Online Short Story Writing Courses
Develop your craft and tell the stories you're burning to tell, in our online short story writing courses.
You’ll get personal weekly instructor feedback on your work, ongoing collaboration with other writers, and a supportive course structure that will help you set and meet your writing goals.
Learn from published short story writers who have spent decades perfecting their craft and are dedicated to supporting you and your work.
Our online short story classes are filling fast. Find yours today!
Upcoming Online Short Story Writing Courses
September Courses
Discover Your Writing Niche
with Gloria Kempton
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.
Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Lifestyle and Wellness, Memoir, Novel, Personal Essay, Short Story
I’ve Drunk Your Poisoned Nectar: Writing with the Goddess
with Shankar Narayan
Dig deep into the rich mythology of South Asian goddesses to find new inspiration for your work in this generative, open-genre writing class.
Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Lifestyle and Wellness, Memoir, Novel, Personal Essay, Poetry, Short Story
The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy
with Elisa Bonnin
Create fantastical worlds with mythical beings in this comprehensive introduction to fantasy and science fiction.
Writing for Children: Create A Picture Book!
with Kelly Bingham
Picture books have changed greatly over the last few decades, and the market is wide open for fresh ideas. Join us in this six-week intensive where we’ll take that idea of yours and turn it into a manuscript!
October Courses
Liars, Lovers, Criminals: Story as Character, Character as Story
with Lisa Taylor
Characters don't just drive the story, they are the story. Learn how to craft character-centered fiction and give life to the people on your page.
Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Memoir, Novel, Personal Essay, Short Story
Deepening and Organizing Our Stories: Memoir/Creative Nonfiction and Autobiographical Fiction
with Anya Achtenberg
For writers of memoir, creative nonfiction and fiction, with some experience. Particularly helpful to writers in the midst of a longer work.
Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Memoir, Novel, Personal Essay, Short Story
The Sixth Sense: Writing Horror with a Message
with Giulietta Nardone
Looking to write the substance of nightmares? Learn the ropes of horror writing in this spine-chilling fiction course.
Crafting a Story or Novel Chapter Using Forward-Moving Tension
with Sandra Novack
How do writers tell stories with tension, action, and emotion? Learn how to write forward-moving tension in this 5 week fiction course.
Intro to Fiction Writing
with Donna Levin
What makes a good fiction story? Learn how to write compelling stories in this eight-week intro to fiction course, with Donna Levin.
How to Firm Up the “Mushy Middle” of Any Story
with Jeff Lyons
Ensure a strong middle throughline for any story. Say goodbye to the "mushy middle," and hello to stories that work.
Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Memoir, Novel, Short Story, Stage and Broadcast
In Their Shoes: Fiction as Empathy
with Troy Wilderson
Great fiction is a tool for understanding people. Foster a greater sense of empathy and supercharge your stories in this empathy-driven fiction class.
November Courses
Manuscript Workshop: Writing For Young Readers
with Denise Santomauro
Author Denise Santomauro leads this intermediate/advanced workshop on writing for children. It offers support, structure and detailed feedback on manuscripts.
Scene Study: Strengthen Your Writing with Compelling Scenes
with Susan Pohlman
Great stories are constructed with great scenes. Immerse your reader in your stories by learning the ropes of scene development.
Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Memoir, Novel, Personal Essay, Short Story, Stage and Broadcast
Poetic Prose: The Prose Poem
with Barbara Henning
Explore the border between prose poetry and flash fiction. For writers of fiction, poetry, essay and memoir.
Getting Started Marketing Your Work
with Gloria Kempton
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.
Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Lifestyle and Wellness, Memoir, Novel, Personal Essay, Short Story
Accessing Your Writer’s Voice
with Gloria Kempton
Voice: What is it and how do you find yours? Instructor Gloria Kempton offers feedback on assignments in this 3-week online class.
Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Lifestyle and Wellness, Memoir, Novel, Personal Essay, Short Story
January Courses
Writing Autobiographical Fiction
with Jack Smith
Learn to depart from "what really happened," and write compelling fiction from your own life experiences.
Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Memoir, Novel, Personal Essay, Short Story
Starting to Write
with Gloria Kempton
For those who want to kick start their writing into high gear.
Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Lifestyle and Wellness, Memoir, Novel, Personal Essay, Short Story
February Courses
Mastering the Elements of Fiction
with Jack Smith
In this course, you’ll work with the basic elements of fiction--the fundamentals that drive the story and determine the quality of the work.
Unscheduled Online Short Story Writing Classes
Browse our full short story offerings below. Let us know which online short story writing courses you're interested in, and we'll contact you with dates when we're ready to put them on our calendar.
(Live Workshop) Get Clear on Your Story and Voice
with Nadia Colburn
What is your story about? What is your voice? Whether you write poetry, fiction, or nonfiction, hone your writing in this 3 hour workshop.
(Live Workshop) The Art of Love Stories: A Flash Fiction Workshop
with Zining Mok
How do you distill love into 1,500 words or less? Zining Mok explains in this love stories flash fiction workshop.
(Live Workshop) Writing Beginnings and Endings
with Sarah Aronson
How do you write a story that's compelling to start and satisfying to finish? Sarah Aronson explains in this comprehensive one-day workshop.
(Live Workshop) Writing from a Strong Sense of Place: A Generative Workshop
with Jacquelyn Stolos
Develop powerful and realistic settings in this generative three-hour workshop, with Jacquelyn Stolos.
*Private Class | Create Story Characters Using the Enneagram
with Gloria K Private
In-depth character development using an ancient personality study of human motivation--the Enneagram.
*Private Class | Shadow Writing
with Gloria K Private
Your unconscious can drive your writing or block it. Gloria Kempton will guide you in coaxing your shadow out of hiding.
*Private Class | The Anti-Hero’s Journey for Storytellers
with Gloria K Private
Throughout her writing career, Gloria Kempton has met many anti-heroes. In this course, you’ll receive feedback on your story antagonists.
Beyond Formula: Writing Love Scenes With Spirit, Passion, Grit And Character Truth
with Anya Achtenberg
Write about love beyond trite sentiment and shallow fictions. Work down to the real thing: deep, powerful, destructive, exalted, fundamental.
Block Buster: Turbocharge Your Creativity with Breakneck Writing
with Gretchen Clark
Banish writer's block, unearth fresh ideas, and sharpen your storytelling ability with the practice of fast, timed writing.
Boost Your Imagination and Reap the Literary Rewards
with Giulietta Nardone
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!
But What Is Your Story Really About? Finding the Core of Your Short Memoir, Story, or Personal Essay
with Giulietta Nardone
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.
Character Transformation Workshop: How to Write Stories that Emotionally Resonate
with Giulietta Nardone
Learn how to write emotionally resonant journeys that stick with the reader, using the power of character transformation.
Claiming Our Stories: Autobiography, Memoir & Autobiographical Fiction
with Anya Achtenberg
Turn your experience into fiction, autobiography, or creative memoir. Bring forward stories with a powerful truth at their core. Instructor Anya Achtenberg.
Drafty in Here: Write Your Novella in Ten Weeks
with Jack Smith
Write the entire first draft of a novella-length story, with plenty of feedback from stage to stage, and finish with a plan for revising toward a publishable manuscript.
Embodied Writing: Improve Your Writing with Full-Body Creativity
with Rosemary Tantra Bensko
Have a grand time with specific physical exercises that honor your health, generate imaginative ideas, explore deeply and make your creative writing entertaining.
Embodied Writing: Somatic Practices to Improve Your Work
with Rosemary Tantra Bensko
Have a grand time with specific physical exercises that honor your health, generate imaginative ideas, explore deeply and make your creative writing entertaining.
Essentials of Character Development: How to Create Characters that Move and Breathe and Can’t Stop Talking
with Gloria Kempton
Bring your characters to life in this in-depth character development class with Gloria Kempton.
Find Your Brave: Publishing As An Act Of Courage
with Giulietta Nardone
In this fun, transformative four-week program, get tips and techniques to bring out your courage to publish a story in print or online.
Finding the Real Story: Essential Elements of Story in Fiction and Memoir
with Anya Achtenberg
Address the larger issues of writing story through a look at the essential elements of narrative in fiction and memoir.
Finish Your Manuscript: Next-Level Picture Book Mentorship
with Kelly Bingham
During this six week program, you will work closely one-on-one with Kelly to finalize, refine, and polish your picture book into a manuscript ready to submit for publication or representation.
Flash Fiction: Writing the Short-Short Story
with Barbara Henning
Write 1–3-page flash fiction in this online course with Barbara Henning, drawing on classic, poetic & experimental elements. Read the form’s masters.
Get Your Book Done Intensive! 4 Weeks to Measurable Progress
with Giulietta Nardone
The summer is the best time to get the ball rolling on your book. Join us if you really want to get your book into the world.
Growing Smaller: The Art of Micro- and Short Fiction
with Tina Barry
Less is more. Learn the ropes of flash and micro-fiction in this 4-week course and hone the art of the short-short story.
How to Write Great Stories
with Amy Bonnaffons
Learn how to combine character, setting, plot, and other elements of fiction to write powerful, compelling stories.
Humor Is The New Black!
with Giulietta Nardone
Ready to add a splash of fun to your writing life? Join us for a four-week humor writing class. We’ll read. We’ll laugh. We’ll write. We’ll experiment.
In Bloom: Nature Writing Workshop
with Dana De Greff
Want to write about nature like Robert Frost, Henry David Thoreau, or Annie Dillard? Join us for this six-week nature writing course.
In Your Own Words: Transforming Life Into Memoir and Fiction
with Margo Perin
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.
Introduction to Writing Genre Fiction
with Rosemary Tantra Bensko
Take the whirlwind tour! Learn the conventions of eight major fiction genres, try them out, and figure out your niche.
Let It Rip: The Art of Writing Fiery Prose
with Giulietta Nardone
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.
Manuscript Review for Children’s Writers: Summer Edition
with Sarah Aronson
Instructor Sarah Aronson welcomes all writers who are working on manuscripts for kids and teens. This advanced workshop will focus entirely on the participants' own work in progress.
Observing What’s Vivid in Prose and Poetry
with Marc Olmsted
Learn how to spotlight beauty through fresh, vivid, and surprising language, in this four week mindfulness writing course.
Overcome Writing Anxiety: Boost Your Storytelling Confidence in Four Short Weeks!
with Giulietta Nardone
"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.
Plumbing the Past: Turning Life Experience into Poetry, Flash and Creative Non-Fiction
with Tina Barry
Dig deep into personal ritual while studying narrative poets, short fiction and non-fiction authors, and food writers.
Rapid Story Development: A Master Plan for Building Stories That Work
with Jeff Lyons
In this 10 week story writing class, Jeff Lyons pairs the Enneagram with story development techniques to revolutionize your writing practice.
Roads Into Writing: Opening New Terrain In Your Work
with Anya Achtenberg
Write like mad, read brilliant books & deepen your craft while exploring new paths to inspiration. With novelist and poet Anya Achtenberg, .
Suspense Sells! Power Up Your Writing With Conflict, Tension and Emotion
with Giulietta Nardone
Inject suspense into your stories to keep readers turning pages. For writers of all kinds of fiction: thrillers, mysteries, romance, humor, literary and memoir. A four week class with Giulietta Nardone.
Ten Steps to Creating Interesting, In-Depth Characters
with Sarah Aronson
How do you write about people convincingly? Empower your character development in this workshop filled with exercises and character discussion.
The “I’ve Always Wanted To Write Fiction” Workshop
with Shelley Singer
Learn the basics of fiction writing and submit weekly writing for feedback from Shelley Singer, author of 13 novels. It's time to start.
The Art of Storytelling
with Gloria Kempton
It’s an age-old art form—storytelling—and you can learn the craft.
The Chronology of Mind: From Journal to Poem or Prose
with Barbara Henning
Gather material through writing and experimenting with journaling, researching and taking notes to develop into poems or prose works.
The Five Ws (and One H) of Drafting Middle Grade and Young Adult Novels
with Amanda Hosch
Asking yourself these six questions will give you the scaffolding for your next young adult or middle grade novel.
The Micro-obstacles/Flow Technique
with Rosemary Tantra Bensko
Create new work with fresh language, universal themes, sustained mystery and memorable characters. Stimulate your imagination.
The Ongoing Fiction Workshop
with Shelley Singer
Many students have attended this 10-week online fiction workshop with Shelley Singer multiple times, completed novels, and come back to finish more books.
The Watching Eye/Thinking Mind: Writing Flash Fiction
with Barbara Henning
In this ten-week workshop with poet and novelist Barbara Henning, write tiny fictions while experimenting with first and third person points of view and analyzing how point of view affects the craft of fiction writing. Barbara will provide practical instruction and assignments, suggestions for revision, and lectures and and articles.
What’s Love Got to Do With It? Writing Romance in Non-Romance Genres
with Briana McGuckin
Relationships are an important feature of fiction—and not just romances! If your non-romance work has love involved, learn the ropes in this 5 week course, open to writers of all genres.
Word Flashes & Eye Snapshots: Sketching Your Life Awake
with Marc Olmsted
For any writer wanting to root writing in vision and vision in the body: for poetry, fiction, essay, memoir & pleasure.
Write from the Untamed Mind: Find Your Voice
with Susan Vespoli
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.
Writing Circle Workshop: Writing for Happiness, Healing, and Health
with Susan Vespoli
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.
Writing Circles: Finding Community, Clarity, Poetry, and Prose
with Susan Vespoli
Join our writing circle to form a writing community, find clarity in your words, and turn your untamed free-writes into poetry and/or prose.
Writing for Kids: Entering the World of Children’s Literature
with Amanda Hosch
Learn the fundamentals of writing for children in this one day workshop, and write the kinds of stories that kids simply can't put down.
Writing Spontaneously: How to Let Your Stories Surprise You
with Jessie Roy
Some of the best stories don't follow a specific plot structure; they develop organically. Learn how to hone spontaneity in your fiction writing and come away surprised by your work.
Writing the Absurd
with Jack Smith
If you turn on to the absurd in life—to the ironic, edgy, bizarre, and grotesque—this is the course for you. Learn the key techniques of writing absurdist fiction, dark fiction, and satire.
Writing the Short Story
with Rosemary Tantra Bensko
Create new work with fresh language, universal themes, sustained mystery and memorable characters. Stimulate your imagination.
Writing with Tarot
with Sandra Novack
Jump-start your creative juices, and explore a world of divination, symbolism, and imagery right at your fingertips: learn short story and novel writing through Tarot.
Articles on Short Story Writing
Why Take an Online Short Story 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 short story 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.