Best Creative Writing Classes Near Me: Find In-Person & Virtual Training

Learn More About Creative Writing Courses

People who love to write often work as Authors or Editors. Many Writers are self-employed and sell their work to a publishing company. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary for Writers and Editors is around $73,000 per year, though earnings can vary widely depending on experience level and publication success. For those with a strong imagination and solid writing skills, creative writing can lead to a fulfilling and flexible career path with opportunities across many industries.

Career Paths for Creative Writers

People with creative writing skills can work as Authors, Playwrights, Video Game Writers, Ghostwriters, Editors, or Copy Editors. Indeed.com lists salary ranges for these jobs, although there is variation according to a writer's level of fame and sales figures.

Creative Writer: Creative Writers or Authors write fiction in the form of novels, short stories, and poetry. They are usually self-employed and sell their work to book publishers, magazines, and digital publications. There is a wide variation in pay for Creative Writers, depending on the popularity of their work. The average yearly income of an Author is around $52,000, with a range between $24,000 and $110,000 or more.
Screenwriter/Playwright: Creative Writers who work in film or theater write and edit scripts for movies, television shows, or live theater. Writers on this career path are often hired by studios and theaters to complete a particular project. The salary range for Screenwriters is between $40,000 and $100,000 annually.
Video Game Writer: Writers are also hired by game development companies to create storylines, character personas, and backstories, as well as dialogue. Video Game Writers work as part of a team with developers and designers, and they often have coding skills, too. Video Game Writers make a yearly average salary of about $50,000.
Ghostwriter: Ghostwriters complete projects for clients who then publish the work in their own names. Ghostwriters often sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) not to discuss the project for a specified period of time. Ghostwriters earn an average of around $70,000 annually.
Editor: People who have worked as Creative Writers sometimes shift to a career as an Editor. This involves reading manuscripts and making suggestions to improve the structure and readability of the work. Editors make an average of $68,000 a year.
Proofreader/Copy Editor: Another possibility for individuals with creative writing skills is a job as a Copy Editor or Proofreader. This job requires attention to detail, knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and the ability to work under a deadline. Copy Editors earn around $65,000 a year.

Industries that Employ Creative Writers

Most Creative Writers work independently, but some go to work for film and television companies, book and magazine publishers, or game development firms.

Film and Television: Film and television studios hire Writers to create and edit scripts for movies and TV shows. The biggest studios in the U.S. are Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, 20th Century Studios, Warner Bros., Columbia Pictures, and Walt Disney Studios. There are many other smaller studios that also hire Screenwriters, including newcomers Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Book and Magazine Publishers: The major book publishers in the United States are Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, Macmillan Publishers, and Simon & Schuster. The biggest magazine groups are Meredith, Hearst, and Condé Nast.
Game Development Companies: Electronic Arts, Nintendo, Ubisoft, Activision Blizzard, and Roblox are among the largest video game developers in the U.S. There are also many smaller startups like Quell Tech, Mino Games, Voldex, One More Game, Improbable, and Sky Mavis.

Trends Affecting Creative Writing Jobs

Success as a Creative Writer has always been difficult to predict. While traditional publishing companies continue to sell novels and short story collections, many Authors are going the self-publishing route and building audiences on social media. In addition to self-publishing and social media, many Creative Writers are turning to freelance platforms and AI-assisted tools to supplement their income. Websites like Upwork and Fiverr allow writers to connect with clients around the world looking for everything from ghostwritten content to editing services. These platforms can provide a steady stream of work, especially for writers just starting out professionally or looking to boost their income.

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly are also changing the career landscape for writers. While some worry that artificial intelligence will replace writing jobs, others see it as a resource for generating ideas and improving drafts. Many writers now use these tools to refine grammar, check tone, and even overcome writer’s block. In fact, the ability to work alongside AI tools is becoming a valuable skill in itself.

Creative Writing Courses by School

Here are some of the top schools offering Creative Writing training, including Gotham Writers Workshop (9 courses), Writing Pad (5 courses), and The Writing Studio (2 courses).

Gotham Writers Workshop

NYC location: 555 8th Avenue, New York, New York

Gotham Writers Workshop is a New York-based school offering a range of creative writing classes suited for all levels. Courses are offered in a variety of formats, such as online and in-person classes, workshops, and seminars covering genres such as fiction, poetry, and more. With its expert instructors and extensive library of resources, Gotham Writers Workshop is an ideal environment for budding writers to hone their craft.
- Creative Writing 101 Level 1: 6 Weeks
  - 6 Weeks, 3 hr/wk
  - $360
- Creative Nonfiction 101 Level 1: 6 Weeks
  - 6 Weeks, 3 hr/wk
  - $360
- Creative Writing 101: 6 Weeks
  - 18 Hours
  - $380
- Creative Writing 101 Level 1: 6 Weeks
  - 6 Weeks, 3 hr/wk
  - $344
The Writers Studio

NYC location: 272 W 10th St, New York, New York

The Writers Studio is a renowned school in New York dedicated to creative writing. From individual courses to 12-week programs, they offer classes in fiction, memoir, personal narrative, poetry, and more. Through their unique approach, students are taught the skills needed to become better writers and discover their true writing style.
- Level 1 Intro to Fiction and Poetry
  - 8 Weeks, 2 hr/wk
  - $435
The Writing Studio

Los Angeles location: Near the intersection of La Brea &, Los Angeles, California

The Writing Studio is a professional school based in Los Angeles offering comprehensive writing courses, including creative writing, business writing, and non-fiction writing. Their instructors specialize in different writing styles and topics, and classes are designed for everyone, from beginner-level writers to seasoned professionals. With personalized teaching styles and flexible scheduling, The Writing Studio provides education for a variety of writing needs.
- Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom
  - 4 Weeks, 3 hr/wk
  - $200
- Saturday Creative Writing Workshop
  - 9 Hours
  - $160
Los Angeles Writers Group

Los Angeles location: 1728 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles Writers Group is an organization that provides a diverse range of courses and workshops for aspiring and experienced writers. Their offerings range from introductory classes designed to launch you into the world of creative writing, to advanced courses for refining existing skills. They also provide classes in many popular genres, such as fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, and poetry.
- Creative Writing Workshop - All Genre
  - 2 Hours
  - $37
Writing Pad

Los Angeles location: 1132 Van Pelt Ave, Los Angeles, California

Writing Pad is a professional online school offering a range of creative writing courses. These include classes in fiction, non-fiction, screenplay, poetry, and essay writing. Catering to experienced and beginner learners, the expert instructors at Writing Pad provide detailed instruction, feedback, and guidance to help you develop your craft.
- Resistance Smackdown: A Creative Writing Restoration
  - 3 Hours
  - $120
- Novel II: Intermediate Novel Writing Workshop
  - 5 Weeks, 3 hr/wk
  - $425
- Novel I: Intro to Novel Writing Workshop
  - 5 Weeks, 3 hr/wk
  - $425
L.A. Writers' Lab

Los Angeles location: 4117 Overland Ave, Culver City, California

L.A. Writers' Lab is a dedicated writing workspace in Los Angeles, offering courses for all skill levels. They specialize in creative writing, from creative nonfiction to screenwriting, and cover topics such as structure, dialogue, and revision. Their courses equip writers with the skills to craft compelling stories while fostering a supportive community of fellow writers.
- The 90-Day Novel Telecourse
  - 14 Weeks, 1 hr/wk
  - $650

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Creative Writing
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Creative Writing Training Map & Top Locations

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Learn Creative Writing

Learn More About Creative Writing Courses

Career Paths for Creative Writers

Industries that Employ Creative Writers

Trends Affecting Creative Writing Jobs

Creative Writing Courses by School

Gotham Writers Workshop

Creative Writing 101 Level 1: 6 Weeks

Creative Nonfiction 101 Level 1: 6 Weeks

Creative Writing 101: 6 Weeks

Creative Writing 101 Level 1: 6 Weeks

The Writers Studio

Level 1 Intro to Fiction and Poetry

The Writing Studio

Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

Saturday Creative Writing Workshop

Los Angeles Writers Group

Creative Writing Workshop - All Genre

Writing Pad

Resistance Smackdown: A Creative Writing Restoration

Novel II: Intermediate Novel Writing Workshop

Novel I: Intro to Novel Writing Workshop

L.A. Writers' Lab

The 90-Day Novel Telecourse

Creative Writing Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

Creative Writing Training Map & Top Locations

13 Courses Available Live Online

4 Courses Available in NYC

Creative Writing
Corporate & Onsite Training