If you want to improve your writing, experiment with new storytelling techniques, or gain hands-on experience, creative writing programs and internships can be a great starting point. These programs cover a range of writing styles, including fiction, poetry, journalism, and scriptwriting, giving you the chance to practice and develop your writing.
You will learn key skills like editing, research, narrative development, and the fundamentals of publishing. Beyond writing, these skills are valuable in fields like publishing, media, advertising, and communications.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 10 free and online creative writing programs and internships for high school students!
10 Free + Online Creative Writing Programs + Internships for High School Students
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) – Creative Writing Track
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Spring: February 16; Summer: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)!
Program Dates: Spring: March 3; Summer: June 16! Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Cost: Financial aid is available
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as literature, data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who mentors you throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
2. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility:You must be enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall and must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper. You can apply here!
3. Pasquines Writing Internship
Location: Remote
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Flexible
Eligibility: High school students
The Pasquines Writing Internship is a remote opportunity where you can develop your writing, journalism, and research skills while reporting on U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. As an intern, you’ll write articles on political and policy issues, sharpen your analytical thinking, and learn how to fact-check and structure news pieces.
You’ll also gain hands-on experience in nonprofit news publishing, improving your editing, interviewing, and storytelling skills. The program offers a flexible schedule, requiring at least two hours per week, making it easy to balance with school.
4. The Future Dramatic Writers Workshop
Location: Online
Application Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
Program Dates: February 1-May 10
Eligibility: All high school students can apply!
The Future Dramatic Writers Workshop is a free, intensive program for students who want to write for theater, film, and television. You’ll receive professional training in playwriting, screenwriting, and episodic television writing, following the same structure as undergraduate dramatic writing courses.
Through lectures, discussions, and hands-on workshops, you’ll develop storytelling skills, learn script formatting, and refine dialogue and character development. The program also helps you understand scene structure and pacing, essential for writing compelling scripts. It all leads up to a live showcase, where you’ll present your original work and gain real-world experience in bringing stories to life for stage and screen.
5. Princeton’s Summer Journalism Program
Location: Online and in-person options, with a 10-day residential program at the end of July
Application Deadline: Typically end of February
Program Dates: July-August
Eligibility: Open to 11th-grade students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and who meet specific socio-economic criteria.
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is a free, year-long opportunity for high school students interested in journalism and nonfiction writing. It starts with online workshops and lectures and includes a 10-day residential program at Princeton. You’ll learn key skills like reporting, interviewing, and research while developing your writing for news and feature stories.
The program also covers editing, multimedia storytelling, and the impact of journalism on society. With mentorship from professional journalists, you’ll work on real assignments, refine your storytelling techniques, and build a strong writing portfolio. Beyond journalism, these skills are valuable for careers in media, communications, law, and public policy.
6. AlaskaX: The Craft of Storytelling
Location: Online
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: Open to all
AlaskaX: The Craft of Storytelling is a self-paced, four-week online course that helps you develop storytelling skills for writing, public speaking, and digital media. You’ll learn how to structure narratives, adapt stories for different audiences, and use storytelling to inform, persuade, and engage.
The course covers techniques for shaping personal stories, building emotional connections, and maintaining audience interest. You’ll also explore different storytelling formats, from essays to speeches to multimedia content. With practical exercises and tools, you’ll refine your ability to craft powerful narratives – an essential skill for careers in journalism, marketing, public relations, education, and media.
7. Finding Your Voice As A Playwright @University of Cambridge
Location: Online
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: Open to all
Finding Your Voice as a Playwright by the University of Cambridge is a course designed to help you develop essential playwriting skills and refine your storytelling techniques. You’ll learn how to create compelling characters, write authentic dialogue, and structure dramatic scenes for the stage.
Through writing exercises and a creativity journal, you’ll experiment with different styles, track your progress, and build confidence in your unique voice as a playwright. The course also provides industry insights, covering how plays are developed, revised, and staged. These skills are valuable for screenwriting, creative writing, and any field that requires strong storytelling abilities.
8. Creative Writing Specialisation @Wesleyan University
Location: Online
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: Open to all
The Creative Writing Specialization at Wesleyan University focuses on short stories, narrative essays, and memoirs. You’ll learn how to develop engaging plots, create complex characters, and sharpen your descriptive writing. The course includes structured writing exercises, peer reviews, and a Capstone project where you will draft, revise, and complete an original story.
You’ll also explore techniques to build suspense, write authentic dialogue, and craft compelling openings and endings. Whether you’re starting or refining your skills, this program helps you strengthen your storytelling and develop a consistent writing practice.
9. Summer Mentorship Program: The Adroit Journal
Location: Virtual
Cost: $450/student (financial aid available)
Eligibility: Grades 9-12, including gap year students
Dates: Mid-late June to early August
Deadline: March 31
The Adroit Journal’s Summer Mentorship Program pairs high school students and recent graduates with experienced writers for one-on-one mentorship in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction/memoir. You’ll work with your mentor to draft, revise, and refine your writing while exploring different storytelling techniques.
The program helps you develop a stronger narrative voice, experiment with form, and learn effective revision strategies. You’ll also engage in discussions on literary techniques, analyze published works, and gain insight into the publishing process.
10. Juniper Institute for Young Writers | UMass Amherst
Location: Online option available
Dates: July 13-26; July 27 – August 9
Eligibility: Rising sophomores through graduating seniors
Application Deadline: March 7
Cost: TBD, but the program offers full scholarships to deserving students! On average, 30% of the program’s participants attend with funding each year.
The Juniper Institute for Young Writers helps high school students refine their creative writing through workshops, craft sessions, and writing labs led by MFA students. You’ll work in small groups to draft, revise, and experiment with new techniques while receiving feedback from peers and mentors.
The program includes discussions on literary craft, exploration of different genres, and opportunities to build a writing portfolio. If you attend in person, you’ll get a glimpse of college life and take field trips as well.
Image source – Princeton university lgoo
