MasterClass Review: Take your writing skills to the next level with online courses from the authors who have perfected the craft.

 By Scott Lorenz
Westwind Communications

One of my favorite things for authors is MasterClass. Imagine having a one-on-one lesson with the best writers of our day. That’s what you get when James Patterson speaks to you directly in his MasterClass. Same with Dan Brown, Malcolm Gladwell and many other bestselling authors.

I’ve gained much insight from these top writers who are eager to share their methods and thought processes. MasterClass is an invaluable resource especially if you’d like to improve your writing skills and succeed as an author. It offers seemingly endless engaging online courses taught by some of the best authors in the world. Don’t worry, there’s no test either, just good helpful info.

These authors know what it takes to write a unique, compelling book that sells. They’re dedicated to their craft and are generous in sharing their knowledge and insight with you. Here’s a closer look at the various courses you can take. Click on the link to watch a customized trailer for each.

Neil Gaiman – The author of Coraline and The Sandman shares his unique approach to storytelling. With his course, you can find your voice, come up with exciting ideas, and give your characters life.

James Patterson – If anyone is in a position to help you start and finish your book, it’s James Patterson. He’s the author of 19 consecutive No. 1 New York Times bestsellers and shares a variety of tips in his course. “My first novel was turned down by 31 publishers. It’s rare that somebody comes up with a totally fresh idea out of nowhere. Write the story. Don’t write sentences,” said Patterson.

Malcolm Gladwell – Outliers and The Tipping Point are two of Malcolm Gladwell’s books that have allowed readers to understand complicated ideas such as performance prediction and behavioral economics. Gladwell can teach you how to write powerful stories that help others learn. “The job of the writer is not to supply the ideas. It’s to be patient enough to find the ideas.” he explained.

Dan Brown – Known for The Da Vinci Code and other best-selling thrillers, Dan Brown reveals how he turns ideas into narratives. Find out how he researches, comes up with characters and keeps suspense throughout all of his books. “Write as though nobody’s watching because nobody’s watching,” said Brown.

Margaret Atwood – When it comes to creative writing, Margaret Atwood is the expert. She’s the author of The Handmaid’s Tale and provides a roadmap for developing ideas into novels that attract and inspire all kinds of readers. Atwood is a firm believer of the idea that you become a writer by writing.

David Sedaris – David Sedaris is well-respected for his bestselling books like Calypso and essays in the New Yorker. His course can teach you the art of personal storytelling. Learn how to use humor to write openings that pique interest and endings that satisfy readers.

Joyce Carol Oates – Become a better short story writer with Joyce Carol Oates who’s published 58 novels and thousands of short stories. She’s a creative writing professor at Princeton University and will teach you how to explore your own imagination and write works that people want to read.

R.L. Stine – If you want to write for young audiences, R.L. Stine can steer you in the right direction. For over 20 years, Stine focused on funny stories and jokes. He eventually transitioned to writing horror stories for youngsters and is best known for The Fear Street and Goosebumps series. You can count on him to show you how to develop plots that intrigue young readers.

Billy Collins – With Billy Collins’ poetry course, you can find your voice as a poet and appreciate “the emotional pull of poetry.” Collins is a former U.S. Poet Laureate who will read his poems out loud and explain how he wrote them.

The Bottom Line: If you want to become an outstanding author then master the craft of writing from the most successful authors through MasterClass.

About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz

Book publicist Scott Lorenz, President of Westwind Book Marketing, has spent more than 30 years helping authors get noticed. He works with bestselling, traditionally published and self-published authors to generate media exposure, book reviews, interviews and greater visibility through strategic book publicity and book marketing campaigns.

His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, The New York Times, TIME, PBS, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, The Washington Post and other major media outlets.

Lorenz is also an author. His books include Book Title Generator: A Proven System in Naming Your Book, an award-winning guide for authors, and Book Title Bible: How to Name Your Christian Book with Faith and Inspiration.

Lorenz shares book publicity, publishing and marketing advice on X (Twitter) at @aBookPublicist, where he connects with more than 47,000 followers across the book, author and publishing community.

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