Discover Free Online Writing Classes You Can Take Today!

My online writing classes are designed to cure the headaches of fantasy writers.

Covering everything from how to write a fantasy novel to building a world, you’re guaranteed to find new skills and insights to help you advance in your career.

You can find more writing guides here. And you can learn more about fantasy novel writing classes online here.

Below, you can browse through my easy-to-follow online writing courses. And if you keep scrolling, you’ll come to a list of my favourite free online courses, including one of my own that I’ve made free especially for you!

Reviews And Testimonials

Below, you can find some impartial and honest reviews shared on Trustpilot for the online writing courses available on RichieBilling.com.

I’m proud to say that to date I haven’t received less than a 5-star rating. I encourage you to read through them over on the Trustpilot site.

I’m passionate about what I teach and strive to convey complex principles and theories in understandable ways. That’s what teaching is about for me, learning and understanding difficult ideas and translating that understanding into lessons and learning material for others.

I attended Richie’s workshop on How To Create Lifelike Fantasy Characters. Richie takes you through lots of theory and shows you how to apply it, to create compelling and believable characters. I would definitely recommend his workshops, and the writing resources on his website have improved my work overall.

Hana, Trustpilot

Down to earth style yet with lots of referenced material. Easy to listen to and practical as well as theoretical.

Tim Pointon, Trustpilot

Richie is a great author and a great teacher. I loved the workshop and learned a lot. I will be keeping an eye out for his next workshop.

Jordan, Trustpilot

Richie Billing went step by step on how to review a manuscript, offering interesting and useful information throughout his presentation. Great writing class!

Isa Ottoni, Trustpilot

The Best Free Online Writing Courses

While there are many excellent writing courses and classes that you can study with online, many of them come at a cost. Sometimes those costs can be eye-watering.

I’m a working class lad and I know how difficult it can be to find the funds to attend these classes. I on’t think education should ever be prohibited by finances, and that’s why I keep the price of all of my own writing classes as low as possible.

Below, you can find a short lesson on creating characters, which makes up part of a longer session of characterization.

There are lots more online courses, however. And for me, the very best of them all comes from international bestselling author of many science fiction and fantasy books, Brandon Sanderson.

If you haven’t heard of Sanderson, he recently hit the news when he launched the most lucratve Kickstarter campaign in history, raising over $40 million to create a series of new books.

Brandon Sanderson also has a heart of gold. On YouTube you can find a full course on writing science fiction and fantasy. And although it focuses on these genres specifically, many lectures cover storytelling as a whole. You can always skip the ones on worldbuilding and magic systems.

Here’s the first lecture in the course:

Where Can You Find Free Online Writing Classes?

If you want more free writing classes, than I can’t recommend YouTube enough. It’s full of lectures, panels, podcasts and shorter lessons that can all teach you vital skills. It’s certainly a great place to start and then you can decide whether you wan to invest money in developing your skillset further.

There are also lots of brilliant resources available for free online, such as the writing courses offered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) through its OpenCourseWare platform. These courses are free to access and provide materials used in MIT’s actual classes.

The Open University in the United Kingdom also offers free writing courses online, which you can access here.

Where Are The Best Places To Find Online Writing Classes?

Before enrolling in any course, read reviews, check the course structure, and ensure it aligns with your writing goals. Remember to always check the latest reviews of these platforms and websites. In particular, look for impartial reviews on independent sites like Trustpilot.

Below, you can find a list of the top 10 places where you can find paid online classes.

1. Coursera:
   • Website: Coursera
   • Coursera partners with universities and organizations to provide a wide range of writing courses. Courses often include video lectures, assignments, and peer-reviewed assessments.
2. Udemy:
   • Website: Udemy
   • Udemy offers a vast selection of writing courses, ranging from creative writing to technical writing. Courses are often affordable and come with lifetime access to materials.
3. Skillshare:
   • Website: Skillshare
   • Skillshare is known for its creative community and offers a variety of writing classes. Courses are project-based and often include video lessons.
4. edX:
   • Website: edX
   • edX provides online courses from universities around the world. You can find writing courses from institutions like MIT and Harvard, covering various writing styles and genres.
5. MasterClass:
   • Website: MasterClass
   • MasterClass offers courses taught by experts in their fields, including writing. Acclaimed authors like Margaret Atwood and Neil Gaiman provide insights into their writing skills and processes.
6. Gotham Writers Workshop:
   • Website: Gotham Writers Workshop
   • Gotham offers online writing classes in various genres, taught by experienced professionals. They provide a structured and interactive learning experience.
7. CreativeLive:
   • Website: CreativeLive
   • CreativeLive offers a range of writing courses, often with live sessions. Courses cover topics such as storytelling, blogging, and marketing for writers.
8. The Writers Studio:
   • Website: The Writers Studio
   • The Writers Studio provides online writing workshops focusing on fiction and poetry. The workshops are designed to help writers develop their unique voices.
9. Writer’s Digest University:
   • Website: Writer’s Digest University
   • Writer’s Digest offers online workshops covering various aspects of writing, including craft, publishing, and marketing.
10. LitReactor:
    • Website: LitReactor
    • LitReactor offers online writing workshops and courses, often taught by published authors. The platform covers a range of genres and writing styles.

What Are The Benefits Of Taking Classes On How To Write A Book?

Taking classes on how to write a book can provide a wealth of benefits for aspiring fiction writers. These classes can help you hone your craft, develop your writing skills, and build the confidence you need to write and publish a novel.

One of the biggest benefits of taking classes on how to write a book is the opportunity to receive feedback from experienced writers and teachers. They can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses as a writer and offer suggestions for improvement. This feedback can be invaluable in helping you refine your craft.

In addition to receiving feedback, classes on how to write a book can also teach you about the writing process and help you develop a structured approach to writing a novel. You’ll learn about things like character development, plot, pacing, and setting and world building, and how to effectively use these elements to craft a compelling story.

These courses for authors are also great ways to find a supportive community of fellow writers who are facing similar challenges and working towards similar goals. This community can be a source of encouragement, inspiration, and motivation, and can help keep you on track.

Whether you’re just starting out or are looking to improve your skills, creative writing classes can provide you with the knowledge, feedback, and support you need to write and publish a successful fiction novel.

Are Online Writing Classes Worth It?

Some people debate whether online writing classes are worth it. 

Traditionally, creative writing classes were held in classrooms. Sometimes this would be done in schools (though less so now) and colleges. Other people elect to study the subject at university to gain more specialist knowledge. 

In these in-person classes, people can discuss ideas and meet fellow writers. This in itself can be a big boost to your writing skills—you can get vital feedback on your writing from others. 

However, with advances in technology, you can access all of these benefits from online classes. You can join writing communities, like my own, and receive tuition from some of the best writers in the world, like Neil Gaiman or Margaret Atwood, especially via the Masterclass platform. 

So if you’re used to academic writing and need a hand transitioning to fiction, or if you want to learn some storytelling techniques to make your personal essay shine, then try some online classes. In short, the can definitely be worth it and can help you write more engaging and interesting stories. 

What Other Skills Can I Learn From Book Writing Classes?

One other skill you can learn from book writing classes is how to develop a writing routine and stick to it. Writing a novel is a long-term project that requires discipline and persistence. Getting into the strict routine of attending classes can teach you how to set achievable writing goals and create a schedule that works for you.

Another important skill you can learn from book writing classes is how to revise and edit your work effectively. Writing is a process, and it often takes several rounds of revision to get a novel to its final form. Creative writing classes, like my own on editing, can teach you efficient and effective ways to revise your work.

Where Can You Find More Free Online Writing Classes?

It can be hard to find free online writing classes. Authors do have to make money after all! However, I do offer free courses throughout the year. 

In the past, I’ve covered editing, email marketing, worldbuilding and writing novels. In the months to come I’ll be hosting more free classes that you can attend too.

They are, however, only free once. After the event, I do charge a small fee for my classes. So if you don’t want to miss these freebies, head here to join the community