Online Writing Courses - International Writers' Collective (2024)

ONLINE WRITING COURSES

Writing need not be a lonely activity. Join one of our online writing courses to enhance your skills, ignite your imagination and enjoy a supportive writing community.

Our online courses run for 8 weeks Winter, Spring and Autumn, with some shorter introductory options during the Summer. All courses are conducted in English. We also offer private coaching online and manuscript reviews by email. Many of our students view our programme as a more affordable and flexible alternative to an MFA because the education offered in form and craft is very similar.

You can see upcoming online Level I courses on this page. Just click on the course for more detail and to register. To see our full offering of online and in-person classes in Amsterdam, check out our course catalog. If you already have a degree in creative writing or have taken multiple technique-focused courses, contact us and we’ll help you find the right course to meet your needs.

Have questions? See our extensive list of FAQs or drop us a line. We're happy to set up a call with an instructor.

HOW IT WORKS

Each week we'll be getting together online for a one-hour chat about craft. It's also an opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and get to know your fellow writers. You can join by video or audio-only if you prefer. If you can’t attend the live session, don’t worry—you'll receive notes and access to a recording so you don’t miss anything.

There will be an exercise to do in your own time, which you can share in our online forum a couple of days before the next live session. You'll receive feedback in writing from the teacher and fellow writers. We'll talk more about how to give constructive feedback in the first class.

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY

"I would wholeheartedly recommend this course - either the in person workshop or the online. I've put off taking these for years because there was always something more important...which, in my mind, already prevented me from justifying the time and expense. Putting aside that thought and actually doing something which I love to do, something which will help me achieve what I actually enjoy doing has been the best gift I could give myself. I don't even think of it as a gift anymore - this is just what I need." -Kristen Langereis

"I found the quality of the instruction excellent, inspiring, and generally what I needed to get myself writing again. The other participants were also quite good, and I really enjoyed reading and critiquing the pieces each week." -Lauren Danahy

"I loved having the weekly chats to discuss each exercise. Even though we couldn't meet in person, I felt that the class was very engaged. As in previous classes, I learned many new skills. And I really feel like with the International Writers' Collective, there is a sense of community, and being part of a writing community that is supportive and constructive really helps one develop as a writer." -Jessica Pena

"It makes you write and keeps you writing and editing and writing and improving. The feedback is very helpful clear and worthwhile. I would recommend the course to any blocked writers." -Deborah Culhane

"These classes are so encouraging for someone wanting to write. I’ve been trying to write a novel for for years but never took a creative writing class nor advanced classes in English lit. So for someone like me without any formal training it’s been trial and error and trying to learn from craft books and blogs. Actually talking to other writers and learning techniques from an actual teacher has been SOOOOOOOOOO helpful!! The editing techniques alone were worth the price of admission! Also the very basics of tone and mood, something I now consciously think about when sitting down to write a scene. SO helpful! It’s also encouraging being around others who know the pain of drafts and rewrites and all the other challenges (and nightmares!) that come from writing. I'd absolutely recommend this course, for both the craft skills and the community." -Marcus Young

“I felt it was a good value for money... Other courses (Stanford Continuing Studies) require more and have more readings, but are also twice as expensive. In terms of feedback and quality of instruction, Stanford CS and IWC are very similar.” -Katheryn M.

You can read more student reviews on our feedback page.

OUR REFUND POLICY

No matter how early you register, if something changes and you can’t join the course, you can let us know at least 72 hours before the first class (so we can offer your spot to someone else) and we’ll give you a complete refund. If you decide to drop out after the first class, let us know within 24 hours, and you only pay for the first class—we'll refund the rest. You can find the full details of our generous refund policy in our terms.

Online Writing Courses - International Writers' Collective (2024)

FAQs

What is the best course for writers? ›

  • Creative Writing.
  • Email Writing and Etiquette.
  • Writing a Book.
  • Novel Writing.
  • Academic Writing.
  • Content Marketing.
  • Storytelling.
  • English Writing.

Is doing a creative writing course worth it? ›

And while I always say that the best way to grow as an author is to START writing and learn from your own failures and mistakes, taking the time to educate yourself with a writing course (or two!) is a great way to hone your skills and keep those creative juices flowing.

Can I take a writing class online? ›

With online writing courses, any learner can master the skills needed to become a strong writer. Start with the fundamentals in an online grammar course, where you can learn about the different parts of speech, punctuation, conjugation, and sentence structure.

Where can I learn online writing? ›

Most people can write but to elevate your skillset and become a proficient and confident writer, we recommend one of Alison's free online diploma courses in writing skills. These explore the topic in depth with lessons that take up to 20 hours generally.

What kind of writing is in most demand? ›

Below are some topics and types of writing in high demand:
  • Book writing (ghostwriting)
  • Case studies.
  • Cryptocurrency.
  • Digital marketing.
  • E-commerce.
  • Email marketing.
  • Healthcare and medical writing.
  • In-depth guides or long-form blog posts.
Jan 4, 2023

What is the best online writing school? ›

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular writing courses
  • Creative Writing: Wesleyan University.
  • Good with Words: Writing and Editing: University of Michigan.
  • Academic English: Writing: University of California, Irvine.
  • Write Your First Novel: Michigan State University.
  • Writing in English at University: Lund University.

Is creative writing a hard degree? ›

Yes, you get a focused writing period, but this also takes a lot of time. An undergraduate degree lasts for three years minimum. If you have other priorities, it can be hard to juggle assignments, writing tasks, visiting talks, and social events.

Is creative writing a skill or talent? ›

If you observe closely, you will notice that to be a good writer, requires a blend of talent and acquired skill. The best writers have a natural talent with words manipulation and a good education in the use of their chosen language. Writing is not skill or talent, Writing is skill and talent.

Is creative writing a difficult course? ›

Creative writing takes a lot of hard work, but there are few things that stretch your imagination and storytelling abilities as well. It isn't always given the respect it deserves as a topic of study, but you'll learn a set of valuable and transferable skills if you take a creative writing course.

What is best course for English writing? ›

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular english writing courses
  • Writing in English at University: Lund University.
  • Academic English: Writing: University of California, Irvine.
  • English Composition I: Duke University.
  • English for Career Development: University of Pennsylvania.

How do I become a beginner writer online? ›

10 Ways to break into freelance writing without experience
  1. Write samples. ...
  2. Find a writing agency to support you. ...
  3. Launch a blog. ...
  4. Write for friends and family. ...
  5. Network with other freelance writers. ...
  6. Get your start with a content network. ...
  7. Revise and refresh your grammar. ...
  8. Learn about SEO.

What do I need to start online writing? ›

What tools do you need to get started as an online writer?
  1. A computer. You need a way to type your content easily. The most portable option is a laptop. ...
  2. An internet connection. While you can do the actual writing part offline, you're going to need an internet connection fairly regularly as an online writer.
Mar 29, 2021

What is the most trusted online writing services? ›

College-Paper.org – best choice for college paper writing

College-Paper.org offers top-notch research papers, essays, term papers, dissertations, among other writing services. It offers custom-created college papers at any difficulty level and on any subject. The writers have master's degrees and Ph. D.

Can I get a creative writing degree online? ›

Earning an online creative writing degree typically costs less than an in-person program. However, online students may need to pay extra fees, such as technology or tech support fees. Online students might need to visit campus for in-person classes or meetings. They should budget for travel costs.

What is the highest paying writing career? ›

High Paying Creative Writer Jobs
  • Writer Producer. Salary range: $51,000-$78,000 per year. ...
  • Book Reviewer. Salary range: $47,000-$76,000 per year. ...
  • Script Writer. Salary range: $40,500-$73,000 per year. ...
  • Staff Writer. Salary range: $47,000-$65,000 per year. ...
  • Ghost Writer. ...
  • Freelance Writer. ...
  • Blog Writer. ...
  • Writer.

Do I need a degree to be a good writer? ›

Writing is an ability that requires practice, but that practice can come in many forms. Some writers find career success with a degree while others use their writing experience and professional network to create a career path.

How do I become a writer career? ›

10 Tips for starting a career as an author
  1. Study writing. Consider taking courses or attending writer's workshops to learn more about the craft of writing. ...
  2. Read a lot. ...
  3. Find your genre. ...
  4. Consider part-time work. ...
  5. Write as often as possible. ...
  6. Start small. ...
  7. Join a writing group. ...
  8. Find an agent.
Feb 16, 2023

Is there a degree for writers? ›

A bachelor's degree in writing provides learners with essential training in the effective use of narrative, rhetoric, and communication skills. Learners may apply these skills in fields such as journalism, technical writing, and content strategy.

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