Online Classes
WRITE YOUR TRUE STORY.
Join CNF's growing online writing community.
Since 2011, Creative Nonfiction's online classes have helped thousands of writers from all over the world tell their stories better. Check out our winter course offerings.
Our 5- and 10-week classes offer firm deadlines, a flexible schedule that fits your needs, and feedback to help you keep writing and improving your work. And the small class sizes (no more than 14 students per class) help foster community and connection.
Whether you're just starting out or are looking for an advanced class to help you refine and polish your work, we have a course for you. Classes are offered in Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer terms.
See what past students have to say about our growing writing community; read some publishing success stories from our students; learn more about our instructors; and see a complete list of our past classes.
Self-Guided Class
November 2 – November 30
Write Your Memoir Month »
Winter Online Classes
January 11 – March 21
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Our fundamentals courses are designed for those who are new to writing or new to creative nonfiction, as well as those who could benefit from a back-to-basics review on how to effectively and intentionally use elements of the writer's craft.
Creative Nonfiction Boot Camp (5- or 10-week) »
Instructors: Ploi Pirapokin and Bridgette Shade
Kick-start your writing with our most popular class. Start that long-delayed project, develop essential writing habits with daily writing prompts, and reach your goals.
Foundations of Creative Nonfiction: Writing with Research »
Instructor: Michael Busk
Your introduction to the genre. Explore both the techniques used to gather information and the literary skills needed to turn bare facts into compelling narratives.
Historical Narratives »
Instructor: Marty Levine
Bring the past to life! Get insight into how to translate facts and research into vivid characters and scenes.
Thirty-Minute Memoir »
Instructor: Joelle Fraser
Manageable daily writing assignments will help you break down the task of writing a memoir.
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INTERMEDIATE—prerequisites suggested.
Our intermediate courses are designed for writers who have some experience either in the genre or CNF's courses. Past course participation is not required, but we do recommend starting with one of our fundamentals courses, especially Foundations of Creative Nonfiction.
NEW! How to Write Angry, Honestly »
Instructor: Sarah Cannon
Learn how to express strong feelings with candor as well as compassion.
Writing the Lyric Essay: When Poetry & Nonfiction Play »
Instructor: Joanna Cooper
Experiment with form and explore the possibilities of this flexible genre.
Writing the Personal Essay »
Instructor: Meghan O'Gieblyn
Whether you're a beginning or more experienced writer, learn how to tell your story with dialogue and detail while gaining a deeper understanding of form and structure.
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ADVANCED—prerequisites required for enrollment.
Our advanced courses are for writers who meet one of the following qualifications: 1) you have completed two previous courses with Creative Nonfiction (one must be an intermediate level course); 2) you have an MFA in creative nonfiction; or 3) you have published widely. If you are unsure if you qualify, please email [email protected].
NEW! Advanced Flash Essay: Freedom in Structure »
Instructor: Jenna McGuiggan
Explore a range of short nonfiction forms, styles, and structures.
Advanced Memoir: From First Sentence to Resolution »
Instructor: Kase Johnstun
Refine and refresh work in progress and take up the challenges of longer sections and full-length manuscripts.
Advanced Personal Essay: Finding a Way Through »
Instructor: Peter Mountford
Transform actual people and events into characters and plot elements, and turn your personal anecdotes into publishable essays.
Advanced Science Writing »
Instructor: Chelsea Biondolillo
Take a deep dive into the structure and narrative arcs of writing excellent science essays and address ethics, revision, and marketing your work.
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Yearlong Writing Tracks
NEW! Whether you’re new to the genre or you’re looking to add more rigor and accountability to your writing practice, this thoughtful progression of courses will help you learn (or revisit) the fundamentals of the genre, develop your craft, enrich your knowledge, and sharpen your skills.
Pathway to the Memoir »
A yearlong structured track designed to help you write your memoir.
Pathway to the Personal Essay »
A yearlong structured track designed to raise your personal essay game from good to great.
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Please note: it is not uncommon for classes to fill up before the end of early registration, particularly in the last few days before the deadline. If you know for certain that you wish to take a particular class, we recommend registering early. If you'd like to be added to a waitlist for a sold-out class, please email our director of education, Sharla Yates, at yates[at]creativenonfiction[dot]org.
Is there a course that you'd like to take that isn't being offered? You can request a course here and we'll notify you when it's being offered again.
Please follow the links below for more information: