Online Writing Courses

What's different about our online writing courses? You can register any time, start any time, and there are no deadlines. In addition, your writing instructor is available any time; we don't restrict your contact to "office hours."

Our faculty help you see results through a friendly, yet professional atmosphere. Our online students have published articles, optioned screenplays, started novels and more.

Our online students in all online classes have been from several states in the USA and countries around the world, including France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, China, Iraq, Sweden, Israel, Australia, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Singapore, Bermuda, Norway, Germany, Cayman Islands BWI, United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, French Polynesia, Greece, Switzerland, Ireland, Iceland, Poland, United Arab Emirates, and Thailand.

Wherever you live, we're just a walk away--a walk to your computer or laptop. And "attending" class is easy. Most of our online classes are conducted entirely via e-mail.

Follow the links below for a complete description of each online writing course as well as details about how to register.

Costs: The fee for these online courses varies. You will find details listed with individual course descriptions.

Creative Nonfiction

Creative nonfiction: Write fact with the flair of fiction.

Fiction & Creative Writing

Deepening fiction: advanced story technique: Produce publishable stories by deepening your fictional craft.
The dialogue shop: Chockful of tools to craft what your characters—and you—want to say and how to say it, all with the goal of selling your prose. Added bonus: This course focuses on improving your scene work, too.
How to write compelling fiction: Write stories others can't stop reading. This is ideal for the writer who wants to learn the elements of fiction in “short bites.”
Take your characters to dinner : Bring your characters to life and learn how they can plot the story for you! Based on a popular textbook of the same title.
The writer's journey workshop: The essentials of mythic storytelling
Write Your Novel Fast & Sure: Retain your unique voice and vision for your story

Freelance Writing

Feature writing in the digital age: A successful freelancer takes you from idea stage to writing features, essays, and columns. Hone your querying skills, too.
The web for writers: Take your existing talents and transfer to the 21st century writers’ marketplace

Poetry

Getting to good: From sound and imagery to delivering your theme.
Taking the poetic leap: Launch your poems by taking a poetic leap.

Scriptwriting

Screenwriting: write your first draft fast: Write a screenplay that gets noticed. Choose from two levels—beginner basics, or the pro-level for one-on-one coaching through an entire script.
The writer's journey workshop: The essentials of mythic storytelling
Writing your tv pilot: Introduction to the world of writing for television

Also of interest

Subscribe to the Writing News, our free e-mail newsletter and 3-4 times a year you will receive a detailed e-mail with information about our upcoming writing programs, and news about student achievements or opportunities for writers. To subscribe send a blank join-writing-news@lists.wisc.edu.

How to register

Online: Register now online with our secure server.

Fax: Print and fax our registration form.

Mail: Print and mail our registration form.

Telephone: Call 608-262-2451 or toll-free 800-725-9692 to register. Our phone is answered M-F, 7:00 am-4:30 pm Central Time. At other times please leave a message, and we will return your call.

For more information

Contact Christine DeSmet (cdesmet@dcs.wisc.edu, 608-262-3447.)