Free Course Image Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing Masterclass (Plot, Worldbuilding, Characters and Publishing)

Free online courseScience Fiction and Fantasy Writing Masterclass (Plot, Worldbuilding, Characters and Publishing)

Duration of the online course: 14 hours and 47 minutes

New

Free sci-fi and fantasy writing masterclass covering plot, viewpoint, worldbuilding, characters, short fiction, and publishing basics.

In this free course, learn about

  • Course Orientation and Foundations
  • Plot and Story Structure
  • Worldbuilding and Magic Systems
  • Worldbuilding Q&A and Application
  • Character Craft
  • Publishing Paths: Traditional and Indie

Course Description

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing Masterclass is a free online course designed to help you develop compelling speculative stories from idea to publication-ready draft. It brings together practical craft guidance and a clear creative framework so you can plan, write, and revise with confidence.

You will learn how to shape plots that deliver momentum and satisfying payoffs, including approaches to structure, escalation, and scene-level decision-making. The course also explores viewpoint choices and how perspective affects tension, clarity, and emotional impact, helping you decide whose story you are telling and why.

Worldbuilding is covered in depth, focusing on building settings that feel coherent and lived-in while still leaving room for wonder. You will learn to create rules for magic, technology, and society that support your themes and plot, and to reveal those details naturally through character action rather than exposition dumps.

Character development is another major focus, with strategies for crafting motivations, conflicts, and growth arcs that make readers care. You will practice connecting character goals to story stakes, strengthening dialogue and relationships, and using character choices to drive narrative turns.

The masterclass also discusses short fiction, offering guidance on compressing character and plot into a tighter form while maintaining resonance. Finally, the publishing component introduces the realities of bringing speculative fiction to market, including preparing manuscripts, understanding professional expectations, and building a path toward submission and career development.

Ideal for aspiring writers and hobbyists in theater and filmmaking who want stronger storytelling tools, this course helps you turn imaginative concepts into structured narratives with vivid worlds and memorable characters.

Course content

  • Video class: My Philosophy on Teaching Writing—Brandon Sanderson 02m
  • Exercise: What is the primary goal of the instructor’s teaching philosophy in this writing class?
  • Video class: Lecture #1: Introduction — Brandon Sanderson on Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy 1h03m
  • Exercise: What does the course primarily focus on teaching?
  • Video class: Lecture #2: Plot Part 1 — Brandon Sanderson on Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy 1h07m
  • Exercise: Which set best describes the three parts of story structure discussed, and what glues them together?
  • Video class: Lecture #3: Plot Part 2 — Brandon Sanderson on Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy 1h09m
  • Exercise: When building an outline, what does an outline usually mean to an editor who asks for one along with sample chapters?
  • Video class: Lecture #4: Viewpoint and Q 1h02m
  • Exercise: When deciding how long an introduction should be in a novel, what is the most important guiding principle?
  • Video class: Lecture #5: Worldbuilding Part One — Brandon Sanderson on Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy 1h12m
  • Exercise: According to Sanderson's First Law, what most increases the reader's satisfaction when magic is used to solve problems?
  • Video class: Lecture #6: Worldbuilding Part Two — Brandon Sanderson on Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy 1h13m
  • Exercise: Which skill is described as the single most important genre-specific skill for science fiction and fantasy writers?
  • Video class: Lecture #7: Short Stories — With Special Guest Instructor Mary Robinette Kowal 44m
  • Exercise: In the MICE Quotient, what defines where a milieu story begins and ends?
  • Video class: Lecture #8: Worldbuilding Q 1h14m
  • Exercise: When internal logic and external logic conflict in a story’s worldbuilding or magic system, which should usually take priority?
  • Video class: Lecture #9: Characters — Brandon Sanderson on Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy 1h12m
  • Exercise: Which set best matches the three main tools for making readers care about a character?
  • Video class: Lecture #10: Characters Part 2 — Brandon Sanderson on Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy 1h11m
  • Exercise: Which set of four elements are described as the core types of writing that make up stories?
  • Video class: Lecture #11: Character Q 1h12m
  • Exercise: When trying to build reader sympathy for a character with a tragic past, which approach is recommended?
  • Video class: Lecture #12: Publishing Part One — Brandon Sanderson on Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy 1h07m
  • Exercise: In traditional publishing, what is a primary advantage of having a literary agent?
  • Video class: Lecture #13: Publishing Part Two — Brandon Sanderson on Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy 1h12m
  • Exercise: In indie publishing, what is presented as a major advantage compared to traditional publishing?

This free course includes:

14 hours and 47 minutes of online video course

Digital certificate of course completion (Free)

Exercises to train your knowledge

100% free, from content to certificate

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