Best Fiction Writing Courses and Books for Skill Development
Master fiction writing through Brandon Sanderson's free BYU creative writing lectures (available on YouTube), Stephen King's 'On Writing' for memoir-meets-craft wisdom, and 'The Art of Fiction' by John Gardner for technical mastery. Combine free resources like Writing.com and Coursera courses with paid options like MasterClass and local writing workshops to develop comprehensive fiction writing skills through both theory and practice.
Essential Fiction Writing Books
The Must-Read Foundation
1. "On Writing" by Stephen King
Why it's essential: Part memoir, part craft guide from one of the world's most successful authors
- Practical advice on daily writing habits
- Insights into the writing process
- Motivation for aspiring writers
- Real-world publishing experiences
Best For:
Beginners and experienced writers seeking motivation and practical advice
Price Range:
$10-15 (paperback)
2. "The Art of Fiction" by John Gardner
Why it's essential: Comprehensive technical guide to fiction writing craft
- Detailed analysis of narrative techniques
- Character development strategies
- Plot structure and pacing
- Literary device explanations
Best For:
Serious writers wanting deep technical understanding
Price Range:
$12-18 (paperback)
3. "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott
Why it's essential: Honest, encouraging guide to the writing life
- Overcoming perfectionism and fear
- The concept of "shitty first drafts"
- Building sustainable writing habits
- Dealing with rejection and criticism
Best For:
Writers struggling with confidence or perfectionism
Price Range:
$11-16 (paperback)
Advanced Craft Books
Plot and Structure
- "Plot & Structure" by James Scott Bell
- "The Writer's Journey" by Christopher Vogler
- "Save the Cat! Writes a Novel" by Jessica Brody
Character Development
- "The Anatomy of Story" by John Truby
- "Creating Character Arcs" by K.M. Weiland
- "The Emotional Craft of Fiction" by Donald Maass
Top Online Fiction Writing Courses
Free High-Quality Courses
Brandon Sanderson's Creative Writing Lectures (BYU)
Platform: YouTube (free)
Duration: Full semester course (15+ hours)
- Comprehensive fantasy/sci-fi writing focus
- Professional industry insights
- Detailed homework assignments
- Q&A sessions with students
What You'll Learn:
- World-building techniques
- Magic system creation
- Character development
- Publishing industry navigation
Coursera: Creative Writing Courses
Platform: Coursera (free with optional paid certificate)
Duration: 4-8 weeks per course
- University-level instruction
- Peer feedback systems
- Multiple specialization tracks
- Flexible scheduling
Notable Courses:
- Creative Writing by Wesleyan University
- English Composition by Duke University
- Storytelling and Narrative by University of Edinburgh
Premium Paid Courses
MasterClass Writing Courses
Cost: $180/year for all-access pass
Format: High-production video lessons
- Celebrity author instructors
- Professional video production
- Downloadable workbooks
- Community access
Featured Instructors:
- Margaret Atwood (Fiction)
- Neil Gaiman (Storytelling)
- James Patterson (Thriller Writing)
- Joyce Carol Oates (Short Stories)
The Writer's Studio
Cost: $400-800 per course
Format: Small group workshops
- Intensive feedback sessions
- Professional instructor guidance
- Networking opportunities
- Multiple locations and online options
Course Types:
- Novel Writing Workshop
- Short Story Intensive
- Character Development Masterclass
- Plot Structure Bootcamp
University and Degree Programs
MFA in Creative Writing Programs
Top Programs to Consider
Fully Funded Programs
- University of Iowa (The Writers' Workshop)
- Stanford University
- University of Houston
- Washington University in St. Louis
Low-Residency Options
- Vermont College of Fine Arts
- Antioch University
- Goddard College
- Southern New Hampshire University
Writing Communities and Workshops
Online Writing Communities
Free Communities
- Scribophile: Critique-based community
- Writing.com: Large writer community
- Critters Workshop: Sci-fi/fantasy focus
- Reddit r/writing: Active discussion forum
Paid Communities
- Critique Circle: Premium feedback options
- Writer's Digest Community: Professional focus
- The Writer's Studio Online: Structured workshops
- WritersCafe: Subscription-based platform
Local Writing Groups and Workshops
Finding Local Resources
- Public libraries: Often host free writing groups and workshops
- Community colleges: Affordable continuing education courses
- Independent bookstores: Regular writing events and meetups
- Literary centers: Professional workshops and retreats
- Meetup.com: Search for local writing groups
Specialized Writing Tools and Software
Writing Software
Free Options
- LibreOffice Writer: Full-featured word processor
- FocusWriter: Distraction-free writing
- Manuskript: Novel organization tool
- yWriter: Scene and chapter organization
Premium Software
- Scrivener ($50): Professional writing suite
- Ulysses ($40/year): Mac/iOS writing app
- World Anvil ($50/year): World-building tool
- Campfire Write ($25/year): Character and plot tracking
Creating Your Learning Path
Beginner's Study Plan (6 months)
- Month 1-2: Read "On Writing" by Stephen King, start Brandon Sanderson's free course
- Month 3-4: Join a free online community, begin writing daily (300+ words)
- Month 5-6: Complete first short story, get feedback from community
Intermediate Development (1 year)
- Months 1-3: Take a paid course (MasterClass or workshop), read advanced craft books
- Months 4-6: Join critique group, work on novella or novel first draft
- Months 7-9: Revise and edit your work, submit to publications
- Months 10-12: Attend writing conference, network with other writers
Budget-Friendly Learning Strategy
$0-50 Budget
- Brandon Sanderson's free YouTube course
- Library books and audiobooks
- Free online communities
- Public library workshops
- Free writing software
$50-500 Budget
- Essential craft books ($100)
- MasterClass annual subscription ($180)
- Scrivener software ($50)
- One local workshop ($100-200)
Start Your Fiction Writing Education
The best education combines theory with practice. Start with free resources to explore your interest, then invest in paid courses and communities as you develop your skills and commitment to fiction writing.