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Best Online Creative Writing Classes

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Creative writing is often focused around writing fiction (but may also include nonfiction), which can feature any type of writing from poems to short stories, novels, and more. Online creative writing classes help you learn how to become a better storyteller, produce completed manuscripts, and publish your work. Since the classes takes place over the internet, you can study anywhere. The best online creative writing classes offer a rich curriculum, provide a good value for the cost, and are taught by experienced professionals.

Here, we've rounded up our top picks for prospective students to learn about creative writing from the comfort of their own homes. Some online courses even offer certifications upon completion to pursue creative writing as a career. Compare top options to find the best price range, topics, and class schedule to help you get started. 

Best Online Creative Writing Classes of 2023

• Best Overall: Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling
• Best for Beginners: Beginning Writer’s Workshop by ed2go
• Best for Certification: Coursera's Creative Writing Specialization by Wesleyan University
• Best Live Class: Creative Writing 101 by Gotham Writers
• Best for Writing Critique: UCLA Extension’s Introduction to Creative Writing
• Best for Creative Non-Fiction: Udemy’s Creative Non-Fiction Writing - You Can’t Make This Stuff Up!
• Best Ivy League Class: Harvard's Fundamentals of Fiction
• Our Top Picks
• Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling
• Beginning Writer’s Workshop by ed2go
• Coursera's Creative Writing Specialization by Wesleyan University
• Creative Writing 101 by Gotham Writers
• UCLA Extension’s Introduction to Creative Writing
• Udemy’s Creative Non-Fiction Writing - You Can’t Make This Stuff Up!
• Harvard's Fundamentals of Fiction
• See More (4)

Final Verdict

• Compare Classes

Can I Teach Myself Creative Writing?

Can you make a living off of creative writing, methodology, best overall : neil gaiman teaches the art of storytelling.

 MasterClass

• Cost: $180 for annual Masterclass membership
• Length: Approximately 5 hours
• Certificate: No

Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling took our top spot because the course has a robust curriculum and is taught by an award-winning author.

Short, engaging videos

Access content from your computer or smartphone

Easy-to-digest video lectures

No instructor feedback

Masterclass subscription required

No student collaboration

We like this class because students learn many creative writing techniques from a world-renowned fiction writer. The course is a series of 19 short video lectures, which include:

• Truth in Fiction
• Sources of Inspiration
• Finding Your Voice
• Dialogue and Character
• Character Case Study
• Worldbuilding
• Dealing with Writer's Block
• The Writer's Responsibilities

As you watch the nearly five hours of content, you'll learn the fundamentals of writing stories (including how to make your story feel real), find unique angles to explore, develop your writing voice, create compelling plots, characters, settings, and dialogue, and edit and improve your work. You’ll also write short stories, understand different writing genres, and learn tips for getting unstuck when you have writer’s block. 

This course of study is self-paced, so you won’t receive any feedback on your writing. You can access the videos on your smartphone or computer.

There are no requirements to enroll. However, you can only access the class if you have a Masterclass subscription, which currently costs $180 for the year. Once you have a Masterclass membership you can take any course offered. If you’re dissatisfied with the learning platform, you can email customer service within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.

Best for Beginners : Beginning Writer’s Workshop by ed2go

• Length: 24 hours

Beginning Writer’s Workshop by ed2go gives new writers the foundational information they need to complete a piece of creative work.

Rich curriculum including various genres, literary techniques, the writing process, and more

Instructor and peer feedback

Budget-friendly

Course access ends after six weeks

Must adhere to a schedule to participate in discussions

Not all course requirements are included in enrollment

We like Beginning Writer’s Workshop because it’s designed to quickly turn a true beginner into a confident writer with a publication-worthy piece. When you finish the six-week, 12-lesson course, you’ll know how to:

• Distinguish between and speak to the different writing genres and subgenres
• Use various literary techniques and devices like similes, metaphors, imagery, etc.
• Develop plots, characters, and other story elements
• Navigate the entire writing process, including pre-writing, drafting, editing, and finalizing a piece
• Peer-edit the creative work of others
• Combat writer’s block
• Go through the publishing process

The class includes 24 hours of instructional content. For the first six weeks, you’ll get access to two new self-paced lessons per week. Lectures include reading material and videos.

There’s also an online discussion board where you can post questions and talk about the lectures. Discussions only remain open for two weeks after a lesson is released. So, while you can study when it fits your schedule, you’ll want to keep up with the work.

The course is facilitated by Carmen Marquez, a journalist, writer, and teacher. They’ll reply to any inquiries you post on the discussion board within 24 to 48 hours. You’ll also have the opportunity to get feedback on your writing from the instructor and other students. 

The class costs $149. A new round of the course begins every month, so you can get started when it’s convenient for you.

Best for Certification : Coursera's Creative Writing Specialization by Wesleyan University

• Cost: $0 or $49 per month to unlock more features
• Length: Approximately 11 hours
• Certificate: Yes

Coursera's Creative Writing Specialization by Wesleyan University is our choice for this category because it offers a certificate upon completion, allowing students to use the knowledge gained for their career path. As a bonus, this class is free, so students can access content from the school at no cost.

Access to free content from a well-regarded school

Self-paced study

Free trial and "audits" allow students to view material before purchasing

No feedback or interaction without a subscription to Coursera

Does not include lessons on literary style

May take up to six months to complete

The course is hosted by Coursera, an online learning platform. Coursera gives you the option to “audit” the class at no charge, allowing you to view all of the included videos and reading materials without subscribing to the platform.

The specialization includes four classes you can audit:

• Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot
• Creative Writing: The Craft of Character
• Creative Writing: The Craft of Setting and Description
• Creative Writing: The Craft of Style
• Capstone: Your Story

Each class features a few hours of content, and you can take them in any order and on your own time.

As you go through the lessons, you’ll learn how to:

• Develop a story with a beginning, middle, and end
• Bring the players in your tale to life
• Create a detailed world with your words
• Refine your piece via the editing process

The course of study has multiple instructors, all with backgrounds in English or creative writing.

If you want a more interactive experience that includes writing assignments, access to a discussion board, or feedback on your work, you’ll have to purchase a Coursera membership for $49 per month. The company offers a seven-day free trial, so you can test it out before buying.

Having full access will also allow you to obtain a certificate of completion once you’ve finished the specialization.

Best Live Class : Creative Writing 101 by Gotham Writers

Gotham Writers

• Cost: $319 plus $25 registration fee
• Length: 18 hours

Creative Writing 101 by Gotham Writers is our best pick for live classes because it features weekly live lectures via Zoom. Students are also offered feedback for their writing while learning about both fiction and nonfiction.

Live, interactive meetings

Writing feedback available

Includes both fiction and nonfiction

Course is somewhat pricey

Registration fee required

No certificate offered upon completion

We like this class since you can learn about creative writing in a fully interactive environment and get your questions answered in real time. The course is designed specifically for newer writers or experienced writers looking for a refresher.

The six-week class meets for three hours a week and features:

• An introduction to creative writing
• A discussion on fiction writing to include types of fiction, components of the genre—such as plot, characters, and point of view—and how to write it
• A discussion on the different types of nonfiction, including narrative nonfiction, memoirs, and personal essays
• Guidance on how to find story ideas, cultivate good writing habits, and get past writer’s block

Between lectures, you’ll also complete writing assignments and get feedback on your work. The course has multiple instructors, all with education and experience in writing.

You must be 18 or older to take the course. The class is offered on various days and times, so you’ll have to look online to see which option fits your schedule.

Creative Writing 101 costs $319 for the online or Zoom classes. The company also charges a $25 registration fee per term, but you might be able to find discounts or promotions to reduce the cost.

Best for Writing Critique : UCLA Extension’s Introduction to Creative Writing

UCLA Extension 

UCLA Extension’s Introduction to Creative Writing is our choice as best for writing critique because the class features small, weekly breakout sessions to workshop student writing.

Small group workshops for detailed feedback

Guest lecturers

Offers lessons on writing in multiple styles

Limite to 12 students; not always available for enrollment

Requires students to be present for 3-hour weekly class

This class allows you to learn from and work closely with instructors, writing experts, and other students. The course is limited to 12 students and is designed to help learners explore creative writing.

The Introduction to Creative Writing course runs for six weeks and meets live over Zoom for three hours weekly. In each class meeting, you’ll start in a breakout session to discuss the writing assignment and how you’re feeling as a writer. Then, you’ll transition into a lecture with a guest expert about topics like fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, and poetry.

Throughout the class, you’ll:

• Experiment with writing in different styles
• Learn how to critique the work of other writers
• Network with other creatives
• Be inspired to write and learn more about the craft

The course has several different instructors who are all accomplished writers.

Since this is a beginner course, you won’t get graded on the writing you produce. Instead, you’ll be evaluated based on assignment completion, the feedback you provide to your peers, and overall participation.

The course costs $485, and if you need to withdraw, you must do so within two weeks of the start date to receive a refund.

Best for Creative Non-Fiction : Udemy’s Creative Non-Fiction Writing - You Can’t Make This Stuff Up!

• Cost: $19.99
• Length: Approximately 2 hours

Udemy’s Creative Non-Fiction Writing won this category because the class specifically focuses on creative nonfiction. While the class is short, it's also the most affordable on our list, and it's a great introduction to the topic for curious students.

Specific focus on creative nonfiction

Most affordable option for beginner writers

Certificate of completion given

No writing feedback available

Only 2 hours of lectures available

Not in-depth on each topic compared to similar courses

If you’re interested in writing true stories rather than fiction but still want that creative element, you might want to consider creative nonfiction, like personal essays and memoirs. We like this class because it helps you dive into the world of creative nonfiction at a budget-conscious price.

The $19.99 course is self-paced and includes nine modules and 26 video lectures. The modules include:

• What is Creative Nonfiction?
• Writing the Vignette
• Using Sensory Language
• Writing in Scenes
• Using a Plot Diagram
• Making the Personal Universal

During the nearly two hours of lectures, you’ll learn the skills required to write creative nonfiction pieces, such as memoirs and essays, the basic building blocks of storytelling, such as plots, characters, and scenes, and several writing techniques and literary devices. You’ll also learn: 

• How to find your writer’s voice and be more confident
• How to turn your personal experience into a compelling story that will appeal to the masses
• The revision process

Although you won’t get any feedback from your instructor, the class includes writing projects you can complete independently and quizzes to review your learning. To supplement the lectures, you’ll also have access to downloadable resources like templates and graphics.

Your instructor is the creator of the class, Trace Crawford. Crawford has more than 20 years of writing and teaching experience.

You don’t have to meet any particular requirements to take this course. It’s designed for any curious writer. 

In case you’re unhappy with the class, it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. When you finish the last lecture, you’ll receive a certificate of completion. You’ll also have lifetime access to the content.

Best Ivy League Class : Harvard's Fundamentals of Fiction

• Cost: $3,100
• Length: 5 months

Harvard's Fundamentals of Fiction is designed for intermediate to advanced writers interested in applying their skills to creative fiction. This is not a course for beginners, but rather an in-depth study that concludes with each student finishing their own short story or the first chapter of a novel.

Students learn creative writing from Ivy League professors

Offers formal experience in creative writing

Students will complete their own short story or the first chapter of a novel by course end

Intended for graduate students with strong writing skills

Considerably more expensive than others

Students must enroll in degree program

Harvard's Fundamentals of Fiction course is a great choice for graduate-level students to focus on their creative writing skills. The course covers several topics, including:

• Plot analysis
• Structure analysis
• Fundamentals of character
• Fundamentals of dialogue
• Showing versus telling
• Point of view
• Building a narrative foundation
• Using scene structure to craft stories

The course is split into two sections: Students study plot and structure in various creative writing works, then apply this knowledge in the second half of the course to write their own short story or the first chapter of a novel.

As an Ivy League class, online students receive all the benefits of professor feedback and student collaboration that they'd receive in-class. However, students must enroll with the Harvard Department of Continuing Education to register.

There are countless online creative writing classes available, so it may be hard to choose the best course for you. Investigate any online creative writing class before you enroll to select an option that can help you finish and publish your creative masterpiece.

However, Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling is an excellent place to start your search. The content comes from an award-winning author and is designed to inspire you, help you develop your voice, and teach you new creative writing techniques.

Compare the Best Online Creative Writing Classes

Frequently asked questions, what do you learn in an online creative writing class.

Creative writing classes teach topics like genres of writing, outlining ideas, developing a plot and characters, and storytelling. Specific classes vary from course to course, but many include lessons about editing your work and establishing productive writing habits. The class may also include a peer-critique component to improve your own editing skills by reviewing other writers' work.

Should New Writers Take an Online Creative Writing Class?

New writers can and should take an online creative writing class. Some classes are designed especially for beginners so that learners can get the foundational information that they need. Taking an entry-level class can help you decide if creative writing is right for you and what direction to take as a writer.

How Can an Online Creative Writing Class Help Me Improve My Writing?

An online creative writing class can help you improve your writing in several ways. You'll learn about new literary techniques, refresh your knowledge about writing basics, find your unique voice, overcome writer's block, refine your work, and establish productive habits. An online creative writing class may also include personalized feedback from the instructor to hone your skills further.

How Much Do Online Creative Writing Classes Cost?

Online creative writing classes vary in cost. You can access some courses for free, while others are priced at several hundred dollars or more.

Are Online Creative Writing Classes Worth It?

Depending on your career goals , online creative writing classes can be worth your time, effort, and money. If you’re a hobbyist writer, it probably makes sense to stick with short, budget-friendly courses. But if you’re a writer by trade or would like to become a professional writer, it may be worth investing a more substantial number of hours and dollars into your development.

It's possible to teach yourself the fundamentals of creative writing when it comes to practicing narratives and storytelling, and many writers start without a formal education. However, creative writing classes can help you hone in on skills like developing characters and plots, writing in different styles, editing your work, and more.

Many writers and authors make their living from creative writing. Creative writers may focus on producing books, or they may write poetry, short stories, biographies, and other fictional or non-fictional works. The best creative writing classes can also teach you about submitting your work to publishers to develop a career .

We closely evaluated 10 online creative writing classes before making our selections. We considered the course curriculum, instructor credibility, and value. We also accounted for any unique features.

All of our choices offer a rigorous course of study for a fair price and are designed to help creative writers hone their craft and get ready for publication.

Alexander Spatari / Getty Images

MasterClass. " Neil Gaiman ."

Ed2Go. " Carmen Marquez ."

Coursera. " Instructors ."

Gotham Writer. " Faculty ."

Udemy. " Trace Crawford Profile ."

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363 Best Creative Writing Classes in Online

Showing 363 courses that match your search.

Turning Family Gossip and Tales into Short Stories and Novels

Sarah Lawrence College Writing Institute

Our lives are rich with stories passed on from families and friends. How do you decide what's material for a short story or a novel that anyone outside your family will want to read? In this generative writing intensive, we'll engage in writing exercises that help us explore this question.

Website: https://slc.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.Class...

Categories: Memoir and Nonfiction

Start date:

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Write Great Dialogue

Writer's Digest University

Dialogue can be one of the most interesting parts of a book to read, but only if it is done right. Sharpen your writing skills and challenge yourself to craft engaging, yet believable dialogue that will keep your readers interested.

Website: https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/write-grea...

Categories: Fiction, Book, and Short Story

March, 2024

The Novel Opening

While a sharp query goes a long way to inviting in the agent and editor, even that won’t pique their curiosity if they skip ahead to the novel start and the pages don’t deliver. How can you produce an infallible story opening?

Website: https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/the-novel-...

Categories: Book, Fiction, and Publishing

How to Write a Novel

Your story matters. Unlock your potential with daily video lessons from bestselling ghostwriter Tom Bromley, and finish your first draft in just 3 months. Learn more →

Food Writing for Publication

Le Cordon Bleu

A 10-week instructor-led online course starting from February 26 to May 5, 2024, this program focuses on developing skills in food writing. It covers developing sellable ideas, finding a unique writing voice, and preparing for chef interviews. Ideal for restaurant reviewers, freelance writers, and bloggers, the course aims to equip participants with the skills to write about food and wine in original and engaging ways​​​​​​​​.

Website: https://onlinecourseinfo.cordonbleu.edu/food-writing-for-...

Categories: Food

April, 2024

Exploring Poetic Forms: a 6-Week Generative Zoom

Writing Workshops

Level up your poetry by gaining form tools for your toolbox! In this 6-week workshop, we’ll explore why form is relevant for contemporary poets, and how we can take advantage of form to strengthen both traditional and free-verse poems.

Website: https://writingworkshops.com/collections/the-best-online-...

Categories: Poetry

The Flowers of Rhetoric Applied to Your Poems

Poetry School

Do you know your prolepsis from your epanalepsis? Or your tricolon from your transferred epithet? How about your polyptoton from your hyperbaton? All will be explained in this half-day course. After this session, you’ll have tools to create a powerful impact on readers of your work.

Website: https://poetryschool.com/courses/the-flowers-of-rhetoric-...

The Said and the Unsaid: Writing Your Characters Through Dialogue

In this class, we will examine prose conversations and explore dialogue as a tool for getting to know our characters. We will observe the many ways humans communicate and translate gestures and facial expressions into engaging written descriptions.

Website: https://www.porchtn.org/class/the-said-and-the-unsaid-wri...

Elementary Writing: Animal Stories

Brave Writer

In this five-week course, each student will conceive and draft a short story of up to 1,200 words. We will begin with a triggering image and build from there, reading examples, working with myths and fairy tales, drafting and revising, and exploring how to begin and how to end.

Website: https://bravewriter.com/online-classes/writing-the-short-...

Categories: Kids, Fiction, and Short Story

Using Time as a Narrative Tool

Writing for the theatre is a time-based art form. In this session we’ll explore various ways of observing how time operates dramatically, approaches for making deliberate choices about time, and how those narrative choices effect the audience’s experience of story. Come ready to write and play.

Website: https://theatre503.com/whats-on/twp-spring-24-using-time/

Categories: Fiction and Playwriting

8-week Personal Essay & Memoir II/III (intermediate & advanced)

Sackett Street Writers

Through group discussion of student work, plus that of published authors, writers in this workshop will examine the art and craft of creative nonfiction. The focus will be on learning to understand and use a full range of literary techniques in order to tell a truly compelling nonfiction story.

Website: https://sackettworkshop.com/writing/2023/12/30/8-week-per...

Categories: Essay, Nonfiction, and Memoir

Formatting Your Script Like a Pro

UCLA Extension

In this course, you learn not only how to properly format scene headings, action lines, characters, dialogue, parentheticals and transitions, but why these are industry standards. Even with screenwriting software, writers still struggle with the intricacies of formatting as it relates to clarity, succinctness and the reader’s emotional experience.

Website: https://www.uclaextension.edu/writing-journalism/screenwr...

Categories: Fiction and Screenplay

Once Upon a Time: Fairy Tale Writing With Anca Szilágyi

Atlas Obscura

In this four-part seminar, delve into the genre of fairy tales—reading and dissecting modern retellings before sharing and workshopping a draft of your own.

Website: https://www.atlasobscura.com/experiences/fairy-tales-onli...

Categories: Book, Fantasy, and Fiction

So you’re looking for creative writing classes online

Why go to a class in person when you can simply take the creative writing class online, in the comfort of your home and at your own preferred pace? With the single click of a finger, you could have access to the best online writing courses in the world, and a breadth of knowledge that could help you master the art of writing.

This directory of the best online writing courses is meant to help you locate the right one for yourself.  We’ve included filters for price and genre so that you can quickly sort through the writing classes. And before you commit to any one writing class, consider the following questions:

• Who is the instructor?
• What is the price of the writing course?
• Is the writing course offered in person? Or are you certain you want to take the creative writing class course?
• How long could the course last?

Got any questions about finding the right writing class online for you? Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] . Good luck!

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