Odyssey Online Classes

Since its inception in 1996, the Odyssey Writing Workshop has become one of the most highly respected organizations in the world offering educational programs for writers of fantasy, science fiction, and horror.

Odyssey's online classes combine deep focus, directed study, intensive practice, and detailed feedback to help students learn how to best use the concepts, tools and techniques covered to make major improvements in their work.

Odyssey's online classes are rigorous and demanding, giving you the most for your time and effort. You should not apply unless you are ready to learn and practice new techniques, hear about the weaknesses in your writing, and work to overcome those weaknesses. Classes provide a supportive yet challenging, energizing atmosphere. Taking one of Odyssey's online classes is a great way to focus on your writing, giving it the time and attention it needs. Each class is focused on a particular element of fiction writing and is designed for writers at a particular skill level.

Odyssey's online classes will provide you with valuable tools and techniques and will guide you as you practice using them. We'll study some of the most beautiful and powerful writing in the field to gain understanding of what these tools can do when wielded with skill. We'll also discuss the common failings of developing writers and explain how to avoid those pitfalls. Classes will provide you with new insights into the writing process and into your writing in particular, through detailed feedback.

We offer just three online courses each winter and focus them on some of the biggest challenges writers face. Below are descriptions of our Winter 2027 classes. Also, you’ll find information about our new live webinar! To receive updates, sign up for our newsletter.

One major challenge for writers is creating a strong plot structure. You may have learned one-act structure, three-act structure, or others. They can all be very useful, since different stories require different structures. But few writers have a full understanding of east Asian four-act structure. Perhaps you’ve heard of Kishōtenketsu, which is one form of this structure and became famous after the film Parasite was released. We’re very fortunate to have award-winning instructor and Nebula-award finalist Henry Lien teaching The Radical East Asian Four-Act Structure. Henry literally wrote the book on this topic, Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird: The Art of Eastern Storytelling, and has deep insights into the key elements of this structure, the underlying value systems, and the effects possible only with this structure. Henry will explain the possibilities this structure provides, what types of stories might best be told with this structure, the major elements, how to build them into a strong structure, and pitfalls to avoid. The course will also explore the relationship between various structures and values/themes, and the different aesthetic effects possible with different structures.

Henry gave a fantastic guest lecture for Your Personal Odyssey Writing Workshop last year, so I’m thrilled to have him teach this course.

For more information, see our Upcoming Classes page.

Online Classes

Bestselling author and Odyssey graduate Gregory Ashe has been teaching for Odyssey Online since 2022, with his courses garnering high ratings by students. This year, he’s ready to help students improve one of the most important components of story in his course Angled Dialogue: Crafting Dialogue for Page-Turning Stories. Dialogue can reveal character, build relationships, advance conflicts, create subtext, and much more. Memorable dialogue that carries tension and propels the story forward can make a huge difference in a story.

The class will focus on strategies for writing dialogue to achieve specific purposes. At the heart of the class is the concept of angled dialogue. Dialogue can be angled toward action, or conflict, or a character's intention, or meaning. Greg will show you how to angle your dialogue to make it the most effective for any situation. You'll then learn advanced techniques for dialogue that can help you achieve multiple purposes simultaneously. Greg will also discuss the role of genre in writing dialogue. And because honing your dialogue doesn’t usually happen in the first draft, Greg will explain how to evaluate and revise your dialogue to make it as strong as possible.

One of Greg's students, Roger Hammons, said, “The Odyssey “Angled Dialogue” class delivers on the promise of its premise. Although I felt that dialog was one of my strengths as a writer, the class with its curated readings, summary lectures, and self-reflections succeeded in deepening my understanding of the craft. I especially enjoyed the specific techniques taught. Though obvious in hindsight, the techniques are not so readily discerned in published fiction, where masterful technique disappears into story. Having the techniques as explicit tools in one’s kit allows them to be used deliberatively instead of only intuitively, presumably with greater impact. For the class, I pushed myself to write a new short story using the taught techniques. There is no substitute from having expert eyes evaluate specific examples of one’s own writing, especially in such a ‘closed-loop’ fashion. I learned a lot from the exercise. Highly recommended! In his critiques, the instructor, Gregory Ashe, delivered insights into what was working and what might work even better. Much appreciated!”

For more information, see our Upcoming Classes page.

A major challenge for writers is creating a powerful emotional experience for readers. Ideally, all the elements in your story work together to deliver emotional impact. But few works reach that ideal. Award-winning novelist Barbara Ashford will be teaching The Heart of the Matter: Bringing Emotional Resonance to Your Storytelling. Writers are constantly frustrated to discover that the characters and situations that seem so moving and powerful to them leave readers shrugging and saying, "Meh." If you want your work to be imbued with emotion, if you want your readers to care as much about your characters as you do, this is the course for you. The Heart of the Matter will not only show you how to get character emotions on the page in a powerful and affecting way; it will explain how to infuse each element of your story—setting, description, character, plot, point of view—with emotion, so emotion resonates through your story with great impact.

Barbara has been an outstanding, top-rated instructor for Odyssey Online for over a decade, sharing her wide-ranging knowledge and providing deep feedback to students that has helped them make major improvements in their writing.

One of Barbara's students, Myna Chang, said, “Barbara Ashford’s Heart of the Matter course helped me understand the importance of a focused, deliberate approach to conveying layers of emotion in my writing. From identifying the emotions I want my readers to feel, to specific strategies for developing those emotions through well-crafted scenes, this class gave me the tools for the next phase of my storytelling career. Presented with Odyssey’s professionalism and warmth, I loved every minute of this class. I recommend Heart of the Matter for anyone who wants to craft resonant, emotionally satisfying stories.”

For more information, see our Upcoming Classes page.

We’re also offering a new live webinar, Spark, by one of our most popular instructors, Scott H. Andrews, editor-in-chief and publisher of the online fantasy magazine Beneath Ceaseless Skies and winner of the World Fantasy Award for Best Editor Short Form. What makes a story great? What makes the characters and events have an outsized impact on readers—emotionally, intellectually, or both? Of all the stories that a reader may read, what makes a few linger in the mind long after? Scott calls this quality “spark.” Spark can be elusive, but in this webinar, Scott will explore different elements of story that can carry that special spark. He’ll provide examples of stories that have spark and break down how that spark is generated. And he’ll explain different methods for getting spark into your stories. The webinar will be comprised of a two-hour lecture followed by a one-hour question-and-answer session. Note that those interested in attending will be registering for the webinar. There is no application process.

For more information, see our Upcoming Classes page.

Please click on the other tabs at the top of this column of text for additional information on the "Components," "Specifics," and "Cost" of Odyssey's online classes.  

Lectures and discussions:

Lectures and discussions are scheduled for particular times, and students are expected to attend all of them at the scheduled times. Students receive access to these sessions through Zoom. At class time, plug in your USB headset and click the link to go to the Zoom meeting. You will see and hear the instructor live, giving the lecture, and your computer screen will become the instructor's blackboard, where various examples and notes will be displayed.  

Class materials:

Supporting materials are posted on a class discussion group, which you will be asked to join when you enroll in the class. You may be required to print out some materials, so you can refer to them during lectures.

Writing exercises and assignments:

Homework will be assigned at each class meeting and must be completed by the due date. In most courses, you will also offer feedback on some of your classmates’ work, and they will provide feedback on your work.

The instructor will also require you to respond to discussion questions on the class group, which will encourage you to explore ideas and get to know your classmates.

Communication with the instructor:

Since class sizes are small, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues with the instructor. The instructor will be providing in-depth feedback on your work and offering suggestions and advice. The instructor will also have a one-on-one meeting with each student.

Communication with Odyssey Director Jeanne Cavelos:

Jeanne will not be teaching this winter, but she will be reading the applications and making admissions decisions, coordinating the dissemination of advance materials, setting up the class groups, and making herself available by email and phone if you have problems of any kind during a course. Feel free to contact her with any questions.

Our classes are for writers serious about improving their writing. Whether you’re a beginner or a published writer, you’ll be able to find an Odyssey Online Class to help you attack your weak areas and and level up your writing. Here are some other details about the courses:

Class size:

Limited to 14 students, unless otherwise announced.

Instructors:

Top authors, editors, and agents who are also great teachers serve as instructors for Odyssey’s online classes. You can find information about the instructor of each course on the specific class page.

Time requirements:

Make sure you check the specific class page to find out when lectures will be held. You need to attend class at those times. An estimate of the amount of time homework assignments will take is also provided on the specific class page.

Work requirements:

Assignments may include readings, writing exercises, responding to discussion questions, critiquing, and writing and revising your fiction. See the specific class page for more details.

Technological requirements:

The computer specifications may look a bit intimidating, if you’re not a technical person. Chances are, if you’ve bought your computer in the last 5 years, it will fulfill the requirements. So don’t panic; just go through them one at a time and make sure you are covered.

♦ Computer: Make sure your computer fulfills the Zoom requirements. You can find them here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-System-requirements-for-Windows-macOS-and-Linux. While you can join the class meetings from supported tablets and mobile devices, Odyssey recommends you use a desktop or laptop computer for full functionality.

♦ Headset with earphones and microphone: Odyssey strongly recommends participants use a USB headset made up of headphones and microphone. Using speakers and microphone instead of a headset can lead to feedback or echo, disrupting the class. You can also use a telephone, though the sound quality may not be as good.

♦ Internet: Broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE). Make sure your internet is up to speed (1.5 Mbps download/1.5Mbps upload). You can check your bandwidth here.

♦ Assignments: Assignments must be turned in as MS Word files or rich text files.

♦ Class materials: Materials will be distributed in MS Word files or pdf files. You must be able to read such files.

Class tuition varies depending on the course. See the specific class page for more information. The tuition costs quoted are the discounted rates for US students paying by check or money order, and for international students paying by bank draft in US dollars.

Students have the additional option of paying tuition through PayPal which allows you to charge the costs on a credit card. Those using PayPal need to pay the full rates, which are about 4% higher.

Refunds: All tuition payments are non-refundable.

I am so thrilled I was able to take an Odyssey Online Class, I can already see the improvement in my writing. The lectures and class discussion were wonderful. I learned so much in a short amount of time. The feedback I received from my classmates was invaluable and the critiques from the instructor, Barbara Ashford, have already improved my novel beyond expectations. I cannot recommend this class enough!

–HAYLEY WILDS

I have attended more than a dozen courses on writing fiction, both online and bricks-and-mortar including (now) four Odyssey Online Writing Classes. The Odyssey Online classes offer by far the best value for money of all the courses I have taken—by a long way. You have to put the work in. As do your fellow students. But, importantly, as does the instructor. So there is no excuse not to up your game.

–JACK CALVERLEY

I can honestly say this is the best writing course I have ever completed. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone who wants to learn how to write the best possible version of their stories.

–BECCA YUAN

I’ve taken other online writing classes before and gained a few useful insights here and there, but this class does more than just lecture—it gives you tools and forces you to practice using those tools. Then it shows you how to incorporate those tools into writing an actual story. I felt welcomed and supported in every stage of the class and am thrilled at how my writing network has expanded from this class. I was astounded at the amount and quality of the critiques I received from the instructor and my classmates on assignments I turned in. I learned so much from them! And I was just as astounded at the amount and quality of critique I was giving to other students—I’d been giving critiques for years, but this class taught me how to look at the big picture and spot problems in an outline before a draft is even written.

I cannot recommend this class enough—it is vital for anyone looking to create fiction that WORKS.

–CAITLIN JACOBS

An excellent class that equipped me with good ideas and useful techniques for creating viable characters. Receiving very detailed critiques by fellow students and by the class instructor Elaine let me see my work from multiple angles, sometimes confirming my own views, sometimes surprising me greatly, always in helpful and informative ways. A very rewarding experience altogether.

–FRANK HAGELBERG

Before, my characters began their existence as plain-vanilla, and I tried to develop them as the story progressed. Bodies and Heartbeats gave me the tools to create characters that engage from the moment they step on the page, characters ready for conflict, adventure, and suffering.

–SCOTT T. BARNES

This class has been an inspiring and transformative experience for me as a writer. … Through assignments and examples, Barbara taught us how to think about stories in terms of the promise they make to readers, and then she gave us techniques for measuring whether our openings, conflict, scenes, climax, and resolution were fulfilling that promise. We studied methods for infusing our stories with drama. Class gave me tangible ways to … evaluate my stories, and revise my stories to make them more satisfying for my reader. Barbara is extremely personable and invested in her students. This was an enriching experience that helped me strengthen … my writing.

–HEATHER HENRY

This class was a huge help in getting me to take a step back and figure out what my WIP is actually about. Barbara is supportive, knowledgeable, and kind. She has given me new tools to identify story problems and find innovative ways to fix them. The homework assignments challenged me and pushed me into new thinking; I’m no longer dreading the work of revision, but am excited to dig into it!

–JESSICA PLUMBLEY

In Ashe’s Scene & Sequel intensive, I learned how to better decipher how some writers create page turners and how I can better do that myself. I’ve tried to decipher how favorite authors do it, but until this course, the usefulness of my analyses was more miss than hit. I’m keeping the templates for effective scenes and sequels open as I write. The course work, class feedback, and instructor suggestions have helped me be more productive and to move my plots forward in ways that engage. I’m grateful for the opportunity to take an Odyssey online course.

–JENIFER HARTT

I’ve taken two Odyssey classes over a couple of years. I now use the techniques I learned there for every story I write. Not only have those lessons been incorporated into the stories I’ve published since, but they have made me more confident in approaching any story I can dream up. It’s like I was given a box of immaculate, well-made tools.

–TED BUSHMAN

The Odyssey Online course Scene and Sequel taught by Gregory Ashe was a great experience. I especially appreciated Greg’s enthusiasm, his willingness to share and discuss techniques both in and out of class, and the insights he gave me into using scene and sequel to hone my pacing. It was also a pleasure and a privilege to be in class with such dedicated, serious and imaginative fellow writers. Well worth the time and the hard work!

–CAROLINE LEE

I was looking for a course to really help me level-up my writing. Something beyond the usual how-to books and YouTube tutorials. Odyssey Online gave me what I needed in spades: the instructor was knowledgeable and helpful; the assignments were designed to help me grasp the material; there was just enough challenge to encourage growth; and, best of all, it’s clear how I can apply my new knowledge to improve my new writing.

–NATHANAEL GREEN

Odyssey knows how to deliver instruction, and their online course on Scene and Sequel with Gregory Ashe took my writing to another level. I had read about Scene and Sequel in several sources, but it wasn’t until Greg broke down the process and helped me practice the techniques that this became a tool I now own. Odyssey courses are organized and well moderated. I always feel like I’m in safe and responsible hands. The workload is demanding but certainly not overwhelming. This was my second online course through Odyssey, and each one has given me greater confidence as a writer.

–SAM PISCIOTTA