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English Creative Writing

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Course information

Do you enjoy writing and would you like to be able to write freely and creatively in English? Would you like to develop your creative writing style, or are you suffering from writer's block? Then English Creative Writing is the right course for you. During this course you will learn more about the creative writing process and how to engage in it, using various examples and assignments.

During the course each student writes a short story and a series of poems.

Skills you will have developed by the end of this course include being able to write poems and short stories, plus you will have found your own voice and will be able to use different writing styles.

Who is it for?

The English Creative Writing course is suitable for students with an advanced knowledge of English who are looking to develop their own writing style. Would you like to write travel stories or tales from your family? Or do you work as a content creator, blogger, marketing specialist or in another creative career that involves writing? Then this course is for you!

What will you learn?

How do I write a good story? During this course we will introduce an effective writing strategy to you and give you tips and tricks that lead to a successful creative text. You will learn how to write gripping articles and what makes a readable text. Aspects of this include sentence length and cohesion: the relationship between ideas within a sentence and between different sentences. For writing poetry and verse, the focus is on imagery, atmosphere, originality and rhyme. Use of vocabulary and its effect on the reader are also covered.

Who am I as a writer? Various general aspects are addressed, such as starting to write and finding your voice as a writer. Where do I find inspiration? What inspires you? How do you look at everyday objects or events? How do I incorporate personal experiences in my story?

Who is the narrator? How can I connect ideas in order to develop characters and build a story line? You will discuss the effect of direct and indirect speech and how to get your characters to express their thoughts.

What appeals to the reader? You will also be given advice on how to captivate the reader, how to catch and keep their attention. And just who is the reader anyway?

You will be given practical tips, like keeping a diary, and how to gather material. You will also be asked to keep a reading list. And, last but not least, issues such as editing, correction and proofreading will be covered.

Course materials

Schedule and registration.

Application Procedure

Please have the following supporting documents ready to upload (in PDF) to the online application form:

• A scan of your passport
• A copy of your degree certificate, license or registration
• An up-to-date copy of your CV/Resume

Write a 500 word letter of motivation addressing your interest in creative writing. State your experience with writing, whether you have already studied creative writing, published anything, or are a complete beginner drawn to this craft. Address your goals and what you expect to learn from this course.

Pay the non-refundable €25 application fee by credit card. 

Early admissions deadline

Students who require a Schengen Visa to study in the Netherlands are strongly advised to apply before the early deadline to ensure there is enough time to secure a visa appointment before the programme begins.

• Deadline:  Thursday 1 February 2024

Admissions decision : we aim to have a decision back to you as soon as possible, but by 26 February 2024 at the latest.

Payment deadline  (tuition and housing) must be submitted within 2 weeks after being accepted in the programme.

Regular admissions deadline

• Deadline: Friday 15 March
• Admissions decision : we aim to have a decision back to you as soon as possible, but by 15 April 2023 at the latest.
• Payment deadline  (tuition and housing) must be submitted within 1 week after being accepted in the programme. 

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Develop yourself to become a creative writer

Creative Writing Dutch

Literature and society.

A study in Literature and creative writing: the first Dutch bachelor's degree in creative writing, which gives you a scientific basis plus practical writing skills: creative writing. 

Creative Writing Dutch is a track of the Bachelor's programme Literature and Society. Check out the studyprogramme in Dutch.

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All our Master's programmes

Are you looking for a Master's programme taught in Dutch? See the list of Master's programmes on our Dutch site . 

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Best Universities for Creative Writing in the World

Updated: February 29, 2024

• Art & Design
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
• Mathematics

Below is a list of best universities in the World ranked based on their research performance in Creative Writing. A graph of 3.39M citations received by 403K academic papers made by 1,501 universities in the World was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

Please note that our approach to subject rankings is based on scientific outputs and heavily biased on art-related topics towards institutions with computer science research profiles.

1. University of Toronto

For Creative Writing

2. University of Oxford

3. University College London

4. Columbia University

5. University of Cambridge

6. King's College London

7. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

8. University of British Columbia

9. University of Texas at Austin

10. Stanford University

11. University of Manchester

12. University of California - Berkeley

13. University of Alberta

14. Yale University

15. Pennsylvania State University

16. Ohio State University

17. University of Southern California

18. New York University

19. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

20. University of Edinburgh

21. University of Wisconsin - Madison

22. University of Exeter

23. University of Chicago

24. University of California - Los Angeles

25. University of Sydney

26. Arizona State University - Tempe

27. Cornell University

28. Harvard University

29. University of Sheffield

30. University of Melbourne

31. University of Birmingham

32. University of Nottingham

33. University of Leeds

34. McGill University

35. University of Pennsylvania

36. University of Washington - Seattle

37. University of Virginia

38. Monash University

39. Emory University

40. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

41. University of Bristol

42. University of Maryland - College Park

43. University of Queensland

44. Lancaster University

45. York University

46. University of Arizona

47. Durham University

48. Princeton University

49. University of York

50. University of Warwick

51. Michigan State University

52. University of Glasgow

53. University of South Florida

54. University of California - Santa Barbara

55. University of Auckland

56. University of Calgary

57. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

58. University of Amsterdam

59. Boston College

60. Cardiff University

61. University of Sussex

62. University of California - Irvine

63. University of London

64. University of Illinois at Chicago

65. London School of Economics and Political Science

66. Tel Aviv University

67. Hebrew University of Jerusalem

68. Catholic University of Leuven

69. University of Haifa

70. Aarhus University

71. Florida State University

72. University of Southampton

73. Queen Mary University of London

74. University of Oslo

75. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

76. University of St Andrews

77. University of Pittsburgh

78. University of Victoria

79. Lund University

80. University of New South Wales

81. University of California - Santa Cruz

82. Royal Holloway, University of London

83. University of Liverpool

84. University of Helsinki

85. University of Notre Dame

86. Temple University

87. Northwestern University

88. Education University of Hong Kong

89. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

90. University of Florida

91. Vanderbilt University

92. University of Waikato

93. Griffith University

94. Newcastle University

95. University of Copenhagen

96. Macquarie University

97. Carnegie Mellon University

98. Georgetown University

99. Boston University

100. University of California-San Diego

Art & Design subfields in the World

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10 Best Creative Writing Courses for 2024: Craft Authentic Stories

Learn how to tell your story and engage your readers with great storytelling.

As a lifelong literature enthusiast, I decided to challenge myself in 2010 by participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), which tasks participants with writing a 50,000-word draft within a month. Although I’ve only achieved this goal twice since then, the experience has been invaluable. I’ve connected with a wonderful community of writers, both online and in person.

Through my experience, I can confidently say that creative writing is a skill that can be developed and honed, just like any other. While traditionally associated with literature, creative writing is increasingly being recognized as a powerful tool in various forms of writing, from copywriting and storytelling to novels and poetry. It has the ability to captivate readers and elevate the impact of written expression.

If you’re searching for the best online Creative Writing courses and resources, you’ve come to the right place. This Best Courses Guide (BCG) is built from Class Central’s catalog of over 300 Creative Writing courses and selected according to a methodology that you can check below.

Click on the shortcuts for more details:

What is Creative Writing?

Courses overview, why you should trust us, how we made our picks and tested them, here are our top picks.

Click on one to skip to the course details:

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Creative writing is a genre of writing that seeks to evoke emotions and feelings in its readers. It surpasses the limits of traditional forms of literature and emphasizes narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes and poetic traditions. Creative writing finds application in various forms of writing, including screenplays, plays, novels, poems, and other written works. In this guide, I will delve into some of its most popular facets.

Enhancing resilience and creativity through writing

Research shows that the brains of professional writers work differently from those of novice writers. Moreover, creative writing has been found to boost resilience in students . If you want to enjoy the benefits of writing, it’s important to develop the habit of jotting down your thoughts and words. Doing so can help you overcome writer’s block.

Creative writing is so powerful that it’s used in prisons to give inmates a chance to express themselves in programs like PEN America . “By providing resources, mentorship, and audiences outside the walls, we help these writers to join and enrich the broader literary community.”

Creative writing is a skill that can be learned and practiced like any other. Techniques such as ABDCE structure, 1st or 3rd person point of view, “show don’t tell”, dialogues, and tropes can be easily learned through the online courses in this guide.

• Together, they account for over 1M enrollments
• Skillshare, with 2 courses, is the most featured provider
• The single most popular course has nearly 400k enrollments
• Three courses are entirely free or free-to-audit.

Best Fantasy And Short-Stories Writing Lessons For Beginners (Brandon Sanderson)

Besides being an awesome writer, Sanderson is an instructor with a very unique talent for keeping us engaged. He has also made available a full course in creative writing on YouTube , originally presented at Brigham Young University, which includes the most crucial tools for any beginner or even experienced writers. The course is comprehensive and rich in content, with great sound and video quality.

Each video discusses a specific tool or technique, so you can easily select the theme you want to explore next or watch it all in sequence. It’s up to you. I recommend you take your time, watch one video at a time and experiment with each concept, or even better, find a writing buddy or form a group to practice writing together.

What you’ll learn:

• Plot construction, character development, and engaging storytelling
• Techniques for crafting immersive worlds and believable viewpoints
• Insights into the publishing industry, tailored for emerging writers
• Strategies for writing compelling short stories and leveraging them for larger projects.

“Very informative! I’m a beginner writer looking to study writing for video games, and this class gave me a lot of helpful tools to start understanding how stories work/how to organize my ideas! Will definitely be returning to some of these lectures in the future for guidance 👍” – Paige Webster

Best University-level Creative Writing Course (Wesleyan University)

Creative Writing by Wesleyan University is a specialization for those looking for a way to improve their writing structure, scene and character creations and finding your style. Each course includes writing practice (for paying learners) and insightful interviews. It’s worth your time and effort if you are a disorganized writer like myself.

• Techniques for crafting a bracing story with memorable characters and an interesting setting
• How to employ a fresh descriptive style in your writing
• Skills for analyzing and constructively evaluating peer writing
• The ability to refine your writing, critique writing in general, and draw inspiration from existing literature
• The process of drafting, rewriting, and completing an original story in the genre of your choosing.

It should be noted that the peer-grading system often lacks depth. However, the assignments are well-crafted and can be easily evaluated with minimal effort, providing some insights from other participants in the form of feedback or inspiration from their submissions.

“Great information about plot and scene structure. The information about revision was entirely new to me – thank you! The exercises were good and difficult in a good way that helped me hone my writing.” – Laura B, Coursera learner

Best Course to Find Your Voice (Neil Gaiman)

Neil Gaiman is currently one the most prolific writers I know of: he’s written books , comics , movies and even TV shows . Even if you’re not a fan of his style, there is definitely something you can learn from him.

In Neil Gaiman Teaches The Art Of Storytelling you will discover Neil’s philosophy on what drives a story and learn to unlock new stories within yourself.

While MasterClass doesn’t sell single courses, a subscription provides access to their entire library, including other writing courses like Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing , Dan Brown Teaches Writing Thrillers , Malcolm Gladwell Teaches Writing , and James Patterson Teaches Writing . If you are considering the purchase, you should definitely enjoy the rest of their catalog.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Discover and develop your unique writing voice
• Generate and develop original ideas
• Create dynamic, well-rounded characters that come to life on the page.

This course includes a 94-page workbook that includes assignments and supplemental material.

Best Practical Writing Course With Support (Trace Crawford)

I love it when a passionate teacher like Trace Crawford puts the effort into creating a comprehensive curriculum. COMPLETE Creative Writing – All Genres is a 12-hour course with 145 downloadable resources. In this course, you will learn how to write engaging fiction, poetry, drama, and creative non-fiction, helping you become the successful writer you want to be.

• The four genres of creative writing: fiction, poetry, drama, and creative non-fiction
• How to discover, refine, and share your unique writing voice
• A series of authentic writing assignments designed to target the skills you need to develop
• Writing techniques, literary devices, and specialized skills to enhance your writing
• Opportunities for publishing, podcasts, and how to create a professional creative writing portfolio
• Discover multiple public outlets to share your writing with others as you gain confidence and experience success in your writing ability.

This is a practical creative writing course that includes assignments reviewed by the instructor, though response time may vary.

“The short snippets of theory in combination with the short assignments suits my learning style. I don’t remember the last time I’ve written anything creative, but this course gave me the incentive to set some foundation and its actually quite enjoyable if you stick to it.” – Nikolaos-Stylianos Z., Udemy learner

Best Course to Overcome Writer’s Block: 10-Day Journaling Challenge (Emily Gould)

I couldn’t resist adding Creative Writing for All: A 10-Day Journaling Challenge to this guide. Emily Gould is a delightful instructor, and her approach to inviting you to participate in the challenge is impossible to decline. It’s the perfect course to overcome writer’s block, which is exactly what she proposes. In this 10-day creative writing challenge, filled with inspiring examples, observation prompts, and clever revision tricks, writers and enthusiasts will be able to express their creativity in a personal and artful way.

This course is the shortest one on the list, and it’s more about the challenge of keeping a journal. If you decide to subscribe to Skillshare, you can also enjoy their entire library of courses. In addition to the other two recommended courses on this list, you can also check out these other Skillshare courses: Writing Suspense: How to Write Stories That Thrill in Any Genre and The Writer’s Toolkit: 6 Steps to a Successful Writing Habit .

Best Course to Create Fiction From Personal Experience (Shaun Levin)

Shaun’s approach to writing in Short Story Writing: Create Fiction from Personal Experience is an unusual one. It draws from your personal experience to create a compelling fictional story. I can say from experience that this technique will help you write with more depth and authenticity. Every time we bring our own life to the story, it becomes alive, believable and relatable. In a way, all fictional stories are based on the author’s life.

This course will help you with techniques and a series of practical exercises to start writing your scenes from a more philosophical point of view, creating compelling stories. You’ll learn how to delve into your imagination to find everything you’ll need to become a prolific writer, no matter where you are.

By the end of the course, you will have a final project that will receive feedback from Shaun and other learners as well. Actually, if you want to check it out, in the course page on Domestika you can open the submitted projects and read the comments.

Shaun’s other courses: Creative Writing for Beginners: Bringing Your Story to Life .

“A practical course. Shaun Levin talks about theory but also demonstrates his process, which was invaluable. The exercises got my creative juices flowing. Thinking about doing his other course in the future.” – Maya Dicheva

Best Course to Make Writing Less Stressful with Best Practices (Jennie Nash)

If you struggle to start or get stuck in your writing, Write Your Book: Start Strong and Get It Done can help. With good advice and emotional support, you’ll learn techniques to make writing less stressful. The accompanying workbook guides you to think methodically by asking the right questions to keep you focused on your story and not chasing your own tail.

In this class, you’ll learn how to:

• Design every element of your novel or memoir, including the protagonist, plot, story structure and a project success plan
• Define your narrator’s voice
• Determine where your story begins and where it ends
• Decide what point you’re making about human nature
• Make sure you’re giving your ideal reader exactly what they want
• Gain the confidence you need to push past any doubts and finish your book.

This course is more of a masterclass, so there are no assignments included but it teaches good practices and provides a very useful workbook.

Best Course to Create A Compelling Story (Lisa Cron)

Writing: The Craft of Story is a series of well-produced lectures covering the basic building blocks of a story. Taught by author Lisa Cron, you will learn how to create compelling stories based on the way the brain responds to storytelling. This course emphasizes the importance of capturing the reader’s attention through techniques such as suspense, exploring the protagonist’s inner issues and dreams, specificity, and cause and effect. Upon completion of the quizzes, you will receive a certificate for your LinkedIn profile. Additionally, you can watch all the videos without subscribing to the course.

“Learning the fundamentals of crafting a story was and is a fascinating experience. And yes, I would highly recommend writing to anyone interested in learning how to express the communication of feeling.” – Nicole Gillard, LinkedIn learner.

Best Course to Write Personal Essays with Impact (Roxane Gay)

Discover the art of crafting powerful personal essays with best-selling author Roxane Gay in her course, Creative Writing: Crafting Personal Essays with Impact . Through her honest and thoughtful approach, Roxane will help you find your story, craft your truth, and write to make a difference.

This master class offers eight video lessons that are filled with practical guidance, actionable tactics, and example essays to guide you from the first idea to a final, publication-ready work.

You’ll learn how to:

• Find a specific purpose for telling your story
• Connect your work to larger conversations and timely themes
• Conduct crucial research to support your work
• Navigate personal memories to write your truth
• Write and revise your final work, and submit your work for publication.

Additionally, the class provides a downloadable worksheet to support your ongoing creative nonfiction writing practice, as well as links to additional resources.

If you enjoy creative nonfiction writing, you might consider this course that’s also on Skillshare: Creative Nonfiction: Write Truth with Style (Skillshare Original) by Susan Orlean

Best Course to Develop Your Ideas And Research for Characters (The Open University)

Start Writing Fiction explores the writing process, from journaling and idea development to reflection and editing. It features insights from established writers such as Louis de Bernières, Patricia Duncker, Alex Garland, Abdulrazak Gurnah, Tim Pears, Michèle Roberts, and Monique Roffey,  who share their approaches to research and turning events into plot. Led by Derek Neale, a novelist and short story writer, this course provides a comprehensive understanding of the writing rituals and techniques used by successful writers.

You’ll get to critique the work of other writers and receive feedback. This course is designed for individuals interested in starting or improving their fiction writing and does not require prior experience in the subject.

You’ll learn:

• Creation of characters in fiction
• Different sources and ways of presenting characters in stories
• Reading as a writer
• Writing practice including creativity, research, observation and editing
• Peer reviewing, workshops and the importance of feedback.

“This course takes learners through many aspects of writing such as developing characters, observing and describing details, finding inspiration, writing and editing. It includes some peer reviews which can be varying in quality. I was lucky enough to have some of my writing reviewed by a reviewer who gave very helpful and positive feedback.” – Pat Bowden

What’s Next

Scribophile is one of the largest online writing communities. You can get feedback on your writing and join writing groups. If you decide to join with a free plan, you need to collect points by reviewing other writers’ work before submitting your own work for review. They also developed some advanced tools for evaluating work and guidelines to make sure you give/receive feedback that is actually meaningful.

NaNoWriMo started out as a month-long challenge where you invite your friends and join other writers in your region, be it online in their forums or in person, to challenge yourself in writing your first draft. Nowadays, they run all-year round writing challenges (but November is still the biggest one in terms of participation). What is cool about it is you actually get to meet people in real life with various writing skills and backgrounds. I was able to make some great friends over the years and even met a few professional writers that decided to join our local group just to support us.

If you have any resources you would like to have added here, leave a comment below.

Class Central , a Tripadvisor for online education, has helped 60 million learners find their next course. We’ve been combing through online education for more than a decade to aggregate a catalog of 200,000 online courses and 200,000 reviews written by our users. And we’re online learners ourselves: combined, the Class Central team has completed over 400 online courses, including online degrees.

Trying to find “the best” can be daunting, even for those of us who live and breathe online courses. Here’s how I approached this task.

First, I combed through Class Central’s Catalog and the internet to find a variety of free and paid open courses, some with certificates. You don’t need to enroll in a university to learn about creative writing.

When choosing courses, I considered the following factors:

• Renowned Institutions : I looked for recognized institutions in creative writing
• Instructor experience : I sought instructors with extensive experience in creative writing and engaging presentation styles
• Popularity : I checked numbers of enrollments and views to find popular courses
• Course content : I examined courses that covered a range of topics and presentation styles, including the basics and more advanced topics. I watched some course videos to sample courses I hadn’t already taken
• Learner reviews : I read learner reviews (when available) to get a sense of the quality of each course, leveraging the Class Central database with its thousands of course ratings and reviews written by our users as well as available course provider reviews.

Then, I defined the scope for these recommendations. A creative writing course can cover various topics, so I chose top courses from a range of sub-fields.

Ultimately, I used a combination of data and my own judgment to make these picks. I’m confident these recommendations will be a reliable way to learn about creative writing.

Fabio Dantas

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Join the World’s Most Respected

Content writing course by iim skills, table of contents, top 6 creative writing courses in amsterdam.

• Joanna Fernandes
• June 6, 2024
• No Comments

To polish and upskill oneself on the journey of becoming a creative writer, one may require updating himself with creative writing courses that tackle the various aspects of writing. English has become a necessary universal requirement in the workforce in recent times. Studying from the top creative writing courses in Amsterdam with a bustling English-speaking community is a choice you should not miss out on, especially if you plan to study in the Netherlands.

Creative writing is the art of expressing oneself and one’s ideas through writing creatively, manifested in its various branches. Creative writing is a lucrative field with increasing demand and job placements. On the path to becoming a skilled professional writer, dabbling in creative writing one may face blocks in expressing oneself through the perfect set of words.  Let us first begin by understanding what creative writing means.

What is Creative Writing ?

Creative writing is the discipline and art form of using one’s creative voice and translating it into a verbal written form for an audience to decipher. One can be born with a talent for creative writing and also cultivate it through consistent effort. Creative writing is manifested across various types and in different branches.

We as a society are constantly consuming numerous forms of creative writing every other day. When a new movie is screened, a new book hits the market every week, and also when we sing along with our favorite song lyrics. The consumption of the manifestations of creative writing has enormously multiplied since the last decade, thanks to the boom of social media.

Thanks to social media we can now watch the wonders of creative writing at the tips of our fingers.  Let us now discuss and get into our curated list of the top six creative writing courses in Amsterdam.  

Here is a List of the Top 6 Creative Writing Courses in Amsterdam:

1. creative writing courses in amsterdam by iim skills:.

IIM SKILLS, the leader in professional courses offers a content writing master course that not only teaches participants creative writing, but also other varied technicalities involved in the field of writing.  The course can be taken by those completely new to the world of content creation or even those looking for a new chapter in their career as writers.

Extensive research and diligent efforts have been made by the team of experts here at IIM SKILLS in building this coursework. Students after applying to this course receive an unending support system available to them to clear any queries around the clock.

This course is sure to leave you well-versed in the nitty-gritty of creative content creation upon its completion in these contemporary automated times. It urges its participants to think creatively and become assured of their writing skills. Students gain hands-on experience by taking part in live training assignments that prepare them for future job or freelancing opportunities.

Content Writing Course Module:

Students applying for the content writing course at IIM SKILLS are guaranteed lifetime access to the coursework. Participants of the course learn from varied course modules built in mind keeping industry standards. Students not only learn creative writing but other various technicalities and their applications regarding writing. The coursework focuses on the following sixteen modules:

• Introduction: Content writing skills.
• WordPress: Web set-up and development.
• Digital content writing focusing on blogs, articles, and webpages.
• Copywriting
• Marketing: Publish a press release, write content and design brochure, infographic, and flyers and write product descriptions.
• Email Writing : Learn how to craft the perfect email for campaigns.
• Social Media: Content creation for social media and writing scripts for videos
• Creative Writing: Learn to write engaging creative work in fiction and non-fiction 
• Statement of purpose and business listing 
• Legal Writing : Learn the know-how of writing legal documents
• Technical Writing: Work on dealing with research papers and white papers 
• Search Engine Optimization: Learn how to rank content on various search engines, focusing on both on-page and off-page Seo
• Content Marketing: Learn content writing in regulation with industry standards
• Affiliate Marketing and AdSense 
• Content Writing (freelance): How to market yourself as a freelancer and gain opportunities in the industry
• Resume Writing: Learn to build and design one’s portfolio and resume

Course period:

The Content Writing Course at IIM SKILLS is for four weeks with live interactive training lectures combined with three months of a guaranteed internship program for participants. Students are also offered lifetime access to the course module even after completion.

Eligibility Criteria:

This Content Writing Course by IIM SKILLS is open to all from various walks of life with no prior pre-determined eligibility criteria. This course is accessible to those who consider writing their calling, fresher graduated students who are willing to dabble in the field of writing, working professionals, entrepreneurs learning to market themselves through content creation even those looking for a possible career change, and many more.     

Course Costs/Fees:

Students looking forward to applying to this content writing masters course by IIM SKILLS will have to pay 182.29 euros plus additional axes at checkout as course fees.

For Further Queries About the Course at IIM SKILLS, Reach Out to:

Email Address: [email protected]

Phone Contact Details: +91 9580 740 740

Also Read: Online Creative Writing Courses

2. Creative Writing Courses in Amsterdam by the University of Amsterdam

Second, on our list of creative writing courses in Amsterdam is the University of Amsterdam which offers an honors program in creative writing. The University of Amsterdam aims for the course to be more of a fun-loving approach where students collaborate their creativity in both theory and practical aspects.

Students learn to marry their thinking and creative expressionism and engage actively with the syllabus. Participants are encouraged to express their innovative ideas and express themselves through various works of writings like poems, essays, and many more. Students participate in group projects to gain distinct opinions and perspectives.

Participants eager to enroll in this course by the University of Amsterdam are welcomed from all walks of life. People from various disciplines are eligible to apply for this course. Aspirants from a nuanced academic background in literature, history, and language studies are sure to find the coursework beneficial too.

For Further Queries About Courses at the University of Amsterdam, Reach Out to:

Email address : [email protected]

Phone contact details: +31 20 5255190

3. Creative Writing Courses in Amsterdam, by Amsterdam Writing Workshop:

Amsterdam Writing Workshop offers three engaging workshops for those keen on cultivating their creative writing juices. The creative writing workshops are as follows:

• Simply Writing:

In this workshop, participants learn to do just as the workshop’s name suggests ‘simply write’. Students learn to overcome various difficulties they may face while starting a new writing project: delay in the start or end of a project, how to consistently enjoy writing etc. Students are taught this relevant know-how on how to make writing a more fun, enjoyable and productive endeavor in this workshop.

Course Period: This workshop experience is divided into a period of two days conducted through live online classes.

Eligibility Criteria: People from all levels and areas of life are open to applying for this course by Amsterdam Writing Workshop.

Course Costs/Fees: The cost of this workshop course is a cumulative cost of 150 euros .

• Writing Non-fiction:

Writing creative non-fiction is not an easy feat to achieve. This course helps aspirants by acknowledging the diverse worries that may arise when thinking of writing creative non-fiction and overcoming those hindrances.

Course period: The course workshop is for two days and is conducted in an online mode of learning.

Eligibility criteria: People from all levels, and qualifications are open to apply for this course.

Course costs/fees: The course fee is 150 euros upon registration for aspirants. 

• The Short Story

In this course workshop, students learn the detailed intricacies related to the creation of short stories. This piece of creative fiction and the expertise that surrounds it like the formation of a relevant structure, plot, characters, and narration techniques are discussed. Students are guided to write, make a note of their writing efficacy and receive subsequent feedback for their writing.

Course Period: The short story workshop by Amsterdam writing is for two days, carried out in an online learning mode.

Eligibility Criteria: People from all levels are open to applying for this course.  

Course Costs/Fees: Those keen to apply for this course workshop have to pay 150 euros as course fees.

For further queries about the course at Amsterdam Writing Workshop, reach out to: 

Phone contact details : +31 (0) 62 502 0817

• Creative Writing Courses in the UK
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• Creative Writing Courses in Singapore

4. Creative Writing Courses in Amsterdam by the International Writers Collective:

Fourth on our list of creative writing courses in Amsterdam is the international writers’ collective. The international writers’ collective community offers a course structure on interdependent levels where students participate in the pre-requisite course levels where they continue to elevate their skills and knowledge gained from the prior levels. The coursework is divided into the following four levels: 

This course level focus on the beginner fundamentals related to creative writing. Level I encourage students to brace up with the world of writing by exposing them to introductory topics. It helps students set a routine and a writing system that works for them as they transition from a rookie to a professional and gain mastery over their craft. This course level mainly teaches applicants of the course about the technicalities of writing prose, fiction, and poetry.

The course program in level 2 depends on the prior knowledge of level 1 and helps students sharpen their understanding from the previous level. Students at this level will learn to apply technical knowledge regarding fiction and poetry working on real-time projects. They also learn to conduct an in-depth analysis of their creative works every week. 

Level III: 

The students who opt for this level apply the combined knowledge mainly acquired from levels I and II. This level majorly focuses on writers developing their inner confidence in their respective creative writing pieces. Students interact with their fellow peers while engaging in assignments and discourses that help them to seek insights and see things through different perspectives and lenses that can be a great help in widening their creative thinking.

The level IV course is designed to be an ongoing support network for students who have completed the previous level III course program. Here, students gain guidance and also receive detailed critiques for their work and projects and how they can further work on improving and honing their craft even more deeply.

Level IV is completed upon the final creation of a book-sized project including options like a novel, poetry chapter books, and story collections. Students can opt to stay in this course level classes forever if they like.  Participants are encouraged to mostly consider applying for all four-course levels to gain an all-around knowledgeable experience and benefit from all the features.

Course Period: 

Level I This course level is for eight weeks and six weeks during a summer term.

Level II The Level II course works functions for a time- period of eight weeks operating both offline and online.

Level III This course level runs for eight weeks.

Level IV The Level IV courses are for ten weeks and are divided into autumn, spring, and winter terms.

Eligibility Criteria: The coursework is accessible to everyone from diverse experience levels, and backgrounds and mainly focuses on adult participants above the age of 18.

Course Costs/Fees: International Writers Collective offers a varied price range for the courses depending on the course level and the instructor in charge of teaching. Reach out to the institute’s help desk for further information.

Email address: [email protected]

Phone contact details: +31 6 22 49 48 13

5. Creative Writing Courses in Amsterdam, by Amsterdam Writers:

Amsterdam writers offer two-course workshop options from which aspiring students can choose. The following workshops offered by Amsterdam writers are:

• Writers’ Stretch and Tone:

Looking forward to pursuing creative writing courses in Amsterdam? Carefully designed creative writing workshops and seminars by Amsterdam writers is the one to look out for. Amsterdam writers deeply believe in the principle of practice makes perfect. Here, applicants become proficient writers through repeated practice.

Students are allowed to review their fellow peers’ pieces of work, which also helps them to gain constructive insights. On completion of the course, participants will have developed a new proficiency for writing and will be able to face challenges head-on.

Course Period:

This creative writing course by Amsterdam writers is for six weeks in which all relevant workshops are conducted through a live online experience with the aid of zoom.

Eligibility Criteria: Amsterdam writers allow participants willing to seek out their workshops to participate across different boards: background, age qualifications, and professional expertise. 

Course Costs/Fees: Those keen on participating in the course by Amsterdam writers will have to pay 280 euros as course fees including 21% VAT.

• Storytelling for Academics:

Amsterdam writers offer another course where participants working in the field of non-fiction writing learn how to use various aspects of fiction in their works. They learn how to deal with the formal tone of academic writing and push beyond its constraints. However, this workshop is not limited to academic papers but will also delve into screenplays, poetry, essays, and other creative branches of non-fiction.

Eligibility Criteria: T he storytelling for academic’s workshops has no rigid eligibility criteria and is open for all to enroll in.

Course Period: This course workshop is available for ten weeks.

For further queries about the course at Amsterdam, writers reach out to:

Phone contact detail s: +31 6 1429 7462

6. Creative Writing Courses in Amsterdam by CREA:

CREA is a multicultural learning platform for students from home and abroad that offers a creative writing online course. Those eager to learn creative writing can learn with participants from across the globe and gain different universal perspectives. The course helps in shining a light on one’s voice in creative expressionism and how to assertively express that voice in a written form.

Course Period: The course by CREA lasts for eight weeks and is conducted through online classes.

Eligibility Criteria: The workshop is accessible to everyone with no pre-requisite eligibility criteria.

The course workshops hold varied price criteria’s depending on the subsequent price and discounts assigned to designated roles by the institute. Fresh students are required to pay 98 euros as course fees. While the young and old alumni as well as the staff are required to pay 147 euros as course fees. The others who do not pass the afore-mentioned categories’ have to pay 196 euros as the course fees upon registration of the workshop.

For Further Queries About Your Course at CREA Reach Out to:

Email address:   [email protected]

Phone contact details: 020 525 1414

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. what are the skills required in creative writing.

One can become a nuanced creative writer by polishing their pre-existing or focusing on building these particular skillsets:

• Grasp of grammar 
• A broad vocabulary 
• Out-of-the-box imaginative skills
• Proofreading and editing  
• Narration techniques
• Innovative thinking 
• Voracious reading 
• Articulate writing ability
• Illusive presentation of ideas in written format 
• Time management 
• Ability to work well by oneself as well as in a team
• Networking skills 
• High comprehension 
• Communication skills
• Being authentic and original

 A combination of the above-mentioned skillset is essential for those considering stepping foot into the world of creative writing and becoming a professional writer.

Q2. What is the scope of creative writing?

If one is planning on studying creative writing courses in Amsterdam, he may have access to a diverse list of opportunities in Amsterdam due to its bustling English-speaking community. Creative writers are hired by various industries and fields including publishing houses, educational institutes like schools, colleges and universities, libraries, theatre houses working on musicals and Broadway shows, advertising agencies, social media, and public relations firms, broadcasting media stations, entrainment media houses, and many more.

Those Who Have Studied Creative Writing Can Manifest Their Skillset in the Following Roles:

•  Song lyricists
• Screenplay writer
• Content Creator
• Copywriter working in media, social networking, and advertising
•  Ghost-writer
• A columnist
•  Social media manager
• Creative director
•  Content marketer
• Poet and author   

Thus, opting for creative writing courses in Amsterdam is sure to provide writers with a varied range of opportunities if one is diligent enough to chase them. Along with the engagement of creative content consumption increasing day by day so does the scope of creative writers and their skills increasing. 

Q3. What qualifications are required to become a creative writer? 

A degree in a related discipline of English literature is traditionally considered for those seeking to pursue a career in creative writing. However, if creative writing is your forte, you may start polishing your craft by signing up for content writing courses that will aid you on your journey to becoming a professional. One may get in touch with the heterogenous industry trends and skills required across varied job postings.  

Amongst our curated list of creative writing courses, one may choose from the above-given list of options or delve into further research on selecting the right creative writing courses in Amsterdam, tailored just for you. Affordability, duration, placement options, and course module are some of the important priorities one may keep in mind while selecting coursework. It is also fundamental to select coursework that aligns with your goals. These excellent crafted course programs working with industry-grade experts are sure to give aspirants stepping into the field of creative writing to have confidence in their steps. 

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What is a Creative Writer and What Do They Do?

Understanding the Numbers When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors — like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

Many of life’s great stories that are told in the form of literature, film, short stories and poetry, among many other outlets, first get their start in the minds and on the pages of creative writers.

Creative writing is a professional discipline that is unique in many ways and has the potential to take your career in a vast array of different directions.

If creative writing is a field you’re interested in pursuing, it’s important to keep in mind that while it can be a challenging and competitive profession, it also offers a number of distinctive benefits.

What Are the Different Types of Creative Writing?

“Creative writing” is a broad term that, when it comes to professional careers, encapsulates many different forms of writing.

“There are so many genres,” said Melissa Hart , an instructor in the online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program in Creative Writing  at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

Hart, who has a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and an MFA in Creative Writing, has authored seven fiction and nonfiction books and published articles and essays in The New York Times, Smithsonian, CNN, The Washington Post, Slate and The Los Angeles Times, among others.

She said the career pathways for creative writers are virtually unlimited.

“Creative writers can be poets and screenwriters, personal essayists, novelists, short story writers,” Hart said, explaining that even within the world of creative writing , there are a number of creative avenues you can take. Some of these include:

• Flash fiction
• Hybrid forms
• Researched nonfiction
• Writing that embraces audio and video

What Are the Main Duties of a Creative Writer?

Much like their earning potential, the daily duties of a creative writer can vary greatly depending on what projects they’re working on at any given time, Hart said.

“I think duties differ writer to writer,” she said. “In my work, I practice writing almost every day — usually rough drafts, and then revisions, of novel chapters and nonfiction book chapters, magazine and newspaper articles and essays and newsletter posts.”

According to the BLS , how you spend your days as a creative writer depends largely on what type of writer you are, some of which include:

• Biographer – writing about the accounts of an individual’s life.
• Copywriter – working in advertising and marketing writing persuasive ad copy.
• Novelist – authoring books of fiction based on imaginary plots and characters.
• Screenwriter – creating scripts for movies and television.
• Speechwriter – developing orations for government leaders, political candidates and business leaders.

And in today’s digital world, another form of writing that continues to thrive is blogging , which is defined by global website development leader Wix as articles posted to a website focused on a specific area of interest.

Social media writing , too, continues to emerge with many large organizations like Mailchimp establishing specific standards for its social media writing.

What Credentials Do You Need to Become a Creative Writer?

Hart pointed out that creative writing is a unique profession in that it doesn’t require a degree or academic credential of any kind in order to succeed.

“You don't need any credentials," she said. "You just need an open mind and a willingness to learn your craft in the genre that most interests you.”

However, high-quality college programs in creative writing can be an excellent way for writers who have natural talent and abilities to further develop their skills, Hart said. For instance, in the SNHU online Bachelor of Arts (BA) program in Creative Writing and English, students develop and sharpen their skills in a number of areas, including:

• Writing and editing techniques
• Literary form, genre, structure, style, analysis and critical thinking
• Application of storytelling elements
• Use of genre conventions  and techniques
• Professional portfolio building

There is also an abundance of resources you can look into on your own to better position yourself for a career as a creative writer .

“There are piles of books, for instance, on how to write children's fiction,” Hart said. “Ditto poetry, screenplays, creative nonfiction... and there are so many resources online, as well.”

Is Creative Writing a Skill or a Talent?

Another aspect of creative writing that makes it a unique professional field, Hart said, is that it involves both natural talent and skills that can be learned.

“Perhaps a person is born with an innate talent for storytelling, but reading and practicing and studying creative writing for years will give you the skills you need to write fiction and nonfiction and poetry that appeals to readers,” she said.

Hart said that she’s had a love of language since the age of five, which is when she started writing short stories. It was her passion for writing and storytelling that inspired her to work hard developing her skills.

“All that practice gave me skills as a creative writer,” she said. “I believe I developed a talent for writing in particular genres because I studied them so deeply.”

Is it Hard to Learn Creative Writing?

While for many, learning to be a creative writer could be characterized as hard, Hart explained that “time consuming” is probably a better way of putting it.

“For instance, I just spent three years learning to cross-country ski when I’d never been on skis before,” she said. “I think it generally takes people at least three years to grow adept at creative writing in a particular genre because you’re constantly reading and deconstructing literature and thinking about it and writing and rewriting and rewriting some more.”

That said, among the many benefits of a career in creative writing is the flexibility and freedom it provides, Hart said.

“Creative writers can work anywhere they want,” she said. “I've written novel chapters in my car outside my daughter's dance studio, on airplanes, on the bank of a local river while my kid looked for newts.”

According to Hart, many of her students work in a corner of their house with noise-canceling headphones, while others write on their lunch breaks or in bed late at night.

“You can train yourself to get into a creative writing space the moment you open your laptop,” she said. “It just takes a while.”

Find Your Program

Is creative writing a good career.

What determines if writing is a “good” career will vary person to person, but there are a lot of considerations to keep in mind if it’s a path you’re interested in following, Hart said.

“It’s a good career for me, because I get to write about topics and issues which interest me,” she said. "However, it's my husband who has the great health insurance. If I didn't have health insurance, it might not be a viable career option because freelance writers and authors don't get subsidized health insurance — we must pay for our own."

While freelance writers and authors typically do find and fund their own health insurance, there is a growing number of writer unions and guilds that can assist with health insurance plans, according to Find the Plan , an online hub for freelance writers. And non-freelance copywriters, social media writers and blog writers usually get health benefits through the organization for which they work.

Does Creative Writing Pay Well?

Unlike other professional fields — in areas like business, engineering, education, medicine and law, among others — that typically have a salary range based on experience and the level of your degree, there is a vast disparity in what creative writers earn.

While high-profile, bestselling authors can command six-figure advances for their work, they comprise just a small fraction of those earning a living as creative writers, Hart said.*

“Most of us are midlist writers, earning modest advances and royalty checks,” she said. “It's interesting to note that I can earn as much off of two 4,000-word researched essays for magazines as I can for one of my young adult novels.”

Hart said that it’s common for creative writers to generate their income from a combination of different forms of writing for a variety of outlets, along with other professional activities where they’re paid for their professional expertise. For example, Hart said she earns her living through a combination of:

• Fiction writing
• Nonfiction writing
• Private teaching and instruction through her website
• Teaching college-level creative writing

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual wage for writers and authors in 2023 was $87,590.*

“But creative writing isn't about the money, for me,” she said. “It's about getting to join the conversation and put something beautiful and inspiring out into the world.”

Discover more about SNHU's online bachelor’s in creative writing : Find out what courses you'll take, skills you'll learn and how to request information about the program.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Cary Jordan is an Iowa-based writer with more than 20 years of writing and editing experience on a wide range of issues related to higher education. Cary has held administrative and cabinet-level positions at multiple colleges and universities, and his writing has spanned topics related to undergraduate education as well as graduate education in the areas of business, law, medicine and engineering, among others.

Explore more content like this article

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Is a Liberal Arts Degree Worth It?

What is a Liberal Arts Degree And What Can You Do With It?

About southern new hampshire university.

SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs . Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU  page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.

Brandon University

• Acceptable AI use

Brandon University Department of English, Drama, and Creative Writing

Policy on Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Approved and adopted by the Department of English, Drama, and Creative Writing at Brandon University, 18 July 2024

Rationale : Although AI, in its ability to survey large amounts of information quickly, may be useful for many tasks, it is a very poor substitute for critical thinking, particularly in the analysis of literature. It often results in a very generalized version of received ideas and short-circuits the student’s learning process in the way that other forms of plagiarism do, falsely presenting the AI’s work as the student’s own.

Permissible use of AI :

• Programs such MS Word’s grammar review or similar proofreading/editing programs may be used to identify grammatical errors in essays.  The student should then correct the grammar with their own words.  Making the correction oneself will help the student become more conversant with the fundamentals of grammar and will ensure that there is not a large gap between the student’s in-class writing and the student’s writing in take-home essays.
• It is permissible, but  not  recommended that students use AI-generated text as a  source . If students use AI (such as Chat GPT, for example) to generate responses to an essay question or for some aspect of the topic under discussion,  students must approach the AI material as they would a more conventional research source. In other words, they may borrow the ideas and/or language, but must cite the ideas (and/or quotations)  wherever the students use the AI source within their essay. Unlike a conventional source, however, AI sources are not available to the instructor, so  the student must keep a copy of both the question that they posed to the AI and the AI’s response . The instructor may ask the student to produce such sources on request.

Non-permissible use of AI :

• Use of AI-generated text in essays without attribution is a violation of academic integrity and will be considered plagiarism, because it is not the student’s work. If the professor suspects that a portion of a student’s paper has been created by AI, the professor will follow Brandon University’s academic integrity policy (under 3.15 in the General Calendar ), arranging for a meeting with the student to discuss the concern. At the meeting the professor may ask the student questions about the essay in order to ascertain whether the student indeed wrote the essay.
• English, Drama & Creative Writing
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For Admissions: admissions@brandonu.ca

Faculty of Arts Room 101 Clark Hall 270-18th Street Brandon, Manitoba R7A 6A9

Phone: (204) 727-9790 Fax: (204) 726-0473 Email: arts@brandonu.ca

For info about the English Degree: smidd@brandonu.ca

For info about Creative Writing: lakevold@brandonu.ca

For info about Drama: smidd@brandonu.ca

Creative Writing for ASH staff members

Registration for this event has closed.

Time to find joy in your writing practice! Come and experience the power of creative writing as a tool in academic writing, explore new possibilities, and join the conversation.

The choices we make when we write have profound effects on the reality that we observe. Giving an account of our observations requires a multitude of styles of writing for achieving the greatest accuracy. Finding the most accurate style of writing for a particular purpose sometimes implies letting go of a seemingly neutral style of writing, instead embracing a plurality of voices, such as staging a dialogue or exploring a more poetic style.

In these interactive workshops Creative Writing for Academics, Marie Beauchamps will lead you through a series of hands-on exercises to make you experience creative writing within your academic practice. The aim is to explore what happens when we loosen up the frame of our habitual academic writing practice, inviting multi-layered stories to bubble up and become part of the conversation unfolding on the page. 

Course dates

15 February, 29 February and 7 March from 10:00 - 13:30. The workshop will be on campus.

session 1: BG1, 0.04

session 2 and 3: University Library, Potgieterzaal C0.01

Room Potgieterzaal C0.01 Singel 425 1012 WP Amsterdam

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Study abroad in Amsterdam, Netherlands : Most popular universities for Creative Writing .

Are you thinking of studying Creative Writing, abroad? Below you can find the most popular universities and programmes to study Creative Writing in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This list is based on visitors on the Studyportals websites, listing more than 150,000 English-taught Bachelor's and Master's programmes world-wide.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Most popular creative writing programmes for international students in amsterdam.

These are the most popular programmes among international students who are looking for a Creative Writing degree in Amsterdam.

Perspectives on Subjectivity

Doing research with discourse analysis: a discourse perspective on making sense of social change, study abroad in english.

To apply at one of these universities, you may need a proof of English proficiency. There are several standardised English tests that you can take to proof your English level, such as the PTE (Pearson Test of English), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), CAE (Cambridge Advanced English) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System), offered by British Council and IDP. IELTS is the most popular of these tests, with British Council offering more than 1000 test locations and being accepted by more than 9,000 organisations world-wide.

About Creative Writing

Creative Writing degrees teach ways of building stories by expressing thoughts, feelings, and emotions using the written medium, as opposed to simply presenting written facts. Future creative writers learn to use elements of fiction, character creation, and plot development. Upon graduation, you’ll have the opportunity to work as a play writer, screenwriter, journalist, or fiction writer.

Related disciplines

• Language Studies
• Philosophy & Ethics
• Religious Studies & Theology
• Ancient History
• Christian Studies
• Creative Writing
• General Studies & Classics
• Islamic Studies
• Liberal Arts
• Modern History
• Linguistics

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Mary Wings, Pioneering Creator of Queer Comics, Dies at 75

She was the first openly gay woman to write a comic book about lesbians. She went on to write detective novels with a queer woman in the lead.

By Clay Risen

Mary Wings didn’t know what “lesbian” meant until she was in her late teens — but as soon as she found out, she knew it described what she’d been feeling for years.

As a footloose illustrator who moved among creative scenes on both coasts and even in Europe in the late 1960s, she hoped to find fellow artists whose work represented her experience — especially in underground comics, with their boundary-bursting depictions of sexuality in all its many forms.

Except that she didn’t. Perusing the work of R. Crumb and other comic artists, she discovered page after page of violent misogyny and homophobia. She also encountered those characteristics in person when she met some of the artists in real life.

By then, she was living in Portland, Ore., where she frequented a feminist bookshop. One day in 1973 she found a comic collection, Wimmen’s Comix , which included a stunning story called “Sandy Comes Out,” about a young woman who announces one day that she is gay.

But as she read it, her enthusiasm wilted. She felt the author, a straight woman named Trina Robbins, had failed to capture the texture of coming out.

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Incoming English PhD student wins Presidential Fellowship

Priyadarshini Oshin Gogoi, an incoming Creative Writing Ph.D. student, is the winner of the University of Georgia's Presidential Fellowship Award . It is the University’s most prestigious award for graduate students, made to the most qualified doctoral trainees. The award consists of a $10,000 supplemental award for   four years, in addition to the assistantship provided by the English Department. During that time The Graduate School will pay mandatory student fees, provide travel support of $1,000 per year, offer regular programming that emphasizes professional / leadership development, and host regular meetings with senior university leadership.

“Thank you so much to the University of Georgia for the trust and investment that it has placed in my work. What drew me to UGA's Creative Writing program was how strongly it nurtures writers and scholars of postcolonial, South Asian, Northeast Indian, and Indigenous literature, and its fantastic faculty that I almost can't believe I now get to work with! I'm thrilled to join this wonderful and vibrant creative community, and look forward to scaling new artistic heights with my peers and mentors.” -Priyadarshini Oshin Gogoi

"Our program is delighted that Priyadarshini has been awarded a Presidential Scholarship! This distinction confirms that the university administration beyond the English Department has recognized her achievements and potential. Over the past several years CWP has distinguished itself by attracting many talented Anglophone writers from Asia and Africa. Priyadarshini is a wonderful addition to our program. " -Dr. Magdalena Zurawski, Director of Creative Writing Program

"We are delighted to welcome Priyadarshini Oshin Gogoi to our department. She will be part of a strong cohort of promising writers, a new generation of students who will shape the future of our program. As the University's most prestigious award for graduate students, the Presidential Fellowship will hopefully allow her to continue to pursue her creative projects with renewed energy at her new institution." -Dr. Roland Végső

Priyadarshini Oshin Gogoi is a Presidential Fellow at the University of Georgia. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from Miami University of Ohio, and a BA and MA in English Literature from the University of Delhi. Her areas of interest include postcolonial, South Asian, and Northeast Indian coming of age writing, as well as children's and young adult literature. 

Priyadarshini is also a children's author, and many of her picture books have won acclaim across India, including the Bangalore Literature Festival Prize 2023, the FICCI Children's Book of the Year Prize 2024, a Neev Book Award 2024 shortlist, as well as features in the Parag Honor List 2022 and 2024. Her fiction and poetry have appeared in  The Bombay Review ,  The Selkie UK ,  The Alipore Post , etc. 

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University partners with Manchester Literature Festival to launch 2024 events

An exciting programme of literature events returns this October, hosted by  Manchester Literature Festival (MLF) . Celebrating a series of collaborations with The University of Manchester’s Centre for New Writing and Creative Manchester research platform, the 2024 events programme will be held between  4   and   20 October. The 2024 events begin on campus at the University’s Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama as we welcome former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas who launches her fascinating book  Another England: How to Reclaim Our National Story . As Higher Education Partner, The University of Manchester works closely with the festival team to co-host a variety of events that showcase and highlight the impact of literature across the city. Other partnership events showcase new publications by celebrated authors – including: Former Scottish Makar and firm festival favourite,  Jackie Kay  performs poems from her new collection  May Day  and celebrates A Life in Poetry and Protest at a special event hosted by actor Julie Hesmondhalgh (Saturday 5 October, 7pm, Martin Harris Centre for Music & Drama) Throughout her four decades as a foreign correspondent,  Lindsey Hilsum   has always carried a book of poetry with her as ‘a vaccination against despair’. She will share some of her favourite poems and reflect on her career as a war reporter (Sunday 6 October, 4.30pm, Central Library) David Peace   ( The Damned United ) explores the grief, the heartbreak and the resurrection of a club (Manchester United), a city and a country in his compelling new book  Munichs  (Sunday 6 October, 7pm, HOME) Thomas Heatherwick , one of the world’s most prolific designers, talks about his mission to end soulless, boring buildings and put human emotion back at the heart of building design (Tuesday 8 October, 7pm, Contact) Bestselling cook and Guardian food columnist  Meera Sodha   shares her passion for East and South Asian cuisine and reveals the dishes she creates when she wants to cook for herself, family and friends in her delicious new book  Dinner  (Wednesday 9 October, 7.30pm, Martin Harris Centre for Music & Drama) Legendary music producer  Joe Boyd   ( White Bicycle ) invites audiences to open their ‘minds and ears to a wider, richer musical world’ via his engrossing new book  And the Roots of Rhythm Remain: A Journey through Global Music  (Monday 14 October, 7pm, Central Library) Scottish author  Andrew O’Hagan  ( Mayflies ) joins us to discuss his epic, new state-of-the-nation novel  Caledonian Road  with host Dave Haslam (Wednesday 16 October, 7pm, Central Library) Bestselling novelist  Rebecca F. Kuang  ( Babel ) visits Manchester to discuss her number one global sensation  Yellowface , a provocative satire set in the cut-throat world of publishing seen through the eyes of failed writer June. She also discusses navigating genres, creating characters and her literary influences (Thursday 17 October, 7.30pm, RNCM) Post-Festival, Pulitzer Prize winner  Richard Powers   ( The Overstory ) makes a rare visit to the UK in support of his compelling new novel. Longlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize,  Playground  interweaves themes of science, technology, nature, the environment and our shared humanity beautifully (Friday 8 November, 7pm, Central Library) Our annual Rylands Poetry Reading takes place on Thursday 10 October, 7pm and welcomes poet, playwright and educator,  Gillian Clarke . One of the most acclaimed and widely read poets of recent decades, Gillian will also run a Poetry Masterclass, sharing insights into the craft of poetry, and how to bend language into original and musical verse.

Every year the Manchester Literature Festival offers up a rich feast of readings, culture and conversation. In 2024, this feels especially vital: to provide a space for joy, beauty and connection, but also for urgent discussions about who we are or might be; the earth we inhabit; our fraught histories and possible futures – and even what we eat. This showcasing of contemporary creativity is at the heart of the Centre for New Writing’s mission, and we are delighted to be the Festival’s Higher Education Partner once again.

Cathy Bolton and Sarah-Jane Roberts, Co-Directors of Manchester Literature Festival said: “Over the last 200 years, The University of Manchester has shown itself to be one of the most innovative and groundbreaking universities in the UK and we are delighted to have the Centre for New Writing and Creative Manchester as our Higher Education Partner once again. New perspectives and reimagining are at the heart of this year’s Manchester Literature Festival. Caroline Lucas asks us to reimagine a greener, more inclusive England. George Monbiot encourages us to reimagine the end of neoliberalism. Thomas Heatherwick invites us to reimagine our cities without soulless, boring buildings. David Peace reimagines the grief, heartbreak and resurrection of Manchester United after the 1958 Munich air disaster. We also welcome a multitude of brilliant novelists, poets and artists to the city, and invite you to join us to revisit familiar narratives from a place of freshness, curiosity and hope.” Find out more about Manchester Literature Festival and view the full programme by visiting  www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk .

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Unleash Your Creativity: over 30 English-Taught Courses and Workshops in Amsterdam

Posted on Apr 23, 2019 by Dana Marin

« Previous: A Love for Painting: Vanja Popek | Next: King’s Day Afterparty 2019 »

This pages includes affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra costs to you.

Article updated in 2024.

We are so often caught up in the daily routine that we forget to think about developing our playful, creative side. We remember about that only when life hits us with a burnout or quarter/middle age crisis and only then (maybe) we do something about it. But it shouldn’t be that way.

I believe that experimenting with our creativity should be something we do regularly, because it has so many benefits!

It can be something you always wanted to try but life stood in your way, or you might discover that the only way to relax is by doing something creative. Unleashing your creativity can help when you feel stuck in any area of your life, by giving your brain a break from the repetitive thoughts and helping it find new solutions.

Amsterdam is a place that brings out the creative side in people; I’ve seen it many times in myself and others around me. But what do you if you don’t speak Dutch yet, or not enough? Fear not, because Amsterdam, being the shiny expat bubble that it is, has the solution: a good selection of courses taught in English .

NOTE: this article was updated in February 2023

CREATIVE WRITING

• International Writers’ Collective : four levels of creative writing (8 weeks per module), personal coaching and various workshops organised throughout the year. They also organise periodical write-together meetings (open for everyone, student or not) and meetings with writers. This is the place where I re-discovered my taste for writing fiction; I did three modules and I hope one day I’ll be able to go back and continue. The method they use is the right one for me and I enjoy very much the community created around this school. There is also a workshop in the Hague and an online class which can be followed from anywhere.
• Amsterdam Writing Workshops : as the name says, they have a few creative writing workshops from September to June. They also try to create a community to support writers in their endeavours and a safe place for receiving writing feedback.
• Amsterdam Writers : an 8 weeks workshop cycle for both advanced and beginners. They claim that their workshops and seminars “keep writers fit, healthy and strong through invigorating and stimulating exercises”.
• CREA : offers two levels for creative writing, memoir writing and more. There’s a tricky thing about CREA — you have to wait until their students enrol and only then you know if there are any spaces left and if you can apply. 
• The Story Loung e – bite-size workshops or 8 weeks writing courses. A great way to meet friendly creatives in an inspiring setting.

• Atelier Molenpad : Intuitive Painting Center for adults, all levels welcome. The intuitive painting classes aim to help you tap into your subconscious mind with art, and help you when you’re stuck, generating new ideas and feelings. The programme can be bought in one package, each session has a theme, and the content has a progressive flow. Atelier Molenpad also organises art retreats.
• Vondelpark Atelier : a small international art school. The courses start every two months and there are also workshops organised upon request. You can choose from painting, drawing and photography courses, as well as workshops for collage, illustration, watercolours.
• MK24 : offers a variety of courses, from painting and sculpting to ceramics and multimedia. The language is mainly Dutch but some classes accept English speaking students as well (you’ll have to check with them). You pay by module or the whole year. This is where I took a Model Painting class this year, and I loved the experience!
• Impression Studio : this is a small studio run by Charissa van de Kerkhoff who teaches all the classes. All levels, English and Dutch.
• CREA  Amsterdam has a wide variety of classes, some of them being offered in English as well.
• Vincent van Oss : two courses and a few workshops. Private lessons are a possibility too, and the particularity of this studio is the Male Nude course, every Thursday.
• Station West INT : they have a couple of drawing workshops taught in English, that look very cool. I particularly love the Visual Journalling one.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND AUDIOVISUAL

• SAE Institute : OK, this is more than “feeding a hobby” kind of thing. If you want to go very serious about it, you can enrol to one of the study programmes at SAE, which offers a comprehensive course portfolio in creative media fields (audio, film, animation, games development, music business, and web). They organise open-days from time to time, when you can get a taste of what the institute has to offer.
• The FOTOfactory : this International Institute of Photography is the most prestigious private educational Institute in the Netherlands, with students from all over the world. They have a three years programme but also summer courses and workshops.
• Vondelpark Atelier : crash course, basic and advanced photography courses plus a few workshops like street photography, photoshop. There’s also an animation course and film making workshops.
• Amsterdam Photo Club : there’s a big community created around this club, and, apart from the usual courses and workshops, you can register for photowalks and other events such as portfolio reviews.
• Megan Alter : basic and advanced courses, workshops on street or natural light photography and even private photo lessons.
• Photography Courses Amsterdam : basic, intermediate and advanced courses, also private lessons.
• Foam : the Photography Museum periodically organises workshops and some of them are in English.

ACTING AND IMPROV

• The Mulholland Acting and Film Academy : offers short and long-term classes, combining European and American techniques (Strasberg and Meisner, Scene study etc). Beginner and advanced acting programs are available.
• Boom Chicago Academy – the training branch of the well known Boom Chicago venue offers long-form improvisation classes (six levels), pitch trainings, presentation courses, and InterActing, a program for young people with autism. For business groups they offer creativity worksops and team building activities.
• Easy Laugh : this international improvised comedy group offers improvisation and stand-up comedy classes, as well as occasional various workshops.
• Act Attack – a new English speaking theatre group providing acting classes for everyone interested. You will be part of a happy and dynamic multicultural club, developing your skills and having fun. You won’t receive a professional acting diploma at the end, but you’ll get to perform in their shows.
• Art Ceramics Studio: all levels ceramics courses, Raku and mold making, as well as workshops like “Pottery painting”. A nice feature is that you can join the course at any time, as long as there are still places available.
• Studio Pansa : is an open access clay and ceramics workspace, providing all the necessary facilities for their members to work freely. If you already know your ceramics, you can get a membership, but if you’re a beginner, try one of their courses first.
• Patty Schilder : sculptural ceramic classes for all levels. The course can be joined at any time. Patty also offers a few interesting workshops, like “Raku firing”, “Ceramics and wine tasting” or “Totem team building”.
• Pansy : ceramic painting workshops in their cosy shop. You can choose from from a selection of cups, vases, trinket boxes and plates and you’ll be guided on how to transform the object into a pretty one.
• Mud Magic – 8 weeks ceramic courses. Monthly featuring the work of one of the artists in the window display.
• Studio Keramiek – a small studio where you can learn how to make pottery under personal guidance.

OTHER 

• Blog coaching with yours truly. You can  book one-on-one coaching sessions   with me, and I’ll guide you through the process. I can help you gain clarity, create a strategy for success (whatever that success means to you), give you tips and tricks I learned in 12+ years of blogging. This is something either for new bloggers , who are trying to figure out their approach and strategy, for solopreneurs who want to develop their online presence or for those blogging for a while , but feel lost in their blogging journey. Price: 50 Euro/session.
• Oh Pretty Paper : if you’d like to learn how to make pretty letters using a pointed pen and ink, join one of the modern calligraphy workshops.
• De Steek : learn how to make your own clothes with sewing lessons (for all levels). Apart from the regular courses, the list of workshops is quite appealing: “Natural Dyeing”, “Lingerie Workshop”, “Upcycled Dress” — to name a few. They also have activities for kids.
• Studio Patina – Jewellery workshops.
• Very Good Studio – candle making workshops. Candles are made with plant wax and use essential oils.
• De Openbare Werkplaats – blacksmithing, woodworking, furniture making and glass workshops and more! You have to check if the course you want is in English or Dutch, some are mixed language.
• Alexander Gershberg’s vegan Sundays : for those interested in learning how to cook easy and healthy vegan meals.
• Natural DIY skin care workshop.
• Mediamatic has different workshops all the time, from creating fragrance to making soap and growing your own funghi. 

There are various other pop-up workshops in Amsterdam, make sure to keep an eye on the Meetup website of FB events. I hope this list will inspire some of you to get out of the day-to-day routine and try something new this year 😉

Stay tuned for more and follow Amsterdamian on Instagram and Facebook for daily stories about life in the Netherlands. Please share this post if you liked it!

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10 Comments

Thank you for putting this together.

You’re welcome!

I was just looking for some creative workshops in Amsterdam, and was super lucky to stumble upon your great article. Thank you!

You’re welcome! I hope you found some ideas that you like 🙂

Thanks for this list, just what I was looking for! PS: the paper brush studio link is no longer working. I did a quick search on google and seems like they changed their name and web to https://www.bloomarthouse.com/

I’m glad you find the list useful! And thanks for noticing that, I’ll change the link 🙂

Thank you for including my Photography Courses and Workshops on this list 🙏

Hi Amsterdamian,

Found your page with English spoken creative workshops. Could you list us too? We have a special page for English spoken workshops: https://station-west.amsterdam/int/

Thanks! Reinoud

Sure, thanks for the suggestion!

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• Sunny weekend | Amsterdamian - […] city, taking pictures, visiting museums (this time, the Hermitage). And the cherry on top was the creative writing workshop…
• Freelancer Life and Embracing Rejection | Amsterdamian - Amsterdam Blog - […] rejected, sometimes not even politely, is tiring. I wonder if it feels more personal because I do creative stuff,…
• Eight Places in Amsterdam to Nourish Your Creativity | Amsterdamian - Amsterdam Blog - […] I hope this is useful and maybe I’ll see you at one of the events! You can also check…
• The Best Non-Mainstream Things to Do in Amsterdam | Amsterdamian - Amsterdam Blog - […] is an art centre dedicated to new developments in the arts and technology. They organise lectures, workshops and art…

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Creative Writing

• Bachelor's
• 4 years, full-time

Novice writers and storytellers who want to become fully-fledged writers are in the right place on the higher vocational Creative Writing course in Arnhem. You get space there to experiment with all kinds of directions: from creating novels to writing for Virtual Reality, allowing you to experience what you want to master, what makes your writing heart beat faster and above all: what being a writer means to you.

Open Day ArtEZ Academy of Art & Design Arnhem

Keep me posted, default_admission_requirements, discover more.

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Why choose Creative Writing in Arnhem?

Unique writing course, straight to work, all the space you need for your ideas, find out about yourself, build a network, good connections, write what you would like to read, first year(s) in arnhem, a failed performance, writers who look beyond the text on paper.

Creative Writing in Arnhem is a higher vocational course for those who want to become writers. It is the first such course on which you get to develop into a fully-fledged writer and creator, with the help of renowned writers, poets and professionals from the literary world. The emphasis on the course is on written text, but you can also choose to concentrate on other forms of presentation, such as zines, audio or performance. There is also a strong focus on creative research, so that you can identify where your talents, ambitions and opportunities lie.

At the start of the course you become acquainted with many different forms of stories, and as you go on you are given more and more freedom to shape your own course so that it matches your creative identity and future professional practice.

The course turns ambitious new writers and storytellers into all-round story creators. After the Creative Writing course, there are many routes you can take: you can work as an independent maker, or within a publishing house, as a programmer for media, venues, festivals and events, as a teacher or in sectors where a clear writing style is valued. You will be able to set yourself apart from others because you have experience as a maker, know what writers go through and have an extensive network.

Virtual tour

Curious what the inside of ArtEZ Academy for Art & Design Arnhem looks like? Experience the atmosphere in the workshops, studios, classrooms, canteen or media library and visit the academy online! A tour at your own pace.

Welcome Day Arnhem

Riding the wave of the finals into summer, artez students and alumni present their work at uitnacht arnhem, new publication collective making celebrates the collective.

“You’ve got to get into the process. The process is liberating. The process is good. You take it word by word. You take it day by day. And you have to not worry too much.” – Robert Stone

Meet our Contributors

Founding Director & Instructor

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“I grew up in and around Manhattan—a wonderful island for gathering material and starting to write. In New York, there are so many places to study writing; I received my education from Columbia University, Poets and Writers, New Dramatists, as well as countless writing workshops.

“By working in book publishing—as a manuscript reader, editor, and ‘book doctor’—I learned more about the trade. The problem was, my sympathies were with the invisible senders of manuscripts. Writing rejection letters to would-be authors felt almost impossible. Read more...

Guest Speaker

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Cora Frazier is a writer of fiction and humor. Her flash fiction has appeared in The New Yorker and Vol. 1 Brooklyn . She also writes fiction podcasts, the first season of which is forthcoming. Her humor has appeared in The New Yorker , The New York Times , McSweeney’s Internet Tendency , n+1 and Saturday Night Live , and she is the co-author of The Harvard Lampoon’s best selling parody, Nightlight . She has taught first-year writing at the City University of New York and creative writing at Rutgers University.

For the Amsterdam Writing Workshops, Cora will appear as guest speaker at How to Write Funny .

Guest Instructor

Harry Segal earned a PhD in English Literature from Yale University and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Michigan. He is a Senior Lecturer at Cornell University and a Stephen H. Weiss Provost’s Teaching Fellow. Harry is also a Senior Lecturer at Weill Cornell Medical College’s Department of Psychiatry.

Andrew Porter is the author of the story collections The Disappeared (forthcoming from Knopf in April 2023)  and The Theory of Light and Matter ( Vintage/Penguin Random House) and the novel In Between Days (Knopf). A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, he has received a Pushcart Prize, a James Michener/Copernicus Fellowship, and the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. His work has appeared in One Story , The Threepenny Review , Ploughshares , Narrative , The Southern Review , The Missour i Review , and on Public Radio’s Selected Shorts . Currently, he teaches fiction writing and directs the creative writing program at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

“My master’s degree in English and Creative Writing is from New York University, where Sharon Olds was my mentor; Allen Ginsberg and Galway Kinnell were other valued teachers. My poetry and reviews have been published in the Columbia Review and Prospice , and Library Journal , among others. Writing is one of the subjects I’ve taught at many colleges and universities, including New York University, the Rhode Island School of Design, and China’s Ningbo University. In New York, I regularly teach writing workshops. And, when the stars line up, I teach for the Amsterdam Writing Workshops." Read more...

Marissa Higgins is a journalist living in the United States. She is a D.C. Arts & Humanities fellow, a Tin House scholar in nonfiction, and a Provincetown Fine Arts Center Workshop summer fellow in memoir. Her nonfiction has appeared in the Best American Food Writing 2018 (originally in Captault), Glamour, Salon, NPR, the Washington Post, the Rumpus, and elsewhere. Her fiction appears, or is forthcoming, in The Florida Review, LEON, Lost Balloon, and elsewhere. She is working on a novel.

Rishi Dastidar’s second collection of poetry, Saffron Jack , is published in the UK by Nine Arches Press. He is also editor of The Craft: A Guide to Making Poetry Happen in the 21st Century ( Nine Arches Press), and co-editor of Too Young, Too Loud, Too Different: Poems from Malika’s Poetry Kitchen (Corsair).

Alumnus & Guest Speaker

Pete Jordan’s work has appeared on the American Public Radio program This American Life as well as in the New York Times . Pete wrote the memoirs Dishwasher: One Man’s Quest to Wash Dishes in All Fifty States (Harper Perennial, 2007) and In the City of Bikes: The Story of the Amsterdam Cyclist (Harper Perennial, 2013), which was translated into Dutch as De Fietsrepubliek (Podium, 2013).

Alumna & Bestselling Author

Jean Kwok holds a BA in English and American Literature from Harvard University and an MFA in Fiction from Columbia University. She taught at the University of Leiden and is an alumna of the Amsterdam Writing Workshops. Jean’s debut novel, Girl in Translation , was published in 2010 by Riverhead, an imprint of Penguin Random House. The novel became a New York Times and international bestseller; Read more...

Social Media & Photography

Elena graduated with a degree in Language and Literature from Transilvania University (Romania). She has studied photography, design, digital marketing—and now works for organizations and retail brands in the Netherlands.

Assistant Director

Ron has been in the book business since the late 1980s. He graduated with a degree in Bookselling and Publishing from the Frederik Muller Academy (now part of the Hogeschool van Amsterdam—a college for media studies). For 16 years he worked as a bookseller and book buyer for Waterstone’s Booksellers. Read more...

1. What’s a good starting point for the workshops?

Many people prefer to start with Simply Writing—because it’s all about being able to get the words out of your head and onto the page. To discuss whether this class is right for you, please call or send us an e-mail.

2. How do I register?

Fill in the registration form or contact us by phone or e-mail

3. Are the workshops sequential?

Each workshop is self-contained.

4. I'm just a beginning writer, is that okay?

Absolutely—we welcome people at all levels

5. English is not my mother tongue; will I be able to follow what’s said?

Many non-native English speakers attend the workshops regularly. These are the native languages of those who have been to the workshops to date: Afrikaans, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, English, Flemish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Malay,Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Surinam, Tagalog, Tamil, Turkish, Zeeuws

6. How do I prepare for the workshop?

All you need is a short phone conversation with the instructor. Please call the Workshop Line— 062 502 0817

7. Will my writing be criticized?

Absolutely not. We provide instruction, direction, and encouragement—not criticism per se.

Helping writers write for more than 15 years

Get in touch to find out more

The Pamela Maus Contest in Creative Writing