We take stock. We look ahead. We make plans. In this new year, have you a thirst to improve your writing? Start now!
The selection of online writing courses seems to expand daily. Now dozens of respected organizations offer quality classes.
Here are 10 to Consider*:
The Writers Studio
Offering beginner to advanced workshops in fiction and poetry. Classes are 10 weeks, with an emphasis on "encouraging students to try on voices and attempt a variety of narrative techniques as a way of discovering their own material and personal voices." Now offering free Craft Class podcast.
WoodSprings Institute
University-level literary instruction, offering workshops in poetry, short story, novel, creative non-fiction, and memoir. Also: manuscript mentoring and MFA prep courses.
UCLA Extension Writers' Program
A pioneer in online offerings, UCLA has 175 beginning to advanced-level online courses in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, writing for the youth market, feature film writing and television writing. Classes are typically 10-weeks, though some 6-week and 12-week options are available.
Stanford Continuing Studies
The Writer's Studio offers approximately 20 courses every quarter in the principal genres of creative writing— novel, short story, poetry, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting. All writing levels welcome.
MOOC - Massive Open Online Course
It's the Year of the MOOC, according to the New York Times. The world of free, online, university-level courses is growing, from Coursera to Udacity and dozens more. Classes skew to science and technology with writing classes in short supply but that may change, and quickly. In fact, the number of MOOCs has become so unwieldy that outside websites have popped up to sort and rate courses and providers, see knollop and coursetalk.
The Loft Literary Center
Classes for adult and youth, online and on-site, all writing genres. Serves beginning, intermediate and advanced writers. Scholarships available.
Lisa Romeo's I Should Be Writing! Boot Camp
Led by no-nonsense nonfiction writer Lisa Romeo, this popular tough-love class helps turn the stuck, blocked, and rutted into happily producing writers. The six-week course is open to both new and seasoned writers.
Gotham Writers' Workshop
With more than 7,000 students annually, this New York-based organization is one of the most popular writing resources. Their interactive classes have been named Best of the Web by Forbes magazine. Six and 10 week workshops available in seemingly every genre.
Chicago School of Poetics
Offering online classes fostering innovative poetics. Students use visual web conferencing, desktop sharing, and collaborative whiteboards. The school offers "an alternative to, and a community beyond, the Creative Writing MFA."
Cambridge Writers' Workshop
Offering creative writing courses and literary salons in a variety of genres, including translation and manuscript prep. Classes run six to 10 weeks.
Have you taken a class from any of these organizations? Did you love it? hate it? Would you take another? I'd love to hear your experience!
*This is NOT a sponsored list. No compensation has been offered, considered or received.