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
Google Cloud
Migrating On-premises MySQL Using a Continuous Database Migration Service Job
Skills you'll gain: MySQL, Data Migration, Google Cloud Platform, Operational Databases, Database Administration, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Database Management
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Advanced · Project · Less Than 2 Hours
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
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 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
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
Alibaba Cloud Academy
Big Data Analysis Deep Dive
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Big Data, Data Processing, Data Visualization Software, Apache Hive, Apache Spark, Apache Hadoop, Pandas (Python Package), Data Manipulation, SQL, Extract, Transform, Load, PySpark, Business Intelligence, Data Integration, Database Management, Cloud Storage
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
33 reviews
Intermediate · 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, Team Motivation, Open Mindset, Leadership, Adaptability, Decision Making
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
48 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
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
Coursera Project Network
Social Media Campaigns with AI: From Strategy to Design
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Canva (Software), Social Media Campaigns, Instagram, Social Media Marketing, Social Media Content, Social Media Strategy, Content Creation, Branding, ChatGPT, Generative AI Agents, Design Elements And Principles, Data Import/Export
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
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
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
Dartmouth College
The American Renaissance and Nathaniel Hawthorne
Skills you'll gain: Storytelling, Writing, World History, Public History, Liberal Arts
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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

Migrating On-premises MySQL Using a Continuous Database Migration Service Job: Google Cloud
Empowering Yourself in a Post-Truth World: The State University of New York
BigQuery Soccer Data Analysis : Google Cloud
Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Sequences and Loops: University of California San Diego
Data-Driven Animation for Science Communication: University of California, Santa Cruz
Big Data Analysis Deep Dive: Alibaba Cloud Academy
Liderança Criativa e Inclusiva: Fundação Instituto de Administração
Data Mining Project: University of Colorado Boulder
Social Media Campaigns with AI: From Strategy to Design: Coursera Project Network
Composição: Escrevendo a letra: Berklee

Creative Writing Courses