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

Coursera Project Network
Create a Record of Students using Abstraction in Java
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Design, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Java Programming, Java, Record Keeping
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
NIIT
Building High Quality User Experience Using Material UI
Skills you'll gain: Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), UI Components, Front-End Web Development, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Web Design, React.js, Responsive Web Design, User Centered Design, Javascript
1.7
Rating, 1.7 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Johns Hopkins University
Cours intensif sur la science des données
Skills you'll gain: Data Science, Data Literacy, Project Design, Data Analysis, Data Management, Data Presentation, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Analytics, Performance Metric, Machine Learning, Statistical Inference
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
The Power of Object-Oriented Programming
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Computer Programming, Program Development, Python Programming, Programming Principles
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Alfaisal University | KLD
موضوعات متقدمة في برنامج مايكروسوفت وورد
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Word, Proofreading, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Excel, Document Management, Business Writing, Email Marketing, Document Control
5
Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Northeastern University
Basic Programming in Python I
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Python Programming, Computer Programming, Development Environment, Software Installation, Scripting, Scripting Languages, Debugging, Program Development, Data Manipulation
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Coursera Instructor Network
GenAI for Prototyping Basics
Skills you'll gain: Prototyping, Functional Design, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Mockups, ChatGPT, Design Software, Usability, Conceptual Design, Canva (Software), User Experience Design
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana
Rebo-binario
Skills you'll gain: Computational Thinking, Lifelong Learning, Creative Thinking, Computer Programming, Critical Thinking, Willingness To Learn, Debugging, Creative Problem-Solving, Independent Thinking, Systems Thinking, Problem Solving, Algorithms
5
Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Northeastern University
Basic Programming in Python II
Skills you'll gain: Web Applications, Web Development, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Application Development, Python Programming, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Data Science, Data Analysis, Scripting, Maintainability, Debugging
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Packt
Advanced Rust Programming and Real-World Applications
Skills you'll gain: Rust (Programming Language), Performance Tuning, Blockchain, Web Servers, Web Development, Performance Testing, System Programming, Distributed Computing, Web Scraping, Data Structures, Scalability, Software Design Patterns
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Knowledge Accelerators
Microsoft 365 Copilot: Harness AI for Data Management
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft 365, Productivity Software, Data Presentation, Report Writing, Microsoft Excel, Information Management, Data Management, Technical Communication, Microsoft PowerPoint, Data Visualization, Presentations, Data Analysis, Microsoft Word
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Packt
Master Java Unit Testing with Spring Boot and Mockito
Skills you'll gain: Unit Testing, Spring Boot, JUnit, Integration Testing, Restful API, Test Driven Development (TDD), Software Testing, Java Programming, Hibernate (Java)
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks