10 Best Creative Writing Classes in Atlanta: Find Your Perfect Workshop (2024 Guide)
As a writing instructor in Atlanta for over a decade, I’ve witnessed the city’s vibrant literary scene transform countless aspiring authors into published writers. Atlanta’s creative writing classes offer something for everyone – from beginners finding their voice to seasoned writers honing their craft.
I’ll guide you through Atlanta’s best writing programs, including workshops at acclaimed institutions like Emory University and intimate gatherings at local bookstores. Whether you’re interested in crafting compelling short stories, developing your poetry skills, or working on your first novel, you’ll find a supportive community of fellow writers ready to help you grow.
Key Takeaways
- Atlanta offers diverse creative writing programs across universities, community centers, and independent workshops, with class options ranging from beginner to master level
- Emory University leads the academic scene with top-ranked programs, featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning faculty and comprehensive courses in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction
- Local writing centers like Decatur Writers Studio provide flexible schedules and intimate class sizes (under 15 students) for personalized attention
- Both online and in-person classes are available, with prices ranging from $150 to $3,500, depending on program duration and institution type
- Atlanta’s vibrant writing community offers extensive networking opportunities through organizations like Atlanta Writers Club and various digital platforms
- Financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and payment plans, make creative writing education accessible to diverse audiences
Creative Writing Classes in Atlanta
Atlanta’s creative writing education landscape features 25+ dedicated programs across universities, community centers, and independent workshops. I’ve witnessed these programs evolve over 15 years of teaching in the city’s vibrant literary scene.
Types of Classes Available
- Fiction Workshops focusing on novel writing, short stories, and flash fiction techniques
- Poetry Sessions exploring contemporary forms, spoken word, and traditional verse
- Screenwriting Programs teaching script formatting, dialogue construction, and scene development
- Creative Nonfiction Courses covering memoirs, personal essays, and literary journalism
- Genre-Specific Classes including mystery, science fiction, romance, and young adult literature
- Online Writing Labs offering flexible schedules with 4-week to 12-week formats
- Summer Intensives providing immersive experiences in focused writing disciplines
| Level | Duration | Prerequisites | Class Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 6-8 weeks | None | 12-15 students |
| Intermediate | 8-10 weeks | 2+ completed courses | 8-12 students |
| Advanced | 10-12 weeks | Portfolio review | 6-8 students |
| Master Class | 4-6 weeks | Published work | 4-6 students |
- Entry-Level Programs accepting writers with no prior formal training
- Intermediate Workshops requiring basic writing fundamentals understanding
- Advanced Seminars demanding completed manuscripts or publication credits
- Specialized Courses targeting specific demographics like teens, seniors, or working professionals
- Professional Development Classes focusing on query letters, manuscript formatting, and agent pitches
Top Writing Programs at Atlanta Universities
Atlanta’s premier universities offer exceptional creative writing programs with distinguished faculty members. These programs combine rigorous academic instruction with practical writing experience.
Emory University’s Creative Writing Program
Emory University’s Creative Writing Program ranks among the top 10 undergraduate creative writing programs in the United States. The program features acclaimed faculty members including Pulitzer Prize winners Jericho Brown Natasha Trethewey. Students access specialized courses in:
- Writing workshops focused on poetry fiction creative nonfiction
- Advanced seminars in contemporary literature
- Individual mentoring sessions with published authors
- Literary journal editing through The Lullwater Review
- Summer writing intensives with visiting writers
- Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing with tracks in poetry fiction
- Undergraduate concentrations in creative writing
- Writer’s Workshop series with industry professionals
- Publishing opportunities in New South literary journal
- Graduate assistantships teaching opportunities
| Program Features | Emory University | Georgia State University |
|---|---|---|
| Program Length | 4 years (BA) | 2-3 years (MFA) |
| Class Size | 12-15 students | 8-12 students |
| Faculty Published Authors | 15+ | 12+ |
| Annual Writing Events | 25+ | 20+ |
| Literary Magazines | 2 | 1 |
Independent Writing Centers and Workshops
Atlanta’s independent writing centers offer specialized programs tailored to different writing styles genres with flexible schedules throughout the year. These centers focus on intimate class sizes under 15 students to maximize individual attention.
Decatur Writers Studio
Decatur Writers Studio operates from a renovated historic building in downtown Decatur offering 8-week creative writing workshops. The studio features 6 dedicated classrooms specialized writing labs a resource library with over 2000 craft books. Their core programs include:
- Morning intensive workshops from 9 AM – 12 PM on weekdays
- Evening fiction workshops on Tuesdays Thursdays from 6:30-9 PM
- Weekend memoir writing sessions on alternate Saturdays
- Monthly critique groups for ongoing manuscripts
- One-on-one mentoring with published authors
- Monthly craft lectures by bestselling authors editors
- Eight-week fiction fundamentals courses for $295
- Advanced novel writing workshops limited to 12 participants
- Query letter boot camps with literary agent feedback
- Self-publishing seminars covering marketing distribution
| Program Type | Duration | Cost | Max Class Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craft Lectures | 2 hours | $25 | 50 |
| Fiction Course | 8 weeks | $295 | 15 |
| Novel Workshop | 12 weeks | $495 | 12 |
| Query Boot Camp | 1 day | $150 | 20 |
| Publishing Seminar | 4 hours | $95 | 30 |
Online vs In-Person Creative Writing Classes
Atlanta’s creative writing scene offers both virtual and physical learning environments, each with distinct advantages for developing writers. I’ve taught in both formats and observed specific benefits unique to each learning style.
Benefits of Local In-Person Learning
In-person creative writing classes in Atlanta create immediate connections through face-to-face interactions with instructors and peers. Local workshops at places like Emory University and Decatur Writers Studio provide:
- Direct feedback through real-time facial expressions and body language
- Spontaneous creative exercises with immediate group participation
- Access to Atlanta’s literary events networks and writing communities
- Physical writing spaces in historic buildings or modern university facilities
- Hands-on workshopping sessions with 8-12 participants per class
- Networking opportunities with local published authors and editors
- Live video workshops through platforms like Zoom with Atlanta-based instructors
- Flexible scheduling options with 4-week, 6-week or 8-week course lengths
- Digital submission systems for manuscript reviews and critiques
- 24/7 access to course materials and recorded sessions
- Virtual writing rooms with 10-15 participants from diverse locations
- Online mentoring sessions with Georgia-based published authors
- Discussion forums for ongoing peer feedback and support
- Recorded craft lectures from Atlanta’s literary professionals
- Virtual attendance at local literary events and readings
| Class Format | Average Class Size | Typical Course Length | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Person | 8-12 students | 6-8 weeks | $300-$500 |
| Online | 10-15 students | 4-8 weeks | $250-$450 |
Costs and Financial Aid Options
Creative writing classes in Atlanta range from $150 to $3,500 based on program duration, institution type, and level of instruction.
University Program Costs
- Emory University’s undergraduate creative writing courses cost $1,800 per credit hour
- Georgia State University charges $1,200 per credit hour for creative writing classes
- Kennesaw State University offers writing courses at $950 per credit hour
Independent Workshop Pricing
- Single-day workshops: $75-$150
- 6-week courses: $295-$495
- 8-week intensive programs: $595-$895
- One-on-one mentoring sessions: $85-$150 per hour
Financial Aid Resources
- Federal grants through FAFSA for university programs
- Merit-based scholarships at Emory ($5,000-$15,000)
- Georgia State writing fellowships ($2,500-$7,500)
- Work-study positions in university writing centers
Payment Plans and Discounts
- Monthly installment options for courses over $500
- Early registration discounts (10-15% off)
- Multi-course package savings (20% off)
- Alumni discounts (15% off subsequent courses)
Writing Center Memberships
- Monthly memberships: $45-$75
- Quarterly memberships: $120-$195
- Annual memberships: $395-$595
- Member benefits: workshop discounts, writing space access, event invitations
- Required textbooks: $50-$150 per course
- Workshop materials: $25-$75
- Manuscript review fees: $0.02-$0.05 per word
- Writing conference registration: $150-$450
Networking and Writing Communities
Atlanta’s writing communities offer extensive networking opportunities through organized events, critique groups and digital platforms. I’ve identified three primary networking channels that connect writers in the metro area:
Literary Organizations
- Atlanta Writers Club hosts monthly meetings with 150+ attendees
- Georgia Poetry Society coordinates quarterly gatherings for poets
- Atlanta Writers Conference brings together agents publishers editors twice yearly
- Decatur Book Festival connects 85,000+ readers with authors annually
Writing Groups
- Decatur Library Writers Group meets weekly with 12-15 participants
- Little Shop of Stories hosts genre-specific critique circles monthly
- Agnes Scott College maintains 6 student-led writing groups
- Atlanta Science Fiction Society gathers 30+ speculative writers monthly
- Atlanta Writers Facebook group connects 2,500+ local authors
- #ATLlit Twitter community shares daily writing opportunities
- Meetup.com lists 15+ active writing groups in metro Atlanta
- Discord servers host 24/7 writing sprints virtual workshops
| Organization Type | Active Members | Monthly Events |
|---|---|---|
| Literary Groups | 5,000+ | 25-30 |
| Writing Groups | 750+ | 45-50 |
| Digital Communities | 10,000+ | 100+ |
These networking opportunities create collaborative spaces for manuscript feedback sharing industry insights organizing writing sessions. I’ve seen numerous writers secure agent representation publishing deals through connections made in Atlanta’s writing communities. The combination of in-person gatherings digital platforms ensures writers find support at any stage of their creative journey.
Atlanta’s creative writing scene has proven itself as a powerhouse for nurturing literary talent. After exploring the city’s diverse writing programs I’m confident that aspiring writers will find their perfect match here whether at prestigious universities like Emory or intimate local workshops.
I’ve watched countless students transform their raw talent into polished work through these programs. The combination of expert instruction flexible learning formats and strong community support makes Atlanta an ideal place to develop your writing craft.
Remember that investing in your writing education here isn’t just about learning – it’s about joining a thriving community that’ll support your journey from first draft to published work. I’m excited to see how you’ll contribute to Atlanta’s rich literary landscape.