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13 of the Best Online Novel Writing Courses

By Madalina Olteanu

If you’re looking for a list of the best online novel writing courses, the following compilation has been put together especially for you.

The following entry contains affiliate links. That means Writing Tips Oasis receive a small % of the sale if you purchase The Novel Kickstarter, but at no extra cost to you:

1.  The Novel Kickstarter

Louise Dean is the founder of The Novelry, which caters to a lively online community of novelists and has offices in New York and London. She authored four novels including Becoming Strangers , which won the Le Prince Maurice Prize and was nominated for the Booker Prize.

Furthermore, Louise made “The Novel Kickstarter” course to help even complete beginners realize their first draft. There are tons of videos, more than 40 live sessions each month, and 155 lessons for students to study at their own pace. You will learn about story planning, character mapping, pacing, and tension.

Each student gets six one-on-one sessions with their preferred writer. The coaching team has bestselling authors in genres like literary fiction (Rachel Joyce), romance (Libby Page), and YA fiction (Alice Kuipers).

The Novelry’s novel-writing course costs  $1,699 for a full year . This comes with a seven-day money-back guarantee — and you can pay in installments of $169/month.

2.  How to Write a Novel

Reedsy is known for its big community of writers and other professionals in the publishing industry. But did you know that the London-based platform also offers an online class for aspiring fiction authors?

The “How to Write a Novel” course lasts 101 days and is led by Tom Bromley. He is a veteran in the field: an editor of over 100 books, copywriter, publisher, instructor, and traditionally published novelist behind  Crazy Little Thing Called Love  and  Half A World Away .

Throughout 15 weeks, you will learn to effectively start writing your draft — and provide an ending that will leave readers in awe. Apart from more than 20 hours of videos, the course includes weekly meetings with coaches and authors and a one-year access to a writing forum. Plus, eager students can read tons of supplementary learning materials and fulfill optional exercises.

This comprehensive online class is regularly priced at $1,250 but is discounted to $1,000 as of writing. Click on “ Claim your spot ” to begin your journey with Reedsy Learning.

3.  Novel II First Draft, Part 1

Headquartered in New York City, the Gotham Writers Workshop has been teaching the art of storytelling since 1993. Part 1 of the “Novel II First Draft” class lasts 10 weeks and is focused on helping you to create your first draft through a combination of weekly objectives, worksheets, and online lectures.

Instead of one instructor, you get four teachers, all of whom are published novelists: Arlaina Tibensky ( And Then Things Fall Apart ), Katherine Taylor ( Valley Fever ), Christine Meade ( The Way You Burn ), and Benjamin Obler ( Javascotia ). With their guidance, you will learn about character writing, plot structure, subplots, and worldbuilding.

The novel-writing class costs  $439 for new students  and $409 for those who’ve previously taken a class at the Gotham Writers Workshop. Either way, there’s also a $25 registration fee to be paid every term.

4.  Write Your First Novel

You don’t have to go all the way to East Lansing to receive an education from Michigan State University. Through Coursera, people can take its “Write Your First Novel” course online, which is suitable for new writers.

David Wheeler is the instructor of this digital class. He is part of the creative research faculty and heads the university’s Media Sandbox program. Likewise, he is the founder of four media companies and has experience in writing, cinematography, and direction.

Each module in the 26-week course includes at least one video (transcripts are available as well). Some have readings and quizzes. After settling on your story idea and character profiles, you will start writing one chapter a week. Two weeks before the end of the course, you’ll already be writing the final chapter.

The course is  free . However, learners who want a certificate upon completing it have two choices: pay for a Coursera Plus subscription ($59/month or $399/year) or the certification mode of this particular course ($49).

5.  How to Write and Publish a Novel

Based in San Francisco, California, Udemy hosts one of the most affordable yet insightful online courses on fiction writing. Officially titled “How to Write and Publish a Novel”, it was created by Marissa Burt, an exceptional teacher and author of the novels  Storybound ,  The 12 Dares of Christa , and three other titles.

With nine hours of on-demand video content and unlimited access to all materials, the course allows its students to take their time in reviewing every element from characters and setting to dialogue and plot. Melissa’s course goes beyond the goal of writing 50,000 words: It educates about the drafting, editing, and publishing stages as well.

This beloved novel-writing course typically costs $69.99. Luckily, Udemy frequently offers limited-time promos that can lower the price to just $14.99. Go to the  course page  to make a purchase.

6.  Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling

The idea that a living legend in fantasy fiction would teach storytelling to anyone willing to pay just $10 a month sounds ridiculous. Yet MasterClass, which operates in San Francisco, California, made this a reality in 2019 with Neil Gaiman.

Neil created the universally acclaimed  The Sandman  graphic novel series, which became a Netflix series. His other award-winning novels,  Coraline  and  Good Omens,  have been adapted into a movie and series, respectively.

As such, his nearly five-hour class—divided into 19 lessons—is a rare peek into the mind of a genius. Neil will teach you about genres, worldbuilding, characters, dialogue, story development, humor, finding your voice, and the secret to writing outstanding prose.

MasterClass has three paid annual membership plans: Individual ($120), Duo ($180), and Family ($240). Keep in mind that the cheapest option does not include the offline-viewing feature. Feel free to  sign up  anytime you want.

7.  How to Write a Novel: Structure & Outline

Through the edX platform (based in Lanham, Maryland), institutions of higher education can reach a broader audience. The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, for one, teaches creative writing to eager students no matter their location.

As the course title implies, “How to Write a Novel: Structure & Outline” is designed to assist learners with outlining and story structure. Instructors Nancy Lee and Annabel Lyon are professors of creative writing at the university. The former authored  The Age  while the latter wrote the acclaimed bestseller  The Golden Mean .

This six-week online course has weekly assignments and Q&A sessions with instructors. You are free to discuss what you learned from the videos, essential readings, and author interviews with other students.

Are you ready to kickstart your novel-writing journey? Head to the  course page  to sign up and pay the $295 enrollment fee.

8.  R.L. Stine Teaches Writing for Young Audiences

Back in the 1990s, the  Goosebumps  franchise took over the world with its signature horror stories. There were multiple TV and movie adaptations — and the novels have since sold more than 400 million copies. Now, R.L. Stine, the man behind the global sensation, welcomes you to learn how to write novels for YA readers.

His online course is available at MasterClass, headquartered in San Francisco, California. You’ll discover 28 video lessons clocking in at nearly four hours.

The class begins with sharing how and where writers can find ideas for their novels. After, it dives into rich explanations of outlining, cliffhangers, plot twists, and how to appeal to audiences across different age brackets.

Every course on the MasterClass platform becomes accessible upon paying an  annual membership . This starts at $120 (Individual) and goes up to $240 (Family).

9.  Writing Your Novel Draft

If you’re struggling to write a single page a week, consider enrolling in Aatif Rashid’s “Writing Your Novel Draft”. This course is hosted at Writers.com, an online learning platform and writers’ hub based in Santa Cruz, California. Aatif wrote the novel  Portrait of Sebastian Khan  and an assortment of short stories and nonfiction too.

The eight-week course requires dedication. Writers must attend live video sessions on Zoom each week to learn lessons—such as writing dialogue and creating tension—and talk about accomplished activities.

As you learn more from the Zoom meetings, you will craft chapters and scenes. The goal is to write five new pages a week so that you’ll have a 40-page draft to build upon after the course.

Are you interested in Aatif’s novel draft-writing course? This two-month class is  available for $495 .

10.  Save the Cat! Novel Writing Course

Jessica Brody isn’t a stranger to writing novels and teaching the art of it as well. Situated in Vancouver, Washington, she’s the author of many traditionally published women’s fiction and YA fiction.  The Chaos of Standing Still  and  My Life Undecided  are a couple of her novels.

Interestingly, this “Save the Cat!” course shares its name with her two best-selling nonfiction books for fiction writers. The course contains 21 activities and 51 videos, the latter of which explores the 15 major aspects (or “story beats”) of great novel writing. You’ll develop a deeper understanding of plot, structure, revisions, and outlining.

Access to the course is similar to MasterClass and Skillshare. That is, you pay for a membership plan that opens up all classes. For  $15 a month , members can complete this course and other related lessons such as how to revise novels and write drafts.

11.  Writing a Novel

Based in London, Faber Academy was established in 2008 to help budding writers online and offline. It is part of Faber and Faber Limited, one of the oldest and most respected independent publishers in the UK. Moreover, “Writing a Novel” is the academy’s crown jewel when it comes to writing courses.

This is a seven-month course divided into 14 sessions lasting two weeks each. While there are live Zoom sessions, tutorials, and webinars, Faber Academy can provide downloadable learning resources and early access to video content if you cannot attend them.

Each small group of writers will receive guidance from one of many tutors, all of whom are accomplished creative writers. For this particular session (as of writing), the course will be led by Sarah May, acclaimed and best-selling author of  The Internationals  and  Becky .

At £2750 or around $3.4k (as of writing), the Faber Academy course is far from affordable to the average individual. Still, its exceptional value to aspiring novelists cannot be underestimated. Furthermore, you can either pay all of it at once or in  installments .

The October session already ended its application period. Visit the page for  novel-writing courses  in the future for the new schedule.

12.  Novel Writing Workshop

Steve Alcorn’s online course is another noteworthy pick on San Francisco’s Udemy platform. As a writer of novels ( Everything In Its Path)  and nonfiction ( How to Fix Your Novel ), his literary experience is highly sought after.

The “Novel Writing Workshop” has attracted more than 17,000 students. It offers five hours of videos and 20 learning materials that you can view whenever you like. Steve’s course has six main sections: planning, characters, story structure, creating a manuscript, refining a manuscript, and the publication process.

This course is priced at $109.99. If that seems too expensive, you can view the  course page  some other time and wait for limited discounts. Currently, it’s only $19.99 — that’s over 80% off the standard rate!

13.  Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing

Like Neil Gaiman and R.L. Stine, Margaret Atwood is another legend in novel writing that barely needs an introduction. Many of her works have been adapted into series and films. She’s the recipient of multiple accolades including not one but two Booker Prizes.

Her online course for MasterClass in San Francisco, California, delves into her tried-and-tested approach to storytelling. It has 23 video lessons — nearly four hours of priceless teachings. For example, Margaret illustrates why classics and historical tales are useful foundations for stories and complex narratives. She will also delve into the styles and textures of novel writing.

MasterClass offering will cost at least $120 for a  yearly membership . Of course, the good thing here is that you can take all three classes (and many more) for one premium MasterClass plan — so make the most of it!

Some More Top Online Novel Writing Courses

14.  write your novel in 12 weeks.

Can you complete a novel in three months? Briana Una McGuckin believes anyone can — and she’ll help them achieve it. Hosted on Writers.com in Santa Cruz, California, “Write Your Novel in 12 Weeks” aims to encourage people to write at least 5,000 words each week.

Aside from written materials and assignments, each week will have a Zoom meeting. This live session is for students to further discuss lessons, activities, and their respective drafts with Briana and one another. The syllabus tackles writing concepts like premise, structure, backstory, pacing, and fixing plot mistakes.

Overall, prospective students have to shell out $695 for the three-month course. Simply click on “ Enroll Now ” to pay online.

15.  Starting to Write Your Novel

Founded by Anna Davis in 2011, Curtis Brown Creative is the learning platform of London’s iconic Curtis Brown agency. Budding writers who want to transform their promising ideas into a novel should enroll in the “Starting to Write Your Novel” course taught by the founder herself.

She’s been a literary agent, journalist, and university teacher. Anna is also a published author with five titles under her name including the historical romance novels  The Jewel Box  and  The Shoe Queen .

Her six-week online class will help you generate story ideas and understand character writing, narration, plotting, and the key to writing an effective opening. The course will utilize case studies, recommended readings, weekly assignments, student forums, and pre-recorded videos.

This digital class  is priced at £220 . For an extra £145, an editor can provide feedback on your final writing assignment. Feedback from an editor and a 30-minute tutorial costs an additional £240.

Are You Looking for a Free Novel Writing Course?

Would you like to join our very own free novel writing course called Novice to Novel? You can get 52 free lessons via email (1 lesson per week) to help you write a novel in one year! You can find out more and sign-up at this page .

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

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

Table of contents.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Evocativeness

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Orson Scott Card
• David Farland

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

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

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

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

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

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

What’s your favorite online writing course?

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

Dave Chesson

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

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Autocrit review for 2024: read this before purchasing, memberdash review 2024: wordpress membership plugin, learndash review 2024: an in-depth look at a wordpress lms, sell more books on amazon, how to title a book checklist.

Titling your book can be hard…really hard. As you go through choosing your book title, use this checklist as your guide and make sure you have a title that will sell!

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

What about academic graduate writing courses online?

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

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

You bet…and no kidding!

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

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

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Upcoming Online Novel Writing Courses

July courses, write your novel the workshop with jack, with jack smith.

Get a good start on a novel in just ten weeks, or revise a novel you’ve already written. Free your imagination, move steadily ahead and count the pages!

Fiction , Novel

The Cabin In The (Virtual) Woods: Writing Horror Comedy

With giulietta nardone.

The line between horror and comedy is a lot thinner than you think. In this class, make your readers laugh in one sentence and cower in the next.

Fiction , Novel , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

Plot Your Novel with the Three-Act Structure

With denise santomauro.

The 3 act structure gives us the scaffolding we can hang our stories off of. Come away from this class with a fully plotted novel and a plan to write it.

Writing Autobiographical Fiction

Learn to depart from "what really happened," and write compelling fiction from your own life experiences.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Short Story

Crafting the Poetry Novel for Young Adults

With kelly bingham.

Even if you’ve never written poetry before, you can begin the rewarding process of crafting a poetry novel for Young Adults. Is there a market for novels written in verse? Are they well received? Yes, there is, and yes, they are!

Fiction , Novel , Poetry

August Courses

Rapid story development: a master plan for building stories that work, with jeff lyons.

In this 10 week story writing class, Jeff Lyons pairs the Enneagram with story development techniques to revolutionize your writing practice.

Write Your Picture Book!

Picture books have changed greatly over the last few decades, and the market is wide open for fresh ideas. Join us in this six-week intensive where we’ll take that idea of yours and turn it into a manuscript!

Fiction , Novel , Short Story

Write Your Novel in 16 Weeks!

With briana una mcguckin.

In this generative novel writing course, we'll go from writing a strong beginning to writing "The End" on your novel's first draft.

September Courses

A writerly life: develop a writing routine that works for you, with shelby hinte.

What does a writer's life look like? Build a productive writing habit in this course for writers of all backgrounds.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story

Penning Passion: Finish the First Draft of your Romance Novel in Ten Weeks

With jeanne de vita.

In this comprehensive class, you'll learn the ropes of romance writing and finish a first draft of your romance novel. 

Writing with Consistency and Courage

With tamara dean.

What makes a successful writer? It's not talent, craft, or even the right connections—it's consistency and courage.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Live Workshop , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story

From Memory: Writing Fiction or Memoir from Lived Experience

With chin-sun lee.

In this class, you'll use a nearly infinite resource—your own memory—to craft compelling fiction or nonfiction stories.

It Starts with Play: Get (Back) into Writing

With janée baugher.

Harness the joy of creativity in this inspiration-focused class, where we'll uncover new ideas for writing projects and draft loads of new material. 

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

How to Start a Podcast

With cara stevens.

Share your voice with the world! Learn everything you need to plan, record, and share your first podcast episode and beyond.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Live Workshop , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

Dread and Desire: Gothic Fiction Techniques to Lure and Horrify Your Readers

This Halloween, learn how to write eerie, haunting moods in this comprehensive course on Gothic writing techniques.

October Courses

Plot your novel.

Over eight weeks, you'll develop a solid basis in the fictional elements—protagonist, setting, secondary characters, point of view, plot, and theme—while you develop the outline of your novel. You'll receive feedback at all stages from your fellow writers and your instructor.

Character is the Key: Unlock Your Best Stories

With jessie roy.

If you want to tell a good story, you need to write good characters. Learn how to unlock your best stories in this one-day character development workshop. 

Unscheduled Courses

These online writing classes don’t currently have a next session on our calendar, but will soon. If you see a course you’re interested in, use the “I’m Interested” button to let us know, and we’ll follow up with you when the course is on our calendar next.

Want to reach us or our instructors with questions about our online writing courses? Contact us at [email protected] , or visit the contact form .

(Live Workshop) Revising the Novel: Take Your First Draft to the Next Level

With donna levin.

Ready to start revising your novel? Get rolling in this in-depth webinar.

Fiction , Live Workshop , Novel

(Live Workshop) Writing Beginnings and Endings

With sarah aronson.

How do you write a story that's compelling to start and satisfying to finish? Sarah Aronson explains in this comprehensive one-day workshop.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Live Workshop , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Short Story

(Live Workshop) Writing from a Strong Sense of Place: A Generative Workshop

With jacquelyn stolos.

Develop powerful and realistic settings in this generative three-hour workshop, with Jacquelyn Stolos.

Fiction , Live Workshop , Novel , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

*Private Class | Embodied Writing: Improve Your Writing with Full-Body Creativity

With rosemary tantra bensko.

Have a grand time with specific physical exercises that honor your health, generate imaginative ideas, explore deeply and make your creative writing entertaining.

*Private Class | Embodied Writing: Somatic Practices to Improve Your Work

*private class | introduction to writing genre fiction.

Take the whirlwind tour! Learn the conventions of eight major fiction genres, try them out, and figure out your niche.

*Private Class | The Micro-obstacles/Flow Technique

Create new work with fresh language, universal themes, sustained mystery and memorable characters. Stimulate your imagination.

*Private Class | Using Bullet Journaling to Achieve Writing Goals

With rudri patel.

Looking to keep your writing goals organized? Make it happen in our bullet journaling course. Learn the art of the BuJo with Rudri Patel!

*Private Class | Writing with Tarot

With sandra novack.

Jump-start your creative juices, and explore a world of divination, symbolism, and imagery right at your fingertips: learn short story and novel writing through Tarot.

Advanced Fiction Workshop with Emily Adrian

With emily adrian.

Build a feedback group and sharpen your novel or short stories for publication in this workshop-oriented fiction class. 

Anatomy of a Premise Line: How to Use Story and Premise Development for Writing Success

The premise line is the only reliable tool that can tell you, BEFORE you start writing, whether or not your story will “work.” In this class participants will learn how to master the process of premise line development—the essential first step in any book or screenplay’s development process.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Novel , Stage and Broadcast

Battling the Blank Page: Writing the First Third of Your Novel

With elisa bonnin.

If the blank page daunts you, conquer it in this comprehensive novel writing course, where you'll end with over 1/3 of a first draft written.

Beyond Formula: Writing Love Scenes With Spirit, Passion, Grit And Character Truth

With anya achtenberg.

Write about love beyond trite sentiment and shallow fictions. Work down to the real thing: deep, powerful, destructive, exalted, fundamental.

Block Buster: Turbocharge Your Creativity with Breakneck Writing

With gretchen clark.

Banish writer's block, unearth fresh ideas, and sharpen your storytelling ability with the practice of fast, timed writing.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

Boost Your Imagination and Reap the Literary Rewards

It happens to all of us: life gets in the way and our creativity falters. Get back on track with this four-week creativity boosting class!

Character Transformation Workshop: How to Write Stories that Emotionally Resonate

Learn how to write emotionally resonant journeys that stick with the reader, using the power of character transformation.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Memoir , Novel , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

Crafting a Story or Novel Chapter Using Forward-Moving Tension

How do writers tell stories with tension, action, and emotion? Learn how to write forward-moving tension in this 5 week fiction course.

Crafting the Poetry Novel: Advanced Workshop

Want to make headway on your poetry novel? This workshop offers the structure and resources to get it done, with instructor Kelly Bingham.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Novel , Poetry

Crafting the Romance Novel

More than happily ever after. Writing a romance novel is about more than just telling the story of how two characters meet, fall in love, and ride off into the sunset of happily ever after. A romance novel follows the same structure as powerful novels in other genres and employs the building blocks of great…

De Novo: How to Build Your Own Fantasy or Sci-Fi World

Create captivating worlds in this comprehensive worldbuilding course. You'll come away with fantastic settings that make your stories mesmerizing, believable, and real.

Deepening and Organizing Our Stories: Memoir/Creative Nonfiction and Autobiographical Fiction

For writers of memoir, creative nonfiction and fiction, with some experience. Particularly helpful to writers in the midst of a longer work.

Drafty in Here: Write Your Novella in Ten Weeks

Write the entire first draft of a novella-length story, with plenty of feedback from stage to stage, and finish with a plan for revising toward a publishable manuscript.

Embodied Writing: Improve Your Writing with Full-Body Creativity

Embodied writing: somatic practices to improve your work, finding inspiration in dreams, with amy bonnaffons.

Our dreams are fertile fields of inspiration, meaning, and creativity. Learn how to use your dreams as doorways to future writing.

Finding the Real Story: Essential Elements of Story in Fiction and Memoir

Address the larger issues of writing story through a look at the essential elements of narrative in fiction and memoir.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Novel , Short Story

Finish Your Manuscript: Next-Level Picture Book Mentorship

During this six week program, you will work closely one-on-one with Kelly to finalize, refine, and polish your picture book into a manuscript ready to submit for publication or representation.

Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Novel , Short Story

First Pages That Will Pull Agents In!

With troy wilderson.

Polish your opening pages in this novel intensive, where you'll make your first pages so perfect, your readers will need to know what comes next.

From the Source: Journaling for Self-Knowledge and Creativity

Journal to discover yourself, find a wellspring of creativity, and produce publication-ready pieces.

Get Back to That Book

For any number of reasons, the book we want to write gets waylaid. Get back to it in this motivational two part workshop.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Memoir , Novel

Get Clear on Your Story and Voice

With nadia colburn.

What is your story about? What is your voice? Whether you write poetry, fiction, or nonfiction, hone your writing in this 3 hour workshop.

Get It Done: Create the Scaffolding to Start (and Finish) a Writing Project

With eman quotah.

Get your butt in the chair, your mind roaming freely, and your creative juices flowing in this motivational, all-genres writing class.

Get It Done: Fast-Draft Your Novel in 13 Weeks

Write a complete first draft of your novel in this 13-week intensive, where you'll learn everything you need to write a successful story. 

Get That Novel Finished! Tools and Inspiration to Complete Your First Draft

Finishing a novel requires guts, dedication, and stamina. When you find yourself struggling, our 10-week course with Donna Levin will help!

Get That Novel Started: A Two-Week Writing Workshop

Take the plunge! Put your ideas to paper, write and share the opening pages of your novel, and create a plan for writing a full first draft.

Get Your Book Done Intensive! 4 Weeks to Measurable Progress

The summer is the best time to get the ball rolling on your book. Join us if you really want to get your book into the world.

Get Your Book Noticed: Writing Loglines That Sell

Your logline helps you query agents, market your book, and figure out the story itself. Hone your logline and set your book up for success in this Zoom workshop.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

Graphic Novel Writing Bootcamp

With cristian aluas.

Put pen to graphing paper in this workshop on crafting the graphic novel. By the end of the Zoom call, you'll have an 8 page graphic short story that's ready to illustrate.

How to Firm Up the “Mushy Middle” of Any Story

Ensure a strong middle throughline for any story. Say goodbye to the "mushy middle," and hello to stories that work.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Novel , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

How to Write Character-Driven Stories

With lisa c. taylor.

Characters don't just drive the story, they are the story. Learn how to craft character-centered fiction and give life to the people on your page.

How to Write Great Stories

Learn how to combine character, setting, plot, and other elements of fiction to write powerful, compelling stories.

Humor Is The New Black!

Ready to add a splash of fun to your writing life? Join us for a four-week humor writing class. We’ll read. We’ll laugh. We’ll write. We’ll experiment.

I’ve Drunk Your Poisoned Nectar: Writing with the Goddess

With shankar narayan.

Dig deep into the rich mythology of South Asian goddesses to find new inspiration for your work in this generative, open-genre writing class.

In Your Own Words: Transforming Life Into Memoir and Fiction

With margo perin.

Learn how to draw inspiration and material from your life experiences or those of people you know, or want to know, to craft compelling, publishable memoirs, personal essays, autobiographical novels and short stories, and/or narrative poetry.

Intro to Fiction Writing

What makes a good fiction story? Learn how to write compelling stories in this eight-week intro to fiction course, with Donna Levin.

Introduction to Writing Genre Fiction

Kickstart your novel.

How do novelists turn an idea into a published book? Gain the confidence to  be a novelist in this transformational 3 hour workshop. 

Let It Rip: The Art of Writing Fiery Prose

You'll write prose that gets folks so hot and bothered they won't be able to put it down, even if it isn't about sex.

Look Again: Revision for Novel Writers

With amanda hosch.

Most novels become great through the power of revision. Learn how to turn a rough draft into a swoon-worthy manuscript that readers and publishers will love.

Make Your Prose Sing

With leslie lawrence.

Enrich your prose with techniques from poetry. Bring paper and pens; leave with a better ear and lots of ideas about how to make your prose sing.

Manuscript Review for Children’s Writers: Summer Edition

Instructor Sarah Aronson welcomes all writers who are working on manuscripts for kids and teens. This advanced workshop will focus entirely on the participants' own work in progress.

Manuscript Workshop: Writing For Young Readers

Author Denise Santomauro leads this intermediate/advanced workshop on writing for children. It offers support, structure and detailed feedback on manuscripts.

Mastering the Elements of Fiction

In this course, you’ll work with the basic elements of fiction--the fundamentals that drive the story and determine the quality of the work.

Observing What’s Vivid in Prose and Poetry

With marc olmsted.

Learn how to spotlight beauty through fresh, vivid, and surprising language, in this four week mindfulness writing course.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

Onward: Writing the Novel-in-Process

So now that you have your opening novel pages, what next? Get detailed, constructive feedback on your work-in-progress, wherever you're at in writing it.

Overcome Writing Anxiety: Boost Your Storytelling Confidence in Four Short Weeks!

"Who are you to want to write?" Someone great, that's who! Politely ask Mr. or Ms. Fear to step aside while you sign up for this fun, freeing and functional adventure.

Roads Into Writing: Opening New Terrain In Your Work

Write like mad, read brilliant books & deepen your craft while exploring new paths to inspiration. With novelist and poet Anya Achtenberg, .

Scene Study: Strengthen Your Writing with Compelling Scenes

With susan pohlman.

Great stories are constructed with great scenes. Immerse your reader in your stories by learning the ropes of scene development.

Speculative Fiction: Sci-fi, Fantasy, & More

With tara campbell.

Speculative fiction isn't (only) warp drives and magic wands; it's anything that examines human lives and relationships through alternate realities. In this course, learn how to wield the fantastic in your fiction.

Story Lab: Story Structure 101

Structure is essential to great storytelling. Learn how to roadmap any story in this comprehensive story structure class.

Story Lab: The Story-Subplot Connection

Subplots are key to maintaining narrative pace and tension in a story. Drive your story forward with this deep dive into the elements of good storytelling.

Suspense Sells! Power Up Your Writing With Conflict, Tension and Emotion

Inject suspense into your stories to keep readers turning pages. For writers of all kinds of fiction: thrillers, mysteries, romance, humor, literary and memoir. A four week class with Giulietta Nardone.

Techwashed!: Writing with AI, Data, and Surveillance

Raise a mirror against society's relationship to technology in this two part workshop series where we will learn how to write about tech.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Live Workshop , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story

Teen Writers’ Workshop: Discover the Writer You Want to Be

Give your teens the power of writing and community in this two part workshop, where teen writers will learn the skills to become professional authors.

Ten Steps to Creating Interesting, In-Depth Characters

How do you write about people convincingly? Empower your character development in this workshop filled with exercises and character discussion.

Fiction , Live Workshop , Novel , Short Story

The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

Create fantastical worlds with mythical beings in this comprehensive introduction to fantasy and science fiction.

The Elements of Fiction

Good fiction writing can feel like juggling as you balance all the different elements of storytelling. By the end of this course, you'll be an expert juggler.

The First Fifty Pages of the Novel

The first 50 pages sets up plot, characters, and voice, and it lays the groundwork for your book's overall structure and success. Receive critical, supportive feedback on your book's start from novelist Sandra Novack.

The Five Ws (and One H) of Drafting Middle Grade and Young Adult Novels

Asking yourself these six questions will give you the scaffolding for your next young adult or middle grade novel.

The Micro-obstacles/Flow Technique

The surprising sentence: honing your prose style.

Great sentences stack up into great stories. Learn how to hone your style and voice at the most basic unit of writing, the sentence, in this workshop.

Turn Up the Heat: How to Write Good Sex

How do you write sex scenes that are both erotic and realistic? Make your reader's heart race in this webinar on writing good sex.

Untie the Tropes: Write In-Depth YA Protagonists

Do you want to write YA, but you're terrified of teenagers? Learn how to write authentic teen characters without tropes in this generative YA course.

What to Do When Your Characters Fall in Love: Writing Romance in Any Genre

Relationships are an important feature of fiction—and not just romances! If your non-romance work has love involved, learn the ropes in this 5 week course, open to writers of all genres.

Write Your Children’s Book!

If you’re looking for accountability, support, enthusiasm, feedback, and a chance to make progress on your Children's Book or YA story, then this is the place for you.

Write Your Novel Draft!

With aatif rashid.

Move far ahead in your novel draft, while learning the craft of novel writing and developing a stronger writing practice.

Write Your Novel: The Art of the Outline

Structure and start your novel in this comprehensive class. You'll come away with a skeleton for your story and at least 20 pages written.

Writing for Kids: Entering the World of Children’s Literature

Learn the fundamentals of writing for children in this one day workshop, and write the kinds of stories that kids simply can't put down.

Writing Magical Fiction

In this workshop series, you won't just write using magic in fiction—you'll harness the magic that only fiction can make.

Writing Short Stories with the Empathic Approach

Great fiction brings deeper understanding. Foster a greater sense of connection and supercharge your stories in this empathy-driven fiction class.

Writing Spontaneously: How to Let Your Stories Surprise You

Some of the best stories don't follow a specific plot structure; they develop organically. Learn how to hone spontaneity in your fiction writing and come away surprised by your work.

Writing the Absurd

If you turn on to the absurd in life—to the ironic, edgy, bizarre, and grotesque—this is the course for you. Learn the key techniques of writing absurdist fiction, dark fiction, and satire.

Writing with Tarot

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Writing a Novel Step by Step

A course by cristina lópez barrio , writer.

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

• Best seller
• 98% positive reviews ( 2.4K )
• 65414 students
• Spanish , English , Portuguese , German , French , Italian , Polish , Dutch
• Information

For some, writing is a way to dream, escape from reality, and travel to worlds that only exist in our imagination. For Cristina López Barrio, it's much more than that, it's a way of life. After working thirteen years as a lawyer, she decided to devote herself to writing full time in 2009. Since then, she has achieved several important milestones in her career such as publishing her novel La casa de los amores imposibles in 22 countries, getting it translated in 15 languages, and being selected as a Premio Planeta finalist for her book Niebla en Tánger.

The creative process is similar to a roller coaster with its ups and downs. In this course, embark on a literary journey with Cristina and learn how to write a novel from cover to cover, including how to develop your concept, characters, narrators, and the setting and time frame. By the end of the course, you'll have the tools to transform your ideas into words on a page and write an original story.

What will you learn in this online course?

23 lessons & 23 downloads

• 23 lessons (4h 36m)
• 23 additional resources (11 files)
• Online and at your own pace
• Available on the app
• Audio: Spanish, English, Turkish
• Level: Beginner
• Unlimited access forever

What is this course's project?

Create an outline with all the key elements needed to write a novel with an original plot.

Projects by course students

By claire.j.chartier

By carlixalfonzo

By jandra_ale1980

Who is this online course for?

Creative minds who love to read and anyone who has ever thought about writing a novel but doesn't know where to begin.

Requirements and materials

You don’t need any prior knowledge, just the desire to connect with your imagination and discover your inner writer.

The materials for this course include two notebooks, a pen or a pencil, and a computer if you'd prefer to write your novel in a digital format.

vazquezpatricia24

Me ha encantado este curso!! Cristina López tiene una forma de explicar que transmite calma y es muy fácil de comprender el aprendizaje.

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jotiargentina

Muy buen curso. Cristina explica muy cómo escribir una novela. He aprendido mucho.

Me gustó mucho este curso. Lo recomiendo.

nicolaskouzouyan

Me ha gustado el curso, facil de entender y aplicar. La profesora explica con claridad y fluidez. Recomendado!

federica_jourdan

Bello!soprattutto per chi, come me, non ha mai fatto nulla sulla scrittura. Questo corso da un’idea chiara sulle strutture classiche, su come approcciare tutte le parti che compongono un romanzo e su come dare inizio ad un’opera.

• More reviews

Cristina López Barrio A course by Cristina López Barrio

Cristina López Barrio studied law at the Complutense University of Madrid and worked as a lawyer and intellectual property expert for thirteen years. In 2009, after winning the Villa Pozuelo de Alarcón Young Adult Novel Award for her book El hombre que se mareaba con la rotación de la Tierra (Everest 2009) and publishing her novel La casa de los amores imposibles (Plaza&Janés, 2010), she decided to fully devote herself to writing.

Since then, La casa de los amores imposibles has been translated into 15 languages and published in 22 countries including the United States, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Sweden, Israel, and Mexico. Cristina has also published a collection of stories titled El reloj del mundo (Flash from Penguin Random House, 2012) and several other novels like El cielo en un infierno cabe (Plaza&Janés 2013), Tierra de brumas (Plaza&Janés 2015), and Rómpete, corazón (Planeta 2019). In October 2017, she was chosen as a finalist for the Premio Planeta award for her novel Niebla en Tánger.

Introduction

• Presentation

In Search of Inspiration

• Materials 1
• Materials 2
• Imagination 1
• Imagination 2
• Looking for Us 1
• Looking for Us 2

In Search of Creativity

• Theme, Idea and Plot 1
• Theme, Idea and Plot 2
• Theme, Idea and Plot 3
• Characters: Construction or Possession 1
• Characters: Construction or Possession 2
• The Conflict
• Of Narrators and Gods 1
• Of Narrators and Gods 2

In Search of Another Dimension

• Time Jumps: Narrative Form and Tension
• Our Novel Scheme

In Search of the Narrative Voice

• A Good Start
• Everything Is Possible If You Fit Into the Created World

Final project

What to expect from a domestika course, learn at your own pace.

Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.

Learn from the best professionals

Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.

Meet expert teachers

Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.

Certificates Plus

If you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.

Get front-row seats

Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.

Share knowledge and ideas

Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.

Connect with a global creative community

The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.

Watch professionally produced courses

Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.

Domestika's courses are online classes that provide you with the tools and skills you need to complete a specific project. Every step of the project combines video lessons with complementary instructional material, so you can learn by doing. Domestika's courses also allow you to share your own projects with the teacher and with other students, creating a dynamic course community.

All courses are 100% online, so once they're published, courses start and finish whenever you want. You set the pace of the class. You can go back to review what interests you most and skip what you already know, ask questions, answer questions, share your projects, and more.

The courses are divided into different units. Each one includes lessons, informational text, tasks, and practice exercises to help you carry out your project step by step, with additional complementary resources and downloads. You'll also have access to an exclusive forum where you can interact with the teacher and with other students, as well as share your work and your course project, creating a community around the course.

You can redeem the course you received by accessing the redeeming page and entering your gift code.

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This free Reedsy Learning course explains the mistakes to avoid, the questions to ask yourself, and how to stay motivated when writing non-fiction.

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Whether you’re a new writer or a published author, there’s no such thing as a writer who can’t learn something new about their craft. Reedsy Learning’s online writing courses make it easy for anyone, regardless of skill level, to improve their craft, build better routines, and pursue the creative writing life they’ve always longed for.

Learn from the best in the business

Our online writing courses are taught by professionals, including bestselling fantasy author Ben Galley and former Simon & Schuster editor Kate Angelella. Topics include:

We’ve got you covered on all these topics and more. Each 10-part course is delivered to your inbox, making these the most convenient creative writing courses on the internet. By saving both time and money, you’ll be able to reinvest in your dreams and get one step closer toward making them a reality.

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Every writing course we offer is free. At Reedsy, we believe that knowledge shouldn’t be limited to those who can afford to pay for it — if you want to be a great writer, we want to help you achieve that.

Reviews for Reedsy’s free online writing courses

“I'm hooked. As a writer just starting out, this course was exactly what I needed. The lessons were short and sweet, so I wasn't intimidated when I opened my emails.” — Amy S.

“A very comprehensive course, especially considering that it's been delivered fully in an email format. I felt like I was there in the classroom with the teacher.” — Lucy T.

“These writing courses manage to cover a lot of ground in a minimal amount of time and space.” — Aisha P.

“The information you provided was exceptional. So much packed into one bite-sized email each day is definitely what time-strapped people need when trying to jump the hurdles that keep them from writing. These lessons have helped me push through several roadblocks that have kept my writing books closed and my pens in the box.” — Paul D.

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“I am a short fiction and poetry writer who’s been writing for 50+ years. I found these courses to be invaluable as a refresher and a source of new insights. Thank you!” — Steve M.

NEW VIDEO COURSE

How to Write a Novel

Join Tom Bromley for a writing masterclass and finish your first draft in 3 months. Learn more →

JOIN A WRITING COMMUNITY with tools and support to finish your story

Learn how to write a book with help from writing coaches, story outlining tools and your now novel peers., develop story ideas and drafts, supported by people who have done it before, and learn from writing craft courses, videos and guides..

Reach your writing goals with help from a community of writers and coaches and learn more about craft via Now Novel's writing articles, webinars and courses. Find inspiration as you outline your story in your private dashboard where you can profile compelling characters and create plot story arcs and individual scenes.

Make progress together.

Start and finish writing, with help every step of the way, from finding an idea you love to editing and publishing. We write alone, but learn, improve, and make progress together. Published authors provide a sounding board and the perspective crucial to telling your story with confidence.

Which stage of writing are you in?

FINDING STORY IDEAS:

Use the Now Novel dashboard to brainstorm and develop story ideas. Read articles on our blog and watch webinars on how to begin and develop stories when you upgrade your Now Novel membership. Get constructive feedback when you need it.

POPULAR FEATURES:

• 400+ free articles on writing craft
• Coached and free writing courses
• Writing webinars and extra hands-on help when you subscribe

DEVELOPING YOUR STORY:

Trade constructive critiques in Now Novel’s online writing groups and get honest feedback. Create characters, brainstorm settings, and plan rising and falling action in Now Novel’s story dashboard. Get guidance from a writing coach or editor when you upgrade your membership.

• Plan and develop stories in your Story Dashboard
• Connect with other writers and trade critique in groups
• Work with a writing coach or take a group coaching course to develop your story

POLISHING AND REVISING DRAFTS:

Is your manuscript complete (or nearly there)? Get help from an editor or writing coach in applying the polish crucial for publishing. A professional review of your manuscript provides actionable advice for a more impactful story.

• Custom editing billed per word, with option to pay in installments
• Manuscript assessments providing detailed, actionable insights
• Bolt-on consultation calls should you want to discuss edits in person

An online novel writing course that's tailor-made to get you to actually write that book you've been thinking about.

Oprah Magazine

What Now Novel members say:

The five stars are for the comprehensive range of topics and materials but also particularly for the commitment and involvement of the Now Novel team. A great feature of the site is the community of aspiring writers

The platform tools have provided a highly effective way to map out the structure of my novel while my experienced, inspiring coach Hedy has provided feedback and strategies that have reminded me that writing is fun.

I've been attending their writing webinars and writing sprints. I love Romy! She is a wonderful writing coach. I decided to become a lifetime member because I value the wealth of knowledge they share.

My coach goes above and beyond every time we communicate in providing me with encouragement, practical guidance and constructive feedback. I feel supported and confident about the progress that I make.

Start reaching your writing goals, today.

Streamline your writing process and delve deeper into your best ideas as you grow the story you most want to tell..

*Get started with free tools, and upgrade as you progress.

JOIN A DIVERSE WRITING COMMUNITY

Add your voice to 303,000+ monthly blog readers and the committed writers who join Now Novel each month to improve, outline, discuss, develop and finish stories.

Frequently asked questions

» It is completely free to create an account (no ads, no hidden catches). Get started trading crits and try Now Novel’s story outlining tools, then upgrade to unlock full access. Weekly writing tips and our online critique groups are always free. See pricing for Now Novel subscriptions, writing courses such as group coaching and guides on our pricing page, and get in touch for a custom editing quote.

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Get help on writing a novel on our blog:

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About the WriterSpark

30 days to craft your novel course.

Unlock your storytelling potential with WriterSpark's '30 Days to Craft Your Novel' course. Discover the nuts and bolts of crafting compelling stories and embark on a journey toward writing your very own novel. Working at your own pace, you will build a virtual toolbox equipped with everything you need to bring your literary aspirations to life.

Throughout this course, you will delve deep into the art of storytelling and master the fundamental elements that make a narrative truly captivating. You will:

1. Develop your protagonist and antagonist - Uncover the secrets to creating dynamic and memorable characters that drive your story forward.

2. Understand story structure templates - Gain insight into two of the most widely-used story structures: The three-act structure and The Hero's Journey. Learn how to expertly orchestrate the flow of your narrative and keep your readers hooked from beginning to end.

3. Create a skeleton outline of your story - Lay a solid foundation for your novel by crafting a comprehensive outline that will guide you through the writing process.

4. Unlock the power of scene structure - Discover the key components that make up a compelling scene, including Scene and Sequel, which encompasses Goal, Motivation, Conflict, Disaster, as well as the crucial elements of reaction, dilemma, and decision found within Motivation-Reaction Units.

5. Put theory into practice - Harness your newfound knowledge and apply it to your writing. Complete a minimum of three scenes that showcase your mastery of the techniques and concepts covered in the course.

But wait – there's more! Alongside these invaluable lessons, the ' 30 Days to Craft Your Novel' course includes bonus content designed to elevate your writing skills and ignite your creativity. Unleash your full potential as a storyteller and unlock the secrets to crafting unforgettable tales.

Are you ready to embark on this transformative journey? Join us for WriterSpark's '30 Days to Craft Your Novel' course and fulfill your dream of becoming a published author.

Enroll now and open the doors to a world brimming with imagination and endless possibilities.

Ready, Set, Write!

Learn the nuts and bolts of fiction writing and create everything you need to tell a compelling story., (formerly 30 days to craft your novel).

Are you ready to seize the day and start your writing journey?

Choose a Pricing Option

How to write fiction: 30 days to craft your novel course.

Develop the core elements of your novel including character development, story structure, skeleton outlining, scene structure, and more.

About WriterSpark and Melissa Bourbon

Welcome to WriterSpark Fiction Writing Academy. I am the national bestselling author of more than twenty-five mystery books, including the Book Magic mysteries, the Lola Cruz Mysteries, A Magical Dressmaking Mystery series, and the Bread Shop Mysteries, written as Winnie Archer.

Before, and even during, parts of my writing career, I taught middle and high school English/Language Arts. Teaching is in my blood!

Now, instead of teaching kids, I get to work with aspiring and established authors. I created WriterSpark as a way to pay it forward by sharing what I've learned over the past twenty years in the publishing business.

I have taught with Southern Methodist University's CAPE program, and currently teach courses online, I coach, and I do freelance editing.

Meanwhile, I still write fiction full-time. I live what I teach. Join me and find your WriterSpark.

Learn more about me at my website,  www.melissabourbon.com ;

on Facebook  @MelissaBourbon/Winnie ArcherBooks ;

and on Instagram  @bookishly_cozy

Course Curriculum

• Welcome to this Novel Writing Course! (2:29) Preview
• Writing Checklist Preview
• Refer A Friend Start
• Lesson 1: Characters Take the Lead (7:42) Start
• Lesson 2: The Antagonist Comes First (20:31) Start
• Lesson 3: Meet the Protagonist (20:20) Start
• Lesson 4: Populate with Supporting Characters (9:46) Start
• Lesson 5: Conflict (20:32) Start
• Activity 1-Conflict Mapping Start
• Week 2: Introduction to Story Structures (5:57) Preview
• Lesson 1: Story-> Plot-> Story (32:05) Start
• Lesson 2: The Three-Act Structure (21:25) Start
• Lesson 3: The Hero's Journey (29:53) Start
• Lesson 4: Overlaying the Two Structures (18:03) Start
• Lesson 5: A Novel in Twenty Steps Template (2:26) Start
• Lesson 6: Skeleton Outlining (13:58) Start
• Bonus Video: Real Author Outlines (5:51) Start
• Week 3: Introduction to Essential Elements of Writing (5:57) Preview
• Lesson 1: Setting (15:40) Start
• Lesson 2: Point of View (25:40) Start
• Lesson 3: Dialogue (33:39) Start
• Lesson 4, Part 1: Tone (17:33) Start
• Lesson 4, Part 2: Mood (10:55) Start
• Lesson 5: Voice Start
• Week 4: Introduction to Understanding Scene (2:06) Preview
• Lesson 1: Scene and Sequel (16:19) Start
• Lesson 2: Motivation-Reaction Units (15:37) Start
• Lesson 3: Writing Key Scenes (3:58) Start
• Bonus Content: Opening Lines (6:45) Start
• Bonus Content: 20 Tips & Tricks for Writing (5:48) Start
• Course Evaluation Start

WriterSpark Courses and Coaching

How to Write Fiction: 30 Days to Craft Your Novel

Develop the core elements of your novel including character development, story structure, skeleton outlining, essential writing elements, scene development, and more. (*formerly called 30 days to craft your novel).

Melissa Bourbon

How to Write a Cozy Mystery: The Field Guide

A writerspark master class covering everything you need to know about writing a killer cozy mystery.

WriterSpark Academy One-on-One Coaching

WriterSpark Academy One-on-One Coaching (1 Hour Session)

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Write Your First Novel

Michigan State University via Coursera Help

Limited-Time Offer: Up to 75% Off Coursera Plus!

• Week One: Creating the idea for your novel
• In Week One you will create a concept for your original novel, your own Intellectual Property (IP). You will write up a pitch document, post it and review the pitches of five of your peers. You will also create a Logline and a Dramatic Question for your novel, post those documents, review the work of five of your peers and revise your own work with the feedback you get from your peers
• Week Two: Create your character profiles and outline Chapter One
• In Week Two you will create profiles for your major characters and write up an outline for the first chapter of your novel.
• Week Three: Write Chapter One
• In Week Three you will begin writing your novel.
• Week Four: Write Chapter Two
• In Week Four you will write the second chapter of your novel.
• Week Five: Write Chapter Three
• In Week Five you will write the third chapter of your novel.
• Week Six: Write Chapter Four
• In Week six you will write the fourth chapter of your novel.
• Week Seven: Write Chapter Five
• In Week Seven you will write the fifth chapter of your novel.
• Week Eight: Write Chapter Six
• In Week Eight you will write the sixth chapter of your novel.
• Week Nine: Write Chapter Seven
• In Week Nine you will write the seventh chapter of your novel.
• Week Ten: Table Read Chapters One to Seven
• In Week Ten, you have the week off from writing. This week, you will get together with a few friends and read Act One, the first seven chapters of your novel,
• Week Eleven: Write Chapter Eight
• In Week Eleven you will write the eighth chapter of your novel.
• Week Twelve: Write Chapter Nine
• In Week Twelve you will write the ninth chapter of your novel.
• Week Thirteen: Write Chapter Ten
• In Week Thirteen you will write the tenth chapter of your novel.
• Week Fourteen: Write Chapter Eleven
• In Week Fourteen you will write the eleventh chapter of your novel.
• Week Fifteen: Write Chapter Twelve
• In Week Fifteen you will write the twelfth chapter of your novel.
• Week Sixteen: Write Chapter Thirteen
• In Week Sixteen you will write the thirteenth chapter of your novel.
• Week Seventeen: Write Chapter Fourteen
• In Week Seventeen you will write the fourteenth chapter of your novel.
• Week Eighteen: Table Read Chapters Eight to Fourteen
• In Week Eighteen, you have another week off from writing. This week, you will again get together with a few friends and read chapters Eight through Fourteen, Act Two of your novel.
• Week Nineteen: Write Chapter Fifteen
• In Week Nineteen you will begin the final Act of Your Novel
• Week Twenty: Write Chapter Sixteen
• In Week Twenty you will write the sixteenth chapter of your novel.
• Week Twenty-One: Write Chapter Seventeen
• In Week Twenty-One you will write the seventeenth chapter of your novel.
• Week Twenty-Two: Write Chapter Eighteen
• In Week Twenty-Two you will write the eighteenth chapter of your novel.
• Week Twenty-Three: Write Chapter Nineteen
• In Week Twenty-Three you will write the nineteenth chapter of your novel.
• Week Twenty-Four: Write Chapter Twenty
• In Week Twenty-Four you will write the final chapter of your novel.
• Week Twenty-Five: Table Read Chapters Fifteen to Twenty
• In Week Twenty-Five you will take another week off from writing and table read the final act of your novel.
• Week Twenty-Six: Submit Your Finished Novel
• In Week-Twenty Six you will submit your completed, polished novel. You will also write a prologue for your novel and a synopsis to submit to agents.

David Wheeler

• united states

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How To Write Fiction

Discover the secrets best-selling authors use to craft page-turning fiction.

The world is full of aspiring writers bubbling over with enthusiasm, fresh ideas, original characters and thrilling plots – hoping one day to bring them all to life in a novel or short story.

But all too often these stories never get written or published because many would-be writers simply don’t know how to turn their words and ideas into something that’s good enough to get published.

Writing fiction is a craft – a set of practical skills that anyone can learn provided they have the right information and guidance. And that’s where our new, comprehensive, step-by-step ‘how to write fiction’ online course can help you.

This course not only gives you the know-how, but also the confidence to develop your ideas and get them published.

If you’ve always wanted to write a bestselling novel but have struggled to get started…

…here’s hope!

Discover time-tested secrets

Craft powerful, captivating fiction that gets published.

As any successful author knows, writing fiction is all about invoking powerful emotional experiences within your reader and connecting with them on a psychological level.

To do this, you need to master several key facets of fiction including: character, plot, setting, dialogue, narrative voice, and genre. We cover them all and much more in this Write Fiction course.

You will learn how to write gripping scenes, add suspense to your writing, craft attention-grabbing titles for your work and uncover marketing techniques that sell books.

We’ll walk you through theme, symbolism, realistic dialogue, point-of-view, and re-drafting, as well as giving you heaps of actionable ideas and indispensable tips for creating exciting fiction that keeps readers gripped.

We’ve handpicked perfect fitting examples of best-selling authors’ work to show you how the professionals create cliffhangers, structure their writing, add specific techniques to create atmosphere and suspense, form shock endings and use euphonic words to create the reaction you desire from your readers.

The   Write Fiction   course teaches you the very basics as well as the intermediate and advanced skills of writing exciting fiction in a simple, easy-to-understand manner that will not overwhelm your learning experience.

A practical course that builds your story

Write a bestselling thriller.

Writing a novel or even a short story can be a daunting process. That’s why the Write Fiction Books course has been designed to inspire and stimulate you to start writing from the very beginning.

As you work through each interactive module, you’ll be encouraged to follow along through our carefully structured ‘Action Points’. These practical exercises will guide you through your own writing project and story, from start to finish.

By the time you’ve completed this course, you’ll not only possess the know-how – but you’ll also have the framework of your own original and compelling story already mapped out – saving you time, effort and a lot of frustration.

Inspiration, ideas and practical advice

Master your craft.

Log in to start learning whenever and wherever you like. From your computer, phone or tablet device, this course is completely cross-platform compatible.

Click the headings below

14 world-class course modules, discovering genres.

Module One has been tailored to be the perfect start to your creative journey. This packed module is filled with practical action points; you’ll discover what genre is best for your taste and style, as well as what forms of fiction are available to let loose your imagination and much more.

From Idea to Plot

In this packed module, you’ll transform your raw ideas into original plots. If you’re struggling for inspiration then you can use our fifteen master plot outlines to get started. With a range of writing methods revealed, you’re sure to find the perfect one that suits you.

Understanding Your Villain

Delve deep into the world of villains, and discover how to make them convincing and memorable by studying different archetypes and psychological profiles. Watch out for tired clichés and find out how not to fall into their trap.

Discover how to create a spectacular setting for a plethora of genres. Learn to bring it all to life with the use of alluring sounds and pinpoint description, and most importantly – practical location research.

Character and Point of View

Story Structure

In this packed module, you’ll find out multiple ways to start your story and if you’re stuck for an ending, use our tried-and-tested ending examples. Also, discover how to decipher symbolism, and add themes to your writing.

Building Suspense

Dialogue and Body Language

Learn to create dynamic dialogue with the help of ‘Dialogue Writing Exercises’, which will guide you to producing charismatic chatter between your characters. Slip in some action to bring the conversation alive, by studying specific body language techniques.

Shock your Readers

Discover how to make your readers gasp in shock and tremble with fear, by studying numerous levels of fear, suspense, and how to vary the intensity. Learn one of the most significant tips in fiction writing, ‘Show, don’t tell’, that will renovate your writing style.

Alternative Scenes

Author Voice

Revise your Story

Getting Noticed

How to Build Success as a Writer

Insightful learning

Here’s what’s included…, 14-module course.

Learn the craft of fiction writing with this step-by-step training.

14 Self-Assessment Tests

Retain what you learn.

Certificate of Achievement

Gain a genuine fiction CPD Certified writing certificate. Looks great on the wall. Impresses at interviews!

Downloadable Extras

Action points, insider intel, inspirational book examples, 24/7 lifetime access.

And so much more!

Imaginative

Ideas & Inspiration

Examples & Excerpts

Stories & Suggestions

Delivery & Design

FREE BONUS REPORT:

Untold secrets of prolific fiction writers.

Are you ready to make the leap?

Buy the write fiction course today and get a free printed course textbook (worth ), low stock: only 62 16 copies left.

The printed course textbook contains the full online course content along with exercises, action points, and fill-in-the-blanks templates.

This means you have nothing to download or print and you can write directly into the textbook as you work through the course.

You’ll learn fiction writing even quicker and easier and you’ll have a wonderful guide to refer to whenever you’re crafting your next bestseller!

Take advantage of this incredible offer to get the Write Fiction course at a discount and get a printed course textbook shipped to your door absolutely FREE!

Here’s what you are getting today:

What Our Students Say

Don’t take our word for it….

Everyday we receive messages from grateful and delighted students telling us how their ability, confidence and lives in general have been transformed because of this course. Reviews like these (verified by TrustPilot):

Frequently Asked

About the course, do i need to attend any classes.

No. The course is entirely e-learning, which means that all modules, tests and resources are delivered to you online through our secure e-learning platform. There are no physical classes to attend. One of the great benefits of e-learning is that you can study the course online, during times convenient to you. Best of all, we give you full life-time access.

Do I need any computer or technical skills?

No. We have designed this course with the most technically challenged user in mind! If you can point and click a mouse (or touch and swipe the screen on your Smart Phone or Tablet device) then you can take this course.

Are there any age restrictions for registering?

The age range of our students varies significantly from school and college students, right up to senior citizens. The course content has been designed to accommodate anyone of any age and ability. However, in the interest of children’s online safety we do have a minimum age requirement of 13 years. See our terms and conditions for more details.

Can you tell me who created this course?

Write Fiction Books is the product of many hundreds of hours of work and experience by a world-class team of bona fide best-selling fiction authors and online training experts.

Do I need any writing experience or qualifications?

No prior knowledge, experience or qualifications are required to take this course. The course has been designed for everyone from absolute beginners to keen amateurs; we have assumed nothing in advance. The language used is designed to be simple to understand and the course interface intuitive and easy to follow with no complicated jargon.

How long do I get access to the course for?

You get full, unrestricted life-time access to the course which you can access at any time 24/7. There are no time limits, no restrictions of any kind and no pressure whatsoever!

Are any books or manuals sent to me?

No, all learning is carried out via our secure E-Learn website, all the course content is online for you to access at any time 24hrs a day. The great benefit of e-learning is that you can study at home in your own time and at your own pace.

You can combine achieving professional standard training along with a qualification, in and around your job and family commitments. It is this level of flexibility that makes our e-learning course the ideal choice for most people. All you need is a computer or hand-held device with internet access to take this course.

Will this course be relevant to my country?

The Write Fiction Books course has been created by a team of international best-selling fiction authors, professional editors and established publishers worldwide.

The information, principles, techniques and strategies taught within this course are universal and therefore completely relevant to aspiring and published authors worldwide. Currently, we have students taking the course in more than 50 countries.

The Modules

What are the specific modules i will study.

You can learn more about each of the 14 modules within the course here . As part of Write Fiction Books you also receive automatic access to additional areas of the site, such as our download area containing additional training materials along with our chat wall and discussion forum.

Do I have to take any tests during the course?

Yes. We have developed an advanced self-assessment testing system designed to ensure an efficient and effective learning experience. At the end of each module there is a multiple-choice self-assessment test consisting of 10 questions (18 tests in total).

Each test has a minimum passing score which you must achieve before you can move onto the next module in the course. You can take each module test as many times as you like until you pass, at which point your passing results are recorded in our national database and contribute towards your final score. Our testing system assesses your answers and calculates your score instantly.

This means no more waiting days or weeks for an assessor to mark your results and get back to you, like other more outmoded courses.

How am I graded?

Your overall passing grade is calculated as you move through the course and complete each module test. Your final score is an overall average grade of all 18 module tests. Your final grade is then printed onto your pass certificate.

There are no time-limits for completing individual modules and no time limits for taking the tests. However, once you decide to start a test it must be completed in one go. You cannot stop a test midway through and return to it later, like you can with the course content. You can view your course history and your current overall grade at anytime during the course.

We’re positive you’ll find it a delightful, relaxing and effective way of learning.

What is LearnLock™ Technology?

LearnLock™ Technology has been scientifically developed by award-winning e-learn experts to ‘lock’ the course training in your cerebrum, which is the large, outer part of the brain that controls your reading, thinking, and learning.

Using a proprietary blend of expertly crafted content, stimulating imagery, subtle animation, color psychology, smart interactions, lively simulations, fun gamification, and practical quizzes, LearnLock™ Technology enables a typical learner to effortlessly absorb the course material incomparably quicker and easier than 98% of conventional online courses, which use basic text or video alone.

The result is not only a significantly more immersive, engaging and enjoyable learning experience but vastly enhanced retention and recall of key knowledge and skills.

Can I view the course on my Smart Phone or tablet device?

Yes! The course is fully compatible with all tablet devices such as iPads. This course has also been beautifully designed to work within any browser on a tablet, smart phone, computer or laptop.

Certification

Can you tell me more about the certificate i will receive.

Everyone who completes the course receives an attractive pass certificate which details all of the modules you have completed. Your certificate will indicate a percentage grade to show how well you have completed the test questions.

You will receive a self-printable PDF version of your certificate which you can download immediately on completing the final module of the course. A high quality, professionally printed edition is available on request.

What are your company's credentials?

As a Registered Training Provider and internationally accredited company, you have the assurance that our team have undergone rigorous quality assurance inspections, and have met stringent criteria and background checks to ensure that both our company and the training we deliver meet the highest standards.

Write Fiction Books has also been awarded exemplary accreditation by CPD (Continuing Professional Development). The CPD Certification Service provides a formal, independent certification of organizations, materials and development activities. These certificates are commonly sought out by teachers, doctors and other professionals to further their career and credentials.

We are also a trusted training partner of schools, colleges and training institutes worldwide.

Our Promise To You

Write Academy stands behind every course with an iron-clad 30-day money-back guarantee. If for any reason (or no reason at all) within 30-days you decide to cancel your course, then our support team will happily provide you with a refund in full. No hassle. No questions asked. You are completely protected.

100% Satisfaction | Zero Risk | Guaranteed

• Manuscript Assessment
• Success Stories
• Reading Room
• Novel Writing
• Fiction Development
• Non-Fiction
• Writing for Children
• Short Story
• Starting Out
• How’s My Driving
• An honest assessment of your work-in-progress, with advice to help you with the rest of the draft.
• Full Report
• Our most comprehensive report – a full MOT on your manuscript.
• Submission Review
• Ready to send your novel out into the world? Have your submission documents reviewed to make sure everything's in the best possible shape to impress an agent.
• Magazine Submission Review
• Ready to submit your poems to magazines, journals or websites? Get feedback on a selection of four to six of them to check you're on the right track.
• Pamphlet Review
• Designed for poets preparing a pamphlet for possible publication, this report will offer constructive feedback on a group of up to twenty poems.
• Collection Review
• Put your poems through their paces with an in-depth evaluation of your entire collection.
• Creative Writing Exercises
• Writing Competitions

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• Can't find the right course? Book a professional reader's report on your manuscript.

Writing a Novel

• Our flagship course is available in London, Newcastle and online – spend six months working on your novel with help from experienced tutors and industry experts.
• Prose Assessment
• Poetry Assessment

• Q&As with our tutors and alumni, reading lists and deep dives into all aspects of creative writing – and lots more.

• Whether you're stuck on dialogue, plot, character or something else, we've got a whole range of exercises to help and inspire you.

• Here you'll find all of our past, ongoing and upcoming writing competitions, plus details of any others we think you should know about.

• How to Write for Children
• Chloe Daykin, critically acclaimed and award-winning children’s author and tutor on Faber Academy's Writing for Children course, shares her tips on writing for a younger audience.

Over 150 published authors and counting . . . will you be next?

Achieve your writing potential with Faber Academy's flagship course. Writing a Novel is designed to support aspiring fiction writers to develop their craft over six months, with courses in London (at Faber's HQ in Hatton Garden), Newcastle and online. A six-month programme of seminars, sessions will cover all the essentials of novel writing – including character, story, structure, plotting, voice, dialogue, conflict and more.

Apply by Wednesday 31 July for £100 off autumn Writing a Novel courses Apply by Wednesday 31 July for £100 off autumn Writing a Novel courses Apply by Wednesday 31 July for £100 off autumn Writing a Novel courses Apply by Wednesday 31 July for £100 off autumn Writing a Novel courses

Everyone's got a story to tell. But it can be hard to bring it to life on the page. Perhaps you've always dreamed of writing a novel, but don't know where to start. Or maybe you have a burning idea, but are unsure whether it's any good or not. Writing a Novel will help you to hone your craft, to find direction in your writing and give your novel its best chance of success. Spending time with your project in a room with other passionate writers, under the guidance of experienced tutors who are published authors in their own right, will help you to get your project over the line.

You'll get: • A built-in writing community that you’ll stay in touch with after the course • A supportive team cheering you on from behind-the-scenes • Experienced tutors to guide you on your path and give one-to-one feedback • Guided peer-to-peer feedback • The skills to edit your own work • Deeper understanding of voice, characterisation, story structure • Unparalleled insight into the publishing industry

Why Faber Academy

Over the last 14 years, the course has inspired hundreds of writers and put more than 150 authors on the path to publication. You might recognise some of our graduates: Maddie Mortimer ( Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies ), Nicola Dinan ( Bellies ) and S J Watson ( Before I Go To Sleep ) are just some of our success stories. Designed by Faber Academy's Director of Fiction Richard Skinner, the course is a deep dive into the art of the novel. From initial idea to finished draft, sessions will cover everything you need to do to get your work in the very best shape. The only creative writing school attached to a renowned publisher, Faber Academy is a proven pathway for committed fiction writers. We have options to suit every writer, from the flexibility of an online course - allowing you to fit your learning around other commitments - to in-person classes in London or Newcastle.

What are the benefits of taking Writing a Novel? Community: Writing a Novel will provide you with your very own writing group, an in-built community that you can take with you into your future writing career. You'll hone your own editorial eye as you give feedback on your classmate's stories, and in turn will receive invaluable help developing yours. Discipline: With weekly classes, workshops and peer-to-peer feedback, this course will help you to get out of your own way and show up for your writing. Support: Our friendly and helpful team will be here to support you throughout the course with regular Student Surgeries, where you can drop in and raise any issues you may have encountered. We're also always able to help outside of this and are happy to chat by phone or email. Guest speakers: Throughout the course you'll hear from guest speakers including published alumni, Faber authors and senior Faber editors.

End-of-course celebrations: Celebrate your success in an in-­person event at The Bindery in the heart of London. There'll be drinks, nibbles and a chance for you to step back and congratulate yourself and your classmates, mingle with other writers, tutors and Academy staff. Anthology: After Writing a Novel comes to an end, you'll be invited to submit an extract of 1,000 words for our Anthology. This will then be sent out to a long list of UK literary agents, and they'll be able to contact you directly if they'd like to see more. Industry Day: Perfect your pitch in a workshop with an experienced editor and get expert advice on the next step for your novel. You'll also get a chance to pitch your novel to literary agents and ask them any questions you'd like about their list and agency. Alumni Area: Get automatic access to our industry-leading Alumni Area after you finish the course where you can interact other alumni and benefit from a multitude of resources.

Some of our Success Stories

My time at Faber was a pivotal turning point in my writing life. It taught me to cut to the core of my story – to find it, to know it – but most importantly, it taught me to be a more ruthless editor.

Claire Daverley, author of Talking at Night

Joanna gave me confidence in my writing and the tools and framework I needed to get going, making a task that had felt insurmountable seem achievable. I can't recommend her or the course highly enough.

Kate Maxwell, author of Hush

The course I did at the Faber Academy was literally life-changing. The teaching and support it offered unlocked something very deep within me and allowed me to finally connect fully with my creativity. I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who wants to take their writing to the next level.

S J Watson, author of Before I Go to Sleep

The best investment I have ever made in myself [...] The last six months has been an incredible journey – one of the most difficult, most challenging but most satisfying ever.

Online (Flexible)

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The right course for you

We have options to suit every writer, from the flexibility of an online course - allowing you to fit your learning around other commitments - to an in-person class based in London or Newcastle.

Upcoming Courses

Writing a Novel (Online)

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Sarah May, Jessica Moor

Monday 30 Sep 2024

Application Deadline

Monday 16 Sep 2024

Writing a Novel (Evening)

Richard T. Kelly, Sarah May, Joanna Briscoe, Diana Evans, Sophie Mackintosh

Wednesday 02 Oct 2024

Sunday 15 Sep 2024

Places available

Writing a Novel (Daytime)

Shelley Weiner, Sabrina Broadbent, Nikesh Shukla, Sophie Mackintosh

Thursday 03 Oct 2024

Monday 20 Jan 2025

Monday 06 Jan 2025

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Online Class: Novel Writing 101

• 52 Exams & Assignments
• 5,838 Students have taken this course
• 22 Hours average time

Course Description

Mastering the Art of Novel Writing: A Comprehensive Guide

Crafting a novel is an art that intertwines creativity, discipline, and dedication. While the journey of novel-writing can be intricate, it is by no means unattainable, especially when armed with the right tools and guidance.

This course, "Mastering the Art of Novel Writing," offers both budding and seasoned writers a structured path to breathe life into their stories. We delve deep into the nuances of crafting a compelling narrative, providing you with a toolkit to develop engaging characters, build gripping plots, and lace your narrative with your unique style.

Why This Course?

For many, the idea of a structural approach to writing may seem restrictive. However, a well-constructed framework can act as a compass, guiding writers through the vast ocean of their imagination without getting lost. By adhering to tried-and-true methodologies, writers can channel their energy on ideation, weaving intricate plot twists, and creating memorable characters.

Our course encompasses all elements vital to novel creation, referred to as 'dramatic construction'. From the seed of an idea to the final full stop, we support you in your journey, ensuring that your story stands tall on these foundational pillars.

Furthermore, with the ever-evolving publishing landscape, simply penning a great story isn't enough. We extend our guidance beyond writing, offering insights into navigating the complex world of publishing, ensuring your masterpiece finds its rightful place on bookshelves.

A Glimpse into the Course Modules:

Definition of a Novel: Understanding the essence of a novel and how it differentiates from other forms of literature.

Work Philosophy: Adopting the right mindset and work ethic for sustained writing.

Novel Writing Methods: Exploring varied approaches to novel writing to find what suits you best.

Selecting a Specific Class & Genre: Recognizing where your story fits in the literary world and tailoring it to a target audience.

Point of View (POV): Delving into narrative styles and discerning which lends best to your story.

Manuscript Formatting: Preparing your manuscript professionally for submissions.

Storyboarding to Synopsis Formation: Structuring your novel, mapping out key events, and preparing a gripping synopsis.

Five Elements of Fiction Writing: Unraveling the elements that make fiction resonate with readers.

Character to Plot Development: Crafting memorable characters and placing them in riveting scenarios.

Setting, Theme, Style, & Tone: Building the world of your novel and defining its mood.

Climax, Critical Scenes & Cause and Effect: Driving your story towards pivotal moments and understanding their ripple effects.

Dialogue & Exposition: Mastering the art of authentic dialogue and balanced exposition.

Polishing of Prose: Refining your narrative for a smooth reading experience.

Checklist of Questions: A reflective module ensuring all boxes are ticked before proceeding.

Publish or Perish - Getting Ready to Submit: Preparing your work and yourself for the world of publishing.

... and more!

Each lesson is meticulously crafted, complete with assignments, resources, and evaluations to ensure not just theoretical knowledge but practical application.

In Conclusion

Novel writing can be a challenging endeavor, but with commitment, passion, and the right guidance, the path becomes clearer and the journey enjoyable. If you're ready to commit to your literary aspirations, to mold your ideas into coherent, compelling narratives, then this course is your compass, guiding light, and mentor.

Join us on this transformative journey, and let's together bring your novel to life.

Course Motivation

• Completely Online
• Printable Lessons

• 6 Months to Complete
• 24/7 Availability
• Start Anytime
• PC & Mac Compatible
• Android & iOS Friendly
• Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons

Lesson 1: Definition of a Novel

Lesson 2: Work Philosophy

Lesson 3: novel writing methods, lesson 4: selecting a specific class, lesson 5: selecting a specific genre, lesson 6: selecting a point of view (pov), lesson 7: manuscript formatting, lesson 8: storyboarding, lesson 9: synopsis formation, lesson 10: five elements involved in fiction writing, lesson 11: building character development, lesson 12: plot/conflict development, lesson 13: more on plot, lesson 14: setting and theme, lesson 15: style and tone, lesson 16: climax building, lesson 17: critical scenes, lesson 18: cause & effect, lesson 19: dialogue, lesson 20: illustrative details/exposition, lesson 21: inclusion and exclusion, lesson 22: writing a conclusion, lesson 23: polishing of prose, lesson 24: checklist of questions, lesson 25: publish or perish: getting ready to submit, lesson 26: writing a novel: final take aways, learning outcomes.

• Define what a novel is.
• Describe working philosophy.
• Summarize novel writing methods.
• Select a specific class to write about.
• Select a specific genre to write about.
• Select a Point of View (POV).
• Summarize manuscript formatting.
• Create a storyboard.
• Define the synopsis.
• Summarize five elements involved in fiction writing.
• Describe building character development.
• Describe plot/conflict development.
• Summarize plot requirements.
• Create the setting, theme, style and tone.
• Create climax. Identify critical scenes. Recognize cause and effect.
• Create proper dialog and illustrative details.
• Write a conclusion. Edit and revise. Publish the work.
• Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.

Additional Course Information

• Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
• Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
• Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
• View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
• Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

Choose Your Subscription Plan

Student Testimonials

• "Great course, challenging quizzes and assignments. The instructor is helpful and provides the right amount of guidance." -- Nicholas Y.
• "The course helped fill in gaps in my knowledge about novels and novel-writing. I feel enabled to start drafting my first novel after completing this course." -- Lisa G.
• "I appreciated the positive feedback from the instructor very much." -- Ronald C.
• "The instructor was very pleasant individual and helpful as well!" -- Laura A.
• "Two thumbs up!" -- Ralph C.
• "Thoroughly enjoyed it." -- Hazel G.
• "I loved this course! Thank you for offering it!" -- Laura G.
• "Instructor was quite good." -- Rick H.
• "The instructor must have been very open-minded to accept different avenues of the imagination and also to accept the "real slice of life" as she put it." -- Mary M.

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Writing a Novel Online

For emerging novelists ready to dive in and make the commitment to complete a full manuscript, this rigorous three-stage course will guide you through the process of planning and beginning your novel, developing essential skills in writing and composition, as well as establishing a dedicated writing practice.

Tuesdays 6.30pm – 8.30pm, 27 February – 24 September 2024

 $5,900 / $5015 alumni

Using a proven combination of targeted writing exercises, group discussions and carefully selected examples, the focus of this course will be on your own work, with the aim of ending the course with a substantial body of new writing, heading towards a complete first draft of your novel.

In the second half of the program you will continue to develop craft and technical skills required to turn a rough draft into a work of art. Using exercises focused on your own work, you’ll finish the course with a deep understanding of the novelist’s craft and how it applies to your own novel. These are lessons you can carry with you throughout your writing life.

Presented by Australia’s leading independent publishing house, Writing a Novel: Online is a targeted program specifically designed to help you find the focus you need to stay the distance and finish your manuscript draft throughout the year. During this time, your Course Director will provide you with:

• Regular online classes covering everything from the first conception of an idea through to getting words on a page, narrative structure and style.

• Dedicated guidance from your experienced Course Director , as well as industry guests.

• Personalised individual consultation on your project from your Course Director.

• Support to progress your novel through classroom learning and close reading exercises. Outside of your workshops, you will be encouraged to devote as much time as possible between classes to writing.

• The ability to connect with fellow committed novelists , building a close-knit community of trusted readers.

• The opportunity to establish valuable industry connections with key insiders from the Australian publishing. There is no better way to get on the road to publication than to meet the people who know how to make that happen.

In addition to dedicated course work, students who complete Writing a Novel will be invited to submit to the digital exclusive version of the Faber Writing Anthology, a professionally edited and designed showcase of student work, sent out to leading literary agents and publishers in both Australia and the United Kingdom. During the course, you will meet with the editor who works on the anthology and have the chance to see an extract of your novel professionally edited.

Carrie Tiffany

Carrie Tiffany was born in West Yorkshire and grew up in Western Australia. She spent her early twenties working as a park ranger in Central Australia and now lives and works in Melbourne. Her first novel, Everyman’s Rules for Scientific Living, was shortlisted for the Orange Prize, the Miles Franklin Literary Award, the Guardian First Book…

The course consists of 22 online evening sessions (Tuesdays 6.30pm to 8.30pm AEDT), 6 half-day sessions (Saturdays 1.00pm to 4.00pm) and an additional evening session dedicated to the Faber Writing Anthology.

Session 1: Tuesday 27 February Introduction

Session 2: Tuesday 5 March The workshop process

Session 3: Saturday 9 March Beginnings

Session 4: Tuesday 12 March Voice

Session 5: Tuesday 19 March Point of View

Session 6: Saturday 23 March Guest author and introduction to dialogue

Session 7: Tuesday 26 March Tense

COURSE BREAK

Session 8: Tuesday 30 April Dialogue – tension and subtext

Session 9: Saturday 4 May Place and setting

Session 10: Tuesday 7 May Dialogue exercises

Session 11: Tuesday 14 May Introspection

Session 12: Tuesday 21 May Introduction to character

Session 13: Tuesday 28 May Author guest and more on character

Session 14: Tuesday 4 June Establishing your writing practise

Session 15: Tuesday 11 June Project check in and writing exercises

Session 16: Tuesday 23 July Pace

Session 17: Tuesday 30 July Introduction to plot and structure

Session 18: Tuesday 6 August Pattern and design in narrative

Session 19: Saturday 10 August Backstory, time shifts and narrative time

Session 20: Tuesday 13 August Research, ethics and appropriation

Session 21: Tuesday 20 August Editing your work and guest editor

Session 22: Saturday 24 August Editing processes and modelling exercise

Session 23: Tuesday 27 August Synopsis, blurbs and pitches

Session 24: Tuesday 3 September Reading your work – voice coach

Session 25: Saturday 7 September Titles and covers

Session 26: Tuesday 10 September A&U editor guest – anthology Q&A

Session 27: Tuesday 17 September Literary agent guest

Session 28: Tuesday 24 September Final readings. Where to from here? Advice for completion.

Please note the exact course content could be adjusted according to the experience and concerns of the group and availability of guest writers. The detail of the course is at the discretion of the Course Director and Faber Writing Academy at Allen & Unwin.

‘The course has, to date, been a very enriching experience. It has met and exceeded my expectations.’

‘Carrie’s teaching is excellent – consistently thought provoking, highly detailed and targeted. It’s evident that Carrie is very passionate about teaching the course and that she cares about our work.’

‘Carrie Tiffany was an exceptional instructor. She is one of the most intelligent and thought provoking people I have met who has indisputably improved and impacted my writing like nothing else.’

‘Carrie was just brilliant. She set up the class norms very clearly early on, and fostered a wonderful culture of openness, respect and critical yet constructive feedback.’

How to Apply

Writing a Novel Online is now booked out.

Use the FREE booking button to join the waitlist and we will let you know if a place becomes available or the course is scheduled to run again.

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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New Evidence Synthesis course available to learners everywhere

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A new online course , “Evidence Synthesis for Librarians and Information Specialists,” is now available to librarians, information specialists, and learners everywhere.

The course was created by the Evidence Synthesis Institute (ESI), a partnership between the University of Minnesota Libraries, Cornell University Libraries, and Carnegie Mellon University Libraries. Since its inception in 2020, ESI has trained over 450 librarians through its synchronous, biannual four-day workshop.

Because ESI regularly receives more applicants than it can accommodate in a synchronous format, the Institute is now offering a self-paced option, said Megan Kocher, Science & Evidence Synthesis Librarian (Agriculture) at the University of Minnesota Libraries and ESI Principal Investigator.

“Evidence Synthesis for Librarians and Information Specialists” brings the core components of ESI to an open online course, providing information access to an even wider audience, Kocher said. The online option is also useful for those who cannot attend ESI due to scheduling or time-zone challenges.

The course contains 15 modules guiding students through the evidence synthesis process — from an introduction to review types through writing a methods section for publication, with an emphasis on developing and using systematic search strategies.

“Getting started with evidence synthesis can be daunting, but this course takes a complex topic and makes it manageable,” says Matt Kibbee, Evidence Synthesis Research Librarian at Cornell University Library. “Our hope is that librarians will feel empowered to get involved in these projects and make a meaningful impact in this exciting area of research.”

The course is free to access on the Open Learning Initiative website . It takes approximately seven to 14 hours to complete. By the end of the course, learners can expect to be able to:

• Utilize the basics of evidence synthesis when performing research or collaborating with researchers.
• Express the value of evidence synthesis principles in performing research.
• Strengthen their skills as library professionals when collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, such as learners and researchers.

About the Evidence Synthesis Institute

The Evidence Synthesis Institute (ESI) is a partnership between University of Minnesota Libraries, Cornell University Libraries, and Carnegie Mellon University Libraries, created with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) (RE-246347-OLS-20).

ESI was created to fill a training gap and to build capacity to support evidence synthesis in disciplines outside the health sciences (e.g. social sciences, agriculture, and engineering), as well as to create a community of librarians engaged in this work. In its original format, ESI is a biannual synchronous workshop that takes place in a virtual environment over the course of four days.

Course instructors and affiliations

• Megan Kocher, Science & Evidence Synthesis Librarian (Agriculture), University of Minnesota Libraries (PI)
• Amy Riegelman, Social Sciences & Evidence Synthesis Librarian, University of Minnesota Libraries (Co-PI)
• Matt Kibbee, Evidence Synthesis Coordinator, Cornell University Library
• Sarah Young, Social Sciences Librarian and Director of the Evidence Synthesis Program, Carnegie Mellon University Libraries
• Molly Bostrom, Biology Librarian, University of Minnesota Libraries
• Scott Marsalis, Social Sciences Librarian, University of Minnesota Libraries
• Zahra Premji, Health Research Librarian, University of Victoria
• Jim Morris-Knower, Research and Evidence Synthesis LIbrarian, Albert R. Mann Library, Cornell University

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Writing Certificate

Program Highlights:

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APOL 987 Dissertation Writing in Applied Apologetics I

• Course Description

In this course, the doctoral candidate will compose the early chapters of a dissertation based on the candidate’s research and organization of content.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the  Academic Course Catalog .

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View this course’s outcomes, policies, schedule, and more.*

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*The information contained in our Course Guides is provided as a sample. Specific course curriculum and requirements for each course are provided by individual instructors each semester. Students should not use Course Guides to find and complete assignments, class prerequisites, or order books.

APOL 987 is the transitional course that assesses competency from PhD in Applied Apologetics course work and prepares the PhD candidate for dissertation writing. This is accomplished through the successful completion of a comprehensive field exam, prospectus development and approval, and pairing the candidate with an appropriate dissertation mentor. All these tasks are necessary before dissertation writing can formally commence.

Course Assignment

No details available.

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

The student’s final comprehensive exam requires him or her to write an article related to his or her intended research dissertation topic. The article functions as something of a “field essay” and does two things: (1) it establishes that the student has “read yourself into the field” sufficient to demonstrate mastery of the issues and literature appropriate to the PhD level of research, and (2) it establishes that the student has a viable proposed research topic in the field. In preparation for the exam, the student will write a brief proposal (two-page maximum) to be submitted to the professor for approval in the form of this Journal Article Proposal. 

Once the student’s Comprehensive Exam 4: Journal Article Proposal Assignment has been approved by the instructor of APOL 987, the student will prepare and submit a publishable article on an approved topic relevant to his or her dissertation that explores a gap in the literature. This exam must demonstrate that the student has a mastery of the field, a grasp of the literature, and an ability to integrate information and themes developed in his or her PhD in Applied Apologetics coursework. 

A PhD dissertation prospectus is an essential preparatory element in the beginning stages of writing a dissertation. The prospectus provides a “roadmap” of sorts for what you intend to do, say, and support in the student’s dissertation. Based on an approved topic, the prospectus provides the detail necessary to transition from broad-based and often vague intentions to the content of a sharply focused, well-crafted dissertation. In this assignment, the student will compose a first draft of such a prospectus. 

A PhD dissertation prospectus is an essential preparatory element in the beginning stages of writing a dissertation. Following the first draft submission, and based on faculty feedback and guidance, the student will take the necessary steps to augment, revise, and build upon the first draft prospectus. The final draft prospectus is a detailed “roadmap” for the student’s dissertation and will include a chapter-by-chapter synopsis projecting the content of the dissertation. The final draft prospectus is not the first chapter of the dissertation; it is a document that stands separate from the dissertation.

The student will complete a critical analysis of Chatraw and Allen’s The Augustinian Way. Doing so will require that the student both summarize the major highlights of this work and critically interact with its unique academic contribution. The aim of this assignment is for the student to glean a better understanding of how apologetics can be applied in today’s academic milieu as he or she begins to consider making his or her own contribution in his or her dissertation.  

In an effort to produce honest, reliable, and sustainable research results, it is critical to develop a cogent and appropriate research methodology. This assignment will help the student confirm that his or her research methodology related to the coming dissertation is sound and can result in reliable, sustainable, and defensible conclusions. 

Quizzes will be given in the assigned Modules that cover information related to “Read” and “Watch” materials in their respective Modules. The quizzes will be open-book/open-notes, contain varying number of true/false questions, and have a time limit of 15-minutes. 

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Children’s Book Publishing: An Overview of the Industry and the 2024 Market

Get an insider’s look at children’s book publishing with a veteran editor and award-winning author.

About this course:

Fall 2024 schedule.

Enrollment open only to WP NOW members. Internet access required. 

Session led by special guest Deborah Halverson, award-winning author of Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies and Writing New Adult Fiction, as well as numerous teen novels, books in a series for struggling readers, and a picture book. Formerly an editor at Harcourt Children's Books and now a freelance editor specializing in picture books and Young Adult/Middle Grade fiction and nonfiction, Deborah has been working with authors — bestsellers, veterans, debut, and aspiring — for twenty-five years. She is also the founder of the popular writers’ advice site DearEditor.com and serves on the advisory board for the UC San Diego Extension “Children’s Book Writing and Illustrating” certificate program. For more on Deborah Halverson, visit her website DeborahHalverson.com or connect with Deborah on your social media platforms: https://linktr.ee/deborahhalverson

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Hebrew Bible Interpretation 1

Published: Fall 2021

Description

An introduction to the contents of the Hebrew Bible (Pentateuch and Historical Books) and the methods of its interpretation. The course focuses on the development of ancient Israelite biblical literature and religion in its historical and cultural context and on the theological appropriation of the Hebrew Bible for contemporary communities of faith. The course aims to make students aware of the contents of the Hebrew Bible, the history and development of ancient Israel’s literature and religion, the methods of biblical interpretation, and ways of interpreting the Hebrew Bible for modern communities of faith.

Course Takeaways

• Explore the Pentateuch and Historical Books while mastering key interpretive methods for understanding these texts.
• Uncover the historical and cultural background of ancient Israel, illuminating the development of biblical literature and religious practices.
• Learn to interpret the Hebrew Bible for today's communities of faith, enriching modern spiritual understanding through ancient teachings.

Asynchronous Online Program

Meet the Instructors

Joel S. Baden

Professor of Hebrew Bible; Director, Center for Continuing Education

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