Course Description
Statistics from the American Bookseller Association and Book Industry Study Group show that women's fiction makes up 40 percent of adult popular fiction sold in the United States. It also makes up about 60 percent of adult popular fiction paperbacks sold. A recent Gallup Poll shows that women's fiction is a 24 billion dollar industry. Wowza!
So what is women's fiction, exactly? Well, according to Women's Fiction Defined, women's fiction "is a book about a woman or women... The protagonist's journey is about self-discovery, self-preservation, self-acceptance, or self-improvement. And this journey is taken in the company of others who affect the main character, influence her, but do not save her. In women's fiction, the main character saves herself."
And, according to the Romance Writers of America, women's fiction is: "a commercial novel about a woman on the brink of life change and personal growth. Her journey details emotional reflection and action that transforms her and her relationships with others, and includes a hopeful/upbeat ending with regard to her romantic relationship."
So, basically women's fiction is just that: fiction about women's issues written for a female readership. But note that it is not the same as chick lit or romance. Because, while women's fiction does utilize literary prose, it is very commercial in its appeal. The characters of this genre are often women attempting to overcome both personal and external adversity.
In this course, we're going to show you how to write creative women's fiction. We're going to review what is how and how to create a compelling story step-by-step. Don't worry if you have no prior experience, we will start at the beginning and move up from there until you have the confidence and ability to master writing great women's fiction. So join us today!
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- Printable Lessons
- Full HD Video
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs

Learning Outcomes
By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Describe what, exactly, is women's fiction.
- Demonstrate setting your work schedule and dumping writer's block.
- Describe subgenres of women's fiction.
- Describe the rules of women's fiction.
- Summarize common themes of women's fiction.
- Demonstrate choosing and writing your central character.
- Describe positive aspects of women's fiction.
- Identify common threads and big picture thinking.
- Demonstrate setting the scene, plotting your course, and using subplots.
- Summarize publishing guidelines for women's fiction and dealing with agents.
- Demonstrate writing query letters for your work.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Assessment Guide
Assessment | Points |
---|---|
Assignment 1A | 1 points |
Assignment 1B | 100 points |
Lesson 1 Quiz | 5 points |
Assignment 2A | 100 points |
Assignment 2B | 100 points |
Lesson 2 Quiz | 5 points |
Assignment 3A | 100 points |
Assignment 3B | 100 points |
Lesson 3 Quiz | 4 points |
Assignment 4A | 100 points |
Assignment 4B | 100 points |
Lesson 4 Quiz | 3 points |
Assignment 5 | 100 points |
Lesson 5 Quiz | 3 points |
Assignment 6A | 100 points |
Assignment 6B | 100 points |
Character Building Worksheet | 5 points |
Lesson 6 Quiz | 5 points |
Assignment 7 | 100 points |
Lesson 7 Quiz | 4 points |
Assignment 8A | 100 points |
Assignment 8B | 100 points |
Lesson 8 Exam | 3 points |
Assignment 9 | 100 points |
Lesson 9 Quiz | 3 points |
Assignment 10 | 100 points |
Lesson 10 Quiz | 4 points |
Assignment 11A | 100 points |
Assignment 11B | 100 points |
Lesson 11 Quiz | 4 points |
Assignment 12 | 100 points |
Lesson 12 Quiz | 4 points |
Assignment 13 | 100 points |
Lesson 13 Quiz | 4 points |
Assignment 14 | 100 points |
Lesson 14 Exam | 5 points |
Assignment 15 | 100 points |
Lesson 15 Exam | 4 points |
Assignment 16 | 100 points |