Best Online Creative Writing Courses

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Back to School: Fall Enrollment is open, claim your spot!

Taking the class had given the confidence I needed to let people read my work. Before that, I was a closet writer. My instructor told me that I will be a published author one day, I believed him. That belief freed me up to just write.

-Micki Morency

IFW Graduate

Discover the Writer Within

Our online creative writing courses have been launching writers’ careers since 1969. Work with a published author and professional writing instructor as your one-on-one mentor. As part of our mentorship programs, you’ll:

Explore what inspires you.
Develop engaging characters.
Hook your reader with dynamic plots, conflicts, and resolutions.
Discover (and learn to appreciate!) the art of constructive feedback & revision.
Transform your stories into sellable manuscripts.

Become a published author

Our online creative writing courses are designed to provide the structure, guidance, and support you need to stay focused on your craft and prepare your writing for today’s adult publishing marketplace. Join our mentorship programs and learn how to publish a manuscript successfully.

Where our students have been published

Choose the Course For You

Basics of Writing Stories & Articles for Publication

Write an article or short story.

IDEAL FOR Beginner/Intermediate

TIME 208 Hours/12-18 Months

TUTION Full Pay $1,220/ Monthly $79

ASSIGNMENTS 8

Breaking Into Print

Write articles and short stories.

IDEAL FOR Beginner/Intermediate

TIME 276 Hours/2 Years

TUTION Full Pay $1,816/ Monthly $79

ASSIGNMENTS 10

Shape, Write, & Sell Your Novel

Craft a novel.

IDEAL FOR Everyone

TIME 223 Hours/18-24 Months

TUTION Full Pay $1,515/ Monthly $79

ASSIGNMENTS 8

Meet Your Instructors

Guides to Great Writing

What Our Student's Say

The courses helped me in many ways but I would highlight two specific ways. They helped me refine my writing techniques and find my voice.

-Rick Merfeld

IFW Graduate

IFW has been a life changing experience for me that I recommend to any person looking to break into print, gain some confidence, and finally write that novel!

-Wendy Bledsoe

IFW Graduate

Writer's Resources

Writing Contests

In our latest contest, we want to see where this photo prompt takes YOU! Click here for contest details.

Writing Workshops

After each writing contest, we hold a live workshop to announce the winners. The contest judge will reveal tips for writing in the contest genre and critique the winning entries sharing why they worked–and how they can be even better. Get notified of our next workshop here.

Critique Service

Take your manuscript to the next level with an in-depth analysis by a publishing industry professional. View Critique Offerings Here.

writers toolkit

Free writing resources at your fingertips. View all of our writer’s toolkit materials here.

Weekly news & tips for upcoming writing contests, workshops, resources and more! Sign Up Today

Blogs

Our bi-weekly posts offer ways to improve your craft and support your writing. View All

Want to write for children?

Our sister school, Institute of Children’s Literature, offers the best online creative writing courses with self-paced, one-on-one mentorship programs for the children’s market.