Lastly, I wanted to include options that are accessible to people in a range of places and situations. At times the speculative fiction community feels very heavily US-centric (and I wasn't living there when I assembled these links). The list below is entirely focused on courses in English, but I also tried to include options accessible to students in a range of time zones and countries and to include options that might fit around a variety of work schedules. And finally, I wanted to include both options that focus on producing written work and options that include opportunities to read or reflect on speculative fiction as a genre.
This list is heavily structured around what I personally find relevant and useful, but hope that others might find it helpful. Please do leave a comment, or send me an email, if any of the information below is in need of correction.
Noncompetitive
Online, Paid--Asynchronous
Advanced Science Fiction and Fantasy (Udemy)
An asynchronous online course by Damien Walter, focused on mythology, with about eight and a half hours of video lectures in multiple parts and nine article readings. The course is $79.99 to purchase and access is listed as "full lifetime."
Class Central
Offers a tremendously wide range of courses from a range of different providers such as The Great Courses, including some specifically focused on reading particular works of science fiction, and studying themes or trends within the genre and its development. Prices vary and there seem to some free trial options for access. Note that some courses listed are marked as no longer available.
Creative Writing: Writing Sci-Fi and Fantasy, University of Newcastle Australia
Seems to offer a flexible online option alongside an in-person, on campus version. Unclear if open to students from outside the university and a price is not listed, but it does seem to be in the course catalogue for 2027. Classes are about 2 hours/week and students are expected to do substantial reading and writing out of class (about 140 hours over the course of the semester).
How Great Science Fiction Works
A lecture course by Gary K. Wolfe on the development of the genre. Consists of 24 half-hour lectures and costs about $50 to access.
National Center for Writing, UK
While one of the science fiction course on world-building is both self-paced and free, most of them seem to be self-paced and paid; a bundle of courses can be purchased for £75.
NK Jemisin Teaches Fantasy and Science Fiction Writing
An article from Carolyn Cox on the Portalist (from five years ago, so many of the links are no longer functional) lists a number of classes with famous writers on the Masterclass platform; NK Jemisin's has sixteen lessons over about four hours. A Masterclass subscription is $10/month and the platform offers a thirty-day free trial.
The Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers--Classes on Demand
Includes a range of on-demand classes on specific aspects of genre writing from Cat Rambo. Subscribers to Rambo's patreon can get discounts on classes or access to free classes or coaching sessions.
Science Fiction, George Brown Polytechnic Continuing Education
A self-directed online courses via a Canadian university--teacher support is available by email. Course runs for 42 hours. A prerequisite communications course or equivalent is required. Cost is about 397CAD.
Science Fiction and Fantasy: Creating Unique and Powerful Worlds
A class on Skillshare with Lincoln Michel. Contains twelve short video lessons, totaling about an hour and includes a few short exercises. Seems to be accessible with a free membership, or skillshare subscription, costing about $13.99/month or $168/year as of fall 2026.
Writing the Other--On Demand Classes
A small selection of Masterclasses, webinars and self-paced deep dive classes are available for purchase. Prices range from $40-$200.
Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy, University of Calgary
An online, asynchronous class (15 hours) which includes outlining and writing up to 4,000 words of a novel or short story. Materials are not included in the course cost, which is 329CAD.
Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy, The Writers' College
An online, self-paced course which includes five modules, twelve assignments, and is complete over the course of six months. The tutor is Sonny Whitelaw and the cost of the course is given in NZ (895), GBP, (495) and ZAR (8495), since the sponsoring organizing has branches in New Zeeland, the UK, and South Africa.
Online, Paid--Synchronous
Ad Astra Institute
Synchronous short courses via patreon. Each seems to be about $25.
Creative Writing--NASA
A range of different workshops (flash fiction, dialogue, etc) are offered at the Gilruth Center in Houston; an online option is also available. Workshops are one day, 2-3 hours, and costs vary between $45-$75, depending on length of class and time of registration.
Futurescapes Summer Retreat
As of 2026, the workshop was held in late June; included optional, recorded craft classes; lasted for three days; and required a $199 registration fee.
Gotham Writers Workshop
Offers a range of online, synchronous classes including Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing I, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing II, and a two-day Science Fiction Writing Intensive (prices range, depending on if you want individual attention or not; without it, course prices without one2ones are $464 for a ten-week class). Modalities seem to include in-person in NYC, Zoom, and asynchronous options.
The Great Escape: Writing Fantasy & Science Fiction, University of Toronto
An online course led by Amanda Kallis with synchronous meetings (Tuesday evenings ET) totaling 20 hours, taking place via the University of Toronto's online learning platform. Unclear if materials are included in the course fee, which is $699. Course focuses on developing a short story.
The Muse Writers Center
Offers hybrid, online, and in-person workshops in Norfolk, VA. Classes have in the past but do not currently (fall 2026) include a science fiction class, though there are general fiction classes and a hybrid flash horror workshop (six meetings, $295) ongoing.
The Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers
Cat Rambo (and others) offer a wide range of classes for genre writers. Currently, all links to live classes via the website seem to be down, so it is not possible to see what is being offered. Events and workshop seems to be active and ongoing via Rambo's patreon, where subscribers can get discounts on classes or access to free classes or coaching sessions, depending on their level of subscription.
Stanford Continuing Studies Creative Writing
Offers Zoom classes on writing in a variety of genres; the fall 2026 curriculum features classes on "The Speculative and the Fantastic" (mostly reading-focused with writing ~5,000 words of a novel), romance, and horror. Prices as of checking were about $1040/class; unclear if readings or materials are included or are an extra cost. Note that class times may vary and are frequently during the workday (PT).
Writing the Other
A workshop series specifically focused on helping writers create characters that are different from themselves "sensitively and convincingly." A webinar (5.5 hours long) currently available for registration costs $100 plus a small registration fee.
In Person, Paid
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing
An in-person course taught by Max Urai, which takes place at the Parnassus Culturcentrum in Utrecht, NL. Course takes places over seven evening meetings and focuses on writing exercises and the development of a short story. Pricing is tiered, depending on university affiliation. Warmly and enthusiastically recommended!
Space Crones and Sci-Fi Worlds
A four week, in-person course at CityLit in London, UK, focusing particularly on reading about science fiction as a literature of disrupting expectations. Fee is £139.
Free
Janice Hardy's Fiction University--Free at Home Writing Workshops
Two options for thirty-day challenges, with email prompts for either 1) finishing a novel or 2) developing ideas for one. Set up during the pandemic in 2020; not entirely clear if this is still maintained and functioning.
Imagining Other Earths
A free course on Coursera, with Princeton University astronomer David Spergel, about what life on other plants might look like. Not specifically science fiction focused. Consists of 25-modules, each of which are marked as requiring about an hour to complete. Hosted on Coursera (where there seem to be a number of free courses on writing but none specifically on scifi or fantasy).
L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future
A free online and asynchronous writing workshop taught through a series of thirteen videos and eleven lessons. Workshop registration gives participants access to a class forum. As of fall 2026, seems to be active and maintained.
National Center for Writing, UK
Free, self-paced online writing courses, not specific to genre.
Start Writing Fiction
A free course from the Open University, UK. Not genre-specific.
Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy
A self-guided free course put together by Jeffery Carter which has track for getting started quickly and a track for in-depth learning.
Application Required
In-Person
Ad Astra Speculative Fiction Writing Workshop
Takes place on the campus of the University of Kansas in Lawrence, for two weeks in the summer (2027 workshop dates are 20 June-3 July). Application requires a registration form and a story (maximum length 4000 words); they close in June 4 but often fill up before then. Costs for the upcoming workship are $1200 tuition, plus about $800 for lodgings. Food and maintenance are additional expenses on top of this, and partial scholarships are available.
A Novel-Writing Workshop and masterclasses also take place under the Ad Astra banner, with comparable dates and prices.
Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Workshop, UC San Diego
A six-week intensive writing workplace focused on speculative fiction short story writing that takes place in the summer; participants live and take classes on the campus of UCSD. Has an extremely distinguished reputation, faculty, and alumni. Application fee is $60-$75, depending on when you apply, with some fee waivers available. Workshop application includes two short stories (1,500-6,000 words long) with some specific formatting requirements. The fee for tution, room, and board is $6,750 and scholarships are available.
Taos Toolbox
Appears defunct--no application or workshop information is available after the 2024 summer workshop.
Viable Paradise
A one-week, residential workshop on Martha's Vineyard, focusing on supporting participants in writing and selling commercial science fiction, with a faculty that encompasses the who's who of modern western speculative fiction. The application requires a cover letter; a writing sample of up to 8,000 words with specific formatting requirements and a synopsis; and an application fee (tiered--submitting earlier costs less). Tuition is $2500 and includes two meals/day and course materials. Lodging is arranged separately; the workshop hotel costs are high ($336-$406/night); participants often arrange to share rooms. A scholarship is available for Writers of Color.
Online Synchronous
Clarion West
A six-week intensive writing workplace focused on speculative fiction short story writing that takes place in the summer. Usually it has both an in-person (in Seattle) workshop and a virtual workshop, but in summer 2027, the workshop will be virtual only . Like the original Clarion, it has an extremely distinguished reputation, faculty, and alumni. Application fee is on a sliding scale, with some fee waivers available. Workshop application includes two short stories (7,500 words total, including synopsis, unpublished) with some specific formatting requirements. The fee for tution, room, and board is $3,200 and scholarships are available. Clarion West also offers a range of synchronous and on-demand classes (some have sliding scale pricing).
Futurescapes
Workshops are split into a Submission Workshop (focused on those who are getting ready to submit their work for publication), which takes place over four days and has options for a morning or evening cohort; 2026 costs ranged from $274-$474 depending on application date.
There is also a 100-Page Workshop, which takes place over two days; times are not listed but the programming seems to be for a full day, and 2026 dates were in late September. 2026 costs ranged from $1290-$1790, depending on application date.
Lastly, as part of the 100-Page Workshop, Futurescapes offers additional Craft Intensives, which are available to workshop participants and the general public ($55/class, including discount passes for multi-class purchase). The classes took place in late September and participants could access recordings for thirty days afterwards.
Odyssey Online Classes
A few different options are offered. Each class is a short series (3 weeks, 90 minutes), includes homework, and (as of fall 2026) costs $279. Application requires a fee ($10), credited to tuition on acceptance and a 1000 word writing sample.
Odyssey Workshop
A personal writing workshop where applicants apply with a 4,000-word manuscript and (if accepted), choose a workshop pace of 6, 8, or 12 weeks. Tuition cost is $3600 (as of 2026) and includes materials. Scholarships are available.
Other Useful Odds-n-Ends
To close off, some links that aren't quite courses, classes, or workshops, but that still seem relevant to building knowledge of speculative fiction and its creation.
Book Club
J. Wayne and Elsie M. Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction
Offers a virtual book club; no information for 2026/2027 posted. The Gunn Center does cross-list classes offered at KU, although this page is not currently accessible. When I inquired about a writing class in the summer of 2025, it was offered in-person only and tuition was about $2000. For non-KU students, the Ad Astra Institute seems to be the place to go.
Note also that KU hosts extensive special collections in science fiction, including the SFWA archives.
Critique Groups
Meetup
Offers a specific category for science fiction writing groups.
Spectrum: the London Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers’ Group
A hybrid critique group based in London, including critique groups that meet on discord and a group focused on critique and accountability for longform projects. Free to join.
Good Advice
"Networking is just making friends, a how-to guide to conventioning for authors" a post from Elizabeth Bear's substack, Throw Another Bear in the Canoe. Advice that seems both wise and straightforward, and applicable to making writing friends in context beyond conventions.
"How to Navigate the Publishing Industry with Social Anxiety" by Marie Croke on the SFWA website. Advice that focuses on identifying goals and making realistic plans for engaging with others.
Other People's Lists of Workshops
Links to Writers Workshops--a list curated by Science Fiction Writers of America. Dates from 2009.
Speculative fiction writing workshops – a list via Kelly Robson
Quora--guidance on finding classes via extension programs, with emphasis that most of these will be focused on general fiction, not genre
Reedsy has a list of "18 Best Science Fiction Writing Classes in 2026" which includes a mix of paid and free options.
r/WritingHub has a long, detailed thread on where to take beginner or intermediate writing classes
TCK Publishing.Com has an article by Joanna Regulacion, "17 Science Fiction Workshops to Help You Finish Your Short Story"
Self Study
How to Design a Guided Self-Study--a wonderful, detailed step by step guide from Reign of Ravynn
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