeks Visiting Professor of English).

Course Schedule : This course is self-paced and lasts 3-6 months.

Recommended for: Those who want to get a headstart on their writing career or to achieve college-level coursework and qualifications

Pricing: $49 per month

Writer’s Digest University provides a creative writing crash course for those beginning their writing career. With a fantastic reputation of being an established magazine since 1920, you can get the best start to begin your first exciting writing project.

Key Concepts: The class teaches common concerns, such as deciding on the point of view and beating writer’s block.

Instructors: Ran Walker, winner of the 2019 National Undie Author of the Year Award.

Course Schedule: This is a 12-week course

Recommended for: Those who are ready to take the next to begin their writing career.

Pricing: $579.99

Bookfox is created by John Matthew Fox, a former college professor, editor, and writer. His course is packed with helpful information for writers looking to create an excellent children’s book. This course has 14 lessons, which take as long as you want as it is self-paced.

Key Concepts: 

The content provides you with everything you need to know to write and publish your book. This includes writing, proofreading, editing, finding an illustrator and agent, and getting your book on the shelves! It’s a must-have course for serious writers.

Instructor:  John Matthew Fox

Course Schedule:  This course is self-paced

Recommended for:  Children’s book writers

Pricing:   $149

This Grammar Lion course is perfect for those looking to upgrade their grammar skills or learn the art of proofreading and copyediting. The course material involves:

• Identifying parts of speech.
• Reviewing sentence structure.
• Discovering different verb forms.
• Learning about the different tenses.

This course allows one-on-one discussions with the lecturer to learn new skills. As well as this, you have access to 12 comprehensive lessons, each delving into a different topic that will improve your grammar.

Instructor:  Ellen Field

Course Schedule:  This course is self-paced and lasts 12 weeks.

Recommended for:  Beginners looking to elevate their grammar schools

Pricing:  $67

With interesting elements weaved into the coursework, this writing experience is like no other. For example, the course “Writing the Weird” features assignments that look at surreal and bizarre literature to find and examine the writing within these novels that makes them stand out.

Key Concepts: This course examines humanity, structure, setting, and resolution within a story’s plot.

Instructor: J.S. Breukelaar (finalist for the Ladies of Horror Fiction Award).

Course Schedule: 4-week schedule that you can work through at your leisure.

Recommended for: Writers within niche genres.

Price : $350

I’ve written and published dozens of articles for newspapers, magazines, and online publications, including Forbes and Lifehacker. I’m also a best-selling non-fiction author, a trained journalist, and a copywriter.

I’ve spent thousands of dollars taking writing courses in college and online. I consider writing courses a crucial part of my development as a writer. I also sometimes commission other writers to review these courses to get another point of view.

What other online writing classes would you like me to feature in this review? How do you plan to develop your English writing skills? Please let me know in the comments section below.

Please note the cost of some of these writing classes varies depending on when they are launched.

FAQs on The Best Online Writing Courses

Creative writing courses help if you complete the course and also write and share your short stories or pieces. In addition, it helps if you can take a course alongside other students and an experienced teacher.

If you haven’t written much before, they can be a challenge as you’ll have to cultivate a regular writing habit and adapt to getting feedback from other writers, even if it’s negative.

They are if you pick a course from a reputable instructor that solves a particular problem. For example, I took a book marketing course that doubled my book sales and earnings over time.

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Creative Writing Courses and Certifications

Learn Creative Writing, earn certificates with paid and free online courses from Harvard, Stanford, University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins and other top universities around the world. Read reviews to decide if a class is right for you.

• Fiction Writing Courses
• Poetry Courses
• Storytelling Courses
• Literary Analysis Courses
• Publishing Courses
• Screenwriting Courses
• Character Development Courses
• Journaling Courses

Class Central's Top Creative Writing Courses

We've picked the best online courses to learn Creative Writing from the Class Central catalog.

Some courses are concise and get you up to speed in no time, others will be more comprehensive.

Creative Writing

Creative writing: the craft of plot, neil gaiman teaches the art of storytelling, complete creative writing - all genres - the full course, creative writing for all: a 10-day journaling challenge, relato corto de ficción: escribe desde tu experiencia personal, write your book: start strong and get it done, writing: the craft of story, creative writing: crafting personal essays with impact, start writing fiction.

• Show all 10 courses

All Creative Writing Courses

• With certificate (183)
• Free course (213)
• With free certificate (9)
• University course only (53)
• Beginner (260)
• Intermediate (7)
• Advanced (4)
• < 30 mins (100)
• 30 - 60 mins (85)
• 1 - 2 hours (112)
• 2 - 5 hours (106)
• 5 - 10 hours (38)
• 10+ hours (42)
• English (394)
• Bengali (1)
• Chinese (2)
• German (12)
• Italian (4)
• Japanese (1)
• Portuguese (13)
• Romanian (1)
• Spanish (68)
• Turkish (3)

Discover the art of crafting compelling plots, from structure and scene-building to character development and revision techniques. Enhance your storytelling skills and bring your narratives to life.

• 5 hours 50 minutes
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Creative Writing: The Craft of Setting and Description

In this course aspiring writers will be introduced to the techniques that masters of fiction use to ground a story in a concrete world. From the most realist settings to the most fantastical, writers will learn how to describe the physical world in shar…

• 7 hours 25 minutes

Creative Writing: The Craft of Character

At the center of a good story are the characters in it. In this course aspiring writers will discover how to build and bring to life complex, vivid and unforgettable characters.

• 6 hours 23 minutes

Creative Writing: The Craft of Style

Enhance your writing style through metaphor, imagery, and word choice. Learn revision techniques to create compelling stories and polished prose.

• 7 hours 44 minutes

I'm Brandon Sanderson, and I write stories of the fantastic: fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers. Learn about plot, wordbuilding, short stories, character, and publishing.

• Free Online Course

Develop your storytelling skills across short story, narrative essay, and memoir genres. Master techniques for plot, character, setting, and style through analysis and peer evaluation. Create a substantial original piece in your chosen genre.

• 26 weeks, 1 hour a week
• Paid Course

Learn to write engaging Fiction, Poetry, Drama, & Creative Non-Fiction and become the successful writer you want to be

• 12 hours 8 minutes

Writing a Book: Creative Writing Skills for Beginners

Writing a Book: Creative writing skills: Novel/Nonfiction book writing: Punctuation: Outlining: Fantasy world building

• 1 day 6 hours 2 minutes

Develop Blockbuster Story Ideas that Sell! (Writing Mastery)

Proven methods to unleash your creativity and brainstorm bestselling, high concept book and movie ideas

Creative Writing: how to write a novel. The full course.

A full creative writing course: create engaging characters, use a 3 act narrative structure and write smart dialogues.

Creative Writing Bootcamp: Start a Brand New Story

Energetic bootcamp with best-selling author Myla Goldberg. Five engaging exercises to generate story ideas, develop characters, craft dialogue, and create vivid settings. Ideal for writers seeking inspiration and new approaches.

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Creative Writing Project: Brainstorm Your Story

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The 10 Best Online Creative Writing Courses (2023 Rankings)

Published on: 03/22/2023

By Fatima Mansoor

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With the best online creative writing courses, you can learn the techniques and skills you need to become a better writer.

Do you feel like your writing has hit a plateau?

Are you struggling to convey your ideas and bring your stories to life?

Are you tired of staring at a blank page?

It is normal for writers to feel stuck, discouraged, and doubt their writing skills.

In the past, the solution was to enroll in a creative writing class at your local college or join a writing group. But these options are often either expensive, time-consuming, or inconvenient — or all of the above.

These days, though, there are lots of great creative writing courses online that let you learn from some of the world’s top experts all from the comfort of your own home.

You can learn how to write compelling stories, craft convincing dialogue, create vivid characters, understand structure and pacing, and much more, while enjoying the flexibility, convenience, and affordability of online learning.

Whether you’re looking to become the next bestselling author or you just want to write for fun, these courses will give you the tools you need to take your writing to the next level.

We’ve reviewed and ranked the best online creative writing courses based on a number of key criteria, including content, instructor credentials and experience, price, student reviews, and more.

This guide is fully updated for 2023 to include the best current course options so you can make an informed decision for investing in your writing passion.

Disclosure:  Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost for you, we might get a commission if you click the link and purchase.

How We Chose the Best Online Courses for Creative Writing

With hundreds of online creative writing classes out there, we wanted to help people like you find the ones that are truly the best of the best.

We reviewed dozens of creative writing courses online, and ranked them based on the following criteria:

• Curriculum quality– We carefully reviewed the curriculum of each course to make sure it was up-to-date and comprehensive.
• Instructor reputation– We checked the background and reviews of the instructor to gauge whether or not they had the experience and expertise needed to teach a great creative writing course.
• Student reviews– In addition to forming our own opinions of these courses, we also looked carefully at the reviews and ratings left by other students to get a feel for what others had to say.
• Value– Finally, we compared the cost of each course to the quality of instruction to determine which ones had the best value for what was being offered.

After going through this in-depth process, we came up with a list of what we believe are the 10 very best online creative writing courses available today.

What are the Best Online Creative Writing Classes?

Here are our picks for the top creative writing courses online in 2023…

1. Creative Writing Bootcamp: Start a Brand New Story (Skillshare)

Skillshare offers a One-Month Free Trial . After that, a Skillshare subscription is around $165 per year for unlimited access to all courses. See our Skillshare review  for more info.

14 video lessons, 1 hour

This course is designed to help aspiring authors of all skill levels launch their creative writing careers. Myla Goldberg, a renowned author, teaches this course, covering everything from character and plot development to dialogue writing.

Students will participate in various interactive activities and writing prompts throughout the course to evaluate their current performance and navigate their way upwards. Each lesson builds on the previous one, guiding students through creating a completely new story from start to finish, from idea generation to writing captivating opening lines.

Students can take advantage of Myla’s guidance on overcoming writer’s block, her insights into the publishing industry, and how to get their work noticed by agents and publishers.

2. Creative Writing: Crafting Personal Essays with Impact (Skillshare)

Skillshare offers a One-Month Free Trial . After that, a Skillshare subscription is around $165 per year for unlimited access to all courses.

11 video lessons, 1+ hours

This course by Roxane Gray gives you the tools to tell your story with impact. It will help you craft compelling personal essays whether you’re looking for an introduction to essay writing or an experienced writer needing a refresher course.

You’ll learn how to brainstorm essay topics, structure your essays for maximum impact, and revise your work so it’s polished.

The course also emphasizes the importance of storytelling and using specific, vivid details to bring essays to life. It will give you useful strategies for engaging your target audience and making a lasting impression, whether you write for personal or professional reasons.

Overall this course comprises a step-by-step process for writing a personal essay that captures your unique personality. You’ll also develop the skills and self-assurance you need to keep writing and hone your craft.

3. The Creative Writer’s Toolkit: Writing a Character Study (Skillshare)

5 video lessons, about 30 minutes

If you’re looking for rigorous training related to character development, this course will be the right fit for you! It is taught by a famous Wattpad writer, Lindsey Summers, who provides a detailed guide in translating vague ideas into interesting characters.

Over the course of 5 insightful video lessons, Lindsey will discuss the core aspects of character development, such as using an archetype in the right context and using character flaws to drive the story.

Whether a novice or an aspiring author, you can sign up for this course to study character creation and upskill yourself to use unique approaches in different scenarios.

4. Teaching Writing For Television (Masterclass)

Plans starting at $15/month billed annually

30 video lessons, about 6.5 hours

Shonda Rhimes’ Masterclass course on writing pilot scripts is another empowering and informative course.

Rhimes has been working in television for over 20 years and has created some of the most popular shows on TV today, including How to Get Away With Murder, The Catch, Grey’s Anatomy, etc. Her experience working with writers of various genres qualifies her to teach you how to write a catchy pilot script.

The course covers everything from developing your idea into a pitch to writing your first draft.

Rhimes walks you through each step of the process, providing clear instructions and examples from her own experiences and those of other writers with whom she has collaborated over the years. All these real-life examples give you a good head start, shed light on common pitfalls, and accelerate your growth as compared to learning on your own. She also gives you time estimates for each section of your script so you can plan accordingly.

This course is ideal for anyone interested in learning more about writing television shows but is intimidated by the process or lacks access to an experienced professional who can provide feedback on their work.

5. Creative Non-Fiction Writing – You Can’t Make This Stuff Up! (Udemy)

Regularly priced at $19.99

27 lessons, 1 hour and 50 minutes

If you’re a writer who’s fond of writing biographies, history, and philosophy, this course will make you a pro at the non-fiction genre. Led by the mastermind of the non-fiction genre, Trace Crawford, this course will teach you the primary concepts of creative non-fiction writing.

You will learn to develop story plots, use literary devices to make content more impactful, and structure a narrative. Trace believes comprehending practical aspects of the non-fiction genre makes you an outstanding writer. Topics such as primary and secondary research and navigating ethical concerns when writing about people and events are all crucial to convey your work to the target audience.

Apart from the core concepts, this course includes skills such as pitching, submitting work to publishers, and using the right medium to create your brand in the market.

In essence, this course is an excellent opportunity to learn non-fiction writing, whether you want to pursue it as a side hustle or a profession.

6. Secret Sauce of Great Writing (Udemy)

Do you feel like your mediocre writing is holding you back? Look no further than the “Secret Sauce of Great Writing” course on Udemy by former Wall Street Journal editor Shani Raja!

Shani teaches you the insider secrets to great writing that only a seasoned professional could know. He discusses the four main ingredients of great writing: simplicity, clarity, elegance, and evocativeness. With his years of experience in the industry, Shani knows exactly what it takes to write content that hooks your readers.

You’ll also get the chance to brush up on some basics, such as sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, style, tone, and storytelling. With Shani’s guidance, you’ll become a pro at writing informational and commercial content.

7. Creative Writing Specialization (Coursera)

Included with 7,000+ other courses with Coursera Plus subscription ($59/mo).  Try Coursera Plus free for 7 days.

About 10.5 hours of video lessons

Are you a budding writer yearning for a community that values the art of creative writing and supports your journey of self-expression? This Creative Writing Specialization on Coursera is the perfect course for you.

You will learn different forms of creative writing, such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and screenwriting. What makes this program unique is the exceptional instructors who are experts in their fields and passionate writers.

The program’s peer review process enables participants to share their work with other writers and get regular feedback. Such interactive lessons foster a sense of belonging and the opportunity to grow no matter your proficiency level.

You’ll also learn how to create engaging stories that capture readers’ attention, write poetry, develop characters, develop intriguing dialogues, and write descriptive settings that readers can relate to.

The program’s main learning outcomes include gaining a deep understanding of the different genres of creative writing and developing the necessary skills to write effectively within each genre.

You’ll also learn practical tips on how to get published and build your portfolio.

Overall, this specialization on Coursera is more than just an online course; it’s a community of writers who understand the struggles and joys of creative expression.

Students have the option to audit the course for free. However, you’ll have to pay a fee if you want a certificate upon completing the class.

8. Writing Your Story (CreativeLive)

Plans starting around $13 per month

26 video lessons, 5+ hours

Another area of non-fiction writing is memoirs. Many people are willing to write about their personal experiences and memorable moments. This is where Joyce Maynard comes in and sheds light on the skills needed to write a profound memoir.

The primary motive of this course is to discuss the outline of memoirs and the right methodology to inculcate drama, relevance, and authenticity. Joyce teaches how to organize your writing and use sensory devices to make your memoirs engaging.

Overall, this course gives you all the knowledge needed to pen down your personal perspective. You’ll be able to write a memoir that strikes a chord with the audience and leaves a lasting impression.

9. Grammar Lion: A Grammar Refresher (Grammar Lion)

100+ lessons

Essentially, this course covers the fundamental English grammar lessons to enable budding writers to polish their language and avoid frequent mistakes. After all, a competent writer must be proficient in grammar.

Students will learn parts of speech, sentence structure, and punctuation. They will also learn how to compose sentences and paragraphs and rectify common grammar mistakes.

Apart from grammar, you will also improve your analytical and critical thinking abilities via various case studies, which can be useful in both academic and professional situations.

This is the perfect course for anyone wishing to enhance their communication and writing skills in general.

Overall, these lessons will provide the foundation necessary to write with clarity, precision, and assurance.

10. Creative Writing: How to Start a Writing Habit (Skillshare)

Skillshare offers a One-Month Free Trial . After that, the  Skillshare price is around $165 per year for unlimited access to all courses.

7 video lessons, about 11 minutes

Becoming a proficient, creative writer requires effort, determination, and guidance. If you are just getting on the bandwagon and looking for a well-defined roadmap, this course on Skillshare will be a worthwhile investment.

A renowned writing coach, Whitney Strong, offers actionable advice to help you hone your creative thinking skills and gives you direction to develop a writing habit.

Strong encourages students to maintain a notebook from the beginning of the course. In this way, one can establish a writing routine that fits their lifestyle and goals and learn techniques for writing down impactful ideas.

The abundance of practical advice by Strong makes this course stand out. She does not only focus on the methodology of writing engaging stories or dialogues but also emphasizes conceptual learning.

She discusses abstract concepts and provides students with specific writing exercises and prompts to help them overcome common writing obstacles and develop their writing voice. Whitney also shares her writing experiences, providing insights into the creative process and the challenges that all writers face.

The course is appropriate for writers of all levels, from novices looking to improve their skills to seasoned writers looking to establish a writing practice.

A Final Word on the Best Online Creative Writing Courses

With so many great online creative writing classes, it’s easier than ever to study from acclaimed authors, receive insightful comments, and interact with a community of professional writers who share your interests.

Remember, most of these course providers offer free trial periods, giving you a great chance to check out classes at no cost to see which ones you like best.

Have any questions about our guide to the best online creative writing courses? Leave a comment below to let us help.

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Home / Book Writing / 16 Best Online Courses for Writers in 2024 [Free & Paid]

16 Best Online Courses for Writers in 2024 [Free & Paid]

Table of contents.

• Best Overall Online Writing Courses: MasterClass
• Best Course to Help Finish Your Book: The 100-Day Book Program
• Best Writing Course for Beginners: Writing With Flair
• Best Course for Children's Book Writers: Children's Book University
• Best Course for Amazon Self-Publishers: AMS Ads for Books
• Best Online Memoir Writing Course: Memoirama
• Best Course for Indie Publishers: WCU's Publishing MA Program
• Best Online Course for Bloggers: Freedom Machine
• Best Course for Sci-Fi Writers: Writers of the Future Online Workshop
• Best Course For Writing a Novel Step-by-Step: A Fearless Way to Write Novels
• Best Free Online Writing Courses of 2023

What is the best online course for writers in 2024? In this article, I’ll cover the highest-quality online classes that are free…and not so free. How can I improve my writing skills online? You can improve your writing skills using online classes that push your creative writing, business writing, and academic writing skills to their maximum potential.

A writer needs to keep improving his or her craft. Online writing courses aren't just for amateurs or writing hobbyists; they're for all writers. However, all online writing courses are not created equal. Some courses available are a waste of money, while others are the best money can buy. (Some of the best courses are free .) When looking at the prices, try not to think how steep the cost is. Think of the money you will make if you take the course. Think of how much it would cost to earn an MFA for a specialization in creative writing. These are (often tax-deductible) investments in your career. I've devised a comprehensive list of my favorite online writing courses in 2024, including their cost and what type of course they are. This way, you'll know exactly what you're getting into when you enroll.

• Best general online writing courses
• How much each course costs
• Best genre courses for writing sci-fi, children’s books , memoirs
• What free , high-quality courses Kindlepreneur offers
• Best free online classes (in case you're on a tight budget)

Links in this article may give me a small commission if you use them to purchase products. There’s NO extra cost to you, and it helps me continue to write handy articles like this one. This does not detract from the quality of the courses; there's a reason I affiliate myself with them. It's because they're awesome!

If you’re specifically interested in self-publishing courses, check out my article on the Best Self Publishing Courses .

MasterClass is a massive archive of online courses providing training in specific subjects by titans of that particular industry. MasterClass features the biggest names in writing, such as Neil Gaiman, Joyce Carol Oates, and Dan Brown. What course should I take to become a writer? MasterClass is the best use of your money as an online course to become a writer . Learn from the best. MasterClass courses are the best overall online writing courses because bestselling authors teach them. Plus, your monthly subscription fee gives you access to all of the fantastic MasterClass courses. The courses are self-paced, comprehensive, insightful, geared toward an “intermediate and above” student, and undeniably invaluable. How much does MasterClass cost? MasterClass costs $180/year ($15/month, billed annually). You can also pay $90 for a single class. They seldom offer discounts or coupon codes. MasterClasses features big-name authors, such as:

• Malcolm Gladwell
• Joyce Carol Oates
• James Patterson
• Neil Gaiman
• Margaret Atwood
• David Sedaris
• Shonda Rhimes
• Aaron Sorkin (for screenwriting)

Which writing MasterClass is the best? I recommend Malcolm Gladwell’s writing MasterClass. It is the best course for finding the story you need to convey, instead of just telling the reader what to believe. Bonus: If you sign up for MasterClass, you not only gain access to incredible online writing courses, you can listen to all the MasterClass courses, like Gordon Ramsay talking about cooking, RuPaul talking about self-expression, and Hans Zimmer talking about film scoring. Check out my in-depth MasterClass review for more details.

The 100-Day Book Program by The Write Practice gives you a proven process to actually finish your books. Starting a book isn't all that tough. But finishing one — that's a different story. How many unfinished manuscripts are tucked away in desks and forgotten file folders? Although it’s easy to get distracted and difficult to get motivated, the 100-Day Book Program helps you stay on task and gives you the resources you need to finish that book. How much does the 100-Day Book Program cost?

• $49/month for 12 months, OR
• $490 as a one-time payment

It’s worth noting that you get a $100 incentive if you meet all your deadlines and finish your book by the end of the course, which (in 2023) runs from May to September. Utilizing over 100 daily lessons (video, audio, and written lessons), this course covers everything you'll need when putting together your story, including:

• How to structure your novel or non-fiction book
• Character development
• World-building
• Point of view
• Tone and voice
• Editing and revising

It's not just a technical course; it's also highly motivating. The Write Practice teaches you how to keep writing when writing gets hard, how to beat writer's block, and how to manage your time. If you've ever found yourself struggling to finish your book, you should try this course.

Writing With Flair: How to Become an Exceptional Writer is a perfect course for writers of all skill levels, but it's especially beginner-friendly. This course is taught by an ex-Wall Street Journal editor with one goal in mind: how to write with style, confidence, and impact. Over 240,000 students have enrolled in this course on Udemy by Shani Raja. He teaches you how to master 4 basic principles of writing:

• Evocativeness

How much does Shani Raja’s Writing With Flair cost? This writing course costs $94.99, but Udemy often offers discounts, as you see in the screenshot above. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee. Buying the course gains you lifetime access to the 7 hours of on-demand video training. His basics form what he calls his “secret sauce” of writing. As stated above, this course is for writers of all types and skill levels. Even those learning to write English as a second language can form great writing habits with this course. This isn't the only writing course on Udemy. Check out my in-depth Udemy review for more course info.

Learn Amazon Ads for Free

Check out my full free video course that will teach you how to make effective Ads to increase your book sales

Children’s Book University by award-winning, bestselling author Eevi Jones takes a welcoming, comprehensive, and shrewd look at the children’s book self-publishing world. Not only does Jones guide you through the writing process for a children’s story, she even helps with the business side of things. I love reading with my kids, and that's only possible because of dedicated children's book authors like Eevi Jones. Writing a kid's book is more complicated than you would think. Often, books for kids are full of vibrant illustrations, creative fonts, and simple yet gripping storylines. Now imagine getting all of that ready to publish. It's a lot of work. There's a good chance beginners will get lost. That's why Jones’s course is so valuable. She carefully breaks down her process for you from start to finish. It's a critical resource for aspiring children's book writers. As an added bonus, you can go through her online writing classes at your own pace. According to Jones:

“I have interviewed more than 100 aspiring children’s book authors to ensure that this program covers and addresses every single burning question you may have.”

How much does Children’s Book University cost? This course costs $497, as long as you use Kindlepreneur’s link to enroll. This gains you immediate lifetime access. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee. Typically, Children’s Book University costs $997 — and it's worth every single penny. However, Eevi has given Kindlepreneur an amazing 50% discount on her program! This is a special deal that you can only get here. If you're looking to take your children's book writing to the next level, now's your best chance. Be sure to read Eevi Jones’s guest post on How To Write a Children’s Book , here on Kindlepreneur.

AMS Ads For Books is Kindlepreneur’s free course on how to sell more books with Amazon ads . (AMS stands for Amazon Marketing Services.) This robust course is free , on-demand, and easy to follow. Are you a writer wanting to sell more books on Amazon? Enroll today! Now, I'm not looking to boast here, but I honestly believe that my AMS Ads course is an absolute must if you plan to run ads on Amazon. AMS ads aren't very user-friendly. While they have the potential to send your book sales into the atmosphere, they can also eat up your advertising budget while you get them figured out. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't use them. You just need to learn how to set up your ads, manage your campaigns, and make necessary adjustments. How much do Kindlepreneur’s courses for authors cost?

• Kindlepreneur’s AMS Ads for Books course is free .
• Kindlepreneur’s MailerLite for Authors Email course is free.
• Kindlepreneur’s Mastering Keywords and Categories costs $49.99.

There’s no credit card required for either of the free courses and no hidden fees, ever. Check out my in-depth look at Amazon Ads for Authors if you’re still considering whether to take this free course. AMS campaigns aren't just set-it-and-forget-it. In my free course, I show you how using Publisher Rocket can help you construct your book’s best possible ad campaign. If you're looking to create an AMS ad campaign or even self-publish on Amazon, I highly recommend you head over and check out my course.

Memoirama is the brainchild of Marion Roach Smith — an author featured in The New York Times and on NPR and a professional memoir coach. Smith's approach to teaching memoirs has been likened to a precise mathematical formula. She literally teaches you her writing algorithm. Writing a memoir might seem like an easy undertaking at first. You lived through the facts. It can't be that difficult to write them down. Right? Wrong. Navigating these life events can be overwhelming, confusing, and difficult to fully explain to a reader. That’s where Marion Roach Smith comes in to ease your mind, guide you through the process, and equip you with the necessary tools to write a memoir. Unlike other click-through courses, Marion teaches her course live. Seats for her class are limited to 30 people. That way, everybody gets to ask questions at the end. How much does Memoirama cost? Memoirama costs $59. It is taught live mostly on Fridays, with a few Tuesdays thrown in for good measure. This is the first of a 4-part series for learning how to write memoirs. It's highly recommended that you take the courses to get the maximum effect. These courses are broken down into easily digestible parts — with the first only 90 minutes long. Whether you're a beginner to memoirs, need a refresher, or looking to have some fun learning, this course is the one for you.

Western Colorado University’s Publishing MA Program is one of the only comprehensive master’s degree programs in the US that offers hands-on experience in the publishing industry, (mostly) from the comfort of your own home. Let me preface this course by stating that it is not entirely held online. You get to spend two weeks in the gorgeous Colorado mountains for summer orientation. After that, you can complete the rest of the course online. Or in the picturesque Rockies, if you decide to move there — your call. Seriously, this is the best course for indie publishers available today. For the first 2 in-residence weeks, you'll go through an intensive training regimen on the basics of publishing. Once that's done, you'll be put to work. Literally. You'll work for a small commercial publishing company, getting paid pro rates to:

• Develop a concept for an anthology
• Solicit submissions
• Read the slush pile and choose what gets published
• Issue contracts
• Edit the piece
• Design and produce the book and book cover
• Publish the book
• Market the book

How much is WCU’s tuition? WCU’s tuition for graduate students is $17,371/year. Like most master’s degree programs, WCU’s Publishing MA Program is a 2-year program. Of course, you may qualify for student aid. Also, great news for any of you Sci-Fi guys and gals out there looking to take this course — it's taught by Kevin J Anderson, a legend in the Science Fiction genre with over 56 national and international bestsellers. This includes his work on Dune , the Star Wars canon, the Seven Suns series, and so much more. Anderson’s personal publishing company, WordFire Press, has released over 350 titles from 95 different authors.

Freedom Machine is a great tool for bloggers who want to make a living by guest posting . If I had to pick just one online course for bloggers, it's this one. Created by one of the world's best bloggers, Jon Morrow, this course is the real deal. I make all of my new hires take this course as part of their on-boarding process. This course covers blogging from start to finish — from how to choose the right opening line to pitching a guest post idea. Morrow really drives home some extraordinary fundamentals of blog writing and guest posting. He also provides you with his “little black book” of websites for guest posting, sites that meet his criteria as great places to guest post. At the end of the course, you get a certificate of completion that carries some weight as a blogging qualification. Morrow makes it abundantly clear that if you don’t put the time and effort into his course, you won't go anywhere with it. You need to buckle down and get motivated, as well as do your daily assignments and homework. This is not a course for quitters or those looking to breeze through nonchalantly. How much does Freedom Machine cost?

• $99.45/month for 12 months, OR
• $999/one-time payment

Freedom Machine’s content and resources are valued at $10,000. For all the value it provides, the company even offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Free MailerLite Video Course

Learn how to setup and use your MailerLite account effectively to help sell more books.

Writers of the Future Online Workshop is an amazing course if you're a science-fiction writer or looking to become one. Mind you, this is an intermediate course, not necessarily for writers who are just starting out. How much Writers of the Future Online Workshop cost? This course is completely free. The course is 11 lessons long with 13 videos chock full of priceless information. You also gain access to personal essays from the workshop founder, L. Ron Hubbard. This online writing workshop features 3 top-notch teachers:

• Orson Scott Card
• David Farland

If you're a sci-fi fan, you've heard of at least one of those names, if not all 3. They're legends in the sci-fi community. This is like the ultimate masterclass for science fiction. One of the coolest parts of this course is its associated contest. The Writers of the Future contest is open to beginning writers only — meaning you can't have published more than 3 short stories or any novels or novellas. By the end of the course, you'll have already written your submission. And since this course is free (along with the contest entry), you may actually win $5,000 just by learning and participating.

A Fearless Way to Write Novels is taught by award-winning, 7-time New York Times bestselling author Alessandra Torre. She uses her experience to teach simple, step-by-step methods to write a great novel. Novel writing is a lot more than simply throwing a story on paper. There’s social media, equipment, software, idea generation, outlining, writing scenes, cliffhangers, copyrights, book blurbs, book descriptions, etc. It can get overwhelming if you don’t have an experienced guide. What I love about Torre’s course is the breadth of topics she covers. From generating story ideas to perfectly typing up a book’s conclusion, this course covers it all with over 75 video lessons. Besides step-by-step lessons, there are also practical writing assignments and bonus content interviews with other bestselling authors. Course lessons include:

• Finding Your Story
• Developing Your Idea
• How to Actually Write
• Your First Chapter
• Rewrites and Final Steps

How much does A Fearless Way to Write Novels cost? This course costs $297, or 3 monthly payments of $100. You gain immediate, unlimited, lifetime access, including future updates, at no extra charge. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Sometimes the best things in life are free. When it comes to the best online writing courses, free does not have to mean bad. Here are a few free online writing courses you can consider:

• Coursera : Founded by Stanford professors, Coursera offers many free creative writing classes, such as creative nonfiction, on top of many other subjects. These free video lectures and online assignments are on-demand at your leisure. Just search “free writing” at the link.
• The Crafty Writer's Creative Writing Course : This course is for anyone interested in creative writing. Discover your personal writing style and how you can use it to build vivid worlds . This course even touches on the basics of publishing and marketing.
• Brandon Sanderson’s lectures : Much revered in the writing community , Brandon Sanderson has made some of his lectures free-to-view on YouTube . They cover sci-fi writing, worldbuilding, and even a little bit of publishing.
• The Non-Sexy Business of Writing Non-Fiction : Offered by Reedsy’s Azul Terronez, this 10-day email course gives you the lowdown on high-quality non-fiction writing. He teaches you how to avoid writer's block, hit word count goals, and stay focused while writing.
• Start Writing Fiction : This free class teaches you everything you need to know about the basics of fiction writing, including journal keeping, plot development, and dialogue. Over 350,000 people have joined this 8-week course. Once 8 weeks pass, you lose access to the lecture materials. However, you can upgrade for $64 to keep the course material for future reference.
• Arizona State University's Introduction to English Composition : Great for all skill levels, this class is about building the fundamentals of writing. Although this course is free, you can pay an extra $499 to get a verified certification. But the course alone is just fine for most.
• Finally, check out my Book Marketing Show Podcast , mainly covering — you guessed it — book marketing . It’s free, fun, and informative (if I do say so myself!).

What’s your favorite online writing course?

Let me know what your favorite online writing courses are. Did I miss any excellent ones? Remember, these courses aren't just for those who don't know how to write. Don't be afraid to go out there and expand your knowledge base, no matter how much experience you have. I believe my breakdown of the best online writing courses will guide you to make the best decision for your individual situation. What's the best online writing course you've ever personally taken? Was it cheating to list all MasterClass courses under one umbrella? Let me know down in the comments below. I keep up with comments long after posts are published.

Dave Chesson

When I’m not sipping tea with princesses or lightsaber dueling with little Jedi, I’m a book marketing nut. Having consulted multiple publishing companies and NYT best-selling authors, I created Kindlepreneur to help authors sell more books. I’ve even been called “The Kindlepreneur” by Amazon publicly, and I’m here to help you with your author journey.

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6 thoughts on “ 16 Best Online Courses for Writers in 2024 [Free & Paid] ”

What about academic graduate writing courses online?

Haven’t come across one yet. But if you do, let me know.

Thanks Dave … the Marion Roach Smith Webinar was AMAZING. Packed full of information, tips, and advice about getting a memoir off the ground. Thanks for hosting .. and I hope all went well with getting your daughter from college …. crazy times indeed!

You bet…and no kidding!

Hi, I am going through Holly Lisle`s writing classes – in particular her How To Write A Novel class – at the moment and I am finding that she is one of the most thorough teachers in writing craft that I have found on-line. She is a published author with around 30 books and has moved from traditional publishing in the 1980`s/1990`s through to self-publishing today. She has many paid short courses for a small price and also much larger classes. She offers a short (3 week) flash fiction class for free called “How To Write Flash Fiction That Doesn’t Suck” so you can test out whether her teaching style suits you and learn new skills at the same time. As a satisfied student I highly recommend her courses to anyone wanting to learn writing craft. Cheers Fae

Yes, my sister took Holly`s class and said it was tremendous. If you get a chance to take a dialogue class from Kristen Higgans, that is all you need for dialogue.

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• Best Online Creative Writing Degree Programs

Best Online Creative Writing Degree Programs Of 2024

Updated: May 16, 2024, 10:45am

Joan Didion once wrote, “We tell ourselves stories in order to live.” Her sentiment captures the power of storytelling and the fundamental role it plays in the human experience. Language, writing and literature shape our world and our experiences in remarkable ways. These forces converge within the field of creative writing, allowing us to push the boundaries of language and structure, explore new perspectives and stretch our imaginations to create worlds of our own.

Beyond storytelling, creative writing offers a breadth of tools and skills transferable to many fields and industries, including healthcare, technology, business and education. Pursuing a degree in creative writing online can help you sharpen your written and verbal communication skills, develop robust research practices and enhance your critical thinking abilities.

In this article, we explore all 10 schools with online degrees in creative writing that met our ranking criteria. We highlight each program’s standout features and key considerations to help you narrow down your search.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Education

Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

• Over 3,868 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities analyzed nationwide
• 52 reputable tech bootcamp providers evaluated for our rankings
• All content is fact-checked and updated on an annual basis
• Rankings undergo five rounds of fact-checking
• Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded

Our Methodology

We ranked 10 accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online bachelor’s degree programs in creative writing in the U.S. using 17 data points in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes, student experience and application process. We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites. Data is accurate as of February 2024.

We scored schools based on the following metrics:

Student Outcomes:

• Graduation rate within eight years of normal time
• Median earnings 10 years after graduation
• Pell Grant recipient graduation rate within eight years of normal time
• Retention rate
• Pell Grant graduation rate vs. overall graduation rate

Affordability:

• Average in-state undergraduate tuition and fees
• Median federal student loan debt
• Student loan default rate
• Percentage of students who take out loans

Student Experience:

• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Socioeconomic diversity
• Program’s coursework (excluding student orientations, field experiences and labs) is available 100% online
• Portion of undergraduate students enrolled in at least some distance learning courses

Credibility:

• Fully accredited
• Nonprofit status

Application Process:

• Acceptance rate
• Uses Common App

We listed all 10 schools in the U.S. that met our ranking criteria.

Find our full list of methodologies here .

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Best Online Creative Writing Degree Options

Should you enroll in an online degree program in creative writing, accreditation for degrees in creative writing online, how to find the right online degree in creative writing for you, frequently asked questions (faqs) about degrees in creative writing online, university of central florida, texas tech university, regent university, central washington university, university of iowa, colorado christian university, liberty university, southern new hampshire university, weber state university, savannah college of art and design.

Undergraduate Tuition

$179.19/credit (in-state)

Overall Student Retention Rate

Overall Graduation Rate

Based in Orlando, the University of Central Florida , offers a fully online Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in creative writing. Learners explore communication, rhetoric, literary structure and script writing through poetry, fiction and nonfiction texts.

The curriculum provides a theoretical and practical framework that encourages students to construct sound arguments, develop original creative content across genres and enhance their critical thinking abilities. This program covers topics such as communication, rhetoric and literary structure.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on Your Schedule
• School Type: Public
• Application Fee: $30
• Degree Credit Requirements: 120 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Part time (mandatory for first-time students in their first semester), full time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Fiction writing workshop, history of prose style, advanced poetry writing workshop
• Concentrations Available: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: No

$284/credit (in-state)

At Texas Tech University , based in Lubbock, learners can pursue an online B.A. in English with a concentration in creative writing. The comprehensive curriculum provides a strong foundation in creative writing and rhetoric while delving into a rich array of global, American and British literature.

Through the diverse elective selection, learners can explore genres like drama, film, linguistics, science fiction and fantasy. Students seeking hands-on experience can opt to complete an internship in literature, creative writing and linguistics. This program is designed for aspiring writers, students planning to attend graduate school and those interested in teaching college-level writing or literature.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn Around Your 9-to-5
• Application Fee: $75
• Program Enrollment Options: Part time, full time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Essentials of college rhetoric, language and community, studies in literary topics
• In-Person Requirements: Optional internship

$450/credit (part time), $395/credit (full time)

Regent University , a private Christian institution in Virginia Beach, Virginia, offers an online B.A. in English with a focus in writing. The curriculum emphasizes the development of creative, professional and technical writing abilities. During the program, students gain a foundational overview of U.S., British and world literature, while honing fundamental writing skills across disciplines, including business, media and web writing.

Students can tailor their studies to their interests with courses like writing for animation, creative nonfiction and feature writing, and writing for strategic communication.

• School Type: Private
• Application Fee: N/A
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Business and professional writing, narrative concept and development, personal and professional editing

$222/credit (in state)

You can pursue an online professional and creative writing major at Central Washington University (CWU), based in Ellensburg, Washington. This comprehensive program takes a practical and collaborative approach to writing, literary analysis and critical thinking. You’ll explore writing techniques and technologies in the workplace and develop skills for creative, technical, professional and business writing, editing and publishing.

You’ll participate in writing workshops with your peers, providing and receiving feedback to develop your craft. Customize your degree with career-focused electives like freelance writing, screenwriting fundamentals and accessible information design. This program requires students to complete at least two practicum credits.

• Application Fee: $60
• Degree Credit Requirements: 180 quarter credits
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Writing and editing for publication, visual rhetoric and document design, multi-genre writing workshop

$376/credit (in-state)

The University of Iowa , based in Iowa City, offers an online Bachelor of Applied Studies with a focus in creative writing. This program is designed for community college grads who want to complete a four-year program. Applicants can transfer 60 college credits from their associate degree. First-year students are not eligible to enroll in this program.

The creative writing track requires learners to complete 18 credits, including three core courses and three electives. Students explore the many facets of written communication, including writing strategies, novel writing and the art of revision. The curriculum covers creative writing across genres, including fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, poetry and professional writing.

• Application Fee: $55
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Professional and creative business communications, the art of revision: writing for clarity, the sentence: strategies for writing

$494/credit

Colorado Christian University (CCU), located in Lakewood, offers a 100% online B.A. in creative writing. Through a Christian framework, learners hone their written and verbal communication skills, research practices and critical thinking abilities.

Students delve into the structure and function of publishing entities and their audiences. They also develop the tools to navigate opportunities and challenges in creating, publishing and marketing their work.

You can accelerate your timeline by transferring up to 90 credits toward your bachelor’s degree. CCU also offers credits for life experience.

• Application Fee: Free
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Introduction to self-publishing, author and book marketing, advanced creative writing

$390/credit (full time)

Liberty University , a private evangelical Christian college in Lynchburg, Virginia, offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in creative writing. Throughout the program, students learn creative writing practices and principles across multiple genres, including memoir, poetry, film and theater. In addition to developing fundamental writing skills, learners study research practices, editing for publishing, and print and digital publishing.

This program offers specializations in English, journalism and Christian literature, allowing students to pursue a degree that matches their career goals.

• Application Fee: $50
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Writing for theater and film, editing for publishing, writing for cultural engagement
• Concentrations Available: Journalism, English, Christian literature

$330/credit

Southern New Hampshire University , in Manchester, New Hampshire, offers an online B.A. in creative writing and English. This program helps learners develop their writing and storytelling talents through. It features an overview of genre-specific conventions and techniques, approaches to literary analysis and literary form, style and structure. Writers present their work and collaborate with their peers in advanced workshops.

When enrolling in this program, you have the option to choose the general track or select a concentration in fiction, nonfiction, poetry or screenwriting.

• Example Major-Specific Courses: Writing with digital media, critical approaches to literature, popular and contemporary fiction
• Concentrations Available: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting

$2735.38/term (full time, in state)

Weber State University , based in Ogden, Utah, offers an online B.A. in English with an emphasis in creative writing. This program is designed to help students hone their craft in writing original fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Learners collaborate with their peers in workshops and receive one-on-one mentorship from faculty.

The curriculum overviews American, British, global and contemporary literature, writing forms, and editing and publishing. Students can choose from a variety of courses to customize their coursework to their interests, and the program requires a minor.

• Example Major-Specific Courses: Contemporary literature for creative writers, professional and technical writing, notebooks and journals forms and crafts
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, meet with a faculty advisor twice annually for course and program advisement

$914/credit

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), based in Savannah, Georgia, offers an online Bachelor of Fine Arts in dramatic writing. This program focuses on storytelling for visual and performance-based media.

Students explore the conventions of storytelling for various mediums, including the screen, stage and digital platforms. The workload includes crafting screenplays, scripts and other forms of dramatic writing, honing essential skills for careers in television, theater, film and digital media.

• Application Fee: $100
• Degree Credit Requirements: 180 credits
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Visual culture in context: making modernities, improvisation for writers, digital film production: story to screen

Pursuing a creative writing degree online can be a convenient option for learners seeking more flexibility to meet the needs of their busy schedules or learning preferences. With the freedom to study from anywhere, online learning allows students to access programs they otherwise wouldn’t be able to, allowing them to personalize their education to align with their academic and professional interests.

Still, while online learning offers flexibility in some areas, it also presents unique challenges. Distance learning doesn’t provide the same structured learning environment as in-person instruction; therefore, learners must have strong time management abilities to stay on top of their studies.

Institutional accreditation should be at the forefront of your research as you consider prospective online creative writing degrees. Institutional accreditation is a rigorous evaluation process that colleges and universities undertake to ensure they meet established standards. Accrediting bodies assess a school’s program offerings, faculty, support services and student outcomes.

Enrolling in an accredited institution ensures that your degree is recognized by employers, other higher education institutions and credentialing bodies. Plus, you must be enrolled in an accredited school to qualify for federal student aid. To verify a school’s accreditation status, search the Database of Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, managed by the U.S. Department of Education.

Consider Your Future Goals

Before enrolling in an online creative writing degree program, consider your academic and professional goals carefully. Each program has its own scope and focus, which can set you up for different writing careers . Some programs offer a broad curriculum, while others specialize in specific genres like poetry, screenwriting, fiction or nonfiction. You might also consider faculty expertise if you’re interested in being taught by someone with experience in a specific area.

Whether you’re planning to enter the workforce immediately or earn a master’s in creative writing , building a solid portfolio of work is crucial. You might prioritize programs that offer publication or professional development opportunities through internships or practicums.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

The cost of earning an online creative writing degree can vary significantly by school. The semester-based schools on our list range from $180 to $494 per credit. Over a 120-credit degree, this translates to $21,600 to $59,280.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics , the average undergraduate tuition in the 2022–23 academic year cost $9,750 for public schools and $38,421 for private nonprofit colleges. In comparison, our programs cost between $5,400 and $41,130 per year.

Many financing options are available for distance learners, including scholarships, grants and loans. Submitting the FAFSA® can help you determine your eligibility for federal financial aid.

Can you get a creative writing degree online?

Yes, it’s possible to earn a creative writing degree online. Every creative writing degree featured in this article can be earned online.

Are creative writing degrees worth it?

A creative writing degree can be worth it, depending on your interests and career goals. Creative writing degrees can be versatile and equip you with in-demand transferable skills across multiple industries, including business, technology, healthcare and education.

Is creative writing a hard degree?

Earning a creative writing degree can be challenging. Producing original work, completing assigned readings and participating in collaborative workshops can create a demanding workload.

Mariah is a Berlin-based writer with six years of experience in writing, localizing and SEO-optimizing short- and long-form content across multiple niches, including higher education, digital marketing and travel. Her writing expertise extends to brand strategies and driving small business growth through targeted content. In the last three years, she's primarily produced education-focused content, writing on topics like degree programs, trade schools and career pathways.

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Creative Writing Courses: Best Online Classes for Writers

By Hannah Yang

It’s great to be constantly learning and improving as a fiction writer. But going back to school to get a Master’s degree in fine arts just isn’t plausible for most writers. Luckily, there are a ton of great courses you can take online.

How do you know which ones are worth your time and money? We’ve got you covered. Here are some of the best online courses for fiction writers.

17 Best Online Creative Writing Courses

Creative writing courses: faqs, 1. prowritingaid academy.

Brilliant writers aren’t born, they’re made. Writing is a skill that can be developed, just like any other, and ProWritingAid’s brand new learning platform is here to help.

With a ProWritingAid Academy membership, you get a unique combination of:

• Self-paced courses
• Live monthly 30-day writing challenges with daily exercises
• Exclusive live training workshops
• Support, inspiration, and constructive feedback from a community of like-minded students and instructors

Here’s a peek at our course library!

2. The Novelry’s Online Writing Courses

Go from zero to finished novel in one year. The Novelry’s Book in a Year course is a year of complete guidance and support to write your novel and fulfill your ambition to become an author. In it, the team at The Novelry will lead you through the creation of a sound and appealing story idea, then onto writing the novel, then revising and editing your first draft. You will complete and hold in your hands a manuscript to professional standard ready to pitch to literary agents.

Looking for something else? The Novelry has dozens of courses about everything from writing children’s books to pitching to help you get started.

3. Jerry Jenkins’ Your Novel Blueprint

Are you overwhelmed by the prospect of writing a whole book? Jerry Jenkins’ Your Novel Blueprint is the course for you. Jerry has written 195 books and has made the New York Times’ Bestseller list 21 times!

His blueprint isn’t a formula, and it allows for your own style. But it covers everything from overcoming fear, to actually writing, to preparing your elevator pitch. The course is 58 modules long, and you get lifetime access. Plus, you can get access to a mastermind session with Jerry, an exclusive Facebook community, and video feedback on your story idea from the man himself, as well as the first ten pages of your manuscript critiqued by an author he trusts.

It’s pricey because it’s an investment in your career. But when you consider that an MFA costs over $30,000 and one college course might cost you $3,000, it doesn’t seem that bad. It rings in at $1,997. We think it’s totally worth it.

For a taster of Jerry’s expertise, watch the replay of Jerry’s webinar with ProWritingAid all about aggressive self-editing. You’ll pick up some great tips!

4. 100 Day Book by The Write Practice

100 Day Book is an online program that will guide you through the book-writing process. At the end of the 100-day program, you will have a finished book, and you will have internalized a process you can use again and again to write books in the future. Some of the unique features of this program: daily writing inspiration, encouraging feedback from the 100 Day Book community, a dedicated book mentor to help you problem-solve, and a $100 incentive if you meet your weekly deadlines and finish your book. Need we say more?

5. Mark Dawson’s Ads for Authors

Mark Dawson of Self Publishing Formula is a guru of self-publishing. He provides so many great resources to independent authors on everything about the business. It was hard to choose just one of his courses, so we picked the one on the most difficult subject: advertising.

Advertising books and using social media ads isn’t quite like advertising anything else, but Mark has it down to a science. You’ll learn how to actually advertise without breaking the bank and instead secure a good return on your investment.

It’s one of his pricier courses, but if you want to make a living off self-publishing, it’s worth every penny. It’s $849 and he offers monthly payment plans. This class only opens a few times a year, so you can sign up for the waiting list .

6. MasterClass

MasterClass is an amazing site full of classes on all sorts of subjects, taught by the greatest minds in their respective fields. There are several writing courses, and they are all taught by some of the biggest names in fiction.

Margaret Atwood’s is one of the most popular. But you can also learn from crime writer James Patterson, young adult author Judy Blume, fantasy author Neil Gaiman, and TV writer Shonda Rhimes. That’s just a few of them! There are so many more.

You used to be able to purchase individual classes for $99. However, a membership is only $180 a year, and you get access to over 80 classes. Who knows? You might pick up an additional hobby like photography or cooking.

7. Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot

We get it. Money is tight, especially for us starving artists. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a ton about writing. Coursera is full of online classes, and The Craft of Plot is a great choice. This course is provided through Wesleyan University, and the reviews are amazing.

In about ten hours’ worth of video modules, you’ll learn everything you need to know about plot structure. This course will teach you how to craft a solid plot for your entire story, as well as structuring and writing powerful scenes.

This isn’t the only free course on Coursera. Wesleyan University offers many more options on different elements of fiction writing.

8. Grammar Lion: A Grammar Refresher

So it’s been a while since you were diagramming sentences and learning about predicates and clauses. Grammar doesn’t have to be a barrier to writing. Sure, there are great programs out there like ProWritingAid to help proofread. But you’ll make fewer mistakes if you actually understand the rules of grammar.

Grammar Lion offers several classes on grammar, including a couple of free ones. But if you need a refresher on all the rules of the English language, this is the course for you . There are explanations and quizzes, and it’s estimated to take twelve weeks to complete. Plus, you get a Grammar Guide—a real person who will answer any questions you have through email.

This course is a must-have for any writer who struggles with grammar. It’s normally $199, but at the time I wrote this article, there was a quarantine special for $79.

9. Curtis Brown Creative

Curtis Brown Creative offers a variety of courses to suit everyone. From writing crime novels, to writing your novel in three months, there are helpful options for every type of writer.

They launched in 2011 with the aim of finding talented writers and helping them to develop and publish their novels. The courses range in price from £125 to almost £2,000, depending on the the number of sessions offered.

10. Mark Dawson’s Self-Publishing 101

Self-Publishing 101 is an extensive course with everything you need to know from the moment you type THE END on your manuscript. It’s a straightforward, easy-to-follow guide that will take all the guesswork out of how to publish your book and to get your indie author career off to the best possible start. Suitable for beginner to intermediate levels, fiction and non-fiction.

11. Lauren Ranalli’s Think Beyond the Book

Marketing is one of the hardest parts of being an author. We’re creatives, not advertising experts! But it’s also necessary. Think Beyond the Book is the course that finally made me stop dreading marketing. Lauren Ranalli is an independent author who made $10,000 in the first three months of publication, and she didn’t even sell on Amazon!

Think Beyond the Book is a monthly membership at $34. That’s because it’s not just one set course. You will get access to all of the modules about different aspects of marketing your book, but Lauren offers new content every month.

The best part of Lauren’s courses is that she gives you specific action steps. The most relevant ones for me were when she broke down how to plan six months of social media content. I was able to plan out three posts a week for six months, and it only took me a couple of hours. I also learned how to establish my brand. Plus, Lauren is incredibly helpful in the exclusive Facebook group.

12. Build Your Author Platform by WritePublishSell

There is nothing worse than doing all the things to have a well-written, edited, fantastic book only to watch it sell only a handful of copies on launch day. The biggest reason for "failure to launch" for authors is not having an author platform—a fan base—that is ready to go when you launch. WritePublishSell’s program, Building Your Author Platform , teaches the steps to creating and growing that fan base.

13. C.S. Lakin’s Emotional Mastery for Fiction Writers

If we don’t succeed in making our readers feel something, we fail. If they don’t feel what we want them to feel, we fail. To be effective writers, we must master the emotional challenge of our stories. It won’t do to hope we will move our readers in some way. It won’t do to hope we get across our characters’ emotions. We have to become masters of emotion.

That’s where C.S. Lakin’s course, Emotional Mastery for Fiction Writers , comes in. Learn how to become an emotion master.

14. Creative Writing Specialization

Coursera’s Creative Writing Specialization covers elements of three major creative writing genres: short story, narrative essay, and memoir . In the course, you’ll master the techniques that good writers use to compose a bracing story, populated with memorable characters in an interesting setting, written in a fresh, descriptive style. You’ll also analyze and evaluate peer writing, as well as drafting and completing a substantial original story in the genre of your choosing. Check it out now!

15. Bookfox’s Two Weeks to Your Best Children’s Book

It seems like there are tons of courses about writing for young adults and adults. But what about those of us who want to write a children’s book?

Two Weeks to Your Best Children’s Book has you covered. This course includes 30 video lessons on everything from the writing process to copyright law. Plus, you can post questions, and the instructor, John Matthew Fox, will answer them personally.

It’s also much more affordable than many courses. It’s only $149, and there is a three-month payment plan option. If you want to break into writing children’s books, this is the class for you.

16. Pandemic University

Pandemic University is a pop-up writing school made for and by locked-down and quarantined writers. Pandemic University offers suites of short and affordable creative writing classes online. By taking their classes, you’re helping support artists who’ve suffered financially during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can purchase courses a la carte on varied topics ranging from demystifying the publishing process to how to write topical satire, to how to read like a writer.

Want to try Pandemic University for yourself? They’ve been generous enough to offer members of the ProWritingAid community 25 percent off using the code PROWA25.

17. Conquer Writer’s Block

What if you could sit down in front of the blank page every day feeling optimistic and full of ideas? What would writing a blog post, article, or book chapter consistently do for your career? What if you had a writing system that helped you achieve all this and so much more?

That’s what Bryan Collins of Become a Writer Today can help you do. His course, Conquer Writer’s Block , gives you the skills you need to conquer the blank page in front of you.

Here are our answers to some common questions about how to pick a creative writing course.

Creative Writing Classes for Adults: How to Choose One

With so many options to consider, you should make sure you’re choosing the best online writing courses for your own goals as a writer. You should ask yourself:

• Is there a specific skill you’d like to learn more about (e.g. plotting, character development, grammar, publishing, marketing, etc.)?
• Do you want a class with set meeting times, or a self-paced class where you can have a flexible schedule?
• Would you prefer a class with a lot of students or fewer students?
• Do you want to receive feedback on your own writing?
• Do you need an instructor who will be available to answer questions?
• How much money are you willing to invest in a writing course?

Knowing the answers to these questions will help you narrow down the list of options. After that, you can read reviews online and see what other students are saying about each course to help you decide which one best suits your needs.

Which Creative Writing Courses Are the Best for Beginners?

There are plenty of online creative writing courses for beginners. If you’re new to writing, ProWritingAid Academy is a fantastic place to start. You get access to writing lessons suitable for all levels, and you can work your way through them as you learn more.

You can also start with a free course on Coursera, like The Craft of Plot . Taking a free class can be a great starting point. Down the line, you can always choose a more advanced course to invest your money in.

Is a Creative Writing Course Worth It?

Creative writing classes are a great fast-track for improving your skills. They can help you hone specific aspects of your writing craft. They’re also a great way to meet other emerging writers so you can learn and grow together.

If you choose the right course for you, an online writing class can be well worth your time and money.

What are your favorite writing courses? Let us know in the comments.

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Hannah Yang

Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.

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Introduction

There are lots of online creative writing courses to choose from. But, choosing the best online creative writing course for you can be challenging. This is because value is hard to compare as so many courses offer differing levels of expertise, tutor access and duration. Some will just be better than others. It may also be unclear what level of course you should choose.

This guide will help you choose the best online creative writing course by defining exactly what you want to achieve as well as offering guidance on trusted brands, on- vs offline and cost.

First, get a piece of paper or open a new document on your computer – and be ready to start making notes!

What do you want to achieve?

This may sound obvious, but there are so many courses available with particular focuses, that it’s easy to choose the wrong one.

First, write down what you are. For example:

• A complete beginner with no formal training
• An early career writer
• A lover of crime writing
• A professional writer (journalism, marketing)
• A ghostwriter.

Write down what you want to get out of your online creative writing course. Get really specific with what you want to achieve, from the emotional to the tangible.

For example:

• Are you a new writer looking for the foundational skills to get started?
• Do you have an established writing hobby and are looking for particular skills to build on your existing expertise?
• Do you just love learning and want to have some fun?
• Are you looking for feedback on your writing?
• Do you want to end up with a finished novel by the end?
• Do you want to feel like you’ve achieved something by the end of the course?
• Do you want to meet other people who are doing what you’re doing?
• Do you have a particular project that you need help with?
• Do you want to make money from writing and publishing?
• Are you a freelance writer who wants to develop better business writing skills?
• Are you a marketing professional who wants to improve your brand storytelling skills?
• Do you want to become proficient in a particular genre (for example: general fiction , crime , memoir , historical fiction , creative non-fiction , poetry , scriptwriting , etc.)

Add as many as occur to you to your list. This will guide you to specific courses that meet your specific needs. Companies will also use language in their marketing and this may resonate with your emotional desires: achievement, satisfaction, community etc.

First, you must define what level you are at. This can be more complex than it at first seems: for example, you may be an intermediate writer of one genre, but new to another.

• No writing experience at all
• Some writing experience, especially professional
• You may have taken a course
• You may have done lots of online research
• You may have self-published your own work
• You may have had a book published or be working on a finished manuscript that is in discussion with publishers
• You may already have an established career with multiple published books.

Add the answer to your list.

NCW Academy offers courses for writers at different stages of their career, for example: Kickstart Your Poetry (Beginner) and Develop Your Poetry (Intermediate) .

Course topic

Have you defined precisely what course you need to do in order achieve what you want?

There may not be a specific course for your exact needs, but start specific and get broader. A fiction writing course might be appropriate for crime writers or sci-fi writers alike, but if you want to write either of the latter, you may find specific courses for you.

Look at your objectives. If you could create your dream course, what would it be called?

• Epic feminist steampunk for beginners
• Young adult period romance
• Vampire novels for Stephen King fans

While there may not be a specific course for these, you will have an idea of what you want (sci-fi, YA, horror respectively) and you will certainly know what you don’t want – which can stop you from picking the wrong course.

For example, we have courses in the following genres:

• General fiction
• Crime fiction
• Screenwriting
• Creative non-fiction
• Romantic fiction

Course format

It is essential that the creative writing course you choose is delivered in a format that suits your situation. Courses come in two main formats, for example:

• Self-paced courses
• Guided courses.

Self-paced courses don’t have a face-to-face or ‘live’ element, though they may contain video lectures or sessions. As the description suggests, self-paced courses allow you to fit the course into your schedule, around work, children or other commitments. Explore examples of self-paced creative writing courses here .

Guided courses are usually led by a tutor and include a ‘real time’ or ‘live’ element such as webinars, seminars and/or workshops. This live element will tend to complement writing exercises and studying that happens in between sessions. For example, our 12-18-week online tutored courses include two weeks of exercises, followed by a feedback and discussion session with the course tutor. Guided courses tend to be in terms or semesters like schools and universities so you may not be able to start/finish with the flexibility of a self-paced course.

Do you have the time and flexibility to attend sessions at a fixed time? What are those fixed times?

Check your objectives. Write down how you want to do your course.

The amount of tutor time relates to the format point above.

Tutor time is frequently what makes a course cost more or less. The business model for many providers (such as Masterclass) is: create assets once and you can sell them a thousand times; all money over your setup costs is all profit. Online courses like this include no live sessions such as webinars, no access to tutors and no 1-2-1 feedback. This may be in line with what you want to achieve and therefore perfect for you.

Some courses have no tutor, they are simply information, guidance and exercises.

Tutored (recorded)

Some courses will include audio/video materials that feature a tutor.

Tutored (no 1-2-1 access)

Many courses include live sessions (for example lectures) but do not offer 1-2-1 access to the tutor.

Tutored (shared access)

There are courses where the tutor will host online sessions with everyone on the course, allowing people to ask questions.

Tutored (1-2-1 access)

Some courses, in addition to writing and exercises, will include 1-2-1 sessions which allow students to discuss their writing for a set period (usually 30-60 minutes).

Many of the tutor courses will include feedback, or the option to pay for specific feedback – usually in the form of a written report. If you have chosen a course with 1-2-1 time you will be able to discuss your written feedback with them.

Check your objectives. How much contact time – and of what type – do you need to ensure you get what you want?

Other formats

It is also worth considering other learning formats, such as mentorship. Look at your objectives, would mentorship suit you better? For example, have you been on web-based courses without tutor feedback and self-published one or more books? Do you need specific guidance on your projects or skills? If so, mentorship may be a better solution. Read more about how mentoring works .

Workshops can also offer a great way to learn. You can explore our workshops here to see what kinds of things on offer.

There are also some fun-looking writers retreats available for those who have the budget to stay at a venue and immerse themselves in courses with tutors and fellow writers.

Course location

This article is about online creative writing courses, but, depending on your objectives, a location-based in-person course may suit you as multiple options exist.

For example, is the course:

• In-the-flesh, location-based
• A combination of the two.

By choosing an online course you are widening your choices significantly. Even if you live in a big city, there is a larger choice of online courses – and this has been accelerated by the COVID pandemic, when demand for everything to be available online exploded.

However, you may still prefer a location-based course if your objective is to meet people or even ‘get me out of the house’.

If you do decide to take a location-based course, check how long it will take you to get to as this may influence your decision.

Add your preference to your list.

Course ‘home’

Where is the course based? This is important because it is easy to end up signing up for a course in another country (that speaks the same language). For example, if you are in the UK, you may not want to take a US-based course. Again, this will be guided by your objectives. For example: you might be a UK writer wanting to break into the US market or a US expat in the UK looking to study a US course. While the differences in language, style and a nation’s publishing industries may be small, they may be meaningful depending on your needs.

Conversely, the course’s home might not be relevant to your objectives. For example, a screenwriting or poetry course might be internationally universal.

Who created the course?

The online learning industry has exploded in recent years. But not all courses are created equal. Great writers may not be great teachers. And not all course vendors will have access to high-level expertise with which to build a great creative writing course.

As such it is important to see who created the course and how it’s delivered, for example many published writers offer courses but may lack the didactic skills and technology to deliver a course which truly helps different types of student get what they need to improve. Similarly, there are e-learning businesses who do not specialise in or understand creative writing or the publishing industry, and have invited an inappropriate person to create the course.

When researching courses, ensure that the provider matches the level of expertise you need and that they are credible in the area you need. For example, don’t take a poetry course from a crime writer.

To ensure students get a valuable and enjoyable learning experience, National Centre for Writing worked with the University of East Anglia’s School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing to build our online tutored courses . This delivers the expertise of both teaching and writing – and at the highest level.

This relates to the above point: you need to ensure that the tutor has the expertise you need, and that they are a good educator.

Is the tutor authoritative in the area you need? We italicise this as there are lots of talented writers, but they may not have the specific expertise you need, so ensure that the tutor has relevant expertise. How can you know this? Most course providers will have a section on tutor with a biography that includes what they’ve written and/or their academic credentials. You may decide that academic credentials are more likely to yield better learning that a celebrity writer with published works under their belt. Again this will depend on your objectives – a university lecturer may know less about the cut and  thrust of getting published than a published author, while a published author may have no idea how to teach, coach or mentor.

Generally, the more of a beginner you are, the more you should favour academia over publishing: a teacher will know how to support beginners, while a published writer may have valuable insights for more experienced writers.

If you want a course which includes tutor interaction you might also consider chemistry: do you think you will get on well with the tutor. Of course it’s unlikely that you’ll have the opportunity to meet the tutor(s) ahead of time, but the course provider may have audio, video or blogs with the tutor so you can decide whether you’re likely to get on with them. Are they friendly, down-to-earth, domineering, opinionated, supportive etc.?

There are many aspects of time that are important to consider when choosing an online course. This relates to the ability of a course to deliver what you want as well as its relative value.

• What is the course duration? For example, is it a one, two or three-month course?
• How much time will it take to complete the various elements of the course? For example, are there two hours of exercises to complete each week?
• How much tutor time (if relevant) do you get? For example, a one-hour lecture each fortnight; a one-hour lecture and 30-minutes of 1-2-1 time
• How many hours of video/audio tutelage is there?

As you research courses, make a note not only of the course duration, but of the total time you need to complete it, as well as the amount of contact time you will have with tutors. This will help ensure:

• You will get what you want from the course
• It is good value.

Cost, value and your budget

It is hard to compare course value across different providers as there is no uniformity of products. For example, a 12-week course from one provider might include 12 hours of exercises, while a 6-week course from another might include 24 hours of exercises.

Refer to the Time section above to work out exactly what you get for your money.

While time is a key consideration when it comes to the value of your creative writing course, for example quality. Lots of poor-quality assets or more time with a lower-quality tutor may not be as valuable as a smaller amount of time with better assets/tutors. Similarly, don’t choose a cheaper course if it’s less relevant than a more relevant, more expensive one. For example, you may be better off choosing a crime writing course than a generic fiction one if that’s your objective.

Bestselling US epic fantasy author Brandon Sanderson runs a writing course at Brigham Young University, Utah that focuses on fantasy and science fiction. Many of his lectures are available for free on YouTube, but this isn’t good value if you want to learn how to write crime fiction.

Create a shortlist of courses that look relevant first, then assess which is the best value. Include quality, expertise level, total time and access in your assessment.

Course output

Is there something in particular you want to create on the course?

This is worth noting as some courses specify that you will write a complete short story or even a whole novel.

Credibility

How do you know if a creative writing course will be any good? Even before a time of internet scams, there were fly-by-night businesses promising the world and delivering Hell. As such it is important that the course provider is reputable. While recognisable brands can be a safer bet, there may be great providers you haven’t heard of.

While researching online creative writing courses, look out for:

• Tutors with academic/commercial credentials – including university links (for example, our online tutored courses have been created in partnership with the University of East Anglia). Research the tutor on YouTube or they might have done podcasts (as many of our tutors have).
• Providers with links to publishing (for example book publishers and not-for-profits such as National Centre for Writing)
• Reviews around the web (including Google reviews)
• Testimonials and case studies on the website from people who have taken the course
• Well-established, longstanding and trusted brands.

Other things to consider

• Some providers of creative writing courses offer access to online communities to help students stay in touch and deliver peer support
• Many providers use off-the-shelf online teaching platforms and some will be better than others. Find out which platform a provider uses and research whether people like it or not. For example, Obby, Teachable, Thinkific and Baluu are four examples of good quality platforms.

It is also important that the provider helps you to use the platform, for example, this is the video guide to our platform, Teachable.

How is your list coming on? Hopefully you have built a picture of:

• Who you are and what you want to achieve
• The topic and format of the course you need – from length to amount and types of tutor time
• How to check that a provider will deliver high-quality tutors and assets.

While you’re hear, why not check out our courses, workshops and mentoring .

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Writing Exercises: From the Blank Page to Everyday Practice

Engage in creative writing exercises that document and generate ideas, and transform it into a regular practice.

Writing a Novel Step by Step

Learn the keys to writing a novel and stimulate your imagination with practical exercises that connect you with your inner world.

Travel Journaling: Document Feelings and Memories

Learn to create travel journals that document your thoughts and feelings through writing, observation, and scrapbooking.

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Take readers on a journey of culture and flavor by creating a cookbook that combines recipes with storytelling.

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7 Best Online Creative Writing Degree

• Updated on  
• Aug 31, 2024

Creative writing is a craft that allows individuals to give voice to their thoughts and emotions and serves many objectives and purposes. In this blog, the candidates will get to learn the objectives of creative writing and its purposes. Creative writing is a dynamic and versatile discipline that has enchanted both writers and readers for generations. In this blog, students will focus on the purpose of creative writing that will turn aid students in understanding why a writer writes and the importance of the relationship between author and reader. 

This Blog Includes:

Online english creative writing ba, creative writing ba (hons) (online), bsc in english and writing – creative writing, creative writing and teaching diploma, creative writing specialisation, the foundations of fiction (writing mastery).

Check the Best Online Content Writing Courses

Top 7 Online Creative Writing Degree

Check below the list of the top 7 online creative writing degree:

Online Creative Writing Degrees

Southern New Hampshire University offers this complete Online Creative Writing Degrees. This is one of the most-demand programs; for more information, read below: 

In this course the candidates will get to learn skills such as writing and editing techniques, literary analysis and critical thinking, application of storytelling elements, literary form, genre, structure and style, use of genre conventions and techniques, professional portfolio building. 

Website: https://www.snhu.edu/online-degrees/bachelors/creative-writing  

This Online English Creative Writing BA is offered by University of Central Florida. This is one of the most-demand programs; for more information, read below: 

Through this course the candidates will become an expert communicator with a deep appreciation of fiction, poetry and non-fiction prose. The students will also get ready for a career in a variety of fields, including law, teaching, editing, publishing, consulting and more. 

Website: https://www.ucf.edu/online/degree/english-creative-writing-b-a/  

This Creative Writing BA (Hons) (Online) is offered by Falmouth University. This is one of the most-demand programs; for more information, read below: 

This course will prepare the candidates to join the global creative writing marketplace, equipped with specialist knowledge, an adaptable skill set, and a clear vision of their place within the market. Students will get to experiment with form and prompts, embrace the art of reading as a writer and also learn how to connect with a vast range of audiences. 

Website: https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/study/online/undergraduate/creative-writing  

This BSc in English and Writing – Creative Writing course is offered by Liberty University. This is one of the most-demand programs for more information, read below: 

Candidates will get a flexible and affordable education. The duration of this course is 8 weeks with certification. This courses strongly focuses on providing them with the skills they will need for success, critical thinking, technical writing, literary analysis and methods of research. 

Website: https://www.liberty.edu/online/arts-and-sciences/bachelors/english-and-writing/creative-writing/  

This Creative Writing and Teaching Diploma course is offered by Udemy. This is one of the most-demand programs; for more information, read below: 

This course is specially designed for aspiring writers, educators, and anyone interested in nurturing creative expression and teaching the art of writing. This course will equip you with the knowledge, techniques, and resources needed to excel. The candidates will also get to download for free the self care journaling workbook, descriptive creative writing skills, narrative creative writing skills, landscapes visual creative writing skills.

Website: https://www.udemy.com/course/creative-writing-and-teaching-diploma/

10 Best Online Business Writing Courses to Apply in 2024

This Creative Writing Specialisation course is offered by Coursera. This is one of the most-demand programs; for more information, read below: 

This course will teach the candidates about short story writing, fiction writing, creativity, copy editing. They will learn in demand skills from university and industry experts, master a subject or tool with hands on projects, develop a deep understanding of key concepts, earn a valuable career certificate. 

Website: https://www.coursera.org/specializations/creative-writing  

The Foundations of Fiction (Writing Mastery) is offered by Udemy. This is one of the most-demand programs for more information, read below: 

They will get to master the 6 universal foundations that make up all great fiction, write vibrant, riveting dialogue that will breathe life into your scenes. They will get to compose intricate, scintillating prose that will pull readers in from the first word, create complex, realistic characters who will jump right off the page. 

Website: https://www.udemy.com/course/the-foundations-of-fiction-writing-mastery/

5+ Best Online BSC Courses

The purpose of creative writing is to entertain and share human experience like love or loss. In creative writing, people usually express themselves, to persuade a reader or inform the readers and to create a literary work. 

The 5 C’s of creative writing are clarity, cogency, conventionality, completeness, concision, tensions and relative importance.

There are basically four types of creative writing such as fiction, creative non-fiction, scriptwriting, poetry. Each type has its own features and conventions. Most of the creative writing revolves around certain characters, plot, setting or theme. 

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Anjali Chowdhury

An enthusiastic content writer with a total experience of almost 2.7 years. Dedicated to help students with study abroad.

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Stanford Creative Writing Program

The Stanford Creative Writing Program, founded in 1946 by Wallace Stegner, has become one of the nation’s most distinguished creative writing institutions. After almost 80 years, the program continues to evolve while also respecting its original vision of recruiting and supporting talented writers, offering exceptional creative writing instruction and mentorship, and inspiring undergraduates to develop their own unique creative written expression.

In the 1940s, E. H. Jones generously created the Wallace Stegner Fellowship, now considered the most prestigious creative writing fellowship in the U.S. for emerging writers. Dr. Jones also made possible the Jones Lectureships, which are limited, fixed-year teaching appointments, allowing exceptional Stegner Fellows some time and support to prepare a manuscript for publication, hone their teaching skills, and transition to a longer-term teaching career elsewhere.

The original framework of term-limited appointments allowed for a consistent flow of selected Stegner Fellows into the Jones Lectureship. However, over time this framework of term-limited appointments was not followed.

In the past two years, the School of Humanities and Sciences leadership and the Creative Writing Academic Council faculty have been working to formulate necessary changes in the program and to identify additional resources to meet its growing needs. A Working Group of Creative Writing Academic Council faculty held listening sessions and discussions.

Now, after thoughtful deliberation, the Working Group has recommended restoring the original intent of the Jones Lectureships: one-year appointments with the possibility of renewal for a limited term, up to a total of five years. This change will again allow Stegner Fellows the opportunity to apply to be Jones Lecturers once they have completed their fellowships. In other words, the Jones Lectureships are not being eliminated; they are only being term limited, as was the original intent of the program, so that the Stegner Fellows have an opportunity to teach Creative Writing courses at Stanford. We plan for there to be as many lecturers in the Program in five years’ time as there are today, and we expect to offer more classes then than now.

The university, school, and numerous generous donors are committed to not only the excellence of the program but also its growth. This means increasing the number of Creative Writing classes to better meet high student demand as well as ensuring competitive compensation for both the lecturers and fellows. We will provide more updates in early fall quarter about the Creative Writing Program and how it will continue to be one of the preeminent programs in the nation.

We understand that these changes to the Jones Lectureships will be met with mixed reactions. However, we firmly believe that the changes advance the program’s pedagogical mission and provide promising writers with the resources to complete their books and obtain appointments at other colleges and universities.

Throughout the history of the program, the Jones Lecturers—both those who are here now and those who have been lecturers in the past—have helped make Stanford Creative Writing what it is today, and we are truly grateful to them for their significant contributions to the program’s mission.

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Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Master of Arts in Creative Writing, Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts

Genre Fiction, Nature Writing, Poetry, Publishing, Screenwriting – an advanced degree in any of our five areas of creative writing provides you the opportunity to hone your craft, elevate your art, and inspire the world. Join our welcoming and inclusive community and become the writer you are meant to be. To learn more about our program directly from our faculty and students, check out our program video .

Program Overview

Pursue your dream of becoming a published author.

If you’re looking to get serious about your writing and you’re eager to join a thriving and diverse community of writers, then you’ll find your niche in Western Colorado University’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing. Our five innovative areas of study—Genre Fiction, Nature Writing, Poetry, Publishing, and Screenwriting—offer cutting-edge courses, and our dedicated faculty of award-winning writers will ensure that you achieve your full potential as a writer.

Our low-residency model makes a graduate education accessible. During the academic year, students work closely with faculty and fellow students through videoconferencing and online courses. Each summer, all students take intensive courses that culminate in a one-week residency on Western’s beautiful campus in late July. These residencies are packed full of exciting courses, inspirational workshops and lively social events.

Sharing work in community

Screenwriting student Tia Phillip giving a reading at the 2023 Open-Mic Night

Faculty & Staff

Kevin j. anderson, mfa.

Director, Publishing Concentration

Byron Aspaas, MFA

Poetry Faculty

Karen Auvinen, Ph.D.

Nature Writing Faculty

Claire Boyles, M.A.

Screenwriting and Nature Writing Faculty

Steve Coughlin, MFA

Professor of English

Julie E. Czerneda

Genre Fiction Thesis Mentor

Amy Fox, MFA

Screenwriting Faculty

CMarie Fuhrman, MFA

Associate Director; Director, Poetry Concentration; Faculty, Nature Writing Concentration

Geoff Geib, MFA

Gwyneth gibby, m.a..

Publishing Faculty

Sarah Goettsch

Graduate Program in Creative Writing Coordinator

Carol D. Guerrero-Murphy, Ph.D.

Tyson hausdoerffer, ph.d..

Director, Graduate Program in Creative Writing

Mitali Jahagirdar, MFA

Tenea d. johnson, m.a., julie kane, ph.d., lindsay king-miller, mfa.

Thesis Mentor

Gary Lilley

Allyson longueira, m.a., js mayank, mfa.

Interim Director of Screenwriting

Cameron McGill, MFA

Candace nadon, ph.d..

Genre Fiction Faculty

Johanna Parkhurst, M.A.

Director, Genre Fiction Concentration

Laura Pritchett, Ph.D.

Director, Nature Writing Concentration

Laura Resau, M.A.

Nature Writing/Genre Fiction Faculty

Ligiah Villalobos Rojas, MFA

Liz sczudlo.

Screenwriting Thesis Consultant

Andrew Sellon, MFA

GPCW Faculty, Performance Coach

Derek Sheffield, MFA

Ana maria spagna, mfa, anna stileski, m.a..

Executive Assistant

Richard Wilber, Ed.D.

Genre Fiction Faculty, Graduate Thesis Coordinator

Maya Jewell Zeller, MFA

Nature Writing and Poetry Faculty

Laura Pritchett

Laura Pritchett, who directs the MFA with a concentration in Nature Writing, has two novels coming out in 2024, and they could not be more different.

Ligiah Villalobos Rojas

Melissa Dalton-Martinez

Lara Richardson

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Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation.

News & Research

Western’s MFA Director Laura Pritchett’s latest novel is born from a world on fire

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Nature Writing and Western Press Books to Produce Inaugural Book

Renown Author Karen Auvinen to Join Western Faculty

Western Instructor Named to Top Writer’s Honor

Graduate Program Pushes Caps on Enrollment During Pandemic

Western Professor Named to Authors’ Hall of Fame

Additional resources, admission requirements & application.

Western’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing considers applications in four waves throughout the year: Early Admissions, from July 1 through November …

Tuition & Fees

Full-time enrollment in the MFA extends over 25 months, spanning four non-residency semesters and three Summer Residencies. Students may also attend half-time or take a leave of …

Scholarships & Financial Aid

The GPCW is deeply committed to raising funds to support our students. Each year we offer substantial direct-funding scholarships. The GPCW is currently …

Summer Residency

The highlight of our academic year is the Summer Residency, held each July on Western’s beautiful campus in Gunnison, Colorado.

How can a low-residency format create a sense of community among students and faculty?…

Publications

Publications in the Creative Writing Graduate Program Explore the publications below to discover the depth and breadth of Western’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing: Think Journal Christine …

GPCW Mission, Indigenous Commitment and DEIA+ Statements

The Graduate Program in Creative Writing at Western Colorado University seeks to create transformative learning experiences for our students, built from a strong foundation that honors our students’ unique voices and is supported within inclusive environments established both virtually and at yearly residency gatherings.

Learn More about the GPCW

Interested in learning more about the Graduate Program in Creative Writing? There’s no better way to get to know our program than through the voices of our faculty and students. Tune in to watch this informational video about everything you’ll look forward to as a student in our program.

Related Programs

Genre Fiction

Master of Arts | Master of Fine Arts

Graduate Program in Creative Writing (GPCW) 3+2

Accelerated Degree Programs

Nature Writing

Master of Arts

Screenwriting

Department information, associate director, program coordinator, contact information.

970.943.2014

[email protected]

Campus Location

Western Colorado University Quigley Hall 117 1 Western Way Gunnison, CO 81231

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Select your Undergraduate Student Type

English with Creative Writing BA (Hons)

Undergraduate degree

Discover what it's like to study the BA (hons) English degree at City, University of London.

Key information

This programme allows you to take a range of innovative creative writing modules – including screenwriting and writing for gaming - to complement the study of English writing throughout the world. You will graduate with a wide range of creative and applied professional skills.

• 3 years full-time
• 4 years with placement or study abroad year

Institution

City, University of London

Northampton Square

Entry requirements

Below is a list of countries with information on each about which qualifications we accept. If your country is not listed please email [email protected] .

Contextual offers

We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who have been in care, attend a low performing school, live in an area where few students go to university, or are the first generation of their family to enter Higher Education.

Those who are eligible may receive a conditional offer with reduced entry requirements, typically up to two grades lower for A-levels and one grade (or eight tariff points) for BTEC or mixed qualifications.

Mixed qualifications

Typically the only scenario where we make conditional offers expressed as UCAS tariff points is when an applicant presents mixed qualifications, most typically a combination of A Levels and a BTEC qualification.

In this instance, we may make a tariff point offer to present the applicant with more flexibility on equivalencies. In this case, please be aware that we may still ask for a specific score across certain qualifications and subjects. E.g. 'This offer is conditional on you achieving 128 tariff points. This must include A Level Mathematics at grade B.'

Subject exclusions

We do not accept General Studies and Critical Thinking. These subjects will not be included in any conditional offer we make.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

We welcome applications from students who are completing relevant EPQ Projects. Whilst we recognise the value of these projects in preparing students for independent learning at university, the EPQ is unlikely to form part of any conditional offer we make.

The EPQ will also not lower the specifics of any conditional offer we choose to make. We will consider the EPQ as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.

We recognise that there will be differences of opportunity varying by school and college. As not all students will have the opportunity to sit AS Level exams, it is unlikely we will include AS Level grades in any offer we choose to make. Where students have completed an AS Level subject, we will consider this as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.

University preparation programmes

If you do not qualify for direct entry, you may wish to take a foundation programme first. These programmes are designed to prepare students for entry to City's undergraduate courses.

Access to Higher Education

We welcome Access course applications from 'mature' students. These applicants will be considered on the basis of their own merits. Please be aware that Access students are often asked for further information to supplement their application, this is normally in the form of a questionnaire.

A typical offer for an Access applicant would be:

• Access to HE course with 60 credits overall to include 45 credits at Level 3 with 24 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 21 Level 3 credits at Merit.
• The Access qualification should be supplemented by at least a grade 6 (B) in Mathematics and grade 4 (C) in English Language at GCSE.

The Zimbabwe GCE A Level is considered on a grade for grade basis with GCE A Levels.

Visa requirements

International Students coming to study in the UK may need to apply for a visa or entry clearance to come to the UK to study. The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course. There are different rules for:

• Students on courses of more than six months
• Students on courses of less than six months

For more information see our main Visa page .

The School Certificate / General Certificate of Education.

Students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Tot Nghiep Pho Thong Trung Hoc (Upper Secondary School Graduation Certificate) students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Uzbekistan Certificate of Secondary Education.

Certificate of Complete General Secondary Education.

Advanced Certificate in Education (UACE) is considered on a grade for grade basis with GCE A Levels.

Advanced Placements.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the US equivalent required.

The equivalents provided are intended as a guide only and individual applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The following A-level equivalences to Advanced Placements will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = Advanced Placements 555
• A-level AAB = Advanced Placements 554
• A-level ABB = Advanced Placements 544
• A-level BBB = Advanced Placements 444
• A-level BBC = Advanced Placements 443
• A-level BCC = Advanced Placements 433.

Thanawaya (General Secondary Education Certificate Examination)- students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Secondary certificate.

Mathayom Suksa 6 (Senior High School Leaving Certificate) students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE)

Senior High School Leaving Certificate students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Junior College Diploma

The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Switzerland

Federal Maturity Certificate/Maturitatzeugnis/Cantonal Maturity Certificate. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

International Students from within the European Economic Area (EEA) may need to apply for a Student visa or entry clearance to come to the UK to study if they do not have EU Settlement Status.

• Students on courses of less than six months.

Avgångsbetyg / Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskola. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level).

Considered equivalent to UK A-levels on a like for like basis.

Título de Bachillerato (LOGSE)

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Polish equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to Título de Bachillerato (LOGSE) will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = 8
• A-level AAB = 7.8
• A-level ABB = 7.6
• A-level BBB = 7.4
• A-level BBC = 7.2
• A-level BCC = 7.

Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

South Korea

Korean High School Diploma students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

South Africa

The National Senior Certificate will be accepted for direct entry to certain undergraduate courses normally

Maturitetno spričevalo (Matura Certificate). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške (Secondary School Leaving Certificate). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-levels considered equivalent to UK A-levels on a like-for-like basis.

Polytechnic Diploma students considered for year 1 or year 2 entry on a case-by-case basis depending on subjects taken and CGPA.

Please contact Admissions to confirm your eligibility and the requirements for your course of interest.

Secondary School Leaving Diploma/Matura. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Saudi Arabia

Thanawaya (General Secondary Education Certificate) - students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

The Rwanda Advanced Certificate of Education (A-level)

The Attestat o Srednam Obrazov

Diplomă de Bacalaureat. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Diploma/Certificado Nível Secundário de Educação. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the rquirements for your course of interest.

Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura.

The following A-level equivalences to Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura 80% average from 3 extended subjects
• A-level AAB = Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura 78% average from 3 extended subjects
• A-level ABB = Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura 76% average from 3 extended subjects
• A-level BBB = Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura 74% average from 3 extended subjects
• A-level BBC = Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura 72% average from 3 extended subjects
• A-level BCC = Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura 70% average from 3 extended subjects.

Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC).

Thanawaya (General Education Diploma) - students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Vitnemål fra den Videregående Skole (VVO). The exact requirements MAY differ between courses.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Norwegian equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to Vitnemal will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = 5
• A-level AAB = 4.5
• A-level ABB = 4.5
• A-level BBB = 4
• A-level BBC = 4
• A-level BCC = 3.5

Senior School Certificate/West African Senior School Certificate

Netherlands

Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

The Moroccan Diplôme du Baccalauréat/Attestation du Baccalauréat

Titulo Académico de Bachiller / Diploma de Bachiller / Bachillerato General - students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

The CIE A Level sat in Mauritius is considered on a grade for grade basis with GCE A Levels sat in the UK.

Advanced Matriculation and Matriculation Certificate Examination are comparable to A Levels with the same grading system as UK A levels.

STPM / UEC.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Malaysian equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to STPM will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = STPM AAA
• A-level AAB = STPM AAB
• A-level ABB = STPM ABB
• A-level BBB = STPM BBB
• A-level BBC = STPM BBC
• A-level BCC = STPM BCC.

The following A-level equivalences to UEC will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = UEC AAAAAA
• A-level AAB = UEC AAAABB
• A-level ABB = UEC AABBBB
• A-level BBB = UEC BBBBBB
• A-level BBC = UEC BBBBCC
• A-level BCC = UEC BBCCCC.

Diplôme de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Brandos Atestatas (Certificate of Maturity). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Lebanese Baccalaureate - students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu (Certificate of General Secondary Education). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses.

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)

Certificate of Completed Secondary Education.

Thanawaya (Certificate of General Secondary Education) - students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate) students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Senmonshi (vocational degree), Jun-Gakushi (associate degree) and Tanki Daigaku Shuryo Shoshois (Junior College Certificate of Graduation) considered for direct entry on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Diploma di Esame di Stato.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Italian equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to Diploma di Esame di Stato will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = Diploma di Esame di Stato 85%
• A-level AAB = Diploma di Esame di Stato 84%
• A-level ABB = Diploma di Esame di Stato 80%
• A-level BBB = Diploma di Esame di Stato 78%
• A-level BBC = Diploma di Esame di Stato 76%
• A-level BCC = Diploma di Esame di Stato 74%.

Irish Leaving Certificate. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Surat Tanda Tamat Belajar Sekolah Menengah Umum Tingkat Atas (Senior Secondary School Certificate of Completion) students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Diploma III & IV students considered for year 1 entry on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Indian equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to HSC XII will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = CBSE & ICSE Exam Board HSC XII 80%
• A-level AAB = CBSE & ICSE Exam Board HSC XII 78%
• A-level ABB = CBSE & ICSE Exam Board HSC XII 76%
• A-level BBB = CBSE & ICSE Exam Board HSC XII 74%
• A-level BBC = CBSE & ICSE Exam Board HSC XII 72%
• A-level BCC = CBSE & ICSE Exam Board HSC XII 70%

Stúdentspróf. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Érettségi. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Hong Kong equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to HKDSE will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = HKSDE 555 (excluding Liberal Studies and Chinese)
• A-level AAB = HKSDE 555 (excluding Liberal Studies and Chinese)
• A-level ABB = HKSDE 554 (excluding Liberal Studies and Chinese)
• A-level BBB = HKSDE 554 (excluding Liberal Studies and Chinese)
• A-level BBC = HKSDE 544 (excluding Liberal Studies and Chinese)
• A-level BCC = HKSDE 544 (excluding Liberal Studies and Chinese).

Greek Apolytirion. Please note that exact requirements may differ between courses.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Greek equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to Greek Apolytirion will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = 18/20 plus; 18/20 in two PanHellenics
• A-level AAB = 18/20 plus; 17/20 in two PanHellenics

German Abitur.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the German equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to Abitur will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = Abitur 1.8
• A-level AAB = Abitur 2.0
• A-level ABB = Abitur 2.2
• A-level BBB = Abitur 2.4
• A-level BBC = Abitur 2.6
• A-level BCC = Abitur 2.8.

French Baccalaureate.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the French equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to French Baccalaureate will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = French Baccalaureate 15/20
• A-level AAB = French Baccalaureate 14/20
• A-level ABB = French Baccalaureate 13/20
• A-level BBB = French Baccalaureate 12.5/20
• A-level BBC = French Baccalaureate 12/20
• A-level BCC = French Baccalaureate 11.5/20.

Gümnaasiumi loputunnistus with the Riigieksamitunnistus (Secondary School Leaving Certificate with the State Examination Certificate).

Certificate of Nile International Secondary Education

Hojere Forberedelseseksamen (HF). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Czech Republic

Vysvědčení o maturitní zkoušce / Maturita (Secondary School Leaving Certificate). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses.

Apolytirion. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

The following A-level equivalences to Apolytirion will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = 19 (91 – 95)
• A-level AAB = 18.5 (88 – 90)
• A-level ABB = 18 (86 – 90)
• A-level BBB = 18 (86 – 90)
• A-level BBC = 17.5 (83 – 85).

Maturalna svjedodzba (Matura Certificate). The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Bachiller Académico/Technico

Senior High School Certificate students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course.

Gaokao students with exceptional grades considered for direct entry on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Grade 12 high school graduation certificate / diploma. Please note that exact requirements may differ between provinces.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Canadian equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to Canadian year 12 Diplomas will typically be applied:

• A-level AAA = 85% average across 5 best Grade 12 subjects
• A-level AAB = 80% average across 5 best Grade 12 subjects
• A-level ABB = 77% average across 5 best Grade 12 subjects
• A-level BBB = 75% average across 5 best Grade 12 subjects
• A-level BBC = 72% average across 5 best Grade 12 subjects
• A-level BCC = 70% average across 5 best Grade 12 subjects.

The Cameroonian GGCE is normally considered like for like with UK A levels.

Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie.

Please refer to the UK entry requirements for this course, check for any prerequisites such as compulsory or preferred subject areas, and use the following as an indication of the Bulgarian equivalent required.

The following A-level equivalences to Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie will typically be applied:

• A-level ABB = Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie 5.3 average and 5 in state exams
• A-level BBB = Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie 5.0 average and 4 in state exams
• A-level BBC = Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie 4.5 average and 4 in state exams
• A-level BCC = Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie 4.0 average and 4 in state exams
• A-level CCC = Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie 4.0 average and 4 in state exams.

Brunei-Cambridge GCE A-levels considered equivalent to UK A-levels on a like for like basis.

• Certificado de Conclusao de Ensino Médio
• Certificado de Conclusao de Segundo Grau

Botswana National qualifications

Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs/Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur.

General Secondary Education Certificate.

Reifeprufungszeugnis/Maturazeugnis. The exact requirements from the above qualification differ between courses. Please contact Admissions to confirm the requirements for your course of interest.

Titulo de Bachiller.

The Baccalaureat de l'Enseignement Secondaire

Diplome e Matures Shteterore (Diploma of State Matura). Students must successfully complete a recognised foundation course. Alternatively, IB, A Levels, or other European system will be considered.

If you are unable to find your country equivalents in the above list, City will consider other international qualifications on a case by case basis.

Please contact the Admissions team for more details.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:

English language programmes

Don’t meet the English language requirements? INTO City, University of London offers English language programmes to help prepare you for study at university. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to degree courses.

Why choose this course?

in London for student satisfaction in English studies three years in a row (NSS Survey 2022-2024)

Study in the heart of London, a global hub of literary creativity.

Explore your artistic side and learn how to write fiction and creative non-fiction, and for films, television and games.

• Course overview

Teaching and assessment

Fees and funding, how to apply, english with creative writing ba (hons) degree course overview.

This course is subject to approval for 2025 entry.

This programme builds on our international reputation in creative writing, media and the creative industries.

Your first year is shared with BA English. Throughout your degree you will study the written word across time and space, from Shakespeare to popular music, comic books to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

By the end of your studies, you will be able to communicate in different professional and critical forms, using the written and spoken word.

You will also develop a set of specialised and applied skills in contemporary forms of creative writing, from short stories and literary journalism to screenplays and game dialogue. You’ll graduate with a compelling portfolio of sample writings.

• Immerse yourself in world literature and study in Central London, which has inspired so many iconic stories.
• Learn how to write in a range of genres and voices, including screenplays, poetry, short stories, narrative non-fiction and gaming narrative.
• Develop applied creative skills in communication, persuasion, individuality, writing for different audiences, and awareness of different creative industry markets.
• Learn from a team of expert lecturers who are passionate about creativity and the written word.

Course content

Develop your own creative and professional skills while immersing yourself in the study of English in this three year-degree.

Year 1: Develop a thorough grounding in reading, writing, academic and creative skills. Encounter a range of texts from around the world, explore how creative writing represents issues like social justice, and develop your own skills in storytelling.

Year2: Take core modules in creative short fiction and screenplay writing. Deepen your understanding of writing in English by choosing from a range of modules focusing on global and English literature, publishing, writing for media and communications, and advertising.

Year 3: Take core modules in writing for gaming and long-form journalism. Choose from a range of options including contemporary approaches to writing in English, media, marketing and publishing. Cap your degree with an optional creative writing project.

Study abroad

As an Undergraduate student you can undertake a period of study abroad whilst completing the programme.

This is possible through the Exchange Programme, a year of study at one of our European and/or international partner universities via a sandwich year, which is undertaken between completing Programme Stage 2 and entering Programme Stage 3, extending the degree to four years.

The resulting degree title awarded would be: BA English with Study Abroad.

We have strong links with Universities such as:

• Curtin University
• University of Queensland
• Queensland University of Technology.

North America

• University of British Columbia
• Concordia University
• Northeastern University
• Toronto Metropolitan University.
• Koç University.

Your modules will be delivered using a combination of:

• Practical workshops
• Interactive sessions
• Small seminars
• Personal tutorials

Lectures will provide you with commentary and explanation of key content areas. Most modules also offer small seminars and workshops, where you can develop your understanding of key texts and ideas through discussion and debate as well as hone your practical and professional skills. This versatility of approach will not only facilitate discussion but allow you to generate your own content, with different readerships, forms and functions in mind.

Assessment methods

Your programme will be assessed via a range of coursework and practical assignments, which may include:

• Professional, reflective, and creative assignments and portfolios
• Group assignments, including projects, performances, and presentations
• Live showcase events.

Fees for year 2025/26

To be confirmed

International

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2025/26 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase in the region of 5%.

Funding options

Explore up-to-date information about funding options, available financial support and typical living costs .

• Fee waivers are available for this course.
• Means tested support is available for 2025/26 entry.

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees.  Find out more about additional expenses .

You will graduate with a unique blend of intellectual and creative skills.

Our employability-focused curriculum strongly emphasises the practical application of your skills in a professional context. You’ll have the opportunity to take a work placement module or year, apply for a year’s study abroad, or undertake shorter and intensive work placements.

Delivered through world-class teaching dedicated to enhancing your job prospects, this course prepares you for a range of possible career options, including:

• creative writing
• writing for film, television and other media including games
• advertising and marketing
• library and archival professions
• civil service.

More information on the Careers support available at City is available on our website.

Placement opportunities

As an English student at City, you will have the opportunity to take a second-year elective module, ‘Work Placement’. You may also apply to take a sandwich year between years two and three of your degree. Our careers team will help you secure a placement in the areas that meet your future ambitions.

Previous students have taken their placements in a wide range of sectors, including:

• Publishing (Penguin)
• Teaching Assistant (Secondary)
• Marketing (Intern at 11 Investors recruitment group)
• Theatre work (Chickenshed)
• Charity work (Oxfam books).

Applications for degree courses must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

You can apply through your school or college using the Apply system, which enables you to submit your application directly to the  UCAS website .

You can apply to up to five universities or institutions on the form. The UCAS code for City, University of London is C60 .

Please take care to enter the correct course code when applying, particularly for subjects with a Foundation year or with BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) options.

UCAS has implemented an 'invisibility of choices' policy so that, on the initial application and while you are receiving decisions, each institution can see only their entry and not those of other institutions you have chosen. This ensures that your application for a course at City is considered solely on your academic and personal qualities.

You should submit your completed application form to UCAS with a £27.50 application fee.

For enquiries about the admissions process at City, please contact our Admissions Office

Complete the Admissions enquiry form .

Call: +44 (0)20 7040 8716.

When to apply

Your application for entry in September 2025 should arrive at UCAS between September 2024 and 31 January 2025. Applications that arrive after 31 January 2025 will be considered only at City's discretion.

Contacting UCAS

Website: www.ucas.com

Address: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ

• from inside the UK 0871 468 0468
• from outside the UK +44 (0)871 468 0468

For callers with hearing difficulties:

• from inside the UK use the Text Relay service on 18001 0871 468 0468
• from outside the UK dial +44 151 494 1260 (text phone) and then ask the operator to dial 0871 468 0468.

Our students

BA (Hons) English student Ruth’s insights

Ask a student

Want to find out more about student life? Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any question you have

Your studies are supported by a team of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field. On occasion we also work with external professionals to enhance your learning and appreciation of the wider subject.

Dr Hetta Howes

Senior Lecturer in Medieval and Early Modern Literature

• Department of Media, Culture and Creative Industries

Dr Minna Vuohelainen

Dr Sarah Jilani

Lecturer in English

What's happening

Nov  06

Postgraduate Open Evening

Join us at our Postgraduate Open Evening to learn more about our postgraduate courses and discover all the benefits of studying at City, University of London.

Wednesday, 6 th November 2024 , 17:00 – 19:00

Location: Northampton Square

Audience: Prospective students

Wednesday, 10 th January 2024

Stories shape our world as concretely as infrastructure

Dr Dominic Davies publishes new book The Broken Promise of Infrastructure, which investigates the cultural politics of infrastructure in Britain.

Friday, 10 th March 2023

‘Working with Words’ opens up career possibilities for English students

Careers-focused module boosts BA English students’ employability at City.

Related courses

Journalism ba (hons).

Train for a career in journalism with this hands on degree. Develop the skills you need to become a print, broadcast or online journalist, alongside research and critical thinking skills.

Award: Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Duration: 3 years (4 years with placement or study abroad year)

History BA (Hons)

Our fascinating three-year History BA Hons degree invites you to explore the events, force and ideas that have shaped modern and international history.

Useful links

• School of Communication & Creativity
• Creative writing and publishing at City, University of London
• English at City, University of London

Contact details

Undergraduate enquiries.

+44 (0)20 7040 8716

Admissions enquiries

An Introduction to Genre

An Introduction to Genre can be studied as a stand-alone course and it is a core course for the Certificate of Higher Education in Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University. 

Key Facts  

Language: English 

Duration: 10 Weeks  

Number of Credits: 10

Tutor:  Lara Clough 

Learning Method: Online

Level: This module is at CQFW Level 4

Module Code: XE10310

Fee: £130.00 - Fee Waiver Scheme available

This course is available to  book.

Overview   

This course is an introduction to writing creatively in various fictional genres. The course will examine: what is genre and what do different genres offer a writer?     Using a variety of fictional texts, students will learn to recognise the features and functions of different types of genre fiction. Students will be encouraged to explore and experiment creatively with a range of material and techniques. The course will cover, but is not restricted to, the following genres: crime fiction, historical fiction, horror, romance and science fiction and fantasy.     It is suitable for beginners who might be trying to write creatively for the first time and for more experienced writers who are keen to develop and improve their writing skills further.    

Programme  

Activities and tasks will be embedded into each unit so students can practise the techniques they have learned and develop their skills. Students will be encouraged to share their own work and participate in discussions on Blackboard. Alongside the learning materials on Blackboard the tutor will be on hand via email to answer any queries and provide guidance throughout the course. They will also participate in the online discussions.     

• Unit 1 – Introduction   
• Unit 2 – What is Genre?   
• Unit 3 – Crime Fiction    
• Unit 4 – Historical Fiction   
• Unit 5 – Horror    
• Unit 6 – Romance   
• Unit 7 – Science Fiction and Fantasy    

Learning Outcomes 

• On completion of this module, students should be able to:    
• Demonstrate an understanding of what a genre is and be able to identify various fictional genres.    
• Analyse a range of relevant genre writings and identify different features, techniques and functions.    
• Apply, and experiment with, different literary genres and their identifiable creative writing features and techniques.    
• Critically reflective on their own creative process and outputs, and that of others .    

Assessments 

• Written piece of genre fiction (1200 words; 60% of overall mark)   
• Critical reflective commentary (800 words; 40% of overall mark)

Reading Suggestions 

Reading suggestions will be offered throughout the course.

Enquiry Requirements 

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements.  

What do I need?  

As this is an online course, you would need the following:  

• Internet access.
• Access to a laptop or computer with a web camera and microphone; the use of headphones might also be of benefit.
• Use of the Chrome web-browser where possible.