online classes in 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.

Creative Writing

A haven for writers of all genres and ambitions

December 3, 2024

*Flexible payment available

Enroll this week to receive a 10% tuition reduction

Imbue your writing with imagination and range.

Craft writing that is distinct and well-developed..

Stories are timeless and eternal. They are touchstones, formed by time and place, which reflect upon the human experience. Creative writing is an asset in all professional fields throughout diverse positions. The ability to craft intriguing, memorable prose remains one of the most enduring forms of human expression. Learn to conceive and develop integral elements of a story, including plotline, characters, symbolism, setting, and atmosphere.

Our Approach to Online Learning

Optimize your time with a mode of study that allows you to explore content and complete tasks at your own pace.

Interactive

Our interactive content includes videos from instructors at the University of Chicago as well as materials that enable you to learn through real-world examples.

Personalized

Throughout the program, the teaching assistant will serve as a valuable resource to clarify any questions and provide feedback on your work.

Meet Your Instructor

Sarah Terez Rosenblum, MFA

Sarah Terez Rosenblum’s work has appeared in literary magazines such as The Normal School, Prairie Schooner (shortlisted for the publication’s Summer 2020 Creative Nonfiction Prize), Diagram , Brevity, Third Coast , and Carve. In 2022, Rosenblum was shortlisted for StoryQuarterly ’s annual fiction contest. She has written for sites that include Salon, The Chicago Sun-Times, The Satirist, and Pop Matters .

Pushcart Prize-nominated, she earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Rosenblum is a creative coach and developmental editor. She also teaches creative writing at Story Studio, where she was voted 2022 Teacher of the Year, and at the University of Chicago Writer’s Studio. Rosenblum’s novel, Herself When She’s Missing , was called “poetic and heartrending” by Booklist . 

Unique Program Features

Live sessions and workshops.

Engage in live sessions and workshops that provide the opportunity to pose questions and exchange ideas.

Practical application

Practice specific craft points and explore the drafting process through weekly writing exercises.

Personalized guidance

Receive feedback from your instructors about the development of your writing.

Learning Outcomes

• Reveal character through action.
• Establish setting through characters’ physicality.
• Write dynamic scenes.
• Create dialogue that reveals character and furthers plot.
• Recognize and use imagery and symbolic language.

After completing the course, you will be able to:

Create a strategy for your organization that makes use of AI to accomplish business goals

Build a team for success in an AI world

Choose the best areas for early-stage development and understand how to scale AI solutions

Earn a certificate of completion from the University of Chicago and become part of the UChicago network

Course Modules

Introduction to Writing and Crafting Character

• Things to Consider Before Writing
• Introduction to Character
• Description
• Internal Response

Point of View

• Introduction to Point of View
• First Person
• Third Person
• Less Common Points of View: Second Person
• Less Common Points of View: First Person Plural
• Focalization
• Writing Practice

Setting and Mood

• Starting with Setting
• Creating Setting
• Analysis of Setting in The Road
• Introduction to Workshop
• Introduction to Plot
• Basic Plot Arcs
• Denouement and Resolution
• Conflict and Tension
• Change and Imagery
• The Hero’s Journey
• Introduction to Dialogue
• Dialogue and Action
• Creating Tension with Dialogue
• Dialogue and Subtext
• Issues in Dialogue

Voice and Tone

• Introduction to Tone and Voice
• Authorial Voice and Character Voice
• Finding Your Voice
• Strong Story Starts
• Writing Practice: Drafting

Imagery, Symbolism, and Theme

• Introduction to Imagery and Theme
• Figurative Language
• Systems of Imagery: “In the White Night”
• Building Your Own Systems of Imagery
• Writing Practicen

Time Movement and Literary Magazines

• Simple Scene Movement
• Introduction to Flashbacks
• The Mechanics of Flashbacks
• Writing Practice: Submitting Your Work
• Writing Practice: Beyond this Course

This course is designed for:

Individuals with diverse aspirations, backgrounds, and skills interested in exploring writing in an easily accessible way

Learners from all walks of life with curiosity and enthusiasm toward writing, communication, literature, and the art of crafting a story

Experienced writers looking to hone their skills and elevate their expression.

Participant Experiences

Enroll now to receive a 10% tuition reduction

Flexible Payment Options Available

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Certificate in Creative Writing

About the Online Creative Writing Certificate

The Certificate in Creative Writing offers an innovative, collaborative course of study for those who have always wanted to unlock their creativity. Each online course is designed as a workshop in which you explore new ideas, tackle new writing tools, generate original insights and discover your own powers of expression. You create, collaboratively discuss and revise your original writing with feedback from your instructors and your peers. You also engage with a range of assigned readings and multimedia that inform and grow your innovative practice.

The Certificate in Creative Writing offers both basic and advanced workshops and appeals to students new to creative writing as well as students with writing experience who want to learn new skills. Through a series of online courses in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting, the Certificate in Creative Writing focuses on creative writing as a form of critical thinking as a way to reimagine audience and as a space of innovation. Taught by professionals in the field, our courses cultivate both individual and group learning, providing an overview of the field as well as deep dives into literary genres. These online creative writing courses are designed as hands-on, intensive study of the subtleties and power of language.

Creative Writing Certificate Requirements

The Certificate in Creative Writing is a 4-course, 4 c.u.* credit program of study taught by University of Pennsylvania faculty. To earn a certificate, students complete any four courses offered, in any order.  Students who complete the basic certificate may pursue an advanced certificate (6-course, 6 c.u.*) by adding two additional creative writing courses.

Flexible Course Schedule and Tuition

Penn LPS Online courses in the Certificate in Creative Writing are offered in accelerated 8-week terms and full terms. Courses in the online certificate program are largely asynchronous with some optional synchronous sessions to be scheduled by the instructors.

You have the option to enroll in individual creative writing courses without committing to the entire online certificate, enjoying the flexibility and expertise offered by Penn LPS Online to suit your schedule and interests. Visit the Cost of Attendance page for course tuition and fee rates.

Watch a video of a recent virtual information session to hear from the program team about the Certificate in Creative Writing.

If you are having trouble viewing this video, watch it on YouTube .

*Academic credit is defined by the University of Pennsylvania as a course unit (c.u.). A course unit (c.u.) is a general measure of academic work over a period of time, typically a term (semester or summer). A c.u. (or a fraction of a c.u.) represents different types of academic work across different types of academic programs and is the basic unit of progress toward a degree. One c.u. is usually converted to a four-semester-hour course.

The Certificate in Creative Writing prepares you to:

• Understand how text conveys meaning across a variety of literary genres and styles
• Explore how to use innovation, flexibility, and collaboration to cultivate a creative writing practice
• Create, revise and edit your original writing in multiple literary genres, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting

Online Creative Writing Courses

Certificate students who complete four of the online courses listed below earn a Certificate in Creative Writing. Those students are then eligible to pursue an Advanced Certificate in Creative Writing by taking two additional courses.

• CRWR 1010: The Craft of Creative Writing
• CRWR 1600: Modern and Contemporary US Poetry
• CRWR 2010: Poetry Workshop
• CRWR 2400: The Art of Editing
• CRWR 2500: Writing and Meditation
• CRWR 2600: Fiction Workshop
• CRWR 2800: Narrative Collage
• CRWR 3000: Writing About Place
• CRWR 3200: Screenwriting
• CRWR 3600: Advanced Nonfiction *
• CRWR 3700: Journalism

*This course may not be offered every academic year. Check the course page or our course guide to see when upcoming terms are added.

Courses are subject to change.

See Course Tuition

Meet The Faculty

Julia Bloch

• Faculty Director, Penn LPS Online Certificate in Creative Writing
• Director, Creative Writing Program

• Director, Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing

Laynie Browne

• Poet, prose writer, teacher and editor

Scott Burkhardt

• Lecturer in cinema and media studies

Christy Davids

• Teacher, poet and assistant editor at The Conversant

Lise Funderburg

• Lecturer in creative writing

• 2017-2018 Digital Studies Fellow at Rutgers University-Camden

Dick Polman

• Povich Writer-in-Residence at the Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing (CPCW)

• Writer, editor, teacher

Zachary Tyler Vickers

Careers related to creative writing.

The Certificate in Creative Writing is designed to enhance your writing and storytelling skills and provide a framework for a creative process that can be applied to a myriad of professional roles including:

• Advertising copywriter
• Fundraising/development consultant
• Author and journalist

Online courses in creative writing

Part-time study in creative writing

Develop your creativity with an Oxford University short course or award programme.

Need an extra push to finish your novel, poem or play? Completely new to the world of creative writing? Want to improve your analytical reading skills? No matter where you are in your writing journey, or where you are in the world, there is a part-time course to suit you.

Short online courses

Our short online courses in creative writing include live-time weekly classes, day and weekend schools and flexible online courses.

Credit earned from our short online courses is transferable towards our Certificate of Higher Education - a part-time undergraduate course in which you study a main subject discipline but also undertake study in other academic subjects.

Browse short online courses in creative writing

Diploma in Creative Writing

Our two-year, part-time Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing allows you to strengthen your ability in four major areas of literary activity — prose, poetry, drama and analytical reading — as well as the chance to specialise in the medium of your choice. You can now opt to take this course mostly online.

Find out more about the Diploma in Creative Writing

Upcoming courses

Advanced creative writing (online).

• Mon 09 Sep 2024 – 22 Nov 2024

Advanced Writing Lives (Online)

Fiction by victorian women: george eliot, elizabeth gaskell (online), writing lives (online), critical reading (online).

• Wed 11 Sep 2024 – 22 Nov 2024

Literature, creative writing and film studies

Online courses in literature, rita mccormick, tessa fenley, student spotlights.

Creative Writing

One of the nation's most prestigious open-enrollment creative writing programs..

Whether you're looking to improve your writing for personal fulfillment, want to be published, or are preparing to apply to an MFA program, the Writers' Program can help you achieve your goals. You will find a supportive community of instructors, academic counselors and fellow students to help you on your journey.

We offer a wide range of open-enrollment courses, all of which may be taken individually. A guide on where to get started is provided below.

We also offer a fully customizable 21-unit Certificate in Creative Writing  where you can develop professional creative writing skills in the genre of your choice.

What do you want to create?

See All Courses

Creative Writing Certificate

Develop your skills in the genre of your choice, including fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and more.

This customizable program culminates in a capstone project where you will make significant progress on a polished collection of work.

Taught by a prestigious roster of instructors who are published writers and active professionals, courses can be taken onsite, online, or a combination of both.

Annual Writers Studio

4-day in-person, intensive workshops in Creative Writing & Screenwriting.

Perfect for both aspiring and experienced writers looking for new inspiration.

August 1-4, 2024 Registration opens Monday, February 5

Writers' Program Consultations

If you have a completed draft of a manuscript and need feedback for your work, you may consider a one-on-one consultation with a Writers’ Program instructor.

Consultations give you a full cover-to-cover read of your work, a written evaluation, and a follow-up conversation in person, via phone, or web chat.

Expect more from your education.

MFA, fiction writer, author of the story collection Once Removed (UGA Press) and winner of the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. 

BUILD COMMUNITY

Writers' Program Network of Writers (WP NOW)

Stay immersed in the Writers' Program community. Our optional membership program offers exclusive access to a range of discounts and benefits, including members-only networking, professional development opportunities, and course discounts. 

L earn More

My UCLA Extension coursework, teachers, and colleagues have shaped my writing life, fueled the creation of my novel, and provided continual inspiration.

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Top 10 Online Master’s in Creative Writing Programs 2024

Find your perfect school.

Key Takeaways:

• The University of Texas-El Paso placed #1 on our list of the top online master’s in creative writing , followed by the University of Houston-Victoria .
• From grant writer to ghost writer , author to publisher , and teacher to journalist , there are many career options for a master’s in creative writing graduate. Your career path will determine which online creative writing program is for you.
• According to PayScale, the average salary for master’s in creative writing graduates can vary from $35k to $113k , depending on the career path you choose.

For many aspiring writers, a master’s degree in creative writing might seem out of reach. Perhaps they’ve always wanted to pursue their craft but couldn’t justify the cost. Or maybe they were too busy holding down a day job to fully indulge in their writing work. An affordable online master’s in creative writing program could be just what these budding authors need to embrace the profession of writing.

Methodology

To develop this ranking of the top master’s degrees in creative writing online, our editors performed an exhaustive online search of the active programs currently available from U.S. colleges and universities. This search yielded precisely 20 programs. After applying the affordability filter and then our site-wide graduate program methodology , we were able to narrow the pool to just 10 programs. Below, you will find our picks for the top online master’s in creative writing degree programs.

Featured Programs

#10—southern new hampshire university, manchester, new hampshire, ma in english & creative writing.

Tuition : $19,467

Southern New Hampshire University offers the most accelerated online master’s in creative writing in our ranking. This 15-month program is available fully online and features four concentration options:

• Screenwriting

Course titles may include:

• Contemporary Writers & Publishers
• Seminar in Writing Instruction
• Studies in Place & Setting
• Fiction and Film

SNHU is fully accredited to confer the online master’s degree in creative writing by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

• Accelerated format
• Diverse curriculum
• Fully online
• Less affordable
• Less diverse

#9—Bay Path University

Long meadow, massachusetts, mfa in creative nonfiction.

Tuition : $19,235

Bay Path University offers a rare online MFA in Creative Nonfiction. The program is a fully online option featuring three distinct concentrations:

• Teaching Creative Writing
• Narrative Medicine

The 39-credit hour curriculum consists of online classes such as:

• Travel and Food Writing
• Learning to Teach
• Spiritual Writing Through the Ages
• Writing About Culture, Race, and Identity

Bay Path University is accredited to award this online master’s in creative writing by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

• Mentorship program
• Small class sizes
•  Less affordable

#8—Liberty University

Lynchburg, virginia, online master of fine arts in creative writing.

Tuition : $7,740

The creative writing MFA from Liberty University is a convenient program that can be completed entirely online. It is a transfer-friendly program, enabling students to transfer in up to half of the required credits. Courses are 8 weeks in length and include titles such as:

• Writing Fiction
• Writing as Cultural Engagement
• Editing & Publishing
• Research Methods and Bibliography

A thesis is also required for this 48-credit hour program. Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award this online MFA in creative writing.

• 100% online
• Transfer-friendly
• High acceptance rate

#7—Tiffin University

Tiffin, ohio, master’s in humanities: creative writing.

Tuition : $14,000

The online creative writing master’s program from Tiffin University is technically a Master of Humanities with a concentration in creative writing. This accelerated degree option can be completed entirely online within just 18 months of full-time study. Sample course titles include:

• Graduate Rhetoric and Composition
• Creative Writing: The Short Story
• Ethics in Business and Technical Writing
• Marketing for Publication

Tiffin University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission to confer this online master’s degree in creative writing.

#6—Lenoir-Rhyne University

Hickory, north carolina, mfa in creative writing.

Tuition : $12,240

The online MFA in Creative Writing from Lenoir-Rhyne University is a flexible graduate degree program that features a unique certificate in narrative healthcare. Students can pursue the program on a part-time or full-time basis and attend lectures synchronously. The curriculum for this 45-credit hour online option includes course titles such as:

• Literary Studies Seminar
• Workshop in Writing Poetry
• Workshop in Writing Fiction
• Workshop in Creative Nonfiction

A creative thesis is also required at the program’s conclusion. Lenoir-Rhyne University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the online creative writing MFA.

• Dynamic curriculum
• Part-time option
• A Top-40 regional university (South)
• Less flexible

#5—Concordia University – St. Paul

St. paul, minnesota, creative writing mfa.

Tuition : $8,550

The online creative writing MFA offered by Concordia University-St. Paul is a dynamic program that prepares graduates for an array of different careers in writing. This workshop-based program features course titles such as:

• Studies in the Craft of Creative Writing
• The Culture of Writing, Editing, and Publishing
• Studies in Contemporary Poetry
• Research and Writing about Literature

Each course is taught by a published writer/faculty member. The Higher Learning Commission has accredited Concordia University-St. Paul to confer the online master’s degree in creative writing.

• Top-ranked regional university
• Prescribed curriculum
• Required thesis

#4—Lindenwood University

St. louis, missouri, mfa in writing.

The online MFA in creative writing from Lindenwood University is offered in both a fully online and hybrid format. Available through the university’s College of Arts and Humanities, the 48-credit hour graduate program features four distinct concentrations:

• Creative Nonfiction
• Young Adult/Middle Grade

Depending on the emphasis they choose, enrolled students may take online courses such as:

• Nonfiction: The Poetics of Memoir
• Poetry: The Contemporary Narrative Poem
• Fiction: The Elements of Short Fiction
• Submitting Work for Publication

In addition to online coursework, a thesis is required as the culminating element of the program. Lindenwood University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

• Multiple concentrations available
• Flexible delivery
• Thesis required

#3—University of New Orleans

New orleans, louisiana, online mfa in creative writing.

Points : 10

Tuition : $6,090

The flexible online MFA in Creative Writing from the University of New Orleans can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. The 45-credit hour program is studio/research-based and taught by the same faculty members as the on-campus program. Once enrolled, students will take classes such as:

• Craft of Fiction
• Remote Poetry Workshop
• Revisiting Southern Gothic
• The Long Poem

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has accredited the University of New Orleans to award this master’s program in creative writing online.

• Affordability
• Nationally ranked fine arts program
• Competitive admissions

#2—University of Houston – Victoria

Victoria, texas, master’s in creative writing.

Points : 11

Tuition : $6,618

The University of Houston-Victoria offers an elective-rich online master’s in creative writing that can be customized to your career goals. Students can choose a fully online or low-residency program as they work toward the 36-credit hour requirement. Aside from the required thesis courses, the curriculum is self-designed through the selection of elective classes. Some of these electives include:

• Introduction to Publishing
• Style and Editing
• The Business of Books
• American Literary History

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has accredited UH-Victoria to award this master’s in creative writing online or on campus.

• A Top-50 public school
• Rigorous admissions requirements
• Less structured

#1—University of Texas – El Paso

El paso, texas.

Tuition : $5,865

Offered through the university’s College of Liberal Arts, the online master’s in creative writing program from the University of Texas-El Paso is both rigorous and highly competitive. Designed for writers with aspirations to teach at the university level, the program requires 48 credit hours of online coursework. Required course titles include:

• Forms and Techniques of Fiction
• Writing the Novel
• Advanced Creative Nonfiction
• The Politics of Narration

To fulfill the thesis portion of the program, students will submit an original full-length manuscript of poetry or prose. Those who wish to study abroad may also consider UTEP’s low residency program in creative writing. UTEP is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

• Diverse student body

About Online Master’s in Creative Writing Degree Programs

Writers today have more professional opportunities than ever before. With the advent of internet publishing came myriad applications for digital content, which transformed this occupational field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for writers and authors are now growing about as fast as the average for other occupations. There are many different types of writers, including fiction writers, screenwriters, bibliographers, journalists, bloggers, copywriters, and more.

Creative Writing Master’s Programs: Admissions Requirements

The application process for an online master’s in creative writing may be a bit different compared to that of other graduate programs. Though some of the requirements are similar, there tends to be more of an emphasis on the writing samples and statements of purpose as opposed to other parts of the application. Here are some of the most common admissions requirements for these types of programs:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school
• Undergraduate transcript
• Completed application and fee
• Letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• Portfolio of professional writing
• Resume or CV

Many master’s of creative writing programs prioritize the writing portfolio as the most important part of the application, followed by the statement of purpose. For these programs, schools want to ensure they have a cohort of driven, talented writers with the most promise for successful writing careers.

Online Master’s Degree in Creative Writing: Curriculum

You can expect the curriculum for your master’s in creative writing program to be unique. Most of these programs are highly curated, and it’s not likely you’ll take the same courses as someone attending a different school, even if they’re enrolled in the same degree program. Moreover, these creative writing programs are often customizable, enabling students to select a concentration or area of emphasis. Even so, we’re listing some sample courses taken from real online master’s in creative writing programs to give you an idea of the breadth and scope of the kinds of courses you can expect to take.

Sample Courses

• Forms and Techniques of Poetry
• LGBTQ Literature and Theory
• Nature and Environmental Writing
• Literary Theory and Practice
• Studies in the Contemporary Novel
• Researching and Writing About Literature
• Digital Publishing
• Contemporary Women’s Stories
• Editing, Layout, and Publishing
• Genre Studies
• Nonfiction: Writing a Nonfiction Book
• MFA Goes to Work: Creative Writing in Careers

Concentrations/Areas of Emphasis

Many online master’s in creative writing programs allow students to elect a specific concentration or area of emphasis. Usually, these specialties are aligned with the genre of writing the student focuses on or their career goals in the writing profession. Here are some examples:

• Young Adult

When you think of a thesis, you typically imagine a long, in-depth research paper. The thesis element of a master’s in creative writing program is somewhat different, though. This type of thesis is a piece of original creative writing authored by the student. It could be a book of poetry, a memoir, or even a novel. It may also include commentary from the writer and/or a description of the writing process. Not all online creative writing master’s programs require a thesis, but many do.  

Types of Creative Writing Master’s Programs

Part-time programs.

As you peruse the programs in this ranking, you might notice that some colleges and universities offer their online master’s in creative writing on a part-time basis. If you have a busy schedule already, then these programs may be ideal for you. Just keep in mind that a part-time degree program will inevitably take longer to complete than a full-time or accelerated option.

Hybrid or Low-Residency Options

For this ranking of online master’s in creative writing programs, our editors took care to only include those programs that can be completed entirely online. Be aware, though, that there are programs out there that are advertised as online master’s degrees in creative writing but actually require some on-campus visits. Be sure to read the fine print or, better yet, speak to an admissions counselor about the possibility of on-campus residencies, workshops, or orientations.

Synchronous Programs

Even those programs that are offered 100% online can differ in terms of their flexibility. Be on the lookout for master’s degree programs in creative writing that are delivered synchronously. While it can be a benefit, it can be helpful to know ahead of time that these types of programs require students to attend live lectures and other class meetings at specific times of the day. As a result, synchronous programs can be less convenient than asynchronous master’s in creative writing programs.

Frequently-Asked Questions About Online Master’s in Creative Writing Programs

It’s not uncommon to have questions about your degree program prior to enrollment. After all, the more information you have, the better your position to make an informed decision. Here are some of the most common questions prospective students ask about master’s degrees in creative writing online. The information provided below is intended as general information. It does not replace advice from an admissions counselor or information gathered from a specific program’s website.

Q: How much does an online master’s degree in creative writing cost?

A: As with other types of degree programs, tuition will vary from one school to the next. In the research for this ranking, our editors identified programs with costs ranging from less than $6,000 per year to more than $60,000 annually. Scholarships and other forms of financial aid may be available, depending on the program and school.

Q: How long does it take to earn a creative writing master’s degree online?

A: Master’s degree programs typically take two years to complete, but this can vary. Some online creative writing master’s programs follow accelerated formats and can be completed in as few as 15 months. Others are part-time programs that may take much longer to finish.

Q: Are master’s programs in creative writing hard to get into?

A: They can be, yes. Some programs are more selective than others. You can expect to be required to demonstrate some talent and proficiency in creative writing as part of the application process.

Career Questions for Master’s in Creative Writing Graduates

Q: what can i do with a master’s in creative writing.

A: There are many different career paths you can take with a master’s in creative writing. For example, you can teach creative writing at the university level, work for a publishing agency, or embark on a freelance career.

Q: Will I be able to get a job as a writer?

A: There is a growing need for authors and writers, thanks to the bourgeoning field of online publishing. The BLS projects this occupational field will expand by 4% by 2032. This is an average growth projection compared to other industries in the United States.  

Q: How much will I make with a master’s degree in creative writing?

A: Your earnings will vary depending on where you work. The BLS estimates that authors and writers make $73,690 annually, on average. The top 10% of earners make almost double, though. With an advanced degree in the field, you’ll be positioned to earn the most competitive wages.

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook
• National Center for Education Statistics: College Navigator
• English Degrees Online: Top 15 Values
• How to Become a Speech Writer

More From Forbes

A writing room: the new marketplace of writer classes, retreats, and collectives.

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A Writing Room is one of the fast-growing writer collectives. The four co-founders (left to right): ... [+] Reese Zecchin, Director of Production; Jacob Nordby, Director of Writer Development; A. Ashe, Creative Director; Claire Giovino, Community Director.

The past decade has brought an explosion in the number of books published each year in the United States (an estimated three to four million annually). In turn, this explosion is bringing a growing and evolving marketplace of writer classes, retreats and collectives. It is a marketplace creating new jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities—both for mainstream tech, marketing and managerial workers, as well as for writer/artist denizens of America’s bohemia.

The Drivers of Growth in Book Publishing

The number of book sales in the United States remains healthy, though it has leveled off in the past four years. In 2020, 756.82 million book unit sales were made in the US alone. This number climbed to 837.66 million in 2021, before falling slightly to 787.65 million units in 2022 and 767.36 million units in 2023.

What has changed dramatically has been the number of books published. Steve Piersanti of Berrett-Koehler Publishers estimates that three million books were published in the US, up 10 times from the number only 16 years ago . Other estimates put the number of published books annually at closer to four million .

The main driver of this growth in books published has been self-publishing. According to Bowker , which provides tools for self-publishing, an estimated 2.3 million books were self-published in 2021. Up through the 1990s (now the distant past in publishing), writers of all types of books, fiction and nonfiction, were dependent on convincing publishing houses to publish their work. As the technology for self-publishing and print on demand grew in the early 2000s, writers could publish on their own, and a very large number of Americans began to do so.

Fueling growth also is the level of affluence and discretionary income that an increasing segment of American society is reaching. For centuries, theorists across the political spectrum have envisioned a society, freed from basic economic needs, pursuing creative activities, with writing as a primary activity. In The German Ideology , Karl Marx could write about the economy of abundance in which individuals pursue writing as one of a series of daily activities—hunt in the morning, fish in the afternoon, write criticism in the evening. John Maynard Keynes in a 1930 essay, “ Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren” , envisions a time a hundred years forward (2030) in which writing is no longer the province of the upper classes. Contemporary theorists on the future of work, such as John Tamny, similarly see a blooming of creative and artistic activities by the average citizen.

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024, a writing room, and the emerging marketplace of writer training.

A marketplace of writing coaches, classes and retreats expanded throughout the late twentieth century and first years of the twentieth century. Published authors and even recently-minted graduates of MFA programs hung out shingles for individual coaching and small classes. Colleges expanded their writing programs and certifications, and writer retreats multiplied. Co-working and literary event spaces were established in major cities ( The Writers Room in New York, The Writers Grotto in San Francisco). But the marketplace continued to bump up against geographic and logistical limitations.

Then, along the came the internet, and its evolution.

Today, hundreds of businesses throughout the country offer assistance to aspiring writers. Many continue to offer some in-person assistance through coaching, classes or retreats. But as in other fields, the internet has allowed for a nationwide (worldwide) reach that these businesses are taking advantage of to scale. The major pre-internet writer assistance companies, such as The Writers Studio , added online courses and instruction, and the early internet-based companies from the 1990s, such as Writers.com (a pioneer in the internet field), steadily expanded their offerings. New enterprises are springing up on a regular basis, including the writer collectives.

A Writing Room is one of the fastest growing of the writer collectives, and its suite of services illustrate the how the field is evolving.

A Writing Room has its roots in the writing classes that novelist Anne Lamott had been teaching for some years, and her interest by the early 2020s in creating a larger on-going community of writers. Lamott connected with a team of four entrepreneurs who had experience with previous start-ups and expertise in online tools. In early 2023 they set out to develop A Writing Room.

Novelist Anne Lamott, one of the partners in A Writing Room.

A Writing Room launched in June 2023, and followed a few months later with an inaugural writers retreat in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Though hastily arranged, the retreat attracted more than 400 in person attendees and over 1600 attendees online. In the first half of 2024, the company set up a membership structure of monthly and annual memberships. Within months, over 550 writers had joined.

The products that members can access are aimed in part at teaching the craft of writing. In a recent author discussion (with close to 400 participants joining online) Lamott discussed the craft of writing with novelist Donna Levin . Both started publishing in the 1980s. They noted how much publishing and the role of the writer have changed, but emphasized the fundamentals that have remained over their forty years, related to craft and the responsibility of the writer: the daily commitment, the careful development of plot and characters, the numerous rewrites (as many as you think you need, and one more).

A Writing Room offers a series of on-demand courses, online discussions with authors and publishing professionals, and daily writing prompts, built around writing as craft. It further offers instruction on the paths to and options for publication, building a following of readers.

At its center, A Writing Room is about being part of a community of writers, giving and receiving regular feedback from other members, as well as feedback from writing mentors and coaches. In an interview earlier this year, Lamott explained:

The great myth about writing is that it's an entirely solitary activity. This really isn't true. Every book I've ever written has been with a lot of help from my community. I wouldn't be the writer I am today — and wouldn't even want to write — without people to share the process and finished work. Writing is a process, but it doesn't have to (and really shouldn't be) done in total isolation.

The writing process can feel overwhelming. It often does for me. Believe me, a trusted writing friend is a secret to life.

Other emerging writing collectives also emphasize community and cooperation. Levin underscored this point in the recent online discussion: “Writing can be such an isolated activity, and to some extent needs to be. You want to seek out a community that can give you the support you need and also the honest feedback.”

How the New Marketplace Is Evolving And Jobs Created

The founders of A Writing Room know that the marketplace for writer assistance is fast changing, and they need to be quick to adapt to increased competition. Already, several developments are driving change in the field:

· The entrance of major online education companies (i.e. Masters Class , Coursera, Udemy ).

· Faculty recruitment of writers with built-in audiences of sizable twitter and other social media followings.

· Partnerships with the major publishers and agencies, who hold out the promise of publication to participants of the classes, retreats and collectives.

· Specializations by race and ethnicity, gender, geography and genre.

· Market segmentation, and attention to higher income consumers.

A number of these developments reflect the changes in the broader publishing world and are likely to continue. Overall, the marketplace itself will be expanding, as publishing technology advances, along with discretionary income.

The jobs being generated by this new marketplace are a mix of tech, administrative, and writing coach positions. At A Writing Room, recent hires include a community liaison, video editor, customer support, and a “beta reader” providing feedback to writers on their drafts. The hiring process is sweeping up into jobs not only workers who have been in the regular economy, but also residents of America’s bohemia: writers and artists who previously were outside of (and often scornful of) the market system. What can be better than that.

In his 2023 book, The Novel, Who Needs It , Joseph Epstein, former editor of American Scholar , offers a paean to fiction as above all other intellectual endeavors that seek to understand human behavior. But what he says of fiction is true of other writing (memoir, history, even forms of self-help) that arouses the mind.

Yes, there are way too many books published each year, and yes only a very small percentage of writers will earn any significant income from their writing. But who knows what individual book will succeed commercially or critically, or add to our shared knowledge or wisdom. And really, why not encourage the craft of writing. How much does America benefit from most of the paper-pushing, meetings and e-mails that now pass for work in our economy of affluence.

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How To Create an Online Course in 10 Steps (Using Automation to Drive Business)

Let’s face it, it’s become harder to capture people’s attention online, and most of us are looking for new ways to meaningfully engage our customers.

If you’ve got knowledge or expertise to share with the world,  you can meet this rising demand for valuable content by creating an online course. Well-crafted courses have the power to establish you and your brand as an authority in your industry and also help you drive revenue. 

By creating an online course, you can engage knowledge-seeking students all over the world, help them master the fundamentals of a specific topic/niche, and drive repeat business through subscription tiers. Luckily, creating an online course has never been easier with hundreds of tools you can leverage that do a lot of the work for you. Before sharing your knowledge with the world, you’ll need to get a few things in order. 

Let’s break down this sometimes daunting course creation process into ten steps you can follow to create online course content that’ll wow potential students who want access to your expertise. Follow along to learn the basics and why automating your course creation production can help you drive revenue and strengthen customer relationships.

And for those just getting started with content creation, we created an entire series with actionable tips and tricks to get you up and running. 

Here are the ten steps beginners and experts can follow to create an online course: • Decide what you’ll teach in your course • Identify and get to know your target audience • Conduct extensive research on your course topic • Outline your course • Choose a format • Choose your online course platform • Create your course (writing, filming, editing) • Establish your pricing tiers • Launch! • Follow up and gather feedback

How to create an online course from the ground up

An online course is a structured program of study that can cover a wide range of subjects and is offered by various types of institutions, including universities, colleges, private companies, and independent content creators. Most modern courses incorporate a mix of videos, webinar recordings, PDFs, slideshows, podcasts, and quizzes, all of which can be uploaded directly into a learning management system (LMS) of your choosing.

Consider this: Creating an online course for the sake of it isn’t the answer to driving some quick revenue. To begin the process, you’ll have to decide what experience and skills you have to offer your peers and potential customers. Is it valuable? Will your audience learn something new? These are the important questions to ask yourself before you get started. 

Jose Portilla, a popular course creator on Udemy, shared his advice for those just starting with course creation:

“My advice [to those just starting with course creation] is to make sure you would be happy with the course even if only one student enrolled in it. You should aim to be happy with what YOU learn while creating the course.” — Jose Portilla, Udemy Instructor Partner and Head of Data Science at Pierian Training ( Check out his courses here )

This set of ten steps will help you discover your unique perspective, understand the pain points you’re solving, and help you build a strong personal brand along the way. While it won’t cover every single step you may have to take, it’s a broad view of the major ones you’ll face as you create your own course. 

Phase 1: Plan

The first three steps of the course creation process have to do with planning. Let’s take a look.

Decide what you’ll teach in your course

The topic you choose to structure an online course around will depend entirely on the knowledge you already possess and want to share with those willing to listen. Topics can range from Photoshop tips to baking how-tos. The possibilities are endless, but outlining and diving deep into relevant, timely topics will often give you a leg up.

How can you determine if the topic you’d like to create a course for is relevant? Conduct independent research by doing a few searches across social platforms like Reddit, Quora, or popular Facebook groups. 

Plus, you can search relevant terms on Twitter and see the current conversations around that topic. Take some time to see if people are searching for specific course topics, and keep that in mind when choosing what you’ll teach. 

Choosing the perfect course topic for an online course is crucial for several reasons:

Market demand: Assessing demand ensures a genuine need and interest in the topic you plan to teach, directly impacting the course’s success. By understanding market demand, you can tailor your content to meet the needs and preferences of your target audience , increasing the likelihood of attracting and retaining students. It also helps identify gaps in the market where your course can stand out, leading to better enrollment rates and return on investment.

Expertise and credibility: Having expertise and credibility is key because it means your content will be solid, useful, and trustworthy, which helps attract and keep students. When you really know your stuff, you can share deep insights, practical tips, and solid advice that make the learning experience great. Plus, when people trust you, they’re more likely to sign up for your course and spread the word to others. It also helps you stand out from the crowd and positions you as a go-to expert in your field, opening doors to more opportunities. Competitive differentiation: Standing out from the competition helps catch people’s attention in a crowded market. If your course offers something unique or presents the material in a fresh way, it’s more likely to attract students looking for something different from the usual options. This uniqueness can be your teaching style, special insights, or even just a creative approach to the topic. Differentiating your content makes your course more appealing and helps you build a loyal following, as students will appreciate the distinct value you bring.

Long-term relevance: Choosing a topic that has long-term relevance ensures your content stays valuable and useful over time. If your course tackles evergreen topics or skills that aren’t going out of style anytime soon, you’ll keep attracting students well into the future. This means a steady stream of income and ongoing interest in what you’re teaching. Plus, it saves you from constantly having to update or completely redo your course as trends change.

Student outcomes: Choosing the right topic can majorly boost student success. When the topic matches the needs and expectations of potential students, they’re more likely to finish the course, use what they’ve learned, and hit their goals. This often leads to good reviews and word-of-mouth buzz, helping your course grow even more.

On top of this, creating a course on a topic that aligns with your personal or professional goals can lead to growth in your skills and knowledge. It can also open up opportunities for networking and collaboration within your field.

At the heart of it, people want to learn something from someone with real experience. You’ll know you’ve chosen the right topic if you’ve: 

• Worked in that field for a substantial amount of time
• Have a high-level and granular view of the entire industry
• Can predict the pain points of a beginner
• Are already seen as a thought leader in the space and regularly share your knowledge with a sizable audience
• And have extensive knowledge of the subject matter and are easily able to communicate this to others

People want real data, real help, real advice. Make sure you have something to say before you jump in.

Identify and get to know your target audience

Before you can create any course material, you need to get to know your target audience. Start by checking out who’s already interested in similar subject matter. Look at forums, social media groups, or even surveys to see what questions people are asking and what they want to learn.

Once you’ve got a sense of what they’re into, dive deeper into their needs and goals. Chat with them directly through comments or emails to understand their challenges and what they hope to achieve by taking your course.

By doing this customer research allows you to:

• Understand their pain points: The course you create should aim to help solve a problem, provide the target audience with the knowledge they need to solve it on their own, and help them learn something in a consolidated manner (so they can get the information faster than they would by traditional means). To do this, you need to fully understand the potential pain points your learners are facing and how to lay the solution out simply. 
• Have an idea of what potential students want to achieve: Every learner will be different but in this case, when they opt into your course, every learner wants to gain knowledge and solve a specific problem. To discover what people are interested in achieving, go out and speak to them, asking questions that will help you structure your course.
• Know how to sell to them and others: Every online course has a target audience. The truth is, you need to know how to market to that audience because everyone outside of that group probably won’t be interested. To create the right messaging for your audience, you can outline your “ ideal customer .” Consider their age, background, and why they’re interested in your topic. Use this understanding to shape your course content and how you present it. Being in tune with your audience helps you create a course that really hits the mark and makes students feel like you get them. 

Going a step further, you can conduct user research on platforms like Reddit, Quora, and even Google Trends. Reddit and Quora are conversation-based sites where you can easily browse threads that may give you some inspiration for course content. Google Trends is useful for searching for topical keywords around the topic of your choice to understand if interest is on the rise with users all around the world.

Once you know your target audience, creating an online course will be ten times easier.

Conduct extensive research on your course topic

Now that you’ve identified who you’ll be creating this online course content for, you’re ready to begin researching the course topic. As a subject matter expert creating an online course, you probably already have all the course material floating around in your brain, but it’s good to brush up on the latest developments and trends.

If you need a kickstart, reference academic journals, industry reports, and reputable websites to gather solid info and data. Take notes on key findings and jot down any new insights that catch your eye. Remember that your course should offer insights beyond what people can find from a simple Google search. Go deeper and reach out to your network of fellow experts or colleagues. They can provide different perspectives or share their experiences, which can really enrich your course content.

Don’t forget about your own experiences and case studies you’ve worked on. These real-life examples can bring your course to life and show students how the theory applies in the real world. By blending all these sources together, you’ll create a course that’s not only packed with knowledge but also practical and engaging for your students.

Phase 2: Create

The next four steps of the course creation process have to do with creating your course. There’s a lot to cover so let’s get into it.

Outline your course

Writing an online course outline involves several key steps to ensure clarity, coherence, and effectiveness in delivering content to your students. The very first thing you should do once you’ve chosen your topic and done extensive research is outline the learning objectives. These are like value props and explain in simple terms what the student will gain from taking your course. They should be communicated upfront, at the start of the course, and especially in any promotional posts that go out on social platforms. 

They usually look like this: 

Learning objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). These objectives will guide the structure and content of your course. Once you’ve done this, you’ll have the overarching goals outlined, which will help you complete and structure the rest of your course.

While every online course outline will look a little different, here’s a straightforward approach that will help you begin to create one:

• Divide into modules or sections: Break down the course content into logical modules or sections. Each module should cover a specific sub-topic or theme related to your overall learning objectives. Think about how the content naturally flows and how students will progress through the material.
• Outline module content: For each module, outline the key topics, concepts, or skills that will be covered. Start with an introductory section to provide context and outline what students will learn. Then, list the main content sections or lessons within the module.
• Organize lessons: Within each module, organize the lessons in a sequential order that makes sense for learning progression. Consider how each lesson builds upon previous ones and prepares students for upcoming content. Outline each lesson’s main points, examples, activities, or exercises.
• Include assessments and activities: Integrate assessments or activities throughout the outline to check student understanding and reinforce learning. This could include quizzes, assignments, discussions, or practical exercises that apply the knowledge learned.
• Add resources and materials: Identify any additional resources or materials students may need, such as readings, videos, case studies, or external links. Include these in the outline to supplement the main course content and provide further depth.
• Finalize and structure: Finalize your outline by structuring it into a clear format that students can easily navigate. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to make it visually organized and accessible. This structured outline will serve as your roadmap for creating each lesson and assembling your course content.

Here’s a simple example of an online course outline if you’re just getting started. Online courses don’t always have to be super lengthy. You can always break up each course so they’re more bite-sized and easy to manage for the busy professional.

By following these steps, you can create a well-organized and effective online course outline that sets a solid foundation for designing and developing engaging content for your potential customers.

Choosing a course format

As we just mentioned, courses come in different shapes and sizes. Some will be longer and more extensive, while others are shorter and contain insights the student can quickly take action on. The format you choose will determine how you go about marketing it to potential customers, the amount of content you can pack into one lesson, and the prices you can set. 

There are a few different types of online courses. These are:

• Mini-course
• Multi-day course
• Masterclass

Each type of course will offer unique learnings and be formatted differently. Whether you teach through video content, online learning modules, lectures, quizzes, or articles, consider your audience and how they like to engage with content online.

“Provide choice. Offer a choice of materials or tools, such as videos, podcasts, interactive simulations, or articles on the same topic. This increases pride in accomplishments and connection to learning.” Roba Hrisseh, PhD — George Mason University

The mini-course

A mini-course is a short, focused course that covers a specific topic or skill. It’s designed to be quick and easy to complete, often taking just a few hours.

Mini-courses are perfect for learners who want to gain new knowledge or skills without committing to a longer, more intensive program. They’re usually very practical and to the point, making them great for busy people. Think of them as bite-sized learning experiences that fit into your schedule easily. Plus, learners may gravitate towards these since they’re usually offered at a low price point or even free. 

Tip: A mini-course can be a great teaser for a larger course. Consider giving it away for free as an incentive for the student to continue with the multi-day or masterclass.

The multi-day course

A multi-day course is a longer, more in-depth program that spans several days or a full week. It dives deep into a subject, offering comprehensive coverage and detailed lessons through mediums like pre-recorded videos that break down each course component into modules. 

These courses are perfect for learners who want a thorough understanding of a topic and are ready to invest more time. Each day or session builds on the previous one, ensuring a solid grasp of the material. It’s like a marathon of learning, giving you the full picture over an extended period. Usually, these courses are priced anywhere from $250 to $2,000 because they offer much more than a mini-course does.

Tip: While these courses tend to be priced at that range, it’s very common for instructors to offer discounts during holidays or to previous students, sometimes bringing the price down to even as little as $20.

The masterclass

A masterclass is a high-level course taught by an expert in the field, usually taking weeks or months to complete. It’s designed to provide in-depth insights and advanced techniques, often featuring tips and tricks from the pro’s personal experience.

These courses are ideal for learners who already have some knowledge of the subject and want to take their skills to the next level. Masterclasses are usually packed with rich content and practical advice you won’t find in basic courses. Because they’re usually taught by experts, they’re aimed at professionals and are typically priced from $300 to $5,000. Think of it as getting a front-row seat to learn from the best in the business.

Tip: If this is your first time creating an online course, we advise you not to start with a masterclass. Instead, opt for a mini-course or multi-day course.

When it comes to how you format all of this, there are endless ways to present the information you have to share. There are the most prominent mediums:

• Screen recordings and walkthroughs: These are best when you need to go step-by-step on a particular process.
• Video content: Video is the most accessible medium for presenting your course. You can easily explain ideas more quickly than you could with a text-based course. Plus, interactive elements like this are usually more engaging.  
• Text materials: Don’t disregard text, though! This is best for outlining detailed explanations of the more granular ideas and insights. You can also link to other resources on other sites.
• Quizzes and assessments: Once you teach your students something, you can administer quizzes and assessments to review how well they retain the information. Some courses won’t need this, but it’ll depend on how you present your course to the world and whether it’s structured as a formal educational class.
• Downloadable content: This is best for providing your students with information they’ll need to reference for future classes, like cheat sheets, glossaries, and detailed infographics. 

Choose your online course platform

The platform you choose to host your online courses will be a big part of the entire experience your student has. Maybe you already know which platform or service you’ll use to distribute your course, but if not, there are a few questions you should ask while weighing your options.

• What metrics can I track with this platform? • Am I able to create course packages or bundles? • Does this platform allow marketing integrations? • Does this platform offer any email marketing features? • Can I build a landing page or website on this platform?

Keep in mind that there are other options outside of online learning-specific platforms that you can use to host your course. Here are your options:

Self-hosting

Many first-time course creators choose to self-host their course. Although it’s more time-consuming, you can use your WordPress site if you already have one. To do this, you’ll have to choose an LMS plugin and multiple add-ons for the full functionality of your course. This can be confusing for creators who are just getting familiar with CMS platforms like WordPress.

Click the button below to learn more about using WordPress to market yourself and sell anything from digital products to subscriptions to your new online course.

Online course marketplaces

If you choose to use a course marketplace like Skillshare or Udemy, you’ll enjoy the benefit of a wider reach, making your course much more visible to potential students. Not only this, but you won’t need any previous knowledge to use these platforms as you would with WordPress, so it’s easier to get your course up and running pretty quickly. 

The one negative is that because course marketplaces are third-party, you’ll give up a large chunk of your profit. Plus, marketplaces don’t support white labeling or course customization, limiting how personal and unique you can make your course. 

Online course platforms

Online course platforms (often called learning management systems) are the most popular option when creating and selling online courses. Notable platforms are Thinkific, Teachable, LearnWorld, Podia, Demio, and more. 

These platforms are the simplest way to produce an online course. They offer everything from website building to course creation to e-commerce features in one place. You’ll need to pay a monthly subscription fee to use them!

As you assess your options for online learning platforms, you can use sites like G2 to read real customer reviews and compare one platform with another. 

Create your course (writing, filming, editing)

Now that you’ve determined what you’ll teach, how you’ll structure your course, and the platform you’ll use to distribute it, you’ve finally reached the part where you create it! This means writing, filming, and editing the content.

Creating your online course content can seem daunting, but breaking it down into steps makes it manageable. First, outline your course content—decide what you want to teach and organize it into modules and lessons. When writing your script, keep it clear and engaging, making sure to explain concepts in a way that’s easy to follow.

For filming, you don’t need fancy equipment; a good smartphone camera and decent lighting can do the trick. Find a quiet, well-lit space to record, and try to keep your background simple. Practice speaking clearly and naturally, as if you’re talking to a friend.

Some popular recording styles include:

• Screen recordings: If you’re on a budget, you can record your desktop screen while walking through class materials. Recordings like this are a great way to explain an idea or concept to your students.
• Talking heads: The most engaging and personal recording style is a talking head. You’ll record your upper body as you talk to the camera while you teach the course. You can stand in front of a whiteboard or greenscreen that filters through slides, animations, videos, and diagrams. The bigger the course budget, the more angles and better lighting you can have while you shoot.
• Presentations with voiceovers: Presentations with voiceovers are a half-step down from the talking head recording technique. You’ll record a voiceover as you progress through a slideshow or presentation. Typically, the speaker won’t be shown onscreen. Keep in mind that this method is more common for webinars than courses, but is still viable.

When it comes to editing, use beginner-friendly software like iMovie or Adobe Premiere Rush. Trim any mistakes, add slides or visuals to illustrate points, and include captions for accessibility. Take your time to ensure the final product is polished, but don’t stress about making it perfect—it’s more important that your content is valuable for your students.

The sooner you can get your course out into the world, the faster you’ll be able to collect feedback and make future courses even better. 

Phase 3: Execute

The last two steps of the course creation process have to do with sharing your course with the world and what to do after the fact. We’re almost there!

Establish your pricing tiers

The pricing of your course will depend on a few different factors. 

The level of marketing you plan on doing : How much are you planning to spend on getting your course in front of people who may be interested? Do you have software you need to pay for? Make sure the cost you’ll pay to spread the word is reflected in how you price your course. 

Your course topic and who’s teaching it : Remember to consider who your audience is, what industry they’re in, and how much they’d be willing to pay for a course. Plus, people will usually be willing to pay more for a course created and taught by someone well-known in that industry. If you’ve got a huge audience with lots of engagement, you may have a reason to price your course more competitively. 

Researching your competitors 

Researching similar courses and competitors is crucial for pricing your online course.

Here’s how you can do it:

Search online course platforms: Start by exploring popular platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Skillshare. Use keywords related to your course topic to find similar courses, and take note of their prices, course lengths, and content depth.

• Analyze course content: Look at what these courses offer. Pay attention to the curriculum, number of modules, video lengths, additional resources, and any unique selling points. Compare this to what you plan to offer to see where your course stands in terms of value.
• Read reviews and ratings: Check out student reviews and ratings for these courses. This can give you insights into what learners value most and what they feel is missing or could be improved. Use this feedback to refine your own course content and pricing strategy.
• Evaluate instructors: Consider the qualifications and reputations of the instructors offering these courses. If you have similar or better credentials, you can justify a competitive price even if it’s higher than some others.
• Consider your unique value proposition: Think about what makes your course unique. If you offer specialized knowledge, practical applications, or a unique teaching style, these can be leveraged to set a higher price point.
• Test price points: Once you have an idea of the market range, consider testing different price points. You can offer promotional pricing to start, gather feedback, and adjust accordingly. Platforms like Teachable and Thinkific often provide tools to help with A/B testing pricing strategies.

By thoroughly researching and analyzing your competitors, you can set a price for your course that reflects its value while remaining competitive in the market. At the end of the day, when you put the effort into creating an online course, price it however you see fit for the value you’re providing. 

Congrats, you’ve got a course to launch! Launching an online course successfully involves a mix of different techniques to reach your audience.

Here are some effective strategies:

• Appear on podcasts: Get yourself interviewed on popular podcasts related to your course topic. It’s a great way to tap into an existing audience. Share your expertise, discuss what your course offers, and give listeners a special discount or offer.
• Use social media marketing: Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter to create buzz about your course. Post engaging content, teasers, behind-the-scenes looks, and countdowns to launch day. Use stories, live sessions, and posts to keep your audience excited.
• Run paid ads: Invest in paid advertising on social media platforms and Google. Target your ads to specific demographics who would be interested in your course. Well-designed ads can drive a lot of traffic to your course landing page.
• Enlist the help of search engine optimization (SEO): Optimize your course landing page and any related content for search engines. Use relevant keywords, create valuable content like blog posts or videos, and ensure your site loads quickly. Good SEO practices can help people find your course organically.
• Rely on email marketing : Building an email list of potential buyers interested in your course is one of the best ways to send updates and even offer exclusive discounts. Send out a series of emails leading up to the launch with valuable content and sneak peeks. This will create a mini community of email subscribers excited about your course and ready to take it once it launches. 

Note: It’s possible that someone won’t be immediately interested in your course when they first hear of it (online, through colleagues, or on your website). Asking for their email in exchange for valuable content like a newsletter or expert insights can build trust and convince them to take your course in the future.

Combining these techniques can create a powerful launch strategy that reaches your audience from multiple angles, building excitement and driving enrollments for your online course. It’ll take a bit of experimentation. Try a few of these strategies to see if they work, and if not, switch them up and double down on the ones that do. 

Follow up and gather feedback

Asking for feedback from your students after launching your online course is super important because it helps you understand what’s working and what needs improvement. You should ask for feedback to improve your course, understand the needs of your students, build trust and engagement, and generate positive testimonials you can share on your social media platforms.

There are a few ways you can go about asking for this feedback:

• Send out a survey: Send out a quick survey via email or through your course platform. Tools like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey make it easy to create and distribute surveys.
• Ask in a follow-up email: After the course ends, send a follow-up email thanking students for participating and asking for their thoughts. Keep it short and sweet.
• Strategically place prompts in the course: Include feedback prompts at the end of each module or lesson. This can be as simple as a one-question poll or a comment section.
• One-on-one calls: Offer to have a short call with students who are willing to give detailed feedback. This can provide deeper insights and build personal connections. Typically this is a tactic more reserved for masterclass-level courses since you have to weigh getting feedback with the time you spend on calls with students.

By actively seeking feedback, you can continuously improve your online course creation, making it more effective and engaging for future students. And, life hack! Highlight the feedback from real customers who speak positively about your course. It’s great social proof to showcase your happy customers and potentially gain more customers. 

If you receive negative feedback, don’t just brush it off. Take it to heart and use it to improve your course material. Your course is only as good as your most negative review!

Distributing your course with automation

Marketing automat i on tools are a lifesaver for promoting your online courses. They help you simplify your workflow, track the effectiveness of your campaigns, and create powerful, personalized emails in just a few clicks.

With the help of automation software like ActiveCampaign, you can set up workflows that automatically send targeted messages based on subscriber behavior, ensuring that the right people get the right information at the right time. This continuous promotion keeps your courses visible and top-of-mind, helping you attract and retain students effortlessly.

Plus, use ActiveCampaign sign-up forms on your website to get more people to join your list. You can customize your forms and use them to trigger automations that immediately send subscribers your content.

The importance of building your email list

Building your email list is essential in growing your brand. It lets you directly reach people interested in what you offer, keeping them in the loop with your latest content, updates, and courses. A solid email list helps you build a community around your brand, creating a loyal following that trusts and values your expertise.

Automating your email flows is like having a 24/7 marketing assistant. Setting up automated welcome emails makes a great first impression, introducing new subscribers to your brand and what they can expect. Follow-ups and reminders keep your audience engaged and informed about new content, upcoming courses, and special offers.

In ActiveCampaign, you can use customer preferences to craft emails that are a ‘must-open’ every time. This constant communication nurtures your relationship with subscribers, making them more likely to enroll in your courses and stick around for more.

Curious to see how a company found real results with ActiveCampaign?  

Music school Groove Like a Pig needed a strategy and platform to sell learning content, grow its subscriber list, and generate more leads. 

When they were introduced to ActiveCampaign, the Groove Like a Pig experience began to unfold in stages, priming people to commit to the bass community and take their playing to the next level. First, interested customers subscribed to their newsletter for regular content, which eventually led them to sign up for the community and lessons with Johan Berby, musician extraordinaire. 

“I love the segmentation that’s possible in the pipeline with custom tags. I try to find their interest: Is it improv? Do they want to play blues? Do they mainly want to be a cover artist? Then when they click, it routes them to automations where they get more on that interest. If they’re still clicking and watching videos at the end of that journey, it’s time for them to sign up for a live video session so that I can coach them personally and help them achieve their dreams.”  — Johan Berby, Groove Like a Pig

Groove Like a Pig has seen some amazing wins with ActiveCampaign:

• They’ve gone from 0 to over 13,000 active subscribers.
• They’ve created a more personalized experience for subscribers and have increased community enrollment.
• They’ve also been able to sell larger courses, going from €900 to €2,000.

Create and automate

We hope this article helped you get a jump start on creating an online course, understanding the importance of building your email list, and automating your follow-up communications to properly nurture and retain your students. 

Eager to try marketing automation software and discover how it can help you be a successful online creator?

Sign up for a free trial of ActiveCampaign today and begin nurturing your audience of learners.  

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POV: Not Just for Online: Enhancing In-Person Teaching with Blackboard

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A Learning Management System (LMS), like Blackboard, can provide faculty opportunities to deliver content and engage students in their courses beyond the traditional posting of grades and required readings. These platforms can be leveraged to create inclusive learning spaces, provide learning support and engagement opportunities for students in new and interactive ways, and take advantage of AI-assisted technologies to save faculty time. Blackboard is BU's most versatile educational technology tool, with many capabilities to enhance your teaching and students' learning.

Classroom Inclusion & Accessibility

The challenge for face-to-face courses to be inclusive, accessible, and supportive of all students can often be mitigated through the use of an LMS. Tools such as Blackboard Ally focuses on digital accessibility for students and provides instructor guidance and tips for lasting improvements to Blackboard content accessibility. Providing foundational content tailored to the course can also be an especially impactful way to close equity gaps in learning outcomes when this knowledge is required to succeed in the course. 

Engaging Students

Blackboard can also complement and support classroom communication, content delivery, and collaboration. Through the use of four communication tools (discussion board, journal, blog, wiki), Blackboard offers opportunities for critical engagement with peers, self-reflection, creative writing, and experiential learning. The flexibility of these tools makes them easy to integrate as stand-alone options or in combination with each other.

Leveraging LMS Artificial Intelligence

In addition to course administration, an LMS offers time-saving tools for faculty that can be built into a course and carried over from term to term. The Blackboard AI Design Assistant (Blackboard Ultra only) aids instructors with creating and designing new courses and is intended to inspire instructors and make course creation more efficient. As a result, faculty can develop and customize course materials to best align with course learning goals, and students can access an entire course at all times.

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The Educational Technology team works with faculty and academic staff to enhance the use of Blackboard. 

• The Blackboard Buddy Program helps instructors maximize these capabilities. The “buddy system” approach pairs instructors with an educational technologist who will support them directly throughout the identified course. 
• The Blackboard Instructor-led Training offers training classes throughout the year. The instructor may select a topic area from the link above to view detailed training descriptions, scheduled offerings, and prerequisites. 
• BU TechWeb (Blackboard documentation and video tutorials) offers several services that directly support teaching and learning. 
• Educational Technology Consultation offers one-on-one consultation and small group training. The EdTech team collaborates with BU leadership and educators and introduces ways to leverage available and emerging learning-centered technologies into a wide range of teaching and learning environments. 

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• Write Your First Novel :   Michigan State University
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• Writing in the Sciences :   Stanford University
• Script Writing: Write a Pilot Episode for a TV or Web Series (Project-Centered Course) :   Michigan State University
• English Composition I :   Duke University
• Writing in English at University :   Lund University
• Writing for Young Readers: Opening the Treasure Chest :   Commonwealth Education Trust
• The Art of Storytelling :   IESE Business School

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Zheleznodorozhnyy Orekhovo-Zuyevo Sergiyev Posad Podol'sk Novo-Peredelkino Ryazan' An Overview of the IELTS The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is designed to measure English proficiency for educational, vocational and immigration purposes. The IELTS measures an individual's ability to communicate in English across four areas of language: listening , reading , writing and speaking . The IELTS is administered jointly by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment at over 1,100 test centres and 140 countries. These test centres supervise the local administration of the test and recruit, train and monitor IELTS examiners. IELTS tests are available on 48 fixed dates each year, usually Saturdays and sometimes Thursdays, and may be offered up to four times a month at any test centre, including Elektrostal' depending on local needs. Go to IELTS test locations to find a test centre in or nearby Elektrostal' and to check for upcoming test dates at your test centre. Test results are available online 13 days after your test date. You can either receive your Test Report Form by post or collect it from the Test Centre. You will normally only receive one copy of the Test Report Form, though you may ask for a second copy if you are applying to the UK or Canada for immigration purposes - be sure to specify this when you register for IELTS. You may ask for up to 5 copies of your Test Report Form to be sent directly to other organisations, such as universities. There are no restrictions on re-sitting the IELTS. However, you would need to allow sufficient time to complete the registration procedures again and find a suitable test date. SHARE THIS PAGE The reading, writing and listening practice tests on this website have been designed to resemble the format of the IELTS test as closely as possible. They are not, however, real IELTS tests; they are designed to practise exam technique to help students to face the IELTS test with confidence and to perform to the best of their ability. While using this site, you agree to have read and accepted our terms of use, cookie and privacy policy. 257 IMAGES 5 Best Creative Writing Courses, Classes and Tutorials Online The 10 Best Online Creative Writing Classes of 2023 Creative Writing Courses: Best Online Classes for Writers Creative Writing in 2021 Few Key Takeaways from the 'Online Creative Writing Courses for Book Creative Writing Classes online on PiggyRide VIDEO This will help you with your creative writing! #writing #writer #writertok रचनात्मक लेखन अनुच्छेद लेखन |(Creative writing paragraph writing) (Hindi Grammar) |Six Class Creative Writing Correct Answer : You're welcome. 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Take IELTS test in or nearby Elektrostal' The IELTS measures an individual's ability to communicate in English across four areas of language: listening, reading, writing and speaking. The IELTS is administered jointly by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment at over 1,100 test centres and 140 countries. These test centres supervise the ... assignment essay homework paper phd resume review speech thesis