Reading about writing only gets you so far. Sometimes you need to see the concepts in action, hear them explained differently, or follow along step by step while someone walks you through building a story from scratch.
Free Video Course: Novel Writing Basics
This free 12-week course covers everything from story structure to revision, based on the same principles taught in Book Craft. Watch the full playlist here or on YouTube.
Full Course Contents
Want the Complete System?
The free videos cover the basics. The full academy adds scored feedback on your manuscript, advanced editing modules, and a complete write-to-publish system.
More Writing Courses Worth Your Time
We put together a comprehensive guide to the 25 best creative writing courses — from free options like Brandon Sanderson’s lectures and Reedsy Learning, to premium programs with real editorial feedback. Here are the highlights:
- Brandon Sanderson’s BYU Lectures — Free. Best free writing instruction available. Fantasy-focused but universally applicable.
- Writing Mastery Academy (Jessica Brody) — $29/month. Great Save the Cat! method for structure.
- MasterClass — $120/year. Neil Gaiman, Margaret Atwood, James Patterson. Inspiring, not practical.
- Gotham Writers Workshop — $379-$515. Best live workshop with real critique.
Read the full guide with 25+ courses reviewed →
Free Video Resources
- Writing Excuses Podcast — 15-minute episodes covering every aspect of craft.
- Lessons from the Screenplay — YouTube channel analyzing how great films use structure and character (directly applicable to fiction).
Written Guides
- The Plot Dot — Interactive story structure tool
- The Craft of Writing Guide — Comprehensive written guide
- The Book — The full system in print
- Writing Archives — 80+ free articles
Start Your Writing Journey
Explore our guides on craft, structure, and the magic of storytelling.
