Fiction Writing | New York City | Creative Writing Classes in NYC and Online with Professional Writing Instructors

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"The most fun three hours of my week, every week. In just a couple of months, I learned an incredible amount about the craft of fiction, and laughed heartily while doing it."

- Dodd Ellsworth
software developer

"More than I expected, and worth every penny. I signed up for the course through Zoetrope.com, an online writing community, and expected to learn a bit about the basics of fiction. But with my instructor's guidance and steady encouragement, I have participated in online conversations with my classmates about the intricacies of plot, dialogue, characterization, conflicts, resolutions, and revising. I have written two short stories, as well as commented and reviewed scores more. I have learned not just the basics of fiction, but what it truly takes to cultivate that passion so that it comes alive for readers. And I have learned that none of this is easy, but attainable with lots of dedication, perseverance and faith. And that's priceless."

- Jamie Stockwell
Journalist

"Even my editor, a former senior editor at Oxford University Press was taken aback by my satisfaction with the course. So, she's looking into herself."

- Mia Hankins
writer

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Fiction is perhaps the purest form of storytelling. With only words and the reader's imagination, a work of fiction can sail across the world, pursuing a whale, or zeroing in on a few minutes in line at the local bank, luring the reader into a story that reads true.

To do it well, however, requires skill. In our courses, you will learn how to support your words with such craft elements as character, plot, point of view, description, dialogue, setting, pacing, voice, and theme. You will also learn how and where to market your work.

Whether you seek to write short stories or novels, traditional or experimental, comic or tragic, we'll show you how to turn your ideas into stories that people will be eager to read.

Note: If you are working on genre fiction — Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, or Mystery — you may find one of our genre courses a better fit.

You might also consider Gotham's premium Zoetrope Fiction Writing class.

Select a class: Level I, Advanced, One-Day
See also: Fiction Writing Online, Letters from Gotham Students

Level I
Fiction Writing | 10-week Workshop

Write one or two short stories or begin work on a novel
Lectures on fundamental concepts
Writing exercises
Present work for critique

In a clear, accessible manner, the course presents the fundamentals of plot, structure, voice, description, character development, point of view, and dialogue. Lectures and writing exercises are used to illustrate these concepts. You will also have the opportunity to present your work and receive feedback from your instructor and classmates. The goal is to write two short stories or to begin a novel and to acquire a firm understanding of all the basics of fiction writing.

Fiction I is for beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on the fundamentals. Beginners who wish to write novels should take Fiction I before Advanced Novel Writing.

(3.0 CEU)

New York City Classes

Tuition: $420, Returning Students $390. Registration Fee $25.

Each class strictly limited to 14 students, ages 18 and up.

Starts	Meeting Day	Location	Time	Special	Enroll
Jul 8	Mondays	555 8th Ave.	7:00PM - 10:00PM	No Class: Sep 2
Jul 8	Mondays	South Oxford	7:00PM - 10:00PM	No Class: Sep 2
Jul 9	Tuesdays	272 W. 10 St.	7:00PM - 10:00PM
Jul 10	Wednesdays	555 8th Ave.	10:00AM - 1:00PM
Jul 10	Wednesdays	1450 Broadway	7:00PM - 10:00PM	No Class: Sep 4
Jul 11	Thursdays	555 8th Ave.	2:00PM - 5:00PM	No Class: Sep 5
Jul 13	Saturdays	555 8th Ave.	2:00PM - 5:00PM	No Class: Aug 31, Sep 14

= Daytime Class

Advanced
Fiction Writing | 10-week Workshop

Write or refine one or two short stories
Lectures that expand on fundamental concepts
Writing exercises
Present work for in-depth critique

The course focuses on the presentation and critique of your work and is designed to help you sharpen your skills. Emphasis is placed on honing each story’s structure, characterization, narrative, description, and style with the aim of creating publishable work.

Advanced Fiction Writing is for writers who have completed Level I or those with fiction-writing experience who are prepared to discuss all of the fundamental concepts of the craft. Writers often repeat Advanced Fiction Writing as they continue to develop projects.

We offer Advanced Fiction for writers working on short stories and Novel Writing II for writers working on novels. You are, however, welcome to work on material in Advanced Fiction that would eventually end up in a novel.

Prerequisite: Fiction Writing I or the equivalent.

Which level is right for you? How to Choose a Level

(3.0 CEU)

New York City Classes

Tuition: $420, Returning Students $390. Registration Fee $25.

Each class strictly limited to 14 students, ages 18 and up.

Starts	Meeting Day	Location	Time	Special	Enroll
Jul 9	Tuesdays	272 W. 10 St.	7:00PM - 10:00PM
Jul 10	Wednesdays	555 8th Ave.	2:00PM - 5:00PM
Jul 10	Wednesdays	1450 Broadway	7:00PM - 10:00PM	No Class: Sep 4
Jul 11	Thursdays	555 8th Ave.	7:00PM - 10:00PM	No Class: Sep 5
Jul 11	Thursdays	555 8th Ave.	10:00AM - 1:00PM	No Class: Sep 5

= Daytime Class

Fiction Writing | One-Day in NYC

The One-Day Intensives are fun, fast-paced immersions in a type of writing. You’ll get a mixture of brief lectures that hit the high-points and writing exercises that let you immediately try your hand at what you’ve just learned. The one-days provide an excellent overview of their fields, ideal for both the beginner and someone wanting a quick refresher course. Come in to class with a notepad, pen, and desire to learn. By the end of the day, you’ll be a more knowledgeable and skilled writer.

One-Days are for beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on the fundamentals.

One-Day Intensives are offered in NYC on Fridays and weekends throughout the year.

Gotham also offers two and four-week seminars, including: How to Get Published, Hit Send: Publishing Short Nonficiton, How to Blog, Nonfiction Book Proposal, and How to Sell Your Screenplay.

Topics include: character, plot, point of view, description, getting published

New York City Classes

Tuition: $125. Registration Fee $25.

Each class strictly limited to 15 students, ages 18 and up.

Starts	Meeting Day	Location	Time	Special	Enroll
Jun 7	Friday	555 8th Ave.	10:00AM - 5:00PM
Jun 23	Sunday	Hunter College W.	11:00AM - 6:00PM
Aug 11	Sunday	Hunter College W.	11:00AM - 6:00PM