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51 Best Free Creative Writing Classes in 2026

Showing 51 courses that match your search.

How To Plan a Magnetic Content Strategy Using Semrush

Semrush

This course offers expert tips on utilizing Semrush tools for effective content marketing, including video tutorials and practical insights from industry professionals.

Website: https://www.semrush.com/

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Self-paced

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

English for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

University of Pennsylvania

This course enhances English skills in STEM subjects for non-native speakers, covering vocabulary, reading strategies, and scientific communication. It includes 5 modules focused on climate change and innovations in technology.

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

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Est. 30 hours to complete

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Understanding Medical Research: Your Facebook Friend is Wrong

Yale University

The course teaches how to read medical research papers, identify good vs. bad research, understand medical statistics, and verify claims made in news articles. It includes 7 modules and emphasizes critical thinking and real-world case studies.

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

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Self-paced, est. 20 hours

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

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Memoir and Personal Essay: Write About Yourself Specialization

Wesleyan University

The course teaches how to craft personal essays and memoirs through prompts, exercises, and insights from published authors. It includes 16 writing assignments to help learners create a portfolio.

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

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

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

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot

Wesleyan University

The course teaches plot mechanics, narrative arc, pacing, and character development through four modules, including lectures, peer reviews, and hands-on writing exercises.

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

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Est. 7 hours

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Creative Writing Specialization

Wesleyan University

Offers instruction in three genres: short story, narrative essay, and memoir. Focuses on story crafting techniques, character development, and descriptive style. Includes peer evaluation and a capstone project.

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

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Approximately 3-6 months to complete 5 courses, with an average of 10 hours of work per week.

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop

California Institute of the Arts

The course emphasizes improving poetry through workshop feedback, covering poetic devices and composition tools. It includes 6 modules, with flexible scheduling and peer reviews.

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

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: 1 week, approximately 10 hours of work.

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Getting Started with Essay Writing

University of California, Irvine

Focuses on thesis statement creation, planning and writing various essay types (compare/contrast, cause/effect, argument), and enhancing critical thinking and editing skills.

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

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Intermediate

Length: Self-paced, est. 19 hours

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Secret Sauce of Great Writing

Udemy

Learn four essential ingredients of good writing: simplicity, clarity, elegance, evocativeness. The course enhances business writing, blogs, and copywriting skills.

Website: https://www.udemy.com/

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Self-paced, est. 45 minutes

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Content Marketing for B2B Enterprises

Udemy

The course covers a complete 4-step content marketing process tailored for B2B, focusing on creating engaging content, aligning it with conversion offers, identifying promotional channels, and utilizing measurement tools to enhance results.

Website: https://www.udemy.com/

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Intermediate

Length: 37 minutes total duration with 19 video lessons.

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

30 Day Blog Transformation Challenge

Udemy

30 actionable lessons focusing on strategic blogging improvements. Covers blog organization, effective writing techniques, design optimization, and marketing strategies.

Website: https://www.udemy.com/

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Self-paced over 3 hours

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Starting to Write

Toby Litt

A free, beginner-friendly course designed for aspiring writers to learn the basics of writing short stories through 10 online lessons with no need for books or stationery.

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

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Self-paced over 10 lessons

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

How to choose a free creative writing class

Looking to build your writing skillset, learn more about your genre, or finally finish that book you’ve been working on? You’re in the right place. That’s why we built this directory of the best creative writing courses.

However, creative writing classes aren’t one size fit all. If you’re planning to join a free writing class in particular, you’ll want to make sure that it matches what you’re seeking to learn about creative writing.

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

  • Who is the instructor? How many years of experience do they have in creative writing?
  • Is there something in particular you’d like to learn about creative writing? Does this course include it?
  • How long is the course, and where is it taught?
  • Are there any hidden fees advertised in this free creative writing class?

More free creative writing resources

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

Free online materials

Recommended books

 

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