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
University of Washington
Lesson | Business English Skills: How to Write Effective Openings and Closings to Emails
Skills you'll gain: Business Communication, English Language, Business Writing, Business Correspondence, Communication, Professional Networking, Relationship Building, Writing
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
501 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
IELTS Writing Section Skills Mastery
Skills you'll gain: Time Management, Literacy, Grammar, Concision, Analytical Skills, Planning, English Language, Vocabulary
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
California Institute of the Arts
Story and Narrative Development for Video Games
Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Storytelling, Software Design Documents, Ideation, Storyboarding, Writing, Creativity
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Kennesaw State University
AI for Grant Writing
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Grant Writing, ChatGPT, Proposal Writing, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Business Writing, Ethical Standards And Conduct
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
25 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
The University of Sydney
Creative Thinking and Innovation
Skills you'll gain: Creative Thinking, Creativity, Creative Problem-Solving, Innovation, Ideation, Brainstorming, Cognitive flexibility, Open Mindset, Curiosity
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Yale University
A Law Student's Toolkit
Skills you'll gain: Legal Strategy, Legal Research, Legal Writing, Case Law, Civil Procedures, Policy Analysis, Learning Strategies, Economics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Instructor Network
AI-Enhanced Content Creation:Elevate Copywriting with Humata
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Target Audience, AI Personalization, Blogs, Marketing Psychology, Copywriting, Advertising, Marketing Materials, Advertising Campaigns, Content Marketing, Generative AI, Content Creation, Facebook, Automation
3.8
Rating, 3.8 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
O.P. Jindal Global University
Introduction to Academic Writing
Skills you'll gain: Writing, Writing and Editing, Research, Journals, Policy Analysis, Research Design, Content Creation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
126 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
Grammar and Punctuation
Skills you'll gain: Grammar, Writing, Proofreading, Editing, Peer Review, English Language
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
19K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Google
Crash Course on Python
Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Python Programming, Computer Programming, Computational Thinking, Algorithms, Problem Management, Data Structures, Integrated Development Environments, Debugging, Development Environment
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
39K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Microsoft 365 Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Multimedia, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Microsoft Word, Microsoft 365, Data Visualization, Presentations, Spreadsheet Software, Productivity Software, Collaborative Software, Data Import/Export, Microsoft Windows, Proofreading, Editing, Document Management, Technical Documentation, Writing, Data Entry, Data Management
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
5.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
Agentic AI and AI Agents for Leaders
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Generative AI Agents, Generative AI, Workflow Management, Agentic systems, Productivity, Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), AI Personalization, Business Process Automation, OpenAI, Personalized Service, Large Language Modeling, Automation, Business Transformation, Expense Management, Creative Thinking, Ingenuity, Technology Strategies
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.3K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

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1…4 5 6…117

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

Lesson | Business English Skills: How to Write Effective Openings and Closings to Emails: University of Washington
IELTS Writing Section Skills Mastery: University of California, Irvine
Story and Narrative Development for Video Games: California Institute of the Arts
AI for Grant Writing: Kennesaw State University
Creative Thinking and Innovation: The University of Sydney
A Law Student's Toolkit: Yale University
AI-Enhanced Content Creation:Elevate Copywriting with Humata: Coursera Instructor Network
Introduction to Academic Writing: O.P. Jindal Global University
Grammar and Punctuation: University of California, Irvine
Crash Course on Python: Google

Creative Writing Courses