What are the best creative writing courses on Coursera?

Top options include the Creative Writing Specialization from Wesleyan University and Write Your First Novel from Michigan State University . These courses focus on fiction, memoir, poetry , and narrative techniques to help you develop your voice and writing style.

Can I learn creative writing for free on Coursera?

Yes. Many creative writing courses offer a free audit option, allowing you to access video lessons and readings at no cost. To earn a certificate or complete peer-reviewed assignments, you’ll need to upgrade or apply for financial aid.

What will I learn in a creative writing course?

You’ll learn how to craft compelling stories, build strong characters, write dialogue, and structure essays, poems , or novels . Some courses also explore revision, publishing basics, and how to give and receive feedback on your work.

Do I need writing experience to take a creative writing course?

Not at all. Many courses are beginner-friendly and help you build skills gradually. Whether you’re just starting out or returning to writing after a break, you’ll find courses that guide you through the creative process.

Can creative writing courses on Coursera help me become a published writer?

Yes. While publication depends on your goals and dedication, Coursera courses can help you strengthen your writing , complete drafts, and explore publishing options. Many learners use these courses to build a portfolio, start a book, or develop professional writing habits.

Top Creative Writing Courses - Learn Creative Writing Online

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Find the Best Creative Writing Course for Your Goals

Status: Free Trial
University of Science and Technology of China
创新思维
Skills you'll gain: Brainstorming, Creative Thinking, Creative Problem-Solving, Problem Solving, Innovation, Resourcefulness, Open Mindset, Curiosity, Needs Assessment, Overcoming Obstacles, Growth Mindedness, Personal Development, Persistence, Critical Thinking, Adaptability
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Instructor Network
Automated Report Generation with Generative AI
Skills you'll gain: Report Writing, Digital Transformation, Automation, Generative AI, Business Reporting, Performance Reporting, Business Process Automation, Organizational Skills, Operational Efficiency, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analysis, Data Integrity
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
39 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Edureka
Introduction to Midjourney
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, ChatGPT, Creative Design, Content Creation
3.6
Rating, 3.6 out of 5 stars
20 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
The State University of New York
Empowering Yourself in a Post-Truth World
Skills you'll gain: Empowerment, Critical Thinking, Media and Communications, Diversity Awareness, Self-Awareness, Research, Literacy, Open Mindset, Collaboration, Community Development, Information Privacy
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
17 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Space is Everywhere
Skills you'll gain: Journalism, Music, Culture, Media and Communications, Liberal Arts, Art History, Storytelling, Creativity, World History, Innovation, Science and Research
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California San Diego
Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Sequences and Loops
Skills you'll gain: Computational Thinking, Education Software and Technology, Programming Principles, Debugging, Computer Programming, Computer Programming Tools, Algorithms, Development Environment, Computer Science
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
25 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Illinois Tech
Introduction to Open Source Application Development
Skills you'll gain: Unified Modeling Language, Debugging, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Python Programming, Computer Programming, System Programming, Pseudocode, Software Design, User Interface (UI), Data Structures, File Management
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
19 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Fundação Instituto de Administração
Liderança Criativa e Inclusiva
Skills you'll gain: Ideation, Creative Thinking, Creativity, Creative Problem-Solving, Innovation, Brainstorming, Cognitive flexibility, Team Motivation, Leadership, Adaptability, Decision Making
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
48 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of California, Santa Cruz
Data-Driven Animation for Science Communication
Skills you'll gain: Scientific Visualization, Data Literacy, Data Visualization Software, Animations, Video Editing, Data Presentation, Data Storytelling, Adobe After Effects, Graphics Software, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Storyboarding, Adobe Premiere, Peer Review, Motion Graphics, Autodesk Maya, Post-Production, Computer Graphic Techniques, Technical Communication, Style Guides, Scripting
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Berklee
Composição: Escrevendo a letra
Skills you'll gain: Musical Composition, Music Theory, Music, Peer Review, Creativity, Music Performance, Writing
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
25 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Google Cloud
BigQuery Soccer Data Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Databases, Big Data, SQL, Data Analysis, Data Science
3.1
Rating, 3.1 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Beginner · Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Data Mining Project
Skills you'll gain: Data Mining, Data Processing, Data Presentation, Analytical Skills, Big Data, Data Pipelines, Data Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Ideation, Technical Communication, Technical Writing
Build toward a degree
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
20 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular creative writing courses

创新思维: University of Science and Technology of China
Automated Report Generation with Generative AI: Coursera Instructor Network
Introduction to Midjourney: Edureka
Empowering Yourself in a Post-Truth World: The State University of New York
Space is Everywhere: University of Colorado Boulder
Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Sequences and Loops: University of California San Diego
Introduction to Open Source Application Development: Illinois Tech
Liderança Criativa e Inclusiva: Fundação Instituto de Administração
Data-Driven Animation for Science Communication: University of California, Santa Cruz
Composição: Escrevendo a letra: Berklee

Creative Writing Courses