10 Best Creative Writing Classes in Philadelphia

Join literary agent and author Eric Smith for this 3-hour workshop on writing query letters, the first step toward getting your manuscript published. Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, this three-hour workshop will cover all the basics and dig into complex questions.

In this talk, we’ll explore the craft of writing fiction that doesn’t move—fiction contained in a single, discreet space as large as a house, and as small as a bed—and the implication it has for our understanding of gender, characterization, plot, and time.

A 2-hour session dedicated to processing and reckoning with the notion of "giving up" on a story, on a project, on a dream. What does "giving up" really look like in practice—what does it mean? And when might it actually be the right thing for us to do?

Take your story to the next level by learning how to enhance theme, increase characterization, and flesh out the journey with subplots. We will look at general plotting and subplotting techniques, analyze structure of popular subplots, and weave these subplots into your hero's journey.

This course will guide you in a step-by-step fashion how to take a manuscript and turn it into a book. We will cover all the bases from editing to formatting to self-marketing.

In this two-hour session, participants will learn about the suit of the Cups. Focused on relationships, dreams, and emotional wellness, this suit offers important lessons for storytelling and self-care. The workshop leader will go through each of the fourteen Cups cards, offering writing prompts along the way.

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​​.

These workshops, held in Center City and Main Line/Delaware County, meet weekly on Tuesday and Monday evenings, respectively. Limited to 12 participants per group, they follow a 10-week format with a registration fee of $440. These workshops are based on the writing method developed by Pat Schneider, founder of Amherst Writers & Artists, and incorporate techniques and suggestions from Schneider's book, "Writing Alone and with Others."

This experiential studio class, led by instructor Lauren Lowe, focuses on developing an understanding of the self in relation to the world. It emphasizes building community and working towards a more equitable world through writing and sharing stories​​.

This workshop offers a space for poets to share, edit, and discuss their work in a collaborative and supportive environment. Participants read their poems aloud, receive group feedback, and engage in discussions about their work. The workshop is designed to help poets of all levels achieve their writing goals, whether they seek intensive criticism or a friendly space to share their poetry. Attendees are encouraged to bring 10 copies of their poem for workshopping, a pen or pencil for editing, and some cash for food and drinks.