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18 Best Science Fiction Writing Classes in 2026

Showing 18 courses that match your search.

Writing Believable Science Fiction with Brian Gardner

Las Vegas-Clark County Library District

Free 90-minute evening workshop in the Paul C. Blau Theatre at Clark County Library, led by novelist and artist Brian Gardner as part of the library district's Writers Workshop series. Gardner works through character backstory, building an alien world that holds up, and designing an antagonist who is genuinely hard to beat, using his own SF novel The Banished as the worked example throughout. First come, first served - no booking is taken and seating may be limited.

Website: https://events.thelibrarydistrict.org/event/17179165

Categories: Science Fiction

Start date:

October, 2026

Price:

Free

Based in Las Vegas

Level: Any

Length: 90 minutes

Maxwell Alexander Drake Writing Workshop

Las Vegas-Clark County Library District

Free two-hour in-person workshop at the Centennial Hills Library, taught by award-winning science fiction and fantasy novelist Maxwell Alexander Drake. It runs as an ongoing series on the craft of writing a novel readers finish, and Drake teaches the same session twice each month - Sunday afternoon and Monday evening - so you can take whichever slot fits. There is no registration and no waiting list: seating is limited and first come, first served, so arrive early.

Website: https://events.thelibrarydistrict.org/event/14165286

Categories: Science Fiction

Start date:

October, 2026

Price:

Free

Based in Las Vegas

Level: Any

Length: 2 hours

A Little Weird Goes a Long Way: Speculative Fiction Generator

Hugo House

In-person single-session generative workshop in Seattle, sliding-scale pricing, taught by Tara Campbell. Saturday 26 September 2026, 10:00am-1:00pm at Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave. Three hours of prompt-driven drafting in the speculative register - aimed at intermediate and advanced writers who want new material rather than an introduction to the genre. Sliding scale, not free: payment is required at a self-selected tier.

Website: https://hugohouse.org/product/sliding-scale-a-little-weir...

Categories: Science Fiction

Start date:

September, 2026

Based in Seattle

Level: Intermediate

Length: 1 session (3 hours)

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Fundamental Scenes: A Speculative Writing Workshop

Literary Arts

In-person single-session workshop in Portland, $85, taught by Eli Kramer. Sunday 27 September 2026, 10:00am-1:00pm at Literary Arts, 716 SE Grand Ave. Speculative craft built from the outsized moment - a night sky, a death, a first encounter with art - and how a scene carries weight larger than its own events. The cheapest way into this provider, and a three-hour commitment rather than a term.

Website: https://literary-arts.org/event/fundamental-scenes-a-spec...

Categories: Science Fiction

Start date:

September, 2026

Price:

$85.00

Based in Portland

Level: Any

Length: 1 session (3 hours)

Your Personal Odyssey Writing Workshop

Odyssey Writing Workshops

One-on-one online mentoring, advanced lectures, personalized feedback, and modules tailored to individual needs. Includes in-depth critiques and extensive guest lectures from renowned authors.

Website: https://www.odysseyworkshop.org/

Categories: Science Fiction

Start date:

November, 2026

Price:

$3,600.00

Online course

Level: Advanced

Length: Between 6 to 18 weeks

Class size: 12

Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing I

Gotham Writers

This 10-week online workshop includes lectures, writing exercises, and critiques of student projects, focusing on the special requirements of science fiction and fantasy genres.

Website: https://wp.writingclasses.com/

Categories: Science Fiction

Start date:

May, 2026

Price:

$464.00

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: 10 weeks

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Getting Started with Speculative Fiction

Writing NSW

Interested in learning all there is to know about speculative fiction? This introductory instructional course offers everything you need to get started!

Website: http://writingnsw.teachable.com/p/writing-speculative-fic...

Categories: Science Fiction

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

$79.00

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: 7 modules

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Spring Workshop

Futurescapes

An immersive workshop focusing on the first 3,500 words of a novel, providing tailored feedback through a small cohort system. Participants will rotate through sessions with experienced faculty, who have won prestigious awards. The workshop includes master classes with top agents and authors in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror.

Website: https://futurescapes.ink/

Categories: Science Fiction

Start date:

March, 2026

Price:

$374.00

Online course

Level: Intermediate

Length: 4 full days

Class size: Limited

Prerequisites: Applicants must submit a 3,500-word excerpt, a 1-page synopsis, and a query letter prior to the workshop.

Viable Paradise

Viable Paradise

A one-week residential workshop focusing on writing and selling commercial science fiction and fantasy, featuring one-on-one critiques, group discussions, lectures from experienced authors, and a supportive community atmosphere.

Website: https://viableparadise.com/

Categories: Science Fiction

Start date:

October, 2026

Price:

$2,500.00

Based in Boston

Level: Any

Length: 1 full week

Class size: 24 seats max

Prerequisites: Participants must submit stories or excerpts for critique.

Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

Udemy

Includes 7.5 hours of on-demand video, 27 downloadable resources, lifetime access, and a certificate of completion.

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

Categories: Science Fiction

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

$65.00

Online course

Level: Any

Length: Self-paced, est. 7.5 hours

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

The Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' Workshop

University of California, San Diego

An intensive six-week summer workshop focused on writing fantasy and science fiction short stories, featuring critiques, lectures, and mentorship from distinguished faculty.

Website: http://clarion.ucsd.edu/

Categories: Science Fiction

Start date:

June, 2026

Price:

$6,750.00

Based in San Diego

Level: Intermediate

Length: 6 weeks

Class size: 18 students max

Prerequisites: Applicants must submit two short stories with their application.

How to Write an Award-Winning SF Short Story

Udemy

The course covers strategies for writing effective science fiction short stories, techniques for story conception, and methods to enter and win writing competitions.

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

Categories: Science Fiction

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

$45.00

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Self-paced, est. 1 hour

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

How to choose a science fiction creative writing class

Looking to build your writing skillset, learn more about your genre, or finally finish that sci-fi 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 science fiction creative writing class in particular, you’ll want to make sure that it matches what you’re seeking to learn about the sci-fi genre.

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

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

More science fiction 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 sci-fi. 

Free online materials

Recommended books

 

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