11 Best Online Courses For Writing – Free & Paid

If you want to improve your writing, these top 11 best online courses for writing have something for everyone, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced writer.

The general belief that writers struggle to find inspiration when they’re alone isn’t true for current authors. Successful writers today come from a wide range of backgrounds and often get good at what they do through schooling and practice.

A good writing class has an experienced teacher and lots of chances to practice writing in real life. We’ve looked at and put together reviews of the top 11 Best Online Courses For Writing to help you choose the best one.

List of Top 11 Best Online Courses For Writing

There are hundreds of Best Online Courses For Writing that help individuals learn the fundamentals and comprehensive aspects of writing. We have researched and found the top 11 out of them. We have listed both free and paid best online courses for writing below: 

Free Online Courses For Writing

1. Secret Sauce of Great Writing

Udemy is a well-known name in online learning, and as of April 2021, it had over 57 million users. It offers a wide range of paid and free classes. Shani Raja, a former editor of the Wall Street Journal, stands out for teaching “The Secret Sauce of Great Writing.” Raja says that the most important parts of good writing are clarity, simplicity, grace, and evocation. 

He promises that his tips will help you take your writing from ordinary to exciting. The free course, which takes less than an hour to finish, is a great way to improve your writing skills, whether you’re writing a press release or a personal story.

Course information: 

• Price: Free
• Time to complete: 41 minutes
• Prerequisites required: None
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes a verified certificate of completion: No

Who should take this course? Individuals seeking a brief, inspiring course at no cost.

Pros:

• Little-Time Commitment
• Cost-Free Learning
• Experienced Instructor
• Focus on Key Elements
• Broad Applicability
• Flexibility

Cons:

• There was no interaction with the instructor

2. Fundamentals of Business Writing

Engage in a complimentary online business writing course that goes into the fundamental tenets that underpin proficient business correspondence. By placing significant importance on preparation as a critical factor in producing effective business letters, this course provides students with the necessary abilities to articulate ideas in a concise and comprehensible manner for an audience in the business world. 

Once the course is finished, participants will have acquired the capacity to compose business letters that are both unique and expert.

Basic information: 

• Duration: 4 hours a week
• Pricing: Free
• Certificate of Completion: Yes
• Level: Beginner
• Prerequisites: Beginners

Pros:

• Access to the course is provided at no cost, requiring no financial investment.
• Exhaustive Coverage: Incorporates fundamental elements of corporate writing, such as linguistic conventions, strategic document organization, and legal implications.
• Practical Implementation: Provides students with the necessary competencies to compose business letters that are both formal and unique.

Cons:

• Insufficient Interactivity: The course’s interactive components may be absent, thereby diminishing the chances for practical application.
• Lack of Certification: The absence of a formal certification upon course completion may restrict its credibility in a professional environment.

3. Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization

“Good with Words” is a beginner-level online writing course that is offered at no cost and spans four hours per week. Designed to enhance article writing proficiency, this course imparts the knowledge and abilities necessary to convey intricate concepts in an approachable, trustworthy, and easily understandable fashion. 

The curriculum includes activities such as formulating writing strategies, presenting story pitches, conducting extensive research, creating engaging content, refining articles, and submitting packages to editors.

Basic Information:

• Duration: 4 hours a week
• Pricing: Free
• Certificate of Completion: Yes
• Level: Beginner
• Mobile Apps: iOS and Android

Pros:

• Comprehensive Learning” encompasses a wide range of topics, including article submission and writing methodology.
• The implementation of a structured curriculum facilitates the acquisition of fundamental writing skills by novices.
• Cost-free: Offer able to all individuals without regard to financial limitations.
• The course provides a certificate of completion, thereby augmenting its credibility.
• Mobile Accessibility: Easily navigable on devices operating both iOS and Android.

Cons:

• The basic level is designed for novice writers and may not be suitable for more experienced ones.
• Time Restrictions: Some students might find the four-hour weekly commitment to be onerous.

4. Essay Essentials: Improve Your Academic Writing

Designed to improve your essay-writing abilities, the Essay Essentials: Improve Your Academic Writing video course should be investigated. This course provides on-demand video lessons for a total of 1 hour and 14 minutes, all of which are devoted to establishing a strong foundation for effective essay writing. Accredited universities grant a completion certificate after authenticating it.

Basic Information:

• Rating: 4.4
• Pricing: Free
• Duration: 1 hour, 14 minutes of on-demand video
• Certificate of Completion: Yes

Pros:

• “Structured learning via video content available on demand.”
• An officially recognized certificate issued by universities that have been accredited.
• An interactive question-and-answer session was conducted to address any uncertainties.
• By utilizing direct messaging, students can receive personalized assistance from the instructor.

Cons:

• Certain topics may not be able to be thoroughly examined due to the restricted duration.
• The course’s primary emphasis was on fundamental essay skills, potentially limiting the coverage of sophisticated writing techniques.

Paid Online Courses For Writing

5. Writing With Confidence: Writing Beginner to Pro

“Writing With Confidence” is a comprehensive online course designed to enhance your understanding of advertising copywriting so that you can effectively communicate brand messages, generate greater interest, and ultimately increase sales. 

The course, which Michael Duquet created, offers priceless insights into how to create effective advertisements that are suitable for various platforms. Instructor Clare Lynch imparts to students the ability to modify messages and tones for prospective audiences and customer personas. The final chapters go into the proficiency of crafting enticing, harmonious sentences.

Basic Information:

• Duration: 5 hours, 50 minutes
• Pricing: $24.99
• Certificate of Completion: Yes
• Level: Intermediate
• Mobile Apps: iOS and Android

Pros:

• The course provides an extensive duration, ensuring a meticulous analysis of ad copywriting methodologies.
• With a competitive price point of $24.99, this product guarantees accessibility to a wide range of individuals.
• Upon satisfactory course completion, the learner is awarded a Certificate of Completion, which serves to augment their professional credentials.

Cons:

• Lack of a clear platform emphasis: While the course covers advertisement writing for multiple platforms, it might not offer adequate attention to specific advertising mediums.

6. Writing for Children

The Novelry provides a variety of programs, such as The Book in a Year Plan and the Classic Course Box Set, for children’s authors. The $365 Classic Course comprises 45 modules that facilitate a self-directed learning experience. In contrast, The Book in a Year Plan, which provides nine one-on-one sessions with a tutor and costs $1,999, assists authors in every aspect of writing a children’s novel within a year, from conception to publication. 

The platform promotes online inquiries and feedback, offering classes lasting 15 to 20 minutes and advising users to dedicate one hour per day to writing. Feedback and progress monitoring are integral components.

Basic Information:

• Price: $365 to $1,999
• Time to Complete: Self-paced; one-year accessibility
• Prerequisites: None
• Flexible Schedule: Yes
• Includes a verified certificate of completion: Yes

Pros:

• 45 Lessons: Comprehensive coverage through 45 lessons for skill development.
• Created by Booker-listed Author: Courses designed by an author with recognition on the Booker list.
• One-on-One Mentoring: The Book in a Year Plan offers valuable one-on-one mentoring sessions.

Cons:

• Best for Those with a Book Idea: The courses are most suitable for individuals who already have a book idea.
• Higher Cost: The Book in a Year Plan is relatively expensive, limiting accessibility for some writers.

7. Creative Writing Specialization by Wesleyan University

Coursera has a unique way of doing business. They work with well-known schools and universities to offer classes at the college level. The Creative Writing specialization, which is offered in collaboration with Wesleyan University, is made up of five classes that focus on writing short stories, narrative essays, and diaries. 

Learn how to write about people and places, how to describe things, and how to build your style. Get input from your classmates as you progress through the course and follow Wesleyan’s published authors and creative writing specialists’ instructions.

Basic Information:

• Price: $49/month
• Time to Complete: 3-6 months
• Prerequisites: None
• Flexible Schedule: Yes
• Verified Certificate: Yes

Pros:

• Distinguished University Faculty”: teachers at Wesleyan University who are also published writers and experts in creative writing.
• A “7-Day Free Trial” lets people who want to learn more about the course material decide before agreeing.
• Financial Aid Available: Makes it possible by offering different ways to get financial help.

Cons:

• No feedback from teachers: If teachers don’t give you straight feedback, it may be harder to give you individualized help.

8. Two Weeks to Your Best Children’s Book

John Matthew Fox is a successful author, editor, and former college professor who founded Bookfox, which provides enlightening courses covering various aspects of writing with a special focus on children’s literature. Although Bookfox does not have the refined aesthetics of more prominent platforms, it makes up for this with Fox’s profound expertise in the publishing industry.

Basic Information:

• Founder: John Matthew Fox
• Courses: Two Weeks to Your Best Children’s Book, among others
• Content: Comprehensive coverage, from generating ideas to successful book publishing
• Format: Self-paced, 14 lessons, taking up to one year
• Price: $149
• Schedule: Flexible
• Certificate: Verified certificate of completion included

Pros:

•  Instructor Access: • Direct contact with John Matthew Fox for guidance and concerns.
• Supplementary resources, which can be downloaded, serve to enrich the educational experience.
• Money-Back Guarantee: For additional assurance, a money-back guarantee is provided.
• Added Free Writing Resources: The website provides access to supplementary free writing resources.

Cons:

• Limited Options for Courses: The selection of courses is comparatively restricted in contrast to more extensive platforms.

9. Creative Writing 101

Those who are just beginning their writing careers will find Writer’s Digest University to be an invaluable resource. With a plethora of experience and a founding year of 1920, Writer’s Digest provides the Creative Writing 101 course. Designed to assist novice writers who are inspired but uncertain of how to begin, this course guides structuring plots, developing characters, and resolving common writing concerns. A twelve-week course which costs $579.99 represents an investment in high-quality education.

Basic Information:

• Price: $579.99
• Time to complete: 12 weeks
• Prerequisites required: None
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of completion: No

Pros:

• Instructor Feedback: Provides valuable feedback on written assignments.
• Award-Winning Instructor: Courses led by an instructor with recognized achievements.
• Free Writing Resources: Access to additional writing resources.

Cons:

• Limited Sessions: Only 12 sessions are provided in the course.
• Higher Cost: Priced at the higher end for a single course.

10. Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing for Television

MasterClass provides an outstanding assortment of writing courses, our foremost recommendation being Shonda Rhimes MasterClass on television writing. Rhimes, a notable figure in the television industry, offers thirty courses on topics including show running, character development, script structure, authentic dialogue, and editing. In addition to her writing, she imparts wisdom regarding her triumphant trajectory in the world of television.

Basic Information:

• Price: $180 annual membership (access to 100+ classes)
• Time to Complete: Self-paced
• Prerequisites: None
• Flexible Schedule: Yes
• Includes Verified Certificate: No

Pros:

• Instructors at the Top of Their Field: Learn from industry experts like Shonda Rhimes, Neil Gaiman, David Sedaris, and Joyce Carol Oates.
• Comprehensive Learning: Covers various aspects, including character development, script structure, industry insights, and more.
• Access to Multiple Courses: Annual membership provides access to 100+ classes across different disciplines.
• 30-day Guarantee: Offers a 30-day guarantee for added assurance.

Cons:

• Short Class Duration: Classes, on average, are only 10 minutes long, which may limit in-depth exploration of certain topics.

11. Writing Your Story

The esteemed memoirist and author Joyce Maynard is the instructor for CreativeLive’s “Writing Your Story” course, which is a part of their Memoir series. Maynard, renowned for her engrossing pedagogy and autobiographical compositions, infuses her compelling lectures with anecdotes from her own life. 

The course comprises a total of 26 lessons, with each lesson lasting between 5 and 30 minutes. The topics covered in these lessons range from how to approach criticism and rejection to deciding what to write.

Basic Information:

• Price: $11/month for a pass with 1500+ classes; $89 for a single-class purchase
• Time to Complete: Five hours, 19 minutes (26 lessons)
• Prerequisites: None
• Flexible Schedule: Yes
• Verified Certificate: No
• Target Audience: Ideal for individuals interested in sharing their personal stories.

Pros:

• Perpetual Access: Enjoy continuous availability of the course materials.
• Instructor Expertise: Joyce Maynard, a highly regarded author, imparts invaluable knowledge and methodologies.
• Fast Track Option: An alternative for individuals facing time limitations to pursue accelerated learning.

Cons: 

• Supplementary Materials: The provision of supplementary resources is limited.

FAQs

Conclusion 

Taking online courses offers an excellent opportunity to acquire new knowledge and skills. There is no need to visit any place physically. We have mentioned some of the best online courses for writing. You can consider any of them; there are both free and paid courses.