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

57 Best Short Story Creative Writing Classes in 2025

Showing 57 courses that match your search.

Pitching to Literary Journals

Writing NSW

This online seminar focuses on refining pitches for non-fiction writing, including essays and reviews. Participants will gain skills to articulate memorable pitches, boost editing confidence, and understand Australian literary journals better. Price in AUD.

Website: https://writingnsw.org.au/whats-on/courses/seminar-pitchi...

Categories: Short Story

Start date:

August, 2025

Price:

$55.00

Based in Sydney

Level: Beginner

Length: 2 hours, single session

Class size: 50

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Advanced Fiction Workshop

GrubStreet

This intensive workshop is designed for serious writers looking to polish or complete short fiction pieces. The course includes peer workshops and in-depth discussions of craft elements such as dialogue, point of view, and voice.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/

Categories: Short Story

Start date:

June, 2025

Price:

$770.00

Online course

Level: Advanced

Length: 10 weeks, 1 session per week

Class size: 9 seats max

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

Clarion West Flash Fiction Group

Clarion West

The course includes writing and submitting a flash fiction story each week, learning various critique methods, and receiving guidance in a supportive environment. Participants engage in small writing groups, weekly video lectures by Brian Evenson, and have opportunities for critiques of their work.

Website: https://clarion-west-online.teachable.com/p/2025-ffg

Categories: Short Story

Start date:

June, 2025

Price:

$66.00

Online course

Level: Intermediate

Length: 4 weeks, 4 stories

Class size: 8

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 →

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

Writers.com

This course teaches the essential narrative engines and character patterns for structuring a strong middle in storytelling. It combines text-based materials and live video sessions for interactive learning.

Website: https://writers.com/course/how-to-firm-up-the-mushy-middl...

Categories: Short Story

Start date:

April, 2025

Price:

$340.00

Online course

Level: Any

Length: 5 weeks

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Memoir Incubator

GrubStreet

A year-long program focused on revising memoirs, understanding the memoir form, and insights into the publishing industry through guest speakers. Provides a supportive environment for writers of all backgrounds and experience levels.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/intensive/memoir-incubator-2025202...

Categories: Short Story

Start date:

June, 2025

Price:

$8,955.00

Based in Boston

Level: Intermediate

Length: 12 months, meeting weekly for 3 hours each session.

Class size: 10

Prerequisites: At least 50 pages of a memoir draft and prior experience in a writing group or workshop.

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: Short Story

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.

Writing Workshop

Minneapolis Writers' Workshop

In this course, participants will join a virtual writer’s critique and support group, with weekly meetings for feedback and critiques, as well as Open Read nights where non-members can present their work.

Website: https://minneapoliswritersworkshop.org/

Categories: Short Story

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Based in Minneapolis

Level: Any

Length: Weekly meetings (2 hours each)

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Starting to Write

Toby Litt

This is a free online course comprising 10 lessons focused on the fundamentals of writing short stories. Each lesson includes reading materials, writing exercises, and video links. Lessons are designed for complete beginners to those with some writing experience.

Website: https://tobylitt.wordpress.com/

Categories: Short Story

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Self-paced over 10 lessons

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Creative Writing Specialization

Wesleyan College

This specialization includes five courses focusing on short story writing, character development, setting and description, style, and culminates with a capstone project. It's designed to help aspiring writers craft original stories.

Website: https://www.coursera.org/

Categories: Short Story

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Est. 1 month (10 hours per week)

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

South Manchester Writing Workshop

Manchester Writers

The workshop focuses on members reading their work aloud for feedback, covering various genres including novels, short stories, and poetry. They aim to help members get published and welcome both beginners and experienced writers.

Website: http://www.manchester-writers.org.uk/

Categories: Short Story

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

£2.00

Based in Manchester

Level: Any

Length: Weekly meetings (2 hours)

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Flash Fiction

Austin Bat Cave

This fiction seminar delves into the essence of flash fiction, exploring its length, urgency, and innovation within limited word counts. It includes story diagrams, class exercises, and a historical overview of the form.

Website: https://austinbatcave.org/

Categories: Short Story

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

$10.00

Based in Austin

Level: Any

Length: Self-paced (On-demand)

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Creative Writing with John Chaplick

Life Enrichment Center for the Arts

In this course, participants will focus on developing their creative voice through weekly prompts, sharing their work, and providing feedback. Topics covered include character development, setting, voice, and the publishing process, with the opportunity to publish in an annual anthology.

Website: https://lectampa.org/classes-and-events/

Categories: Short Story

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

$10.00

Based in Tampa

Level: Any

Length: Weekly sessions, 2 hours each

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

How to choose a short story writing class

Looking to build your writing skillset, learn more about your genre, or finally finish that short story article 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 a short story writing class in particular, you’ll want to make sure that it matches what you’re seeking to learn about short story writing.

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

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

More short story writing resources

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