Genre Writing Courses
Want to write the kind of stories you love to read? Our genre writing courses will help you understand the conventions, expectations and techniques that make specific genres so compelling – and show you how to use them to create stories that keep readers turning the pages.
From sweeping romances and richly imagined fantasy worlds to gripping crime and immersive historical fiction, these courses take you inside the craft of your chosen genre. You’ll learn from experienced writers and develop the skills to create engaging characters, compelling plots and stories that deliver what genre readers are looking for.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’re already working on a novel, choose the course that matches the story you want to tell.
Genre Writing
Courses
Want to write the kind of stories you love to read? Our genre writing courses will help you understand the conventions, expectations and techniques that make specific genres so compelling – and show you how to use them to create stories that keep readers turning the pages.
From sweeping romances and richly imagined fantasy worlds to gripping crime and immersive historical fiction, these courses take you inside the craft of your chosen genre. You’ll learn from experienced writers and develop the skills to create engaging characters, compelling plots and stories that deliver what genre readers are looking for.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’re already working on a novel, choose the course that matches the story you want to tell.
Romance Writing
Make your readers fall in love with your story. Learn the essential elements of successful romance fiction, from creating compelling characters and romantic tension to developing obstacles, emotional stakes and a satisfying ending.
You will learn to:
- Make your readers fall in love with your story
- Create compelling romantic protagonists and believable relationships
- Build romantic tension, chemistry and emotional stakes
- Develop obstacles and conflict that keep readers invested
- Structure a romance plot and build towards a satisfying ending
- Avoid common romance writing pitfalls and clichés
Historical Fiction
Bring the past to life through compelling fiction. Discover how to research and use historical detail, create believable characters and settings, and balance historical authenticity with a great story.
You will learn to:
- Bring the past to life through compelling fiction
- Research the past effectively without overwhelming your story with information
- Create authentic historical settings, characters and details
- Balance historical accuracy with the needs of your story
- Use historical events and context to enrich your plot
- Avoid common research and historical fiction mistakes
Fantasy Fiction Writing
Create worlds readers will want to disappear into. Learn how to build believable fantasy worlds, develop memorable characters, construct compelling plots and create magic systems that feel original, logical and meaningful.
You will learn to:
- Create worlds readers will want to disappear into
- Build immersive and believable fantasy worlds
- Develop memorable characters with compelling goals and conflicts
- Create magic systems that enhance rather than overwhelm your story
- Construct plots that work within your imagined world
- Balance worldbuilding with storytelling and keep readers engaged
Crime and Thriller Writing
Keep your readers guessing until the very last page. Learn how to construct gripping plots, build suspense and tension, develop compelling characters and understand the conventions that make crime and thriller fiction so addictive.
You will learn to:
- Keep your readers guessing until the very last page
- Develop compelling crimes, mysteries and central story questions
- Create complex characters, suspects and antagonists
- Build suspense, tension and a sense of danger
- Plant clues, red herrings and revelations effectively
- Structure a gripping plot that keeps readers turning the pages
Anatomy of a Crime: How to Write About Murder
Go deeper into the craft of crime writing and learn what makes a murder mystery work. Explore the mechanics of murder, clues, suspects, investigation and suspense, and discover how to turn a crime into a compelling story that keeps readers hooked.
You will learn to:
- Go deeper into the craft of crime writing and learn what makes a murder mystery work
- Develop a believable crime and construct an effective investigation
- Create suspects with motives, secrets and opportunities
- Plant clues and red herrings to keep readers guessing
- Control the flow of information and build suspense
- Create satisfying revelations and a compelling resolution
Creative Non-fiction
Learn how to write true stories. Whether you’re writing memoir, personal essays, true crime, history, travel or a book about a subject you know deeply, this course will show you how to transform real-life material into compelling stories.
You will learn to:
- Understand the key elements and techniques of creative non-fiction
- Find and develop compelling stories from real-life experiences and ideas
- Structure true stories to create momentum, tension and narrative flow
- Create vivid characters and settings using storytelling techniques
- Develop your narrative voice and choose the right tone for your story
- Use research, dialogue and descriptive detail effectively
- Navigate the challenges of writing about real people and events
Personal Storytelling and Memoir Writing
Turn your life experiences into compelling stories. Learn how to shape memories, experiences and personal insights into engaging narratives that connect with readers and bring your story to life.
You will learn to:
- Understand the key elements and techniques of memoir and personal storytelling
- Find and develop compelling stories from your own life experiences
- Structure your story to create momentum, meaning and emotional impact
- Develop your own distinctive voice and writing style
- Bring people, places and memories to life through vivid detail
- Use dialogue, reflection and scene to create engaging personal stories
- Write honestly and thoughtfully about yourself and others
Find your genre
Not sure which course is right for you? Think about the kind of story you want to write and choose the genre that best fits your idea. You can also combine genre knowledge with the broader fiction skills covered in our other writing courses to build your storytelling toolkit.