Online Personal Essay Writing Courses

Enroll in a Writers.com online personal essay writing course, and explore this direct, flexible, and intimate form of literary expression.

You’ll get weekly instructor feedback on your work, ongoing collaboration with other personal essay writers, and a supportive course structure that will help you deepen and grow as an essayist.

Learn from published authors who have spent decades perfecting their craft, and are dedicated to supporting you and your work. Don’t miss out: find the online personal essay writing class for you today!

online personal essay writing courses

Upcoming Online Personal Essay Writing Courses




June Courses

Scene Study: Strengthen Your Writing with Compelling Scenes

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June 1 | 5 Weeks | $345

Only 2 seats left!

Great stories are constructed with great scenes. Immerse your reader in your stories by learning the ropes of scene development.

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Finding Inspiration in Dreams

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June 7 | 4 Weeks | $295 | NEW!

Our dreams are fertile fields of inspiration, meaning, and creativity. Learn how to use your dreams as doorways to future writing.

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In Bloom: Nature Writing Workshop

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June 7 | 6 Weeks | $395

Only 2 seats left!

Want to write about nature like Robert Frost, Henry David Thoreau, or Annie Dillard? Join us for this six-week nature writing course.

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Write into Mystery: Writing Flash Memoir on Wonder and the Unexplained

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June 14 | 4 Weeks | $295

We often encounter wonder, mystery, and the unexplained in our everyday lives. Turn those experiences into flash essays in this community-centered course.

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Food Writing: Meals And Manuscripts

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June 21 | 6 Weeks | $395

Do you love cookbooks, cooking, or reading anything about food? This food writing course is for you. With award winning writer Jennifer Billock.

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Creating the Visual Journal

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June 28 | 8 Weeks | $495

Go beyond narrow definitions of “journaling" to include visual images and let writing give what is seen a new voice. Surprise yourself.

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Telling the Stories Your Body Holds: Writing and Shaping Strong Personal Essays

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June 28 | 8 weeks | $495

Where do essays come from? In this course, they come from the body. Learn how to start—and finish—powerful essays that begin inside the self.

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July Courses

Tales From The Memory Palace: 6 to 250 Word Memoirs

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July 5 | 4 Weeks | $295

If you want to be an in demand storyteller in the digital age, you need to get in, get out and get going. In this "short" four-week memoir writing adventure, you'll learn to scope out, swoop down and snatch up important memories from your life then speed write them into miniature masterpieces.

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Starting to Write

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July 12 | 8 Weeks | $495

For those who want to kick start their writing into high gear.

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Writing Our Grief: How to Channel Loss into Creative Expression

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July 12 | 8 Weeks | $495

Writing about grief is a powerful healing tool. Turn pain into power in this personal essay course, with instructor Rudri Patel.

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Story Lab: The Story-Subplot Connection

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July 26 | 6 Weeks | $395 | NEW!

Subplots are key to maintaining narrative pace and tension in a story. Drive your story forward with this deep dive into the elements of good storytelling.

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August Courses

Observing What’s Vivid in Prose and Poetry

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August 23 | 4 Weeks | $295

Learn how to spotlight beauty through fresh, vivid, and surprising language, in this four week mindfulness writing course.

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The Literary Essay

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August 23 | 6 Weeks | $395

Explore the literary essay - from the conventional to the experimental, the journalistic to essays in verse - while writing and workshopping your own.

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September Courses

Finding Confidence in the Braided Essay: A Craft and Empowerment Workshop for Literary Nonfiction

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September 6 | 8 weeks | $565

Weaving your story with facts and research can help you craft a stronger essay. Tell your story with confidence in this empowering essay writing course.

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Discover Your Writing Niche

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September 27 | 8 Weeks | $495

Fiction or nonfiction? Article, short story, or how-to book? Do you want to write for children, teens, adults? There is a type of writing that is best suited for you, and the discovery process can be an adventure.

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Writing Autobiographical Fiction

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September 27 | 8 Weeks | $495

Learn to depart from "what really happened," and write compelling fiction from your own life experiences.

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November Courses

Getting Started Marketing Your Work

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November 15 | 4 Weeks | $295

Solve the mystery of marketing and get your work out there in front of readers in this 4-week online class taught by Instructor Gloria Kempton.

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December Courses

Accessing Your Writer’s Voice

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December 6 | 3 Weeks | $245

Voice: What is it and how do you find yours? Instructor Gloria Kempton offers feedback on assignments in this 3-week online class.

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Unscheduled Courses

These online writing classes don’t currently have a next session on our calendar, but will soon. If you see a course you’re interested in, use the “I’m Interested” button to let us know, and we’ll follow up with you when the course is on our calendar next.

Want to reach us or our instructors with questions about our online writing courses? Contact us at writers@writers.com, or visit the contact form.

(Live Workshop) Dream Writing

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Single-Day Webinar | $115

How can writers harness the power of dreams? Let your slumber supercharge your creativity in this three hour dream writing workshop.

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(Live Workshop) Get Clear on Your Story and Voice

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Single-Day Webinar | $115

What is your story about? What is your voice? Whether you write poetry, fiction, or nonfiction, hone your writing in this 3 hour workshop.

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(Live Workshop) Starting Off Right: How To Build A Blog, Grow An Audience & Make Money

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Single-Day Webinar | $115

When planned right, a blog allows you to share your passion and make money in the process. Learn how to build a blog in this one-day webinar.

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(Live Workshop) Writing Beginnings and Endings

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Single-Day Webinar | $115

How do you write a story that's compelling to start and satisfying to finish? Sarah Aronson explains in this comprehensive one-day workshop.

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*Private Class | Discover Your Writing Niche

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January 1 | 8 Weeks | $595

Fiction or nonfiction? Article, short story, or how-to book? Do you want to write for children, teens, adults? There is a type of writing that is best suited for you, and the discovery process can be an adventure.

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*Private Class | Embodied Writing: Improve Your Writing with Full-Body Creativity

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January 1 | 6 to 10 Weeks | $495 | NEW!

Have a grand time with specific physical exercises that honor your health, generate imaginative ideas, explore deeply and make your creative writing entertaining.

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*Private Class | Embodied Writing: Somatic Practices to Improve Your Work

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January 1 | 6 to 10 Weeks | $495

Have a grand time with specific physical exercises that honor your health, generate imaginative ideas, explore deeply and make your creative writing entertaining.

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*Private Class | Finding Confidence in the Braided Essay: A Craft and Empowerment Workshop for Literary Nonfiction

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January 1 | 6 to 10 weeks | $665

Weaving your story with facts and research can help you craft a stronger essay. Tell your story with confidence in this empowering essay writing course.

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*Private Class | Food Writing: Meals And Manuscripts

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January 1 | 6 to 10 Weeks | $495

Do you love cookbooks, cooking, or reading anything about food? This food writing course is for you. With award winning writer Jennifer Billock.

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*Private Class | From Pitch to Publication: Writing Narrative Journalism

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January 1 | 8 to 12 Weeks | $595

Explore literary journalism as a powerful means to share fascinating characters, stories, and perspectives. Learn all you need to start pitching, landing, and writing reported essays and features.

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*Private Class | Getting Started Marketing Your Work

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January 1 | 4 Weeks | $395

Solve the mystery of marketing and get your work out there in front of readers in this 4-week online class taught by Instructor Gloria Kempton.

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*Private Class | Shadow Writing

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January 1 | 8 to 12 Weeks | $595

Your unconscious can drive your writing or block it. Gloria Kempton will guide you in coaxing your shadow out of hiding.

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*Private Class | Story Lab: Writing Loglines That Sell

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January 1 | 2 Single-Day Webinars | $295

Your logline helps you query agents, market your book, and figure out the story itself. Hone your logline and set your book up for success in this two-part private Zoom workshop.

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*Private Class | Telling the Stories Your Body Holds: Writing and Shaping Strong Personal Essays

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January 1 | 8 to 12 weeks | $595

Where do essays come from? In this course, they come from the body. Learn how to start—and finish—powerful essays that begin inside the self.

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*Private Class | The Anti-Hero’s Journey for Storytellers

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January 1 | 8 to 12 Weeks | $695

Throughout her writing career, Gloria Kempton has met many anti-heroes. In this course, you’ll receive feedback on your story antagonists.

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*Private Class | The Art of Storytelling

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January 1 | 8 Weeks | $595

It’s an age-old art form—storytelling—and you can learn the craft.

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*Private Class | The Literary Essay

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January 1 | 6 to 10 Weeks | $495
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Course full. Contact us to join waitlist.

Explore the literary essay - from the conventional to the experimental, the journalistic to essays in verse - while writing and workshopping your own.

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*Private Class | Using Bullet Journaling to Achieve Writing Goals

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January 1 | 3 to 7 weeks | $295

Looking to keep your writing goals organized? Make it happen in our bullet journaling course. Learn the art of the BuJo with Rudri Patel!

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*Private Class | Write Your World: Express Your Creativity through Article Writing, Blogging, and Essays

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January 1 | 6 to 10 Weeks | $495

Want to write your world, your way? Join us for this six-week program on article writing, blogging, and essays.

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*Private Class | Writing Our Grief: How to Channel Loss into Creative Expression

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January 1 | 8 to 12 Weeks | $595

Writing about grief is a powerful healing tool. Turn pain into power in this personal essay course, with instructor Rudri Patel.

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Boost Your Imagination and Reap the Literary Rewards

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4 Weeks | $295

It happens to all of us: life gets in the way and our creativity falters. Get back on track with this four-week creativity boosting class!

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Branches of Creative Nonfiction

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8 Weeks | $495

What are the different types of creative nonfiction? From the personal essay to the hermit crab, learn the ropes of CNF in this 8 week class.

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But What Is Your Story Really About? Finding the Core of Your Short Memoir, Story, or Personal Essay

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4 Weeks | $295

Take a four-week writing adventure deep into the core of your story, to find the true theme of your personal essay, short story, or short memoir.

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Claiming Our Stories: Autobiography, Memoir & Autobiographical Fiction

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10 Weeks | $595

Turn your experience into fiction, autobiography, or creative memoir. Bring forward stories with a powerful truth at their core. Instructor Anya Achtenberg.

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Craft Your Story: Short Fiction and Memoir Live Workshops

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8 Weeks | $495

Get tailored advice and inspiration for your fiction or nonfiction stories, in this weekly live workshop with award-winning instructor Margo Perin.

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Creating Narrative in Comics

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8 Weeks | $495 | NEW!

Art and storytelling have a rich relationship to one another. Explore that relationship in this class on writing narrative comics. Open to all artistic skill levels!

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Creative Nonfiction and the Personal Essay

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10 Weeks | $595

Course full. Contact us to join waitlist.

Gretchen Clark pick axes her way into the volcanic marriage of real life and fiction. Weekly writing with incisive feedback.

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Creative Nonfiction: The Art of Telling True Stories

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6 Weeks | $395

Only 2 seats left!

How do you tell your stories beautifully and authentically? Learn the fundamentals of creative nonfiction with Nicole Hardy.

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Discovering the Lyric Essay

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Single-Day Webinar | $115

The lyric essay challenges us to tell authentic stories without concrete forms. Learn the ropes of the genre in this 3 hour workshop.

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Embodied Writing: Improve Your Writing with Full-Body Creativity

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6 Weeks | $395

Have a grand time with specific physical exercises that honor your health, generate imaginative ideas, explore deeply and make your creative writing entertaining.

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Embodied Writing: Somatic Practices to Improve Your Work

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6 Weeks | $395

Have a grand time with specific physical exercises that honor your health, generate imaginative ideas, explore deeply and make your creative writing entertaining.

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Find Your Brave: Publishing As An Act Of Courage

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4 Weeks | $295

In this fun, transformative four-week program, get tips and techniques to bring out your courage to publish a story in print or online.

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Food Writing: Food-Focused Memoir

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8 Weeks | $495

The food we eat and enjoy tells volumes about our lives and experiences. Write it all down in this food memoir course, with Jennifer Billock.

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From Pitch to Publication: Writing Narrative Journalism

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8 Weeks | $495

Explore literary journalism as a powerful means to share fascinating characters, stories, and perspectives. Learn all you need to start pitching, landing, and writing reported essays and features.

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Fundamentals of Travel Writing

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8 Weeks | $495

Take to the skies in this online travel writing course. We'll discuss the market, different types of travel writing, and pitching your piece!

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Get It Done: Create the Scaffolding to Start (and Finish) a Writing Project

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2 Single-Day Webinars | $195 | NEW!

Get your butt in the chair, your mind roaming freely, and your creative juices flowing in this motivational, all-genres writing class.

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How to Pitch

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2 Single-Day Webinars | $195

Learn the ins and outs of pitching your work to print and online publications from Rachel Krantz, a full-time writer and formerly the Senior Feature Editor at Bustle.

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How To Start A Blog

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5 Weeks | $345

Create your blog, brand it, create engaging content and successfully promote posts. Taught by journalist, writer and photographer Jessica Festa.

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How To Turn Your Blog Into A Career

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8 Weeks | $495

From branding to search engine optimization and advertising, this course puts bloggers on the path to earning an income through their blog.

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I’ve Drunk Your Poisoned Nectar: Writing with the Goddess

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8 Weeks | $495

Dig deep into the rich mythology of South Asian goddesses to find new inspiration for your work in this generative, open-genre writing class.

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In Your Own Words: Transforming Life Into Memoir and Fiction

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8 Weeks | $495

Learn how to draw inspiration and material from your life experiences or those of people you know, or want to know, to craft compelling, publishable memoirs, personal essays, autobiographical novels and short stories, and/or narrative poetry.

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Let It Rip: The Art of Writing Fiery Prose

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6 Weeks | $395

Only 2 seats left!

You'll write prose that gets folks so hot and bothered they won't be able to put it down, even if it isn't about sex.

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Let’s Get Personal: The Art and Craft of the Personal Essay

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8 Weeks | $495

Draw inspiration and material from your life experiences or “real life” people you know to craft compelling, publishable personal essays. With author Margo Perin.

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Make Your Prose Sing

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Single-Day Webinar | $115

Enrich your prose with techniques from poetry. Bring paper and pens; leave with a better ear and lots of ideas about how to make your prose sing.

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No More Excuses! Four Weeks to Finish and Submit Your Personal Essay or Short Memoir

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4 Weeks | $295

Join us for this insightful four-week “get the writing done” program, give and receive thoughtful comments from your fellow writers and the instructor, and enjoy heaps of encouragement and writing wisdom along the way.

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Ordinary to Extraordinary: Turning Everyday Experiences into Poetry

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4 Weeks | $295

Course full. Contact us to join waitlist.

No experience is too small or mundane to serve as a foundation for extraordinary poetry and short fiction.

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Overcome Writing Anxiety: Boost Your Storytelling Confidence in Four Short Weeks!

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4 Weeks | $295

"Who are you to want to write?" Someone great, that's who! Politely ask Mr. or Ms. Fear to step aside while you sign up for this fun, freeing and functional adventure.

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Rapid Story Development: A Master Plan for Building Stories That Work

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10 Weeks | $595

Course full. Contact us to join waitlist.

In this 10 week story writing class, Jeff Lyons pairs the Enneagram with story development techniques to revolutionize your writing practice.

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Show and Tell: How to Write Captivating Memoir and Nonfiction

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Single-Day Webinar | $115

Your true story of healing or transformation can captivate and empower your readers. Learn how to balance showing the vivid details of your own journey with telling the broader themes for readers to apply in their own lives.

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Style and Sense: Bring Your Writing to Life

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4 Weeks | $295

How do we transport our readers to vivid worlds? In this course, learn the skills that evoke the senses and bring your writing to life.

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Techwashed!: Writing with AI, Data, and Surveillance

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2 Saturday Workshops | $205

Raise a mirror against society's relationship to technology in this two part workshop series where we will learn how to write about tech.

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Telling Your Food Story

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4 Weeks | $295

Let's write at the kitchen table together, as we explore using food as a lens to tell our stories.

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The Chronology of Mind: From Journal to Poem or Prose

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10 Weeks | $595

Gather material through writing and experimenting with journaling, researching and taking notes to develop into poems or prose works.

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The Lyric Essay

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10 Weeks | $595

Explore non-traditional and imaginative ways to tell your stories with this ten-week writing course online. Creative nonfiction teacher Gretchen Clark provides detailed feedback on weekly writing assignments that emphasize creative freedom.

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The Soundtrack of Your Life: Writing About Music, Memories and Mix Tapes

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5 Weeks | $345

In a song inspired class, write several essays about the music that has moved you through life: the emotions, the relationships, the events, the outcomes.

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Word Flashes & Eye Snapshots: Sketching Your Life Awake

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8 Weeks | $495

For any writer wanting to root writing in vision and vision in the body: for poetry, fiction, essay, memoir & pleasure.

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Write from the Untamed Mind: Find Your Voice

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6 Weeks | $395

Join Susan in two writing circles each week: intimate spaces for writers to free-write together, saying yes to whatever shows up, followed by group read-arounds. These writing sessions are spontaneous, intimate, freeing, and transformative.

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Writing Chronic Illness

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6 Weeks | $395 | NEW!

Creative nonfiction offers a container for the sharing and exploration of illness. Tell the story of your body in this healing-oriented workshop.

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Writing Circle Workshop: Writing for Happiness, Healing, and Health (Monday/Friday)

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6 Weeks | $395

Course full. Contact us to join waitlist.

Expressive writing can be a powerful elixir for what ails you. Learn and practice tools for writing expressively, including two virtual writing circles each week, turn raw writing into poetry or prose, and come away with a better understanding of how writing can lead toward wellness.

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Writing Circle Workshop: Writing for Happiness, Healing, and Health (Tuesday/Saturday)

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6 Weeks | $395

Course full. Contact us to join waitlist.

Expressive writing can be a powerful elixir for what ails you. Learn and practice tools for writing expressively, including two virtual writing circles each week, turn raw writing into poetry or prose, and come away with a better understanding of how writing can lead toward wellness.

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Writing Cross Genre

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1-Day Free Panel Discussion | $0

On March 9th at 10 AM, Writers.com instructor Nicole Hardy will lead a workshop on writing cross genre at independent publisher Chin Music Press. Using Chin Music Press’s title, A Commonplace Book Of Pie by Kate Lebo, Nicole will demonstrate how poets can write nonfiction, novelists can tackle screenplays, graphic novelist can compose short stories, or any combination of writing in a…

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Writing Place in Creative Nonfiction

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5 Weeks | $345

In Creative Nonfiction, place is a character in itself. Deeply explore a narrative and a place of your choosing, and make weekly progress on your essay or memoir.

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Writing with Consistency and Courage

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Single-Day Webinar | $115

What makes a successful writer? It's not talent, craft, or even the right connections—it's consistency and courage.

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Unscheduled Online Personal Essay Writing Classes

Browse our full personal essay offerings below. Let us know which personal essay writing courses you're interested in, and we'll contact you with dates when we're ready to put them on our calendar.

Articles on Personal Essay Writing

Why Take an Online Personal Essay Writing Course with Writers.com?

  • We welcome writers of all backgrounds and experience levels, and we are here for one reason: to support you on your writing journey.
  • Small groups keep our online personal essay writing classes lively and intimate.
  • Work through your weekly written lectures, course materials, and writing assignments at your own pace.
  • Share and discuss your work with classmates in a supportive class environment.
  • Your course instructor will offer you direct, personal feedback and suggestions on every assignment you submit.