Write Articles & Essays to Boost Your Platform for Novels & Nonfiction

August 13

Essays and articles can extend your larger projects, helping you explore the ideas, themes, and experiences that shape your writing. But how do you turn your ideas into articles and essays that appeal to readers and editors? How do you use shorter nonfiction to support your book projects?

In this dynamic live webinar, Polly Campbell shares practical, step-by-step strategies you can use right away to generate ideas, shape strong essays and articles, and place your work in front of readers and editors—building a platform that supports both fiction and nonfiction.

Humor Writing Virtual Conference

August 15

Writer’s Digest University is pleased to present a one-of-a-kind online event for science fiction writers! On August 15, 2026, our WDU Humor Writing Virtual Conference will provide expert insights from best-selling humor authors. Spend Saturday learning techniques for honing your craft from four published humor authors.

Experience the education, camaraderie, and opportunities provided by a live writing conference without ever having to leave your home!

Writing the Natural World:

Craft Techniques for Grounding Your Stories in Place

August 20

The natural world can anchor your writing in vivid, sensory detail and do powerful thematic work. But too often, nature writing falls into clichés or stays surface-level. In this webinar, you’ll learn five craft techniques for writing the natural world in ways that feel fresh, specific, and essential to your story. Whether you’re writing fiction, memoir, or essays, nature isn’t just backdrop—it’s character, metaphor, and emotional landscape. Learn how to make every detail count.

Creative Writing 101

August 13 - November 5

Are you one of those people who have thought, “I’d like to write a book someday, but I don’t know where to start”? If yes, then this is the course for you. All you need is to open yourself up and allow your ideas to flow.

Writing the Romance Novel

August 13 - September 24

This course explores why romance is the same, yet different. Some essential components of romance are unique to the genre, while some romance requirements are identical to those of any good fiction story.

Beginning Feature Film Writing

August 13 - November 5

This 12-week course guides students through the process of building a feature film script, starting with an outline and continuing through all the acts of your screenplay. You will get expert guidance on your writing along the way, and helpful self-tests allow you to reinforce your mastery of the lecture content.