157 Best Fiction Creative Writing Classes in 2024

Whether you've never written creatively before or you're a more experienced writer looking for a recharge, this class will help you ignite your writing life through a comprehensive exploration of some of the top writing craft books.

Each week we will focus on one area of novel-specific craft –– such as character development, scene building, conflict, and narrative arc –– and generate new material each week through a series of prompts and exercises.

Speculative fiction is an exciting and fast-evolving genre. This course will offer writers the chance to develop one to two speculative short stories and to participate in a critique workshop with peers. Along the way, study craft and learn from stories written by some of today's most prominent voices, such as Rivers Solomon, Ursula K. Le Guin, Octavia Butler and more!

Half writing-group, half open-mic, Open Moon is an ungated space for Asian and Asian-American writers, of all levels, writing in any genre, where we can share our experiences, share our work, and cheer each other on.

Conducted by Sally Jadlow, a professional writer, this 6-week Zoom session runs from September 14 to October 19, 2023. The workshop includes manuscript preparation, writing exercises, class interaction, and marketing information. It offers an interactive, supportive class setting, and optional writing assignments are provided for students to prepare manuscripts ready for publishers.

Scheduled from February 20 to March 19, this online workshop focuses on overcoming the self-doubt many emerging writers face. It provides a supportive environment to explore writing interests, share work, and receive constructive feedback. The course, led by Wayne Gregory, is designed for up to 15 participants and includes 10 hours of instruction over Zoom. Early registration discounts are available.

Scheduled for March 22-24, 2024, at the Warwick Allerton Hotel in Chicago, this event is a dynamic gathering for aspiring writers. It includes a welcome reception, two days of workshops, panels, pitch sessions, master classes, and more. The conference aims to inspire and educate, covering a range of topics for writers of all levels. Registration includes meals and a banquet dinner, with an option for agent/publisher pitch sessions.

Part of Rosemont College, this studio offers a variety of non-credit writing and publishing workshops. These include diverse topics such as manuscript preparation, writing feminist fairy tales, understanding dialogue in fiction, and exploring political issues in poetry. Courses are taught by experienced authors and educators, making them suitable for writers of all levels seeking focused skill development​​.

The Manchester Writing School offers a two-day intensive course, providing a glimpse into one of the UK's leading literary centres. Participants engage in masterclass workshops, seminars, and talks delivered by practicing writers and critics. The program includes fiction, poetry, scriptwriting, and creative non-fiction sessions, offering a supportive environment for both personal and professional writing.

This program offers comprehensive training in various creative writing genres. Participants develop core skills and choose electives in fiction, non-fiction, children’s writing, poetry, or business writing. Suitable for hobbyists and those aspiring to become published authors, the course spans 15-30 months and costs approximately $3,510, not including textbooks or parking. It is available both in-person and online​​​​​​.

Dive into the intricacies of novel writing with this 9-week online course. It's tailored for intermediate to advanced fiction writers working on novels or story collections. The curriculum includes enhancing prose, structuring novels, and creating compelling scenes, with an expected weekly commitment of 7 to 9 hours. The course emphasizes practical application, aiming to produce polished prose and a structured plan for your book​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

This online course, spanning 9 to 10 weeks, is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their writing skills, from beginners to more experienced writers. Focusing on fundamental writing principles and practices, it covers key aspects like crafting strong sentences, showing versus telling, language refinement, and effective editing. The course, which is part of a certificate program, also delves into using strong nouns and verbs, maintaining tension, and amplifying conflict in writing.