If you’ve put off improving your craft because you’re unable to escape the hustle and bustle of your daily life to travel to a class in person, no more excuses; you can take these top online courses in creative writing from the comfort of your own home.
We’ll admit it—finding a class can be a bit daunting. Some classes are free and some require payment, some include personalized feedback and others offer only the course material, and some have live instructors while others provide pre-recorded videos you can work through at your own pace. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you!
Check out these top online courses in creative writing and choose what works best for you.
Gotham Writers Workshop
This well-known company offers writing classes both online and in New York. They offer a variety of courses, from Creative Writing 101 to more advanced classes in all genres.
Class size is limited so students will receive personal attention from experienced instructors, and classes range in length from hour-long intensives to 10-week workshops. One-on-one options are also available. Prices range from $95 to $399 for online classes.
Scroll through the course options and learn more here.
Writer’s Digest University
Who wouldn’t want to take a class offered by the popular writing magazine Writer’s Digest? Online courses cover every aspect of writing, from that first inkling of an idea to getting the final piece published. With classes such as Build Your Novel Scene by Scene, Advanced Poetry Writing, and Creativity and Expression, these courses cover all genres for all experience levels.
The instructors are successful authors who will provide advice, specific instruction, and expertise. Prices start at $199.99 and can be steep, so look for what class will serve you best.
Learn more about the courses offered here.
Writers’ Village University
The Writers’ Village University is unique in that you pay an annual membership fee to gain access to as many courses and workshops as you’d like to take. There are over 200 courses available in all genres, and upcoming classes include topics such as Fairy Tales and Folk Tales, Flash Fiction, and Short Story Workshops.
New classes start weekly, but you can either take them at scheduled times with fellow members or as self-study courses whenever you want to get started. The Village emphasizes creating a strong community of writers and lasting friendships around the world, so you can expect to engage fully with your fellow classmates and receive valuable feedback from them.
Annual Memberships are $99 for the first year, then $69 to renew. Learn more and sign up here.
Writers.com
This website offers a variety of classes in all genres and prides itself on its unique ability to offer personalized feedback from experienced teachers to each student. Each class provides written lectures, projects and assignments, and discussion forums where you’ll share your work with the instructor and fellow students.
Some upcoming classes feature topics such as The Art of Storytelling, Let It Rip: The Art of Writing Fiery Prose, and Poetic Prose: The Prose Poem. Classes range from 5-10 weeks and most cost $215-$360.
Browse through course offerings and sign up here.
Creative Writing Now
At Creative Writing Now you’ll find creative writing courses, ideas, prompts, and both free and paid classes in poetry, fiction, and drama. You can sign up for the Endless Story Ideas course for free, where you’ll learn how to generate new ideas whenever you need them.
Other courses, such as Story Structure, The Essentials of Poetry Writing, and Mastering Dialogue, run for 8 weeks at $26.95 a class. These include 8 e-mail lessons, weekly assignments, the chance to publish on the course blog, and the ability to ask the teacher general questions. They do not include personalized feedback.
See specific course outlines and sign up here.
The Crafty Writer
The creative writing course offered by The Crafty Writer consists of 8 sessions to introduce the basic elements of fiction and poetry. Though there is no feedback or live instructor, this course is free and you can move at your own pace.
Sessions are provided as PDF files and cover topics from point of view to dialogue. You will also receive exercises to get you writing and analyzing your own writing.
Learn more and get started now here.
MIT OpenCourseWare
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Creative Writing go together better than you would think. MIT OpenCourseWare is a web-based publication of almost all MIT course content, available free of cost to anyone.
A search on their website reveals 713 results for creative writing courses, including classes like Writing and Reading Short Stories, Writing Science Fiction, and The Creative Spark. Move through course materials such as readings, assignments, lecture notes, and study materials at your own pace, and take in as much free knowledge as you can.
Search for your perfect class here.
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