Write Your First Novel

Michigan State organizes this course around sustained novel drafting, from an initial idea and character profiles through chapters and table reads. The published sequence spans 26 weeks. It suits learners prepared to write regularly and revise, with the manuscript goal depending on the substantial work they put into the assignments.

What you will learn

• Develop an idea and character profiles.
• Draft chapters through a structured sequence.
• Use table reads to review the work.

Who this suits

No experience is required; the provider emphasizes a strong desire to write a novel.

Before you enroll

Allow time for drafting and revision beyond the listed lessons. Feedback arrangements and assessment access depend on enrollment terms. Use your own material, protect the privacy of people represented in personal writing and check rights before publishing. Course completion does not guarantee publication.

Coursera offers paid enrollment or subscription access. Check the enrollment screen for assessment and certificate terms, trials and any financial-aid options. Provider access terms can change; review them before paying.

Put it into practice

Set a realistic chapter-writing schedule and draft one scene, then read it aloud to identify a problem in pacing, clarity or dialogue.

Source and review

This overview is based on the provider's published information, checked on 12 October 2026. It is an editorial assessment, not a claim that we completed the resource. Time filters are approximate study ranges; projects and exercises can take longer.

View the curriculum and current access options at Coursera.

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