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63 Best Free Creative Writing Classes in 2026

Showing 63 courses that match your search.

Write Your First Novel

Michigan State University

The course guides learners through the process of writing a full-length novel (50,000 words), includes peer reviews, and covers storytelling, proofreading, and editing skills. It emphasizes experiential learning with structured steps to complete a novel.

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

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: 10 hours/week over 3 months

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Write with Spike: Writing Workshops with Spike Gillespie

Austin Public Library

The Writing Workshop series with legendary writer, Spike Gillespie, offers an opportunity for participants to write and share their work in a supportive environment.

Website: https://library.austintexas.gov/

Categories: Free

Start date:

July, 2026

Price:

Free

Based in Austin

Level: Beginner

Length: 2 hour sessions

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop

California Institute of the Arts

The course focuses on writing poetry through a variety of exercises, peer feedback, and discussions. It encourages students to explore their personal voice and covers poetry techniques like line breaks, imagery, metaphor, and rhythm.

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

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Self-paced, est. 10 hours total

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

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Legally Blogs

Blogging for New Bloggers

Learn how to blog profitably and legally, with lifetime access to updates and a dedicated Facebook group. Course suitable for bloggers worldwide.

Website: https://school.bloggingfornewbloggers.com/

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Self-paced

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Blogging for Business

Ahrefs

Free course teaching how to start and grow a blog beyond 100,000 visitors, focusing on converting readers into customers. Covers blogging strategy, content marketing, SEO, article optimization, and promotion techniques.

Website: https://ahrefs.com/academy/

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Self-paced, est. 5 hours to complete

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Free Travel Writing Course

Women on the Road

The course includes six lessons focusing on techniques for travel writing, storytelling angles, and how to appeal to editors. It emphasizes practical skills for selling stories and includes insights from decades of experience in journalism.

Website: https://www.women-on-the-road.com

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Intermediate

Length: Self-paced over 6 lessons

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

The Copy Cure®

Marie Forleo International

A step-by-step online training course that includes video training, powerful exercises, templates, live Q&A coaching calls, and lifetime access.

Website: https://www.marieforleo.com/the-copy-cure

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Self-paced over 7 lessons

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Writing The Truth: How to Start Writing Your Memoir

Skillshare

Led by Mary Karr, this course focuses on writing memoirs with practical exercises, emphasizing sensory details and developing a unique voice. It includes memory-focused writing exercises and discussions on the challenges of memoir writing.

Website: https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Any

Length: Self-paced over 9 lessons

Class size: Unlimited

Science Fiction & Fantasy: Creating Unique and Powerful Worlds

Skillshare

The course focuses on principles and guidelines for creating unique worlds and characters in science fiction and fantasy writing, employing classic works as examples.

Website: https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Any

Length: Self-paced over 12 lessons.

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: None

Writing Authentic Fiction: How to Build a Believable Character

Skillshare

This course teaches how to create authentic characters through exercises, prompts, and techniques. It covers defining goals, motivations, and conflicts for characters, as well as character attributes and conducting character interviews.

Website: https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Any

Length: Self-paced over 8 lessons

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

The Writer's Toolkit: 6 Steps to a Successful Writing Habit

Skillshare

This course teaches writers essential steps to establish a productive writing habit, emphasizing the importance of creating a dedicated writing space, finding the right medium, reading inspiring works, setting personal conditions for writing, maintaining a routine, and sketching for inspiration.

Website: https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Any

Length: Self-paced over 9 lessons

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Storytelling 101: Character, Conflict, Context & Craft

Skillshare

This course covers the fundamentals of storytelling, focusing on the 4 C's: character, conflict, context, and craft. It includes bite-sized lessons and tools to develop your own story.

Website: https://www.skillshare.com/classes/

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Self-paced over 9 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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