More than mystery, more than thriller, more than sci-fi. Romance outsells them all because it speaks directly to the human heart. A great romance offers more than butterflies and first kisses — it provides emotional transformation, compelling characters, and the deeply satisfying promise that love is worth the risk.
In this course, USA Today bestselling author Steve Alcorn guides you through the complete craft of romance writing. You’ll learn what makes the genre work, how to structure a love story for maximum emotional impact, and how to write characters that readers fall in love with alongside your protagonists.
The course covers story structure adapted specifically for romance, with dedicated lessons on writing each act, crafting romantic scenes, building suspense within a love story, and mastering the emotional beats that romance readers expect. You’ll explore sub-genres from contemporary romance and historical romance to paranormal, romantic suspense, and rom-com.
Dedicated lessons cover dialogue, setting, viewpoint, voice, and the techniques that make prose vivid and memorable. A full lesson on writing LGBTQ+ romance ensures your skills are inclusive and current.
The final section prepares you for publication: self-editing, query letters, traditional publishing, self-publishing, cover design, and marketing to romance’s uniquely loyal readership.
36 lessons. From first spark to finished novel. Whether you write sweet romance or high-heat drama, this course gives you the tools to create love stories that resonate.
