60 Best Essay Creative Writing Classes in 2023

This eight-week, exercise-intensive course by Melissa Ximena Golebiowski aims to boost writing productivity and inspire writers of all levels. Featuring weekly video meet-ups, it focuses on generating new work in fiction and nonfiction, with feedback from instructors and peers. The course, beginning November 9, 2023, welcomes writers working in all genres and at any skill level.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Location: Online

Categories: Essay

Level: Any

Class size: 10

Price: $550.00

Start date: January, 2024

Website: https://sackettworkshop.com/writing/2023/09/26/8-wk-writi...

This 3-hour seminar focuses on the brief essay form as an ideal medium for experimenting and taking risks with material. Participants will examine the mechanics of several published flash essays that creatively utilize form and style, discussing how these unique approaches enhance the conveyed truths. The course includes generative exercises to apply these techniques to the participants' own material, aiming to shape flash essays that surprise, challenge, and delight readers.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Location: Boston

Categories: Essay

Level: Any

Course length: 1 (3 hours)

Class size: 12

Price: $85.00

Start date: October, 2023

Website: https://grubstreet.org/findaclass/class/flash-essays-inve...

This 3-hour seminar focuses on the brief essay form as an ideal medium for experimenting and taking risks with material. Participants will examine the mechanics of several published flash essays that creatively utilize form and style, discussing how these unique approaches enhance the conveyed truths. The course includes generative exercises to apply these techniques to the participants' own material, aiming to shape flash essays that surprise, challenge, and delight readers.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Location: Boston

Categories: Essay

Level: Any

Class size: 12

Price: $85.00

Start date: October, 2023

Website: https://grubstreet.org/findaclass/class/flash-essays-inve...

Join this writer's workshop for expert feedback on your work, prompts for new writing, and a chance to engage in a constructive critique environment. You'll produce and share short new writing based on a developmental prompt, leaving the workshop with fresh material and perspectives.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Location: San Francisco

Categories: Essay

Level: Any

Class size: Limited

Price: $40.00

Start date: October, 2023

Website: https://sfwriting.institute/events/drop-in-writing-worksh...

This workshop provides a space for writers to receive feedback on their work, generate new writing based on prompts, and engage in serious critique of prepared pieces. It is suitable for those working on poetry, fiction, and memoir.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Location: San Francisco

Categories: Essay

Level: Any

Class size: Limited

Price: $40.00

Start date: October, 2023

Website: https://sfwriting.institute/events/drop-in-writing-worksh...

Conducted by Wendy Noonan from October 27-29, this three-session online course via Zoom delves into the use of lyrical techniques to express grief. It's tailored for writers interested in creating stories and poetry about grief, using a mix of lyricism, discursiveness, fragmentation, and silence. The course encourages extensive writing, catalyzed through reading, conversation, and varied prompts and exercises.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Location: Portland

Categories: Essay

Level: Any

Class size: Unlimited

Price: $135.00

Start date: October, 2023

Website: https://literary-arts.org/event/grief-and-the-lyric-essay/

This course is designed for both new and experienced writers, focusing on creative writing exercises to construct characters, settings, dialogue, and imagery. It also includes discussions on the writing process and the analysis of short pieces by various authors.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Location: Online

Categories: Essay

Level: Any

Class size: 12

Price: $355.00

Start date: November, 2023

Website: https://grubstreet.org/findaclass/class/jumpstart-your-wr...

Taught by Perrin Kerns, this workshop focuses on the lyric essay, a form that combines various fragments like memories, research, and poetry. Participants will write fragments in response to prompts and braid them into essays, with the goal of creating at least one lyric essay by the end of the workshop.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Location: Portland

Categories: Essay

Level: Beginner

Class size: Limited

Price: $195.00

Start date: November, 2023

Website: https://literary-arts.org/event/the-lyric-essay-braiding-...

This course encourages writers to produce three essay drafts over six weeks, focusing on different themes or craft elements each week. It includes writing and sharing drafts, formal workshopping, and studying examples from renowned authors. Students will also practice writing and receiving editorial letters.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Location: Boston

Categories: Essay

Level: Intermediate

Class size: 12

Price: $385.00

Start date: November, 2023

Website: https://grubstreet.org/findaclass/class/6-weeks-3-essays-8/

Investigate the connection between objects and memory in this class, where everyday items become rich material for writing across genres. Through reading and discussion, explore how tangible objects in poetry, fiction, and memoir can be laden with meaning.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Location: Houston

Categories: Essay

Level: Any

Course length: 1 (3 hours)

Class size: 15

Price: $70.00

Start date: November, 2023

Website: https://www.writespacehouston.org/creative-writing.html

This workshop, led by Alissa Hattman, is dedicated to short-form creative writing, including flash fiction, short essays, and prose poems. It emphasizes the deliberate economy of language and encourages experimentation in a supportive environment.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Location: Portland

Categories: Essay

Level: Any

Course length: 5 (2 hours)

Class size: 14

Price: $283.00

Start date: November, 2023

Website: http://atticinstitute.com/node/2807

This course offers an opportunity to craft personal essays, drawing inspiration from various published works. It emphasizes experimenting with different styles and forms, enhancing storytelling skills through weekly assignments and feedback.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Location: Boston

Categories: Essay

Level: Any

Class size: 12

Price: $385.00

Start date: November, 2023

Website: https://grubstreet.org/findaclass/class/6-weeks-6-essays-51/