Writing & Literature courses

Introduction to Medical Writing and Editing is intended for people who are considering a career in medical communication and is designed to introduce students to the profession of medical writing and editing, including the knowledge and skills needed to…

This course will benefit students who are seeking to write and publish an article in a peer-reviewed journal. Using knowledge acquired throughout the medical writing program, students in this capstone course will choose their own topic to publish (could be…

Candidates for the Certificate in Literary Representation and Certificate in Editing and Publishing complete 100 hours of internship work for a pre-approved literary agency or publisher. Over the course of the internship, they gain a practical understanding…

In this advanced workshop, you choose a specific project (for example, linked sequences of poems, such as prose or sonnets or a deep examination of imagery and/or metaphor) upon which to focus throughout the duration of the term. Through the exploration of…

The writing of powerfully constructed scenes featuring compelling characters is the key to any screenplay or dramatic teleplay's success. This intensive workshop gets you writing and rewriting your own scenes, and arms you with a specific skill set that…

Let the wild rumpus begin! Do you dream of imaginary lands and mythical creatures? Learn how to inspire a child's imagination by giving them the tools necessary to explore the world around them. The well-written picture book entertains the child while…

Have you ever told yourself that someday you will write a children's book? Now's your chance! Join us as we demystify the writing process and examine the wide variety of books offered to children: picture books, easy readers, early chapter books, middle grade…

Designed for serious writers with at least 100 pages of a manuscript who seek to refine their manuscripts into completed memoirs, this advanced workshop is centered on sustaining progress and polishing existing work. Through intensive instructor and peer…

The process from written manuscript to published book is more complicated than most authors and newer publishing professionals expect. From what to look for in acquisitions to how to use metadata to your advantage to booking a successful author tour, this…

After all the work of getting through a first draft, little seems so barbaric as the slashing and burning of entire characters and scenes—but making such vulgar literary sacrifices can enable the writer to unearth the heart of conflict and character, find…

Crime novel of all types—be they cozies, hard-boiled or thrillers—often appear on the bestseller lists. But mysteries are challenging novels to write due to their complex plots, the necessity of planting of clues and red herrings, and the unraveling of the…

Novice storytellers tend to associate the quality of a story with the quality of its prose. While a clear and concise style will facilitate understanding, the commercial success of “poorly written” books demonstrates that good storytelling, the kind of…

Videogame players demand deep stories with rich characters, as hits such as Red Dead Redemption 2, God of War, and The Last of Us prove. Further, the rise of touch-screen devices of all sizes opens up exciting new innovations for storytelling techniques. In…

Literary agents are uniquely positioned in the publishing world to have their hands in many facets of the book process, from a book's inception through to finished copies and publicity. This course begins with an overview of the Agency Agreement, the contract…

An editor’s job includes not only improving the mechanics of writing but identifying places where content isn’t working or needs revision and development. This skill is also invaluable for writers, who can use it to shape their own work or to make extra money…

Created for the beginning writer, this course explores the various genres within the category of children's picture books, including nonfiction, writing in rhyme, classics and concept books for young children. Writing exercises focus on improving fundamental…

For those with some previous training in poetry, this intermediate workshop focuses on creating work which emphasizes lyrical and innovative language, personal insight and individual voice. In addition, you refine your knowledge of a number of the craft's…

Editors who want to work outside of big publishing houses can find success in freelance editing. Freelance editors must learn to balance projects, find and bid on new work, and maintain client relationships over time. This course will provide students an…

This workshop takes you beyond the picture book basics and teaches you to master the specific craft techniques used in creating successful picture books, including strong beginnings and endings, the power of the page turn, audience participation, engaging…

This course is for anyone who has a story from "real life" that needs to be told. Sometimes your story is about a person, place, thing or some concealed part of yourself; a remembered time or event; or even something that will happen as you give account to…

Travel writing has been imaginatively transporting readers for centuries and remains one of the most robust areas of publishing. This course guides you to elevate the mere travelogue or guidebook entry into a thoughtful, well-crafted piece of literature as…

Many aspiring novelists write with the hope that inspiration will come. The result is time wasted on a flabby novel with no clear shape and a sagging pace. On the other hand, story structure gives your novel a skeleton; it forms the bones of your story. And…

Designed for serious writers with at least 50 pages of their memoir, this workshop offers a structured writing environment to generate new material and ongoing critique. Issues of structure, theme and honing the author's unique voice are emphasized. You will…

A memoir is a book-length narrative that is told from the writer's point of view and captures a meaningful slice of the writer's life. If you have a story to tell and would like to figure out how best to tell it, this course helps you get started. In-class…

What is a poem and how does it differ from prose? What sources can you, the beginning poet, look to for ideas and inspiration? How can you encourage a raw unfinished poem to become a thing of power and beauty? This course provides a series of enjoyable and…

Designed for the serious writer committed to participating in a structured writing regimen as well as engaging in ongoing critiques and craft discussions, this course guides you to examine key issues in your work, create an involving storyline out of your…

From big-budget superheroes to critically acclaimed dramas, many of pop culture’s most entertaining stories originated from comic books and graphic novels. Through their unique marriage of words and pictures, comics can be a magical yet accessible form of…

Grammar Lab is a prerequisite for this ten-week online Copyediting I course. As a copyeditor (or copy editor), you will be expected to proofread text for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling and check for readability, style, and agreement with…

In Copyediting II you will practice judicious and defensible editing so you can master how to thrive as a copyeditor (or copy editor) in the modern-day workplace. This class will acquaint you with a medium edit, one of the three levels of copyediting covered…

Are you ready for your first major editing assignments? In this course, you will carry out heavy edits on all elements of a manuscript and a digital assignment. You will also work on a deadline and communicate directly with fictious authors of both pieces…

10 Weeks | Online Course Overview : This advanced writing course is designed to build upon the foundational skills acquired in Science Writing I. I n this course, students will embark on a science communication project of their choice—such as a long-form…

The ability to edit your own written work is a skill that's highly valued by employers and publishers. This class focuses on strengthening your writing for the web using journalistic techniques. Whether you want to create blog content, feature articles, or…

There is a common misconception that scientific research is inaccessible, overly technical or even uninteresting. It’s time to change the narrative. This class equips emerging science communicators from any background with the skills to effectively share…

Within you there dwells an innate sense of storytelling and a unique voice with which to tell your stories. In this course you will explore writing techniques to help you locate and refine the "natural music" of your own voice. Through writing exercises and…

Technical Communication I 10 weeks | Online This is a practical, hands-on technical writing course for all currently practicing or would-be technical communicators wishing to get a firmer grasp on this extremely broad and quickly evolving industry and develop…

Writing Online Documentation 10 weeks | Online As more print publications and manuals go online, it's vital to understand the similarities and differences between writing for print and writing for online delivery. Explore theories and practices for creating…

Writing Effective CEQA Documents Effective writing is one of the most highly cited and desirable skills in CEQA practice. Learn how to prepare technically compliant, legally defensible, and high quality environmental documents including Environmental Impact…

Write a novel in a month! Is it possible? Over the 20 years the class has been offered at UCLA Extension, over 500 writers have participated and an astounding 86% of them has written a complete first draft of their novels. The challenge of the class is to…

In this short introductory workshop designed for beginners, you learn the key building blocks for a writing a structurally solid screenplay. You begin by refining your story idea by studying and workshopping the elements that make for a successful logline.…

Everyone has a story (and often many stories) to tell, whether your life has been a wild ride or a quiet stroll. This course is designed for those interested in learning more about the similarities and differences between the two forms and how to explore and…

For writers with a minimum of 50 pages of a science fiction and fantasy novel-in-progress, this workshop guides them to generate 50 additional pages. Writers often experience lack of direction or stamina at this middle stage in their novel. This workshop thus…

Whether you've written a one-hour or half-hour tv script, (pilot or a spec of an existing series) your goal is the same: to dig deeper, raise the stakes higher, stretch your characters further to make your script one that will leave an indelible mark on its…

This course reveals the vital first step of understanding the craft of writing feature films, making it an ideal starting point for aspiring screenplay writers. In this workshop, you get a fundamental overview of storytelling, character development, plot and…

An editor’s job includes not only improving the mechanics of writing, but also identifying places where content needs revision and development, then engaging in respectful dialogue with their writer regarding subsequent drafts. Expanding on the topics covered…

This comprehensive 10-week course offers aspiring screenwriters a deep dive into the world of crafting powerful, thought-provoking horror stories that resonate across cultures. Drawing from diverse global influences, including Latin American, European, South…

This course demystifies the crucial first step of understanding the craft of writing for television, making it an ideal starting point for aspiring television writers. You learn the fundamentals of how to develop and write a television episode in both…

Writing for documentary is probably the most important and least taught skill set in documentary production today. Mastery of its concepts can ensure your project runs smoothly, from start to finish, and may, in the end, mean the difference between a…

In this course, we review what ideas will translate into good movies, and which ideas are better suited for television. We explore what can make you stand out from other writers before you've even written a word. By looking at the art of storytelling with…

Designed for screenwriters who have written their first screenplay, this workshop guides you to analyze and rewrite your draft and bring it to its fullest potential. You develop skills to rewrite your screenplay to industry standards, beginning with learning…

The second of a three-course sequence, this workshop expands on the development of story concept, worldbuilding, character, and plot explored in the first course. This second workshop focuses on critical but underemphasized aspects of compelling science…