creative writing courses for young adults

Course details

• Mon 20 Jan 2025 to 04 Apr 2025
• Mon 12 May 2025 to 25 Jul 2025

Writing Fiction for Young Adults (Online)

There are no time-tabled sessions on this course. Using a specially designed virtual learning environment this online course guides students through weekly pathways of directed readings and learning activities. Students interact with their tutor and the other course participants through tutor-guided, text-based forum discussions. There are no ‘live-time’ video meetings meaning you can study flexibly in your own time under the direct tuition of an expert. For further information please click here

You will find your own voice and your own niche in writing for young adults, in sub-genres from realism to the supernatural. You will become confident in writing convincing dialogue and gripping narrative, and in creating situations and characters with which young adults can identify. You will also learn to critique and edit your own and others' work.

This course will introduce you to one of the fastest-growing sectors of the publishing industry. You will discover how writing for young adults has evolved since Eleanor Fenn wrote School Dialogues for Boys: Being an Attempt to Convey Instruction Insensibly to Their Tender Minds and Instill The Love of Virtue , and the elements of contemporary Young Adult Fiction. You will find your own voice and your own niche in the sub-genres of writing for young adults, from realism to fantasy and the supernatural. You will become confident in writing convincing dialogue and gripping narrative, and in creating situations and characters with which young adults can identify. You will also learn to critique and edit your own and others' work.

This course emphasises weekly reading and writing exercises, peer feedback, and tutor guidance. Tutors prompt and moderate discussions that centre on group learning rather than workshopping personal pieces of writing. Both assessed assignments receive detailed feedback from the tutor.

For information on how the courses work, please click here .

Programme details

1. What is Young Adult Fiction?

• Introduction to the course and each other
• Changing styles
• A typical teenager?
• Excitement, experience and knowledge

2. Reading and Writing Young Adult Fiction

• The dos and don'ts: generally accepted guidelines for writing young adult fiction
• Applying the 'rules'
• Genres and sub-genres
• On writing a series
• Multiculturalism

3. Ideas and Inspiration

• Where do ideas come from?
• Different strokes
• Plot structure
• From 'spiders' to a detailed synopsis
• What if....?

4. What's it All About?

• Plots, sub-plots and underlying themes
• Gently does it
• What is it about vampires?
• Stating your theme
• Genre-bending

5. Characters: Their creation and development

• Popular protagonists
• Getting to know them
• The best friend
• The bad guys (or girls...)

6. Point of View

• First- and third-person narrative: their advantages and disadvantages in young adult fiction
• Who's telling the story?
• Perspective
• Know-it-alls and other narrators
• Teen-speak: Getting it right
• He said/She said

7. Dialogue

• The purpose and mechanics of dialogue
• Speaking volumes
• Talking heads
• Adding 'filler'
• Your dialogue checklist

8. Descriptive Writing

• Giving them goosebumps and touching their hearts
• Less is more
• Dramatic tension
• ...And goosebumps
• Writing for laughs - or for shivers

9. Conflict

• Resolving plot or character-driven conflict in a believable and satisfying way
• Sticking points and stumbling blocks
• Creating and developing conflict
• Internal and external conflict
• Tackling taboos

10. Good and bad endings

• What to avoid at all costs
• Getting it right
• Different endings

We strongly recommend that you try to find a little time each week to engage in the online conversations (at times that are convenient to you) as the forums are an integral, and very rewarding, part of the course and the online learning experience.

Recommended reading

To participate in the course you will need to have regular access to the Internet and you will need to buy the following books:

• Brooks, R., Writing Great Books for Young Adults (Illinois: Sourcebooks, 2009) (Hereafter Brooks)
• Rosoff, M., How I Live Now (London, Puffin, 2010)
• Sachar, L., Holes (London: Bloomsbury, 2010)

Certification

Credit Application Transfer Scheme (CATS) points 

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee for each course you enrol on. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. If you do not register when you enrol, you have up until the course start date to register and pay the £30 fee. 

See more information on CATS point

Coursework is an integral part of all online courses and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework, but only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education, you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee. 

Digital credentials

All students who pass their final assignment, whether registered for credit or not, will be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so. 

Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail. 

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Ms Lucy Ayrton

Lucy Ayrton has an MA in Creative Writing from Warwick University, and is a novelist and performance poet. Her debut novel, One More Chance, the story of a young mother battling imprisonment and addiction, was published in 2018 with Dialogue Books and was a finalist in the Exeter Novel Award. Her next two novels will be published with Dialogue in 2021 and 2022. She wrote and performed two full-length spoken word shows at the Edinburgh Festival, which were respectively turned into a poetry pamphlet and a radio play. She also competed as a national finalist at the UK Poetry Slam. Lucy has taught creative writing at all levels up to undergraduate, and is currently a module leader at the London College of Creative Media.

Course aims

This course will enable students to:

• Debunk the misconception that you have to be someone special to write.
• Show how important it is to cultivate the right mind-set first.
• Take broad overview of the topography - from the blank page to revision and polishing, and what comes after.
• Break the process of writing down into constituent parts and reveal the art and craft at work.
• Have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and 'have a go.'
• Have the opportunity to put it all together and create a short piece of fiction.

Teaching methods

• Guided reading of texts.
• Guided use of existing websites.
• Discussions of particular issues and responses to reading in the unit forums.
• Written non-assessed exercises discussed by the group.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course students will understand:

• Generally-accepted guidelines for young adult fiction.
• Key points in the history of young adult fiction.
• Their own working methods.
• Techniques for maintaining writing and avoiding writers’ block.
• Kinds of writing which appeal to and are popular with young adult readers.
• Constituents of genres in young adult fiction.

By the end of this course students will have gained the following skills:

• Ability to write dialogue suitable for young adult fiction.
• Ability to write descriptive prose suitable for young adult fiction.
• Ability to create characters with whom young adult readers can empathise.
• Ability to critique and edit own writing and that of existing authors.
• Ability to formulate and develop plots for young adult fiction.

Assessment methods

You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 500 words is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.

English Language Requirements

We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements please follow this link: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/english-language-requirements

Application

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education

Level and demands

FHEQ level 4, 10 weeks, approx 10 hours per week, therefore a total of about 100 study hours.

IT requirements

This course is delivered online; to participate you must to be familiar with using a computer for purposes such as sending email and searching the Internet. You will also need regular access to the Internet and a computer meeting our recommended minimum computer specification.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support

View a sample page to see if this course is for you

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Malorie Blackman

Writing for young adults.

Write inspirational fiction with the former Children's Laureate and author of Noughts & Crosses .

This course includes:

29 exercises

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What you'll learn

Join Malorie as she shares the fundamentals of fantastic fiction, so you can turn your idea into a finished story, ready to be sent out to agents and publishers.

• Plot out your chapters
• Create character biographies
• Write great dialogue
• Understand your audience
• Pitch to agents and publishers
• Finish your novel manuscript
• Your Maestro
• More like this

Malorie Blackman OBE is a literary icon. A prolific Young Adult author, in the last 30 years she’s written over 70 books, won over 20 awards, served as the Children’s Laureate and been a prominent campaigner for diversity in children’s literature. Her acclaimed YA novel Noughts & Crosses has found its way onto BBC television, the school syllabus and has been named by Stormzy as his favourite book. When it comes to penning your novel, you’re in the safest of hands.

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Ken Follett

Writing Bestselling Fiction

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Julia Donaldson

Writing Children's Picture Books

Writing Popular Fiction

Harlan Coben

Writing Thrillers

Bill Lawrence

Writing Comedy for Television

Carol Ann Duffy

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Jed Mercurio

Writing Drama for Television

David Walliams

Writing Books for Children

Lesson plan (26)

Writing for Young Adults Introduction

Where do ideas come from?

Story vs plot

Story structure: part one

Story structure: part two

Story structure: part three

Character & characterisation

Character informs plot or plot informs character?

A writer’s relationship with their characters

Protagonists, antagonists & antiheroes

Tools for conveying characters

Dialogue as function

Dialect, big words, bad language & everyday slang

Style, setting & substance

Representation

Tense & viewpoint

Narrative forms

The craft and art of writing

Dealing with writer's block

The business of writing, part one: before publication

The business of writing, part two: after publication

Malorie's conclusion

Reviews for this course

Explore all courses.

Food & Drink

Film, TV, & The Stage

Art & Design

Home & Lifestyle

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MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults

The first MFA in the country to focus exclusively on writing for young readers, the Writing for Children & Young Adults program is a diverse and dynamic community of writers.

On this Page

About the Program

Key information.

Residency Dates & Locations

• Winter: January 3 – 11, 2025 Valencia, California
• Summer: June 24 – July 2, 2025 Valencia, California

Admissions Info »

Contact our admissions team at [email protected]

Who is it for?

The program is ideal for those who want to take an active role in shaping their own education in a model that balances rigorous academic critique with nurturing aesthetic support. At VCFA, you’ll develop a strong network of personal and professional connections with fellow students, alumnx, faculty, publishers, agents, and more.

How will your practice develop?

Vcfa information sessions.

• Overview of VCFA programs
• What does low residency look like at VCFA?
• What is expected in a typical semester?
• What is residency?
• Learn more about our faculty mentorship model
• First steps for preparing your application
• Financing your MFA overview

Visit the event page to learn more and RSVP.

Experience VCFA’s low-residency model

VCFA’s academic calendar is divided into two semesters per year: a summer and winter semester respectively. Each semester begins with a 9-day residency that provides a vibrant whirlwind of workshops, lectures, panels, discussions, and readings. Students, faculty, and visiting writers come together to connect and collaborate.

During residencies, students also choose their faculty advisor and develop a unique, personalized study plan for the coming semester.

In addition to their kidlit community, students are on campus with our five other MFA programs during residency: Film, Graphic Design, Music Composition, Writing, and Visual Art. Each writer will have the opportunity during residency for interdisciplinary study, work, and networking. 

Students seeking an international experience may attend the program’s summer residency in England . Highlights include shared lectures and readings with Bath Spa University’s MA in Writing for Young People program, dining at Exeter College’s High Table, and a historical tour of children’s literature at Oxford University.

Upon completion of the two-year program, students will have attended five unique and invigorating residencies that guide their creative work while offering minimal disruption to their professional life and personal schedule.

WCYA offers dual-track residency options for all students. Students may elect to participate entirely in-person, or entirely in the cloud (remotely). Workshops are offered in each mode; all students and faculty in an in-person workshop will be in person, and all students and faculty in a cloud workshop will be in the cloud. Some residency events, such as lectures and readings, are hybrid, meaning that both in-person and cloud participants may attend. The program focuses on intentional community-building within these modes.

WCYA students are required to select a residency option three months prior to the residency. The number of cloud faculty will be determined by the number of students who select that mode. The entire staff and faculty of VCFA remain jointly committed to supporting these dual-track residencies and the needs of the students and faculty. It is important to note that all participating students and faculty are required to participate fully in all events at each residency, regardless of whether they are in person or in the cloud.

SEMESTER WORK

Mentorship & Individualized Study

Post-residency, students return home to embark on the semester’s faculty-guided independent study project, putting in at least 25 hours a week. Students stay in close contact with their advisors, who review their work monthly and provide individualized feedback.

Our mentorship model provides more individualized feedback on student writing than most traditional classroom programs. Our faculty, students, and alumnx are at the center of a support network providing connections across every aspect of the field, from publishers and agents, to workshop leaders, teachers, and translators.

The MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults program teaches every form written for young audiences, from picture books to middle grade and young adult, and the diversity of faculty expertise reflects this breadth and depth of instruction. A 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures close personal attention to nurture individual skills, talents, and artistic vision.

Thoughtful and engaging exchanges with my advisors and my peers were everything. Finding your community of writers who will support and inspire you is the most valuable gift.

Katherine paterson chair.

In 2018, VCFA established the Katherine Paterson Endowed Chair & Faculty Development Fund to support the WCYA program’s greatest asset: its award-winning faculty.

Evan Griffith

Faculty, mfa in wcya.

Corey Ann Haydu

Linda Urban

Faculty chair, mfa in wcya.

Anica Mrose Rissi

Anna-Marie McLemore

Alex Sanchez

Erica S. Perl

Laura Shovan

Sheela Chari

Veera Hiranandani

Matt Phelan

Mary Quattlebaum

Program faculty.

Daria Peoples-Riley

Visiting writer.

e.E. Charlton-Trujillo

Visiting writer, mfa in wcya.

Cynthia Leitich Smith

Katherena Vermette

Janae Marks

Leonard S. Marcus

Visiting writers, alumnx stories, nora shalaway carpenter & rocky callen, 2012 & 2019 mfa in wcya, lyn miller-lachmann, 2012 mfa in wcya, program blog.

Check out  Wild Things , the WCYA program’s blog, to hear directly from students , discover our award-winning faculty, and learn why you belong at VCFA.

By the Numbers

Frequently asked questions, can i do this program online.

Yes! VCFA’s MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults is a low-residency program, a hybrid between fully online programs and residential. During the program, you’ll attend five nine-day residencies—one at the start of each semester and one graduating residency. Each time, you’ll have the choice to attend on-campus or participate remotely. Some students travel to campus for every residency, while others choose to attend some or all of their residencies from home. Whichever option you choose, the rest of the semester work is done from where you live and shared with your advisor through an online platform.

Learn more about our  low-residency model .

I have a family/full-time job or both. Can I do this program?

Actually, this program was created for those of us who can’t pull up our lives, move to a campus across the country, and live there for two years. Most of our students are juggling varying responsibilities and are hoping to deepen their craft while meeting their obligations. The low-residency model makes that possible, and the faculty and other students totally understand the struggles. You’ll learn tricks and habits that will help you build the writers’ life you want.

Will this program help me get published?

Yes and no. The majority of your time spent in the program will be about craft. The faculty will want you to stay focused on your writing during the two-year program. They believe that the best way to get published is to be the strongest writer that you can be. A degree from VCFA opens doors in the publishing industry because agents and editors know the quality of the work that comes from our writers.

In the last semester of the program, you can begin exploring next steps and insights with your faculty. In addition, since students come in at all different points in their career, you will learn much from your fellow students and visiting writers along the way. VCFA regularly offers industry workshops for alumnx as well.

Read more about our alumnx .

How does VCFA’s program differ from similar ones out there?

Founded in 1997, VCFA established the first academic program dedicated exclusively to writing for children and young adults. We are experts in the model, the style of education, and the field. So many of the finest writers have passed through our doors as students, faculty, and visiting writers that our program is a veritable who’s who of children’s literature. We offer uniquely flexible residency options, and special opportunities including the Picture Book Intensive program and our fabulous optional summer residency in Oxford and Bath, England. Our faculty comprises award-winning authors who are experts in helping writers deepen their craft while respecting their individual voice.

Learn more about our residencies abroad and the Picture Book Intensive .

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Instructor Spotlight

Katherine Yeh Katherine is the instructor for GrubStreet's Fall Novel Generator program.

• Teen Program

Young Adult Writer's Program

Calling all lovers of words–written, spoken, drawn, or performed on stage!

Come find your people! Join GrubStreet’s Young Adult Writers Program (YAWP), where high school students from all over the greater Boston area gather to craft their stories, share their ideas, and cheer each other on! YAWP offers three types of programs: free Saturday writing sessions, Teen Writing Classes (during winter, spring, and summer vacations), and a three-week summer Teen Writing Fellowship .

Want to find out more about our teen programs? Join our YAWP mailing list for all the latest news, and read former teen fellow Ruth Ballard's blog on the GrubWrites about why Grub's teen programs have been so important to young writers like her.

Teen Summer Writing Classes Learn More

Our summer weeklong classes take place Mondays through Fridays from 10:30-3:30pm in-person at our beautiful new Center for Creative Writing or online via Zoom, so you can join the YAWP summer experience however you want! Scholarships are available and abundant for every single class.

Teen Summer Writing Fellowship Learn More

YAWP's Summer Teen Writing Fellowship immerses high school students in the writers' world of creative craft and publishing. During three intensive weeks at GrubStreet, teens work with published authors on original prose and poetry, meet with literary agents and editors, take field trips to inspirational locales like the ICA, and chat with popular contemporary authors. In the spirit of writers' residencies for adults, all teens will receive a $625 stipend for their commitment to the program and their time spent as working writers.

If you have questions or need help selecting a course, please call (617) 675 9632, or email us at [email protected] .

YAWP scholarships are made possible, in part, thanks to The Calderwood Charitable Foundation, The Vertex Foundation, The Linde Family Foundation, The Boston Public Library Foundation, The Mabel Louise Riley Foundation, Liberty Mutual Foundation, MassHousing, The 'Quin Impact Fund, The RBC Foundation, and donors like you.

WRITE ACADEMY

World-class online writing courses.

Make your dreams of becoming a best-selling author a reality as you begin the next chapter of your writing career with Write Academy.

Join 160,000+ aspiring writers worldwide.

As any successful author knows, writing fiction is all about invoking powerful emotional experiences within your reader and connecting with them on a psychological level.

To do this, you need to master several key facets of fiction such as: character, plot, setting, dialogue, narrative voice, and genre. We cover them all and much more in Write Academy’s courses. You will learn how to write gripping scenes, add suspense to your writing, craft attention-grabbing titles for your work and uncover marketing techniques that sell books.

We’ll walk you through theme, symbolism, realistic dialogue, point-of-view, and re-drafting, as well as giving you heaps of actionable ideas and indispensable tips for creating exciting fiction that keeps readers gripped.

Write for Children

Inspire the next generation as you uncover the secrets to writing and publishing successful children’s stories.

Write Fiction Books

Discover the time-tested secrets best-selling authors use to craft powerful, captivating published fiction.

Write Romance Fiction

Supercharge your emotions with the know-how and spice you need to take your fiction from flat to fabulous in any genre.

We’ve handpicked perfect fitting examples of best-selling authors’ work to show you how the professionals create cliffhangers, structure their writing, add specific techniques to create atmosphere and suspense, form shock endings and use euphonic words to create the reaction you desire from your readers.

The Write Academy courses teach you the very basics as well as the intermediate and advanced skills of writing exciting fiction in a simple, easy-to-understand manner that will not overwhelm your learning experience.

Connect with

A legion of credible authors, write short stories for children.

Unlock a magical world full of fairy tales, fables, myths and so much more.

Write Poetry Course

From light-hearted Limericks to contemplative Haikus, to Performance poetry, Free Verse, Fixed Verse, through to the hottest Instapoetry… you’re about to discover the secrets to becoming a skilled and confident poet!

Write Young Adult Fiction

Begin your journey inside the electrifying world of teenage fiction as you create gritty stories that will empower young adult readers.

Learn how to

Craft best-selling stories, bring your characters to life, secrets of the bestsellers, story ideas, dealing with publishers, work like a professional, common traps, testimonials, what our students say.

“The feedback has been wonderful. I am receiving messages from people on my Instagram telling me they bought my book and their child loves it. Even a therapeutic coach bought one for a girl she was working with! It’s so amazing seeing young children holding my book and knowing they have enjoyed it.”

Author of Abigail’s World

There is no way I would have made it this far without the industry knowledge and writing tips I learned in the ‘Write Storybooks for Children’ course.

Author of 'Bright or Blue'

I thought the course was so well constructed and so easy to take in. I had done some writing courses prior to this one and they left me feeling a little deflated. None were as informative or as easy to digest as this one.

Author of 'The Burning of Juniper Slaide'

FREE WRITING WEBINAR

Imposter syndrome: from (feeling like a) fraud to (feeling) fierce.

VIDEO COURSE

How to write a novel.

Your story matters. Join Tom Bromley for a writing masterclass and finish your first draft in 101 days.

Upcoming classes: Oct 28

September enrollment ends at 1pm UTC, Sep 02.

Daily video lessons

You can achieve a lot in 3 months. Learn the foundations of writing and storytelling through daily video masterclasses with Tom Bromley.

Finish your first draft

Structure that supports you as you write your first draft. Stay accountable, get feedback, and apply what you learn as you write.

Forum & live webinars

Meet and chat with your fellow classmates, and join expert writing coaches and authors for weekly webinars in our members’ forum.

Claim your spot

Enroll to access the learning dashboard and watch the first lesson for free, no upfront payment required.

Tuition Fee

Student reviews, "it motivated me to write (almost) every day.".

The course was fantastic. In particular, I enjoyed the Weekly Masterclasses, and mainly because they were live. Having said that, I couldn’t have done the entire course live, so the format was perfect.

"One of the best decisions I’ve made for my writing journey."

The practical dos and don’ts taught throughout the course gave me a clear understanding of what works and what doesn’t when it comes to writing. It was like being allowed to peek behind the curtain of that secret author’s club that had always felt so elusive.

"By far the best writing class I have ever taken."

There’s an age old adage that to be a writer, you must first, and always, be a reader. Reedsy puts this into practice with the structure of this course, helping writers understand what makes a passage powerful by dissecting it with a skillful teacher.

"It feels like a mini MFA in fiction writing."

Such a thoughtful, clear, inspirational course. It more than earns its investment in time and money.

"By far the best value for money of any of the courses for self-publishing writers."

Kudos to Tom Bromely and Reedsy for creating it. I recommend it highly to everyone who could benefit.

"A great investment on my journey to becoming a better writer and first time novelist."

Tom was wonderful, and the community was also inspiring. I will revere back to this content often as I continue progressing my writing career.

"Going well beyond the simple."

Anyone can write a book. But it takes more than a simple understanding to write a good book. The time I spent in the Reedsy Masterclass with Tom Bromley were the best three months I could have invested. Without a doubt, it made a vast improvement in my abilities.

"The course was superb."

The daily lessons worked really well for me; I loved that I could watch them anytime and the topics, content and books covered were really helpful. I can't emphasise enough how useful the weekly critique sessions have been.

"This course was everything I would want in a writing course."

Tom is a brilliant teacher not just because of his experience and expertise, but also because of his approachability. Absolutely brilliant!

Course overview

Support that empowers you to finish writing your first draft in just 3 months.

Before the start date

Prep sessions available today.

Get ready to write before the course starts with 5 video prep sessions. Tom will go over the “5 P’s” you need to consider before embarking on 101 days of writing.

Protagonist

Point-of-view, course start date.

A great book grabs the reader from the get-go. This course begins at the beginning, then guides you through the writing process, right to the closing sentence. It’s everything you need to write your novel, except the coffee (we haven’t worked out how to digitize that yet).

We start with the start. What is the best way to begin your novel and hook the reader’s attention? How do you introduce elements like character and backstory?

Session Topics: Beginnings, Starting Again, Introducing Character, Backstory, Grounding the Reader.

Secret Sauce

In this week’s sessions, we’ll look at the magic ingredients that you need to sprinkle into your story to make your characters and narrative come alive.

Session Topics: Movement, Change, Space, Peril, Voice.

Character and Plot are both crucial for your story. But thinking about character first often helps to answer any plot questions you might have.

Session Topics: Caring and Liking, Flaws, Inner Tension, Change, Feeling.

Plot Skills 1

Plot and structure is a theme interweaved throughout the course. In this first week of plot skills, we’ll focus in on some of the principles of plotting to help you tell your story.

Session Topics: Story DNA, Scene Versus Summary, Revealing Information, Flashbacks, Mystery and Surprise.

Description

A good story has a good place at its heart. But how do you bring your settings to life? We’ll analyse some of the key techniques to help you write dynamic description.

Session Topics: Senses, Movement, Colour, Small Details, People and the Past.

Speech is central to good fiction: get it right and you’ll add voice, pace, and tension into your telling. We’ll show you how.

Session Topics: Voice, Conflict, Rhythm, Real Speech, Body Language.

Dialogue and Description are two key textures in writing a story. This week, we’ll look at additional textures, and how to mix them to compelling effect.

Session Topics: Action, Thought, Dialogue Vs Description, Dialogue Description, Pace, Mixing Together.

The halfway point of the course (and hopefully in your writing journey as well). We’ll spend this week studying the challenges of writing effective middles, stress testing your narratives so far and thinking ahead to the second half.

Session Topics: Soggy Middles, The Midpoint, Wants and Needs, Links, Thinking Forwards.

Writing Skills

We begin the second half of the course with a fortnight’s focus on writing skills and techniques. We’ll start by taking your writing back to basics, and exploring some of the tools at your fingertips.

Session Topics: Words, Verbs, Sounds, Sentences, Paragraphs.

Writing Techniques

In this second week of writing skills, we focus in on some key techniques for emphasis, and how you can make the most of the most important moments in your book.

Session Topics: Rule of Three, Repetition, Build, Contrast, Imagery.

Week Eleven

Chapters and chapter structure give shape to your story and create signposts for your reader. This week, we’ll look at how you make the most of these building blocks, from beginnings and ends to chapter lengths and pacing.

Session Topics: Chapters Overview, Beginnings and Ends, Lengths, Chapter Structure, Pulling Together.

Week Twelve

Plot skills 2.

A second full plot week where we focus in on some further skills to boost your writing.

Session Topics: Foreshadowing, Group Scenes, Dovetailing, Time, Punctuating a Scene.

Week Thirteen

Doubling up.

This week we’ll look at making your writing work twice as hard, delivering on not just one element, but two at the same time.

Session Topics: Action and Story, Aciton and Character, Description and Story, Description and Character, Dialogue and Story.

Week Fourteen

In the final full week of the course, it’s all about thinking about your endings. How do you finish your story in a way that leaves the reader fully satisfied?

Session Topics: Resolution, Bookending, Imagery, Movement, Possibility.

Week Fifteen

As we approach the end of our 101 days together, we’ll think about the next steps to take with your first draft. How do you go about editing? What’s next?

Session Topics: Editing Plan, Editing, The End.

Learning Dashboard

Support your writing with daily masterclasses.

Join Tom for video lessons and exercises that unlock daily, then apply what you learn as you write.

MEMBERS FORUM

Meet your writing crew and get instant feedback.

Our members’ hub is the perfect place to discuss the lesson of the day, share feedback, and learn from other students in your genre.

YOU CAN DO IT

Write your first draft in 3 months.

With Tom’s expert guidance and a supportive community around you, this course will help you write the first draft of your novel in just 3 months. It's designed for writers of all levels, backgrounds, and genres.

Meet your instructor

I’m Tom Bromley, your instructor. Over the past 25 years I’ve published ten books under my own name, fifteen as a bestselling and prize-winning ghost (not the scary kind), edited over a hundred titles, and taught novel writing to thousands of students around the world. Now it’s your turn!

Learn from professional authors and writing coaches

Live webinars.

Participate in two live webinars each week. Engage with Tom, expert writing coaches, and your classmates. Access future webinars for 12 months after you start the course.

AUTHOR INTERVIEWS

As you progress through the course, you'll unlock interviews with incredible authors who share their story — and their tips and tricks — with you.

Frequently asked questions

Who should take this course, how does the course work, what does the course cover, how long is the course, what do the lessons look like, how long will each session lesson take, how much writing do i need to do each day, how much time should i set aside per week to complete the course properly, can i unlock the material more quickly what if i’m going away, how do the live sessions work, how does feedback work, is feedback also available from the instructor, what are the preparation sessions, what happens if i sign up but realize i'm not ready to write, what happens if i don’t finish my draft by the end of the course, can i buy the course as a gift, how can i redeem my gift card, do you offer split payments, get notified when we launch.

We will be opening up for enrollment this summer. Enter your email to get notified when you can join our first cohort!

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Young Writers

Lighthouse's Young Writers Workshops are designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and excitement about writing. There are no grades here, just the stories. We offer workshops at Lighthouse including afterschool and weekend workshops, the Young Authors Collective, and summer camps, as well as youth outreach in schools, at juvenile residential treatment centers, and in collaboration with other arts organizations.

For the latest on workshops and events,  sign up for our Young Writers Program e-newsletter . 

Lighthouse connects kids and teens to words, new friends, and a writing community. We offer workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, screenwriting, and many other genres and topics. Our classes are taught by published authors and are designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and excitement about writing.

Summer Writing Camps

Lighthouse's Young Writers Camps are led by published and award-winning writers, and each workshop is designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and excitement about writing in young writers aged 8 to 18. Registration for half-day camp and applications for full-day camp will open on January 1, 2019.

School Outreach

The Young Writers Program offers creative writing workshops in public and private schools as well as juvenile residential treatment centers throughout the Denver metro area. Led by working, published writers with a passion for sharing their craft, our outreach workshops provide access to our innovative creative writing programming for young people who cannot come to Lighthouse.

The Young Authors Collective, or YAC, is a group of talented, word-obsessed high school writers dedicated to experimenting with new creative forms, collaborating with other arts organizations, and writing a ton. We meet once a week at Lighthouse to generate new pieces, give friendly feedback, and work towards publication.

Support Young Writers

Our Future Scribes Depend on Your Support. Nearly all of the workshops and projects that will engage 2,300 students this year are free to attend, and for the sessions that do have tuition, such as summer writing camp, financial aid is available for any student who needs it. We want all young people who want to write to be able to do so and for them to be nurtured by the best instructors and mentors available. This only happens with the support of generous donors like you.

Explore summer courses and register.

Offered in collaboration with the School of the Arts, the Writing Department at Columbia University offers summer workshops and craft seminars in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry designed by acclaimed writers and editors. Hone your craft in courses that cater to a wide variety of writing styles, from comedy writing to travel writing, children's books, YA, art writing, and everything in between. Students can apply to take individual courses listed below as a Visiting Student or as a part of the Arts in Summer program .

For questions about specific courses, contact the department.

FICTION WORKSHOP WRIT1001S001 3 pts

The Fiction Writing Workshop is designed for students who have little or no experience writing imaginative prose. Students are introduced to a range of craft concerns through exercises and discussions, and eventually produce their own writing for the critical analysis of the class. Outside readings supplement and inform the exercises and longer written projects. Enrollment limited to 15.

Course Number

Summer 2024, times/location, section/call number, fiction workshop writ1001s002 3 pts, nonfiction writing workshop writ1101s002 3 pts.

The Nonfiction Writing Workshop is designed for students new to the practice of such genres as reportage, criticism, biography and memoir. Various techniques are explored through exercises and other assignments. Critique of student work is supplemented by outside readings.

POETRY WRITING WORKSHOP WRIT1201S001 3 pts

The Poetry Writing Workshop is designed for all students with a serious interest in poetry writing, from those who lack significant workshop experience or training in the craft of poetry to seasoned workshop participants looking for new challenges and perspectives on their work. Students will be assigned writing exercises emphasizing such aspects of verse composition as the poetic line, the image, rhyme and other sound devices, verse forms, repetition, collage, and others. Students will also read an variety of exemplary work in verse, submit brief critical analyses of poems, and critique each others original work.

POETRY WRITING WORKSHOP WRIT1201S002 3 pts

Writing about art writ3215w001 3 pts.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites. Department approval NOT required. 

This course will introduce students to writing about visual art. We will take our models from art history and contemporary art discourse, and students will be prompted to write with and about current art exhibitions and events throughout the city. The modes of art writing we will encounter include: the practice of ekphrasis (poems which describe or derive their inspiration from a work of art); writers such as John Ashbery, Gary Indiana, Eileen Myles, and others who for periods of their life held positions as art critics while composing poetry and works of fiction; writers such as Etel Adnan, Susan Howe, and Renee Gladman who have produced literature and works of art in equal measure. We will also look at artists who have written essays and poetry throughout their careers such as Robert Smithson, Glenn Ligon, Gregg Bordowitz, Moyra Davey, and Hannah Black, and consider both the visual qualities of writing and the ways that visual artists have used writing in their work. Lastly, we will consider what it means to write through a “milieu” of visual artists, such as those associated with the New York School and Moscow Conceptualism. Throughout the course students will produce original works and complete a final writing project that enriches, complicates, and departs from their own interests and preoccupations.

WRITING CHILDREN'S BOOKS WRIT4313S001 3 pts

Travel writing writ4320s001 3 pts, writing the young adult novel writ4323s001 3 pts.

The Young Adult (YA) publishing boom has changed the way we read—and write—coming-of-age stories. This course will introduce students to the elements that shape YA novels, and explore the fiction writing techniques needed for long projects, including narrative arcs, character construction, worldbuilding, and scene work. We’ll study work from a wide range of YA genres and authors, including Angie Thomas, Elana K. Arnold, Leigh Bardugo, Jason Reynolds, A.S. King, Elizabeth Acevedo, and more.

Students will begin to write and outline their own YA novel, and a variety of in-class writing exercises will support the development of each project. All students will workshop their own writing and respond to the work of others. By the end of class, students will have a portfolio of materials to draw from, and a richer understanding of the YA landscape and its possibilities.

HOW TO WRITE FUNNY WRIT4810S001 3 pts

There are hundreds of creative writing classes for adults, both online and in a city near you. Adult learners looking to work on their writing skills will find no shortage of options around them. But, which courses are right for you? What are creative writing classes for adults like? How do you get the most out of them?

This article answers those questions and plenty more. Whether you’re writing poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or something in-between, this article guides you through the world of creative writing education. Here’s everything you need to know about creative writing classes for adults.

Creative Writing Classes for Adults: Contents

The Best Places for In-Person and Online Creative Writing Classes for Adults

What do creative writing classes for adults include, what are creative writing classes for adults like, how writing classes for adults are different from school, other reasons to look forward to adult learning, why you are already ready for your class, you’re never too old for a writing class, things to think about before taking creative writing classes for adults, how to get the most out of online writing classes for adults, more resources for learning creative writing.

To start, where can you take online writing classes for adults?

We can’t recommend ourselves enough as a great place for writers of all stripes to hone their craft. Writers.com has been in the business of online creative writing classes for adults since 1995, and in that time, we’ve helped thousands of writers find, sharpen, and share their voices with the world. Whether you want to write for your own wellbeing, get into an MFA program, or publish with the Big 5, our online writing classes for adults are sure to help.

That said, there are plenty of creative writing programs, both online and in-person in plenty of U.S. cities. Here are some schools that offer online creative writing classes for adults:

• Writers.com
• Gotham Writers
• Writing Co-Lab
• The Writing Salon
• Writing Pad
• Loft Literary
• Writing Workshops
• Story Studio
• The Writers’ Center

If you’re looking to weigh your options, take a look at our ever-growing list of MFA, in-person, and online writing programs:

https://writers.com/creative-writing-programs#best-writing-programs

While it depends on the writing program and the syllabus for the class, you can expect most creative writing classes for adults to include the following:

• Weekly lectures and readings.
• Generative writing prompts and assignments.
• Opportunities to read and critique other students’ work.
• Opportunities to get your work read and critiqued by both the instructor and the other students.

If the class has an in-person or Zoom component, then you can expect some or all of these elements to take place live.

Your class experience will obviously depend on a number of factors, including the genre of writing, the course instructor, and even the other students who enroll.

That said, most creative writing classes for adults are:

• Supportive: Your work will receive the care and attention it deserves no matter what stage it’s in.
• Constructive: Other writers will point out opportunities to help your piece get more closely aligned with your vision for it.
• Creatively nurturing: Creative writing classes for adults provide loads of inspiration, ideas, and doorways into writing and editing your work.
• Community-oriented: You’re more likely than not to leave your course with new friends, connections, and writing partners.

Some classes are more challenging than others, and a good writing program will mention what experience, if any, a student should have before enrolling in a class. That said, the best creative writing classes for adults aren’t necessarily the most challenging ones—it’s the classes that help you write what you need to write.

Some students worry that taking a creative writing course will have the same feeling as taking a class in high school or college. That fear is valid—but, luckily, creative writing classes for adults are nothing like English Class.

For one thing, you’re choosing to be in the class, as is every other student. For another, nobody is trying to punish you, correct your behavior, or tell you how wrong you are about something.

However, the most important distinction to be made is that you’re in the class learning what you want to learn, not what anyone else thinks you need to learn. In the best classes, you can respond to the lectures and assignments in whatever ways make sense for your own writing projects and interests. And, you’re in the class with other people who share your passion and excitement for writing.

As a result, the energy of a creative writing classroom is probably nothing like any class you’ve taken in the past.

The differences between high school and writing classes for adults cannot be overstated. Here are some other reasons to get excited for whichever courses you end up taking:

• Everyone wants to be there: Being in a room of people who share your passion is hard to find. Creative writing classes for adults make it easier.
• Everyone is more interesting: As you grow older, you become more specific as a person. You have more unique life experiences and a stronger sense of self, which isn’t the case in high school or even college. As a result, everyone can learn from each other in a writing course.
• There’s no grade at the end: So you don’t have to worry about whether you’re good enough, slacking behind, or getting into college.
• You don’t have to deal with any real hierarchies: In high school, the teachers and administrators have more power than you; so do the upperclassmen. That’s not the case in writing courses—often, the teacher speaks to you like you’re on the same level as them, which they often are.
• You’re there for yourself: Whether it’s to work on your writing skills or work towards a project, your class is for your development, not for you to keep busy on useless information.
• The class isn’t meant to overwhelm you: Most adult learners have other obligations—children, family expectations, full-time jobs, etc. While you certainly need to make time and be diligent in your class, you don’t need to rearrange your entire life like you would for an MFA program.
• The learning is more targeted: You are learning only what you intend to learn for your own writing goals and projects.

You are also more primed for success in creative writing classes for adults than you might think, because:

• You have more depth and life experience : In other words, you already have a ton of material to work with in your class. A good instructor simply gives you the tools and prompts to bring that experience onto the page.
• You have excitement around your writing: Learning is a whole lot easier when you actually care about the topic.
• You are more up to the challenge than you may realize: Writers have a tendency to not believe in themselves, even when they’re good at what they do and are pursuing an artistic vision. Yes, even NYT bestsellers. Yes, even tenured professors.

Some writers might talk themselves out of taking a class simply because of their age. Perhaps they feel like they were last in school so long ago, how can they expect to learn anything now? Or, why try to catch up on learning creative writing, when there are so many people who are younger and more ahead of the game?

It might also feel disheartening, in a way, to take up a skill you wanted to learn so many years ago, but never had the chance to. Is it worth trying to learn creative writing at this stage in life?

Absolutely, yes. Writers.com has students taking our classes well into their 70s and 80s; a few are even older.

More importantly, worrying about whether you’re good enough, smart enough, talented enough, young enough, or anything else are simply manifestations of the feeling that your words don’t matter. They do. Everyone has a story that deserves to be told, and everyone deserves to learn how to tell their stories.

If anything, it’s brave and inspiring to learn new skills later in life. We can always grow and develop as people. Besides, there are plenty of people who know how to write well, but have nothing to write about. Now that you’ve been alive for a while, you probably have much more to say than someone in their 20s or 30s—which is not to say that their stories are unimportant, only that they don’t have as much depth and life experience.

Again, if you’re considering enrolling in creative writing classes for adults, take the plunge. You will find yourself getting excited and comfortable much sooner than you think, and once you start writing, you probably won’t be able to stop.

Of course, creative writing classes still involve work—even if it’s work you want to do. So there are a few things to think about before you enroll to make classes you take truly beneficial towards your writing journey.

First, ask yourself: what is it that I want to get out of a class? Some options include:

• Writing a large portion of a writing project, such as a novel, memoir, or poetry collection.
• Strengthening my abilities as a writer and learning new skills.
• Getting feedback on work that I want to eventually publish.
• Finding inspiration and new ideas to write towards.
• Developing community with writers who share my passion and interests.

There are other reasons to join creative writing classes for adults, but these ones stand out as the most common. Not every class will meet every need, so you want to consider what it is you’re hoping to gain from a class so that you enroll in the right one for you.

Once you enroll, you can ensure you get the most out of the class by having a consistent writing practice and dedicating enough time for the class.

While online writing classes for adults are a lot of fun, they can also be a lot of work. Setting aside a consistent amount of time to read the lectures, write towards the assignments, and respond to other students’ work is essential to learning what you enrolled to learn. Be prepared to focus—and, if you need to, be prepared to create the space you need to focus, whether that’s in your house, at a coffee shop or library, or even out in nature.

And, once your class ends, treat that time you carved out as sacred. When you have a consistent writing practice, you’ll be amazed at how much work you can get done.

Here are some additional guides we’ve put together on getting the most out of online creative writing classes for adults:

• 8 Things to Know About Taking Fiction Classes Online
• 8 Things to Know About Taking Creative Nonfiction Fiction Classes Online
• 8 Things to Know About Taking Poetry Classes Online
• 12 Things to Look For in the Best Online Writing Classes
• Creative Writing Programs

Take Your Next Course at Writers.com!

Whether you’re new to writing poetry or finishing the Next Great American Novel, Writers.com has a class for you. Take a look at our upcoming online courses , where you’ll receive expert instruction and feedback on everything you write.

Sean Glatch

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CREATIVE WRITING AT STANFORD

Whether you’re just beginning to write or putting the finishing touches on your first novel, our on-campus and online writing courses offer expert instruction, individual attention, and supportive feedback at all levels, in all genres of creative writing. Most of the instructors in our program have established careers as novelists, journalists, playwrights, and screenwriters. Many have served as fellows in Stanford’s prestigious Stegner Creative Writing Program. Choose from writing courses in creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, memoir, magazine writing, travel writing, the short story and more. Stanford Continuing Studies offers writing workshops and online and on-campus writing courses, so you can choose the format that best fits your schedule.

FEATURED CREATIVE WRITING COURSES

Write a Novel in 30 Days: No Critics, No Fear

An Author's Guide to Publishing: Get Your Work into the World

Poetry Workshop: Locating the Language of Your Life

Creative Nonfiction Workshop: Crafting a Narrative Voice

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Open to all adults.
• No admission requirements.
• Engaging courses.
• New courses added every quarter.
• Experience the Stanford campus in person or online.

HOW TO REGISTER

The fastest and easiest way to register for courses is online. You may browse through the website, add courses to your cart, and then complete the online registration process . If you already know which courses you want to register for, you may go to View Cart and begin registration.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

List of All U.S. Colleges with a Creative Writing Major

Writing has been my passion practically since I learned to read in kindergarten. I would write stories about princesses and my family dog, Gansett. When it came time to look at colleges, I was set on attending one with a strong creative writing program. Ultimately, I graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in Writing Seminars.

Today, colleges across the country offer creative writing as a major. Because writing skills are essential for a wide range of careers, and because most curricula emphasize broad liberal arts competencies, a degree in creative writing can set you up for success in numerous fields, whether you want to be an editor or a lawyer.

Interested in majoring in creative writing? Learn which schools offer the major and what to look for in a program.

Overview of the Creative Writing Major

Creative writing is about more than spinning tales. For your major, you’ll generally need to pursue a curriculum grounded in literature, history, foreign language, and other humanities courses, along with distribution courses, if the college requires them.

Most creative writing majors must participate in workshops, in which students present their work and listen to peer critiques, usually with a certain number of advanced courses in the mix. In some cases, colleges will ask you to specialize in a particular genre, such as fiction, poetry, or playwriting. 

To succeed in creative writing, you’ll need to have a tough spine, in order to open yourself up to feedback from your classmates and instructors. You may need to give readings in public — if not as an undergraduate, certainly during your career. Of course, a passion for creating is essential, too, as is a willingness to revise your work and learn from the greats and your peers.

A creative writing major opens up doors to many careers, including journalism, content marketing, copywriting, teaching, and others. Even careers that don’t center around writing often have a strong writing component: you’ll need to write reports, deliver presentations, and so on.

Some writers go on to earn an MFA, which will help you hone your craft. It’s also often a prerequisite for teaching creative writing at the college level.

What to Look for in a College as a Creative Writing Major

Published authors on faculty.

Many world-renowned authors have another claim to fame: professorships. Writers who have taught their craft include (among many others):

• Maya Angelou (Wake Forest University)
• Colson Whitehead (many colleges, including Vassar College and Columbia University)
• Stephen Dixon (Johns Hopkins University)
• Viet Thanh Nguyen (University of Southern California)
• Eula Biss (Northwestern University)
• Toni Morrison (Princeton University)

Be aware that as an undergraduate, you may not be able to learn from the greats. That’s why it’s important to look into which courses these faculty teach before you have dreams of being mentored by Salman Rushdie — who is a Distinguished Writer in Residence at NYU.

Genres Offered

While many schools that have creative writing majors offer fiction and poetry courses and tracks, there are some niche genres that could be more difficult to find. If you’re interested in playwriting, for example, you won’t find that at every school. Before you decide on a program, be sure it includes the genres you’d like to explore further, whether that’s flash fiction, creative nonfiction, or something else.

Workshopping Opportunities

The core of most quality creative writing curriculum is workshopping. This means sharing your work in your classes and listening to your peers discuss and critique it. While this may sound intimidating, it can do a lot to help you hone your work and become a better writer. Look for colleges that make this the bedrock of their curriculum.

Showcasing Opportunities

Are there opportunities to present your work, such as college-sponsored readings where undergraduates can participate? Or, perhaps the school has a great literary journal. At my school, students could submit their plays and have them performed by fellow students. 

List of All U.S. Colleges With a Creative Writing Major

What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?

No matter what major you’re considering, the first step is ensuring you’re academically comparable to students who were previously accepted to the college or university. Most selective schools use the Academic Index to filter out applicants who aren’t up to their standards.

You’ll also want to demonstrate your fit with the school and specific major with the qualitative components of your application, like your extracurriculars and essays. For a prospective creative writing major, the essay is particularly important because this is a way to demonstrate your writing prowess. Activities might include editing your school’s newspaper or literary journal, publishing your work, and participating in pre-college writing workshops.

Want to know your chances of being accepted to top creative writing schools? Try our Chancing Engine (it’s free). Unlike other calculators, it takes your individual profile into account, including academic stats and qualitative components like your activities. Give it a try and get a jumpstart on your journey as a creative writing major!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Earning A Master’s In Creative Writing: What To Know

Updated: Nov 1, 2023, 1:51pm

Do you want to create written work that ignites a reader’s imagination and even changes their worldview? With a master’s in creative writing, you can develop strong storytelling and character development skills, equipping you to achieve your writing goals.

If you’re ready to strengthen your writing chops and you enjoy writing original works to inspire others, tell interesting stories and share valuable information, earning a master’s in creative writing may be the next step on your career journey.

The skills learned in a creative writing master’s program qualify you to write your own literary works, teach others creative writing principles or pursue various other careers.

This article explores master’s degrees in creative writing, including common courses and concentrations, admission requirements and careers that use creative writing skills. Read on to learn more about earning a master’s degree in creative writing.

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What Is a Master’s in Creative Writing?

A master’s in creative writing is an advanced degree that helps you develop the skills to write your own novel, poetry, screenplay or nonfiction book. This degree can also prepare you for a career in business, publishing, education, marketing or communications.

In a creative writing master’s degree program, you can expect to analyze literature, explore historical contexts of literary works, master techniques for revising and editing, engage in class workshops and peer critiques, and write your own original work.

Creative writing master’s programs usually require a thesis project, which should be well-written, polished and ready to publish. Typical examples of thesis projects include poetry collections, memoirs, essay collections, short story collections and novels.

A master’s in creative writing typically requires about 36 credits and takes two years to complete. Credit requirements and timelines vary by program, so you may be able to finish your degree quicker.

Specializations for a Master’s in Creative Writing

Below are a few common concentrations for creative writing master’s programs. These vary by school, so your program’s offerings may look different.

This concentration helps you develop fiction writing skills, such as plot development, character creation and world-building. A fiction concentration is a good option if you plan to write short stories, novels or other types of fiction.

A nonfiction concentration focuses on the mechanics of writing nonfiction narratives. If you plan to write memoirs, travel pieces, magazine articles, technical documents or nonfiction books, this concentration may suit you.

Explore the imagery, tone, rhythm and structure of poetry with a poetry concentration. With this concentration, you can expect to develop your poetry writing skills and learn to curate poetry for journals and magazines.

Screenwriting

Screenwriting is an excellent concentration to explore if you enjoy creating characters and telling stories to make them come alive for television or film. This specialization covers how to write shorts, episodic serials, documentaries and feature-length film scripts.

Admission Requirements for a Master’s in Creative Writing

Below are some typical admission requirements for master’s in creative writing degree programs. These requirements vary, so check with your program to ensure you’ve met the appropriate requirements.

• Application for admission
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Transcripts from previous education
• Writing samples
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement or essay

Common Courses in a Master’s in Creative Writing

Story and concept.

This course focuses on conceptualizing, planning and developing stories on a structural level. Learners study how to generate ideas, develop interesting plots, create outlines, draft plot arcs, engage in world-building and create well-rounded characters who move their stories forward.

Graduate Studies in English Literature

Understanding literature is essential to building a career in creative writing. This course prepares you to teach, study literature or write professionally. Expect to discuss topics such as phonology, semantics, dialects, syntax and the history of the English language.

Workshop in Creative Nonfiction

You’ll study classic and contemporary creative nonfiction in this course. Workshops in creative nonfiction explore how different genres have emerged throughout history and how previous works influence new works. In some programs, this course focuses on a specific theme.

Foundations in Fiction

In this course, you’ll explore how the novel has developed throughout literary history and how the short story emerged as an art form. Coursework includes reading classic and contemporary works, writing response essays and crafting critical analyses.

MA in Creative Writing vs. MFA in Creative Writing: What’s the Difference?

While the degrees are similar, a master of arts in creative writing is different from a master of fine arts in creative writing. An MA in creative writing teaches creative writing competencies, building analytical skills through studying literature, literary theory and related topics. This lets you explore storytelling along with a more profound knowledge of literature and literary theory.

If you want your education to take a more academic perspective so you can build a career in one of many fields related to writing, an MA in creative writing may be right for you.

An MFA prepares you to work as a professional writer or novelist. MFA students graduate with a completed manuscript that is ready for publishing. Coursework highlights subjects related to the business of writing, such as digital publishing, the importance of building a platform on social media , marketing, freelancing and teaching. An MA in creative writing also takes less time and requires fewer credits than an MFA.

If you want to understand the business of writing and work as a professional author or novelist, earning an MFA in creative writing might be your best option.

What Can You Do With a Master’s in Creative Writing?

Below are several careers you can pursue with a master’s in creative writing. We sourced salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Postsecondary Creative Writing Teacher

Median Annual Salary: $74,280 Minimum Required Education: Ph.D. or another doctoral degree; master’s degree may be accepted at some schools and community colleges Job Overview: Postsecondary teachers, also known as professors or faculty, teach students at the college level. They plan lessons, advise students, serve on committees, conduct research, publish original research, supervise graduate teaching assistants, apply for grants for their research and teach subjects in their areas of expertise.

Median Annual Salary: $73,080 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in English or a related field Job Overview: Editors plan, revise and edit written materials for publication. They work for newspapers, magazines, book publishers, advertising agencies, media networks, and motion picture and video production companies. Editors work closely with writers to ensure their written work is accurate, grammatically correct and written in the appropriate style for the medium.

Median Annual Salary: $55,960 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field Job Overview: Journalists research and write stories about local, regional, national and global current events and other newsworthy subjects. Journalists need strong interviewing, editing, analytical and writing skills. Some journalists specialize in a subject, such as sports or politics, and some are generalists. They work for news organizations, magazines and online publications, and some work as freelancers.

Writer or Author

Median Annual Salary: $73,150 Minimum Required Education: None; bachelor’s degree in creative writing or a related field sometimes preferred Job Overview: Writers and authors write fiction or nonfiction content for magazines, plays, blogs, books, television scripts and other forms of media. Novelists, biographers, copywriters, screenwriters and playwrights all fall into this job classification. Writers may work for advertising agencies, news platforms, book publishers and other organizations; some work as freelancers.

Technical Writer

Median Annual Salary: $79,960 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree Job Overview: Technical writers craft technical documents, such as training manuals and how-to guides. They are adept at simplifying technical information so lay people can easily understand it. Technical writers may work with technical staff, graphic designers, computer support specialists and software developers to create user-friendly finished pieces.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About a Master's in Creative Writing

Is a master’s in creative writing useful.

If your goal is to launch a career as a writer, then yes, a master’s in creative writing is useful. An MA in creative writing is a versatile degree that prepares you for various jobs requiring excellent writing skills.

Is an MFA better than an MA for creative writing?

One is not better than the other; you should choose the one that best equips you for the career you want. An MFA prepares you to build a career as a professional writer or novelist. An MA prepares you for various jobs demanding high-level writing skills.

What kind of jobs can you get with a creative writing degree?

A creative writing degree prepares you for many types of writing jobs. It helps you build your skills and gain expertise to work as an editor, writer, author, technical writer or journalist. This degree is also essential if you plan to teach writing classes at the college level.

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Sheryl Grey is a freelance writer who specializes in creating content related to education, aging and senior living, and real estate. She is also a copywriter who helps businesses grow through expert website copywriting, branding and content creation. Sheryl holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Indiana University South Bend, and she received her teacher certification training through Bethel University’s Transition to Teaching program.

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Self-paced online courses

Start your next chapter with a self-paced online writing course from National Centre for Writing

We all have busy lives, and it can be hard to find the time to learn new skills. That’s why our self-paced online courses are designed to fit around your schedule – progress through at your own pace, with zero pressure!

NCW Academy self-paced online writing courses are designed by experienced tutors and published writers who share their advice, techniques and best practice through a range of short videos and written exercises. Whether you want to explore writing habits and routines, boost your confidence, tackle character and plot or experiment with a new genre, this is a chance to learn something new and improve your craft at your own pace.

Sign up to a free or low-cost course today and progress while balancing work, school or family commitments. These simple to access courses are specifically created to suit writers at all stages, whether you have a lot or just a little time to dedicate to your practice. All you need is a computer and a love of writing.

How to Write Real People in Memoir

How do you write about someone you know? This course unpicks the thorny questions around truth, memory, and narrative.

How to Write True Crime

Learn the tools and techniques needed to write a compelling true crime novel, article, or script for a podcast or documentary.

How to Create Suspense in Fiction

In this course, you’ll learn how to keep your readers on the edge of their seat, no matter what genre your novel is.

First Steps in Short Form Poetry

Super-short forms of writing give us the gift of concision; the ability to drive straight to the beating heart of something.

New Ways with Short Form Poetry

There are new poetic forms, trends and traditions being created all the time. Aki Schilz, editor and poet, has been at the forefront of super-short form poetic trends and is here to guide you through the latest in super-short poetry.

How to Write Unreliable Narrators

How do you create a narrator your reader can’t trust? In this course, you’ll look at the ways in which an unreliable narrator can add intrigue, suspense, and drama into your narrative, and you’ll experiment with creating your own unreliable narrators.

How to Write Young Adult Fiction: Characters and Conflicts

Discover tools and techniques to help you create compelling characters and plot your YA Novel.

Writing Characters for Middle-Grade Fiction

Join award-winning children’s author Mitch Johnson as he guides you through the techniques and art of creating characters that will appeal to middle-grade readers.

Writing Science Fiction: World Building

Start building your science fiction world in this free course, hosted by Ian Nettleton. All stories need good settings but science fiction has its own unique and particular needs, whether you’re writing in the past, an alternative present or the far future. This course guides you through classic sci-fi settings and explores ways to craft your own.

Writing Science Fiction: Plotting & Endings

Discover how to plot a story, from its beginnings through to redrafting and its end, with tutor Ian Nettleton.

Writing Science Fiction: Characters & Point of View

Science fiction is known for its incredible world-building, brain-melting ideas and imaginative technology. But a story doesn’t come to life without engaging characters, no matter the genre, and this course is designed to help you infuse your sci-fi stories with memorable characters.

Writing Science Fiction Bundle

This huge bundle includes all three Writing Science Fiction courses, taught by Ian Nettleton: World Building, Characters & Point of View and Plotting & Endings.

Professional insights

Know Your Publishing Options

The world of publishing can be confusing and intimidating. This course is your map to navigating the different paths to publication, from the traditional Big 5 to the DIY ethos of self-publishing. Along the way you’ll find out about the emerging possibilities of social and online publishing and learn how to identify and avoid the scams.

How to Make Money From Your Writing

In this self-paced course, you’ll be guided through the world of finance as a writer.

Confidence & productivity

How to Write More and Stay Happy

Building on our free Supercharge Your Writing course, writer and tutor Ben Johncock reveals more tips and tricks for writing more, writing faster and staying healthy as a writer. Packed with exercises, this course will help you push past writer’s block, identify bad habits and use technology responsibly.

How to be a Confident Poet

That’s the theory. In reality, it can be a challenge to think of yourself as a poet, no matter how far through you are in your writing career. Anna Cathenka has been on that same journey to find her confidence as a writer and, in this course, shares what she’s learned to give you self-belief in your work.

Supercharge Your Writing

We want to help you be a writer. This free course is packed full of advice to help you examine your habits and figure out how you can increase your productivity. It’s also been designed to not take up much of your time – in just one weekend you’ll be able to revitalise your writing.

Why study with National Centre for Writing?

National Centre for Writing has been supporting writers to develop their craft for over 25 years. Our self-paced online writing courses are unique in offering:

• Bitesize, in-your-own-time learning from anywhere in the world, at any time
• An easy online platform — all you need is a phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer with an internet connection
• Learning for all budgets; start with a free course to see if it suits your needs
• Teaching from published writers with extensive experience in teaching creative writing, who are experts in their field
• Courses that are yours to keep. Once you’ve signed you can come back to it at any time
• Personal assistance and troubleshooting from our learning support team
• The opportunity to join our NCW Alumni, a network of like-minded writers and translators from around the world

The course has really helped me think about my writing practice and what makes me tick, the sort of personality I have and how to maximise my opportunities to write. The suggestions were clearly grounded and practical and made no assumptions about what background I was writing against. This was refreshing. The content and quotes were amusing too. It lifted my spirits!

How do courses work?

We want to make sure that you get the most out of our self-paced online writing courses and feel confident that you’re choosing the right course. Each course contains a mixture of videos, reading and short writing exercises.

We have partnered with digital learning platform  Teachable  to host our self-paced courses. The platform is accessible across a range of devices, simple to use, and does not require any specialist equipment.

Click to read more about how they are structured and what equipment you may need.

As a full time carer, I hugely value the free resources as a motivational tool, when I have time! Impossible for me to meet the costs or the time commitment for courses at the moment. I used to teach creative writing with adults. I know the value of writing for the sake of writing. It is nice sometimes to have that external reminder and support. Thank you!

Want the latest courses and resources straight to your inbox?

Sign up for the NCW Academy newsletter and we’ll send you regular updates on courses, workshops, mentoring, free resources, videos, writing tips and more.

Got a question? Not sure what’s right for you?

If you want to find out more about how our courses work and whether a course is right for you, click here.

If you still have questions, get in touch with the learning team by email [email protected] or phone (+44) 01603 877177 between our working hours of 9am – 5pm BST, Monday to Friday.

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Writing for Children and Young Adults – 12-month

Introduction.

Formerly Story Foundations , the Golden Egg Academy Writing for Children and Young Adults course has been compared to completing an MA in your own novel. With a strong industry focus, we examine the craft of storytelling in depth, including modules on structure, character, voice and the needs of middle grade and young adult readers in today’s market. This course will suit talented applicants at all levels, from those completing their first draft to those who have gained an MA in Creative Writing.

Course start date: January 2025

Application deadline: 31st October 2024

If the button does not work, please copy and paste the email address below.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

We require applicants to have at least 15,000 words of their novel written, plus a plan for the direction of the story, before the course commences.

To apply, please send the following documents to [email protected] :

• the first 5,000 words of your story;
• a 500-word synopsis;
• please state your region of residence.

Please submit your work in a Word document, double-spaced.

All UK and international applications and course queries to Charlotte Maslen at [email protected] .

*All workshops and online sessions will be run on GMT or GMT+1. Please discuss with Charlotte if this is suitable for your time zone.

You will be contacted in November/December with the outcome of your application.

NB: We do our utmost to ensure dates do not change from those stated prior to the course start date. However, on the rare occasion this happens, students will be given as much notice as possible.

COURSE OVERVIEW

As the marketplace becomes increasingly competitive, aspiring children’s authors need to ensure that they put their best work forward to agents and publishers. Through our tried and tested, carefully structured course, we analyse the core elements needed to build a story worthy of a young reader’s attention.

Golden Egg’s  Writing for Children and Young Adults  course is run over three, nine-week long terms. Each course includes:

• three, full-day workshops, conducted online (held at the weekend or during the week)
• editor-led live sessions (hosted on a weekday evening or during the day)
• interactive Facebook group
• twenty-four interactive workbooks with videos, information slides & exercises
• three forty-five minute one2ones with your dedicated Golden Egg Editor. Please note that each editorial takes three hours of an editor’s time consisting of reading your pages, writing notes and a forty five minute one2one editorial over zoom or in person.
• the realities of the world of children’s publishing
• the child’s and young adult’s point of view
• the strength and communicability of your story idea.

You will work on analysing your own story and recently published children’s novels in terms of:

• narratorial focus
• emotional drive.

Term structure:

• led by the course leader
• eight interactive workbooks with videos, information slides & exercises
• 8,000 words of your novel
• your key story and synopsis.
• different strategies for structuring a story, including the GEA 10 Story Points*
• the GEA 10 Story Points within your own novel, published children’s novels and films
• your concept, through-line and emotional drive using the GEA BookMap Lite©*.

Using the BookMap Lite© you will identify and strengthen:

• your main character’s goals
• the hurdles your character must overcome and what they have to lose
• your elevator pitch and synopsis.
• 4,000 words of your novel
• the structure of your whole story using the BookMap Lite©.

*Structure tools created by the Golden Egg Academy specifically for children’s books.

• the deep emotional connection between reader and story characters
• dramatising your novel for a truly immersive story experience
• the importance of show and tell, or dramatisation and exposition, within your novel.

You will also develop your understanding of:

• the children’s book market
• the importance of high-concept fiction
• book covers and blurbs
• how publishers sell a novel and why it’s important for the editing process.

Term Structure:

• one, full-day workshop online (held at the weekend or during the week)
• examining 8,000 words of your novel
• your agents style query document (top sheet)
• recommending your next steps within Golden Egg or the industry, with an option to book an editorial report on your novel.

SUCCESS STORIES

Alumni of Writing for Children and Young Adults have gone on to sign publishing deals with Penguin Random House, The Chicken House, Usborne, Walker Books and Scholastic UK, amongst others. Numerous writers have also signed contracts with literary agents such as Skylark Literary Agency and The Shaw Agency, to name a few. Click here to learn more about Golden Egg Academy success stories.

Please click here to see all Frequently Asked Questions about our fiction courses. If you have any questions that haven’t been answered please get in contact with  [email protected] . 

Cost for January 2025 £1995.00

This can be paid in one lump sum at the outset or with a £495.00 deposit, followed by 12 equal payments of £125.00 at no additional cost.

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