Start your next chapter with a self-paced online writing course from National Centre for Writing
We all have busy lives, and it can be hard to find the time to learn new skills. That’s why our self-paced online courses are designed to fit around your schedule – progress through at your own pace, with zero pressure!
NCW Academy self-paced online writing courses are designed by experienced tutors and published writers who share their advice, techniques and best practice through a range of short videos and written exercises. Whether you want to explore writing habits and routines, boost your confidence, tackle character and plot or experiment with a new genre, this is a chance to learn something new and improve your craft at your own pace.
Sign up to a free or low-cost course today and progress while balancing work, school or family commitments. These simple to access courses are specifically created to suit writers at all stages, whether you have a lot or just a little time to dedicate to your practice. All you need is a computer and a love of writing.
Craft
How to Write Real People in Memoir
How do you write about someone you know? This course unpicks the thorny questions around truth, memory, and narrative.
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How to Write True Crime
Learn the tools and techniques needed to write a compelling true crime novel, article, or script for a podcast or documentary.
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How to Create Suspense in Fiction
In this course, you’ll learn how to keep your readers on the edge of their seat, no matter what genre your novel is.
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First Steps in Short Form Poetry
Super-short forms of writing give us the gift of concision; the ability to drive straight to the beating heart of something.
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New Ways with Short Form Poetry
There are new poetic forms, trends and traditions being created all the time. Aki Schilz, editor and poet, has been at the forefront of super-short form poetic trends and is here to guide you through the latest in super-short poetry.
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How to Write Unreliable Narrators
How do you create a narrator your reader can’t trust? In this course, you’ll look at the ways in which an unreliable narrator can add intrigue, suspense, and drama into your narrative, and you’ll experiment with creating your own unreliable narrators.
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How to Write Young Adult Fiction: Characters and Conflicts
Discover tools and techniques to help you create compelling characters and plot your YA Novel.
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Writing Characters for Middle-Grade Fiction
Join award-winning children’s author Mitch Johnson as he guides you through the techniques and art of creating characters that will appeal to middle-grade readers.
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Writing Science Fiction: World Building
Start building your science fiction world in this free course, hosted by Ian Nettleton. All stories need good settings but science fiction has its own unique and particular needs, whether you’re writing in the past, an alternative present or the far future. This course guides you through classic sci-fi settings and explores ways to craft your own.
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Writing Science Fiction: Plotting & Endings
Discover how to plot a story, from its beginnings through to redrafting and its end, with tutor Ian Nettleton.
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Writing Science Fiction: Characters & Point of View
Science fiction is known for its incredible world-building, brain-melting ideas and imaginative technology. But a story doesn’t come to life without engaging characters, no matter the genre, and this course is designed to help you infuse your sci-fi stories with memorable characters.
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Writing Science Fiction Bundle
This huge bundle includes all three Writing Science Fiction courses, taught by Ian Nettleton: World Building, Characters & Point of View and Plotting & Endings.
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