Menu

NEW VIDEO COURSE

Learn How to Write a Novel, Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class.

Learn How to Write a Novel

Finish your draft in our 3-month master class. Enroll now for daily lessons, weekly critique, and live events. Your first lesson is free!

Reedsy Community

DIRECTORY

50 Best Essay Creative Writing Classes in 2025

Showing 50 courses that match your search.

6 Weeks, 6 Essays

GrubStreet

This online course focuses on writing six personal essays, with prompts each week and workshops to discuss drafts. It emphasizes experimentation with voice, structure, and revision strategies.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/find-a-class/

Categories: Essay

Start date:

October, 2025

Price:

$425.00

Based in Boston

Level: Intermediate

Length: 6 Weeks, 6 Lessons

Class size: 12 Seats Max

Jumpstart Your Writing

GrubStreet

Engaging exercises to develop characters, settings, and voice across various genres. Includes peer feedback and discussions of published works.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/find-a-class

Categories: Essay

Start date:

October, 2025

Price:

$395.00

Based in Boston

Level: Beginner

Length: 6 weeks, 3 hours per week

Class size: 12 seats max

Jumpstart Your Writing

GrubStreet

This course is designed for both beginners and experienced writers, with a focus on creative writing through engaging exercises. Participants will explore character development, dialogue, and voice in various genres including fiction, poetry, and memoir. Classes also involve reading published works for inspiration.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/find-a-class/

Categories: Essay

Start date:

November, 2025

Price:

$395.00

Based in Boston

Level: Beginner

Length: 6 weeks, 3 hours per week

Class size: 12 seats max

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

NEW VIDEO COURSE

How to Write a Novel

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

Create: Free Draft Generator

GrubStreet

A one-hour online seminar for all levels to respond to writing prompts, share work, and connect with other writers. It's designed to kickstart new writing projects and foster community.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/find-a-class/

Categories: Essay

Start date:

November, 2025

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Any

Length: 1 hour

Class size: 100

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

How to Write with Humor

GrubStreet

The course explores the elements of humor in writing, including incongruity, hyperbole, and dialogue. Participants will learn to use these techniques in fiction and essays to create engaging and entertaining narratives.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/

Categories: Essay

Start date:

November, 2025

Price:

$85.00

Online course

Level: Intermediate

Length: 3 hours

Class size: 50 Seats Max

Prerequisites: Students must have taken previous fiction workshops at GrubStreet or elsewhere.

Create: Free Draft Generator

GrubStreet

A one-hour session designed for both new and experienced writers to generate ideas for writing projects through engaging prompts and community interaction.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/find-a-class

Categories: Essay

Start date:

November, 2025

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Any

Length: 1 hour

Class size: 100 seats maximum

How to Publish a Personal Essay

GrubStreet

An informative seminar covering the personal essay publishing landscape, including submission processes, what editors seek, and crafting effective pitches.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/find-a-class/

Categories: Essay

Start date:

November, 2025

Price:

$85.00

Based in Boston

Level: Any

Length: 3 hours

Class size: 50 seats max

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Create: Free Draft Generator

GrubStreet

Engaging writing prompts, community interaction, and exposure to GrubStreet workshops. Ideal for new writers seeking inspiration.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/seminar/create-free-draft-generato...

Categories: Essay

Start date:

December, 2025

Price:

Free

Based in Boston

Level: Beginner

Length: 1 hour

Class size: 100 seats max

How AI Can Help, How AI Can Hurt

GrubStreet

Explores AI's role in creative writing, focusing on leveraging AI tools for brainstorming, editing, and research while discussing ethical concerns and originality. 18+

Website: https://grubstreet.org/find-a-class

Categories: Essay

Start date:

December, 2025

Price:

$85.00

Based in Boston

Level: Any

Length: 3 hours

Class size: 50

4-Week: Creative Nonfiction 101

Lighthouse Writers Workshop

This introductory course focuses on various forms of nonfiction writing such as memoir, personal essay, and journalism. Participants engage in exercises, readings, and discussions to enhance their writing skills and develop their unique voice.

Website: https://lighthousewriters.org/

Categories: Essay

Start date:

November, 2025

Price:

$240.00

Based in Denver

Level: Any

Length: 4 weeks, with classes held once a week for 2 hours.

Class size: 12

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

2025 Let's Just Write! Chicago Writers Association Conference

Chicago Writers Association

The conference features workshops, panel discussions, master classes, pitch sessions, and a keynote address. Attendees can participate in a welcome reception and a Saturday banquet, meeting prominent writers and experts. The course runs from March 21 to March 23, 2025.

Website: https://cwa12.wildapricot.org/event-5669588

Categories: Essay

Start date:

March, 2025

Price:

$480.00

Based in Chicago

Level: Any

Length: 3 full days

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: Participants must be members of the Chicago Writers Association. Membership is available for $25/year.

College Writing 2.1x

edX

In this course, English Language Learners will be introduced to academic writing, focusing on essay development, grammatical accuracy, and self-editing. The course includes reviews of grammar, crafting effective sentences and paragraphs, developing thesis statements, and participating in peer reviews.

Website: https://www.edx.org/course/how-to-write-an-essay

Categories: Essay

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

$169.00

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Self-paced, est. 5 weeks

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

How to choose an essay writing class

Looking to build your writing skillset, learn more about your genre, or finally finish that essay you’ve been working on? You’re in the right place. That’s why we built this directory of the best writing courses.

However, creative writing classes aren’t one size fit all. If you’re planning to join an essay writing class in particular, you’ll want to make sure that it matches what you’re seeking to learn about essay writing.

So make sure to consider the following questions when you’re researching essay writing courses:

  • Who is the instructor? How many years of experience do they have in essay writing?
  • Is there something in particular you’d like to learn about essay writing? Does this course include it?
  • How long is the course, and where is it taught?
  • How much does the essay writing course cost? Does it fit into your budget?

More essay writing resources

Whether you’re a new or established author, there are always evergreen resources out there to how to get a headstart on essay writing. 

Free online materials

Recommended books

 

Try our novel writing master class — 100% free

Sign up for a free video lesson and learn how to make readers care about your main character.