Perhaps you've written in various mediums but writing a novel scares you. You may need training and mentorship to guide you. This article will discuss the ten best novel-writing courses online to help you learn more.
However, before going further, let’s understand the basis for selecting an online course.
- Schedule. Does the course provide you with the flexibility to learn within your own time?
- Costs. Aside from the course fee, are there other additional requirements needed for you to take up the course?
- Reviews. How many learners have taken the online course, and what is the assessment?
- Course provider. Is the course provider reliable and are there other online courses?
- Learning Interactions. Find out if there is room to interact with the course instructor and other students.
Some of the online courses offer certifications that mostly add value to your resume. However, the key here is to earn the necessary skills to write a page-turner.
So let’s dig into the ten best novel-writing courses online.
- Write a Bestselling Novel in 15 Steps (Writing Mastery)
- Novel Writing Workshop
- You Path To Writing a Page-Turner
- Write a Hit Novel or Script Using The Secret of Suspense
- Write a Novel Outline from scratch (novel writing success)
- Novel Writing: Adding Hollywood Magic to Your Writing
- Creating Writing
- Creating Writing
- Starting to Write Your Novel
- Advanced Novel Writing
- Conclusion
Write a Bestselling Novel in 15 Steps (Writing Mastery)
By Jesica Brody
You can be among the over 50,000 students this course has impacted. Aside from the convincing reviews, the course creator has a remarkable resume. Earn a certificate of completion from this top-selling course on Udemy.
Why Choose This Course?
- Understand the formula for creating captivating novels.
- Gain practical examples of how great movies and novels are written.
- Follow a guided step-by-step structure to help you complete your novel.
- Master the art of the storytelling code.
What’s Included in the Course?
- The course duration is 3 hours and 40 minutes.
- Reviews. 4.7 stars.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Suitable for beginners.
- Lifetime unlimited access to the course.
| Pros | Cons |
| Numerous relevant examples | Focuses on the novel's structure |
| The instructor is an established author | |
| Ideal for beginners and experienced writers |
Novel Writing Workshop
By Steve Alcorn
Marketing your novel is equally important as creating and publishing it. Throughout Steve's novel-writing workshop, you are guided from converting your ideas into a book to selling it to consumers. Due to the lifetime access, you can return to the course whenever needed.
Why Choose This Course?
- Follow a functioning plan toward completing your novel.
- Master the art of character development.
- Learn how to implement the three-act structure model.
- Polish and get to know how to publish your novel.
- Create a marketing plan to sell your novel.
What’s Included in the Course?
- The course duration is 4 hours and 58 minutes.
- Reviews. 4.7 stars.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Suitable for beginners.
| Pros | Cons |
| It’s a beginner's guide to becoming an author | The course isn’t engaging |
| Focuses on the fundamentals of novel writing | |
| Awards students a certificate of completion |
You Path To Writing a Page-Turner
By Barbara Kyle
Many successful writers have difficulty designing engaging courses and are hesitant to mentor others. An accomplished author, Barbara isn't afraid to tell you her secrets as to how she writes a novel. This online course draws you in and has you wanting more.
Why Choose This Course?
- Learn how to craft stories that appeal to your audience’s psychology
- Understand how to use the three C’s in your writing (Conflict, Close relationships, and Choice)
- Uncover the essentials of a story structure
- Discover useful lessons from the examples provided
- Find out how to make a perfect pitch to agents and publishers
What’s Included in the Course?
- The course duration is 4 hours and 20 minutes.
- Reviews. 4.8 stars.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Suitable for writers of all levels.
- Unlimited access to the course.
| Pros | Cons |
| Provides a guided writing approach | Negative nonverbal communication |
| Engages the learner throughout the course | |
| Well structured and organized |
Write a Hit Novel or Script Using The Secret of Suspense
By Vik Rubenfeld
If you are looking for an online course that empowers you to write beyond novels, you should check out Vik’s course. Famous for his prowess in screenwriting, Vik promises to teach you ways to keep your readers glued to your writing.
Why Choose This Course?
- Learn how writers create stories with suspense using examples from movies.
- Interact one-on-one with the instructor while engaging with other learners.
- Find out ways to structure and outline your story to compel your audience to read.
- Uncover the various components of a good story and select what works for you.
What’s Included in the Course?
- The course duration is 2 hours and 32 minutes.
- Reviews. 4.7 stars.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Suitable for beginners.
- Lifetime access to the course.
| Pros | Cons |
| Numerous relatable examples | Shallow course on novel writing |
| Worksheets to guide the learner | Focus more on plotting and structure |
| Gain skills beyond novel writing |
Write a Novel Outline from scratch (novel writing success)
By Andrew Butcher
This course will teach you how Andrew constructs multi-layered stories. Recognize his methods for developing characters and how convincing they appear. You'll also get into the reader's imagination, making sure that each phrase is woven into many plot lines together.
Why Choose This Course?
- You'll work out how to make plot lines.
- How to make a character that is both deep and interesting.
- How to start writing a novel from the initial concept.
- Faster draft writing.
What’s Included in the Course?
- The course duration is 3 hours and 47 minutes.
- Reviews. 4.4 stars.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Suitable for beginners.
- Available in video, audio, and downloadable resources.
| Pros | Cons |
| Guided steps towards writing your novel | Offers basic novel writing concepts |
| The author constantly improves the course |
Novel Writing: Adding Hollywood Magic to Your Writing
By IFH Courses and Michaek Hauge
Michael Hauge is not a stranger in Hollywood and uses his skills to teach you how to write a novel.
“No one is better than Michael Hauge at finding what is most authentic in every moment of a story.” - Will Smith
Why Choose This Course?
- Learn how to delve into the emotions of the reader.
- Master Michael’s 12 key components of a compelling story.
- Identify key questions ideal when writing a great story.
What’s Included in the Course?
- The course duration is 1 hour and 36 minutes.
- Reviews. 4.8 stars.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Suitable for beginners.
- Available in video-only content.
| Pros | Cons |
| Short and to the point | Offers basic novel writing skills |
| Provides a preview to gauge the course |
Creating Writing
By Margaret Atwood
There are numerous lessons available in the masterclass but Margaret’s creative writing course stands out. She identifies the struggles of being a novel writer and offers mentorship to overcome them.
Why Choose this Course?
- Discover your own path while overcoming obstacles.
- Learn from other examples on how to give your story a plot.
- Identify the various structural forms and create your own narrative.
- Master the art of giving life to your character.
- Discover the business side of writing.
What’s Included in The Course?
- The course duration is 3 hour and 43 minutes.
- An annual subscription of $180.
- Suitable for all levels.
- Access more than 150 courses.
- Video content is streamed online.
| Pros | Cons |
| Package offers access to numerous courses | Offers membership access |
| It's taught by the best in the industry | |
| Watch on desktop, TV, or mobile devices |
Creating Writing
By Louise Dean
This course is led by Louise Dean, an award-winning and Booker Prize longlisted author of four novels. It’s available at the Novelry. She will teach you everything you need to know about writing a successful novel based on her 20 years of expertise in the business.
Why Choose This Course?
- The lessons are available in both text and video format.
- You'll learn about the most important writing habits.
- Learn more about creating strong characters.
- Find out how to let your imagination go wild.
What’s Included in The Course?
- An annual subscription package ranges from $365 to $4375.
- Suitable for writers of all levels.
- You’ll get a 7-day money-back guarantee.
- Certificate of completion.
| Pros | Cons |
| Engage with other writers in the community | Offers membership access |
| Step by step guide | |
| Access to various novel-writing courses | |
| One on one mentorship |
Starting to Write Your Novel
By Anna Davis
The Curtis Brown Creative Writing School was founded by Anna. She is a novelist, a former Guardian columnist, and a University of Manchester lecturer, among other things. This online creative writing course can help you build your idea, plot out your story, and get started writing a novel if you need some practical help with the basics.
What’s Included in the Course?
- The three subscription packages include
- Course work for only $265.
- Course plus assessment $450.
- Course plus assessment plus tutorial $570.
- Suitable for writers of all levels.
| Pros | Cons |
| Engage with other writers in the community | Offers membership access |
| Step by step guide | |
| Take practical writing skills | |
| One-on-one mentorship |
Advanced Novel Writing
By Mark Spencer and Terri Valentine
This course is for you if you want to get some hands-on experience writing a novel from start to finish. By the end of this course, you'll have spent 15 weeks writing and receiving the critical feedback you need to complete your novel.
Why Choose This Course?
- The lessons are available in both text and video format.
- You'll learn about the most important writing habits.
- Learn more about creating strong characters.
- Find out how to let your imagination go wild.
What’s Included in the Course?
- The course price is $799.99.
- The course duration is 15 weeks.
- The sessions are five divided into three weeks.
- The delivery is Ten thousand words per session.
- Ideal for intermediate and advanced novelists.
| Pros | Cons |
| One-on-one mentorship | Time constraint |
| End up with a ready novel |
Conclusion
I have shown you the ten best novel-writing courses online. I have highlighted their key features while mentioning the pros and cons. I also guided you on what to look for when selecting an online course.
It’s now your turn to select a course and make the best out of it in your novel writing journey.
