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Online Writing

What's different about our online writing courses? You can enroll 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.

Nonfiction:

Creative nonfiction: taking the next step: Write fact with the flair of fiction.
How to write great feature articles: Write like the pros.
How to publish your nonfiction: Find your publishing market.
The newsletter workshop: Make your newsletter a must-read!

Fiction:

The dialogue shop: Tools for crafting what your characters--and you--want to say.
Fiction: taking the next step: Take your fiction to the next level.
How to use all your creativity when you write: Develop endless inspiration.
How to write compelling fiction: Learn to write stories others can't stop reading.
How to publish your fiction: Expert help to get you published!
Take your characters to dinner: Bring your characters to life!

Screenwriting:

Screenwriting: write your first draft fast: Write a screenplay that gets noticed.

Poetry:

Poetry writing: getting to good: From sound and imagery to delivering your theme.

Also of interest:

Receive the Writing News, our free e-mail newsletter. If you subscribe, then 4-5 times a year you will receive from the Department of Liberal Studies and the Arts a detailed e-mail with information about our upcoming writing programs as well as news about student achievements, new programs, and opportunities for writers. To subscribe send a blank e-mail message to: join-writing-news@lists.wisc.edu.

Costs: The fees for these online writing courses vary. You will find details listed with individual course descriptions.

How to register

Telephone: Call 608-262-2451 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. If you have other questions, call toll-free 1-877-336-7836.

E-mail: Send your name and contact information to LSAonline@dcs.wisc.edu and we will respond as soon as possible to assist you with registration.

For more information:

More distance education: Independent Learning journalism and writing courses are another option for distance education through University of Wisconsin-Extension. Most courses are available for college or high-school credit.