Writing Resources – the Great Courses

In Asia, if you have a great product, you are very likely to be successful in selling your product – word of mouth and reviews is everything. In the U.S., advertising is the true king for large businesses – I occasionally get wind of great Asian products that don’t make it in the U.S. because their advertising base was poor – what a shame. It is therefore not too surprising to me that many of my friends and fellow authors have not heard about one of the best educational services and one of the best run educational companies in the U.S.: the Teaching Company.

Apart from their impeccable service, money back guarantee, diversity of platforms, great selection, and quality courses from some of the world’s best professors, I have to say that their courses are (by and large) fabulous! In the past year or so, I’ve taken the following college writing courses:

Building Great Sentences: Exploring the Writer’s Craft (5*)
Classical Mythology (4*)
Story of Human Language (a wonderful linguistics course – 5*)
Espionage and Covert Operations (inspired a short story that I’m now turning into a novel – 4*)
Masterpieces of the Imaginative Mind: Literature’s Most Fantastic Works (4.5*)
Masterpieces of Short Fiction (3.5-4* – not finished)
Writing and Civilization: From Ancient Worlds to Modernity (5* – not finished)

I couldn’t recommend them enough.  Whether I’m taking a course for research, resources, or amusement, I’ve found that the courses almost always have material that inspires me to write something new or that offers me a greater knowledge base so I can be more confident in writing details outside of my normal expertise.  I’ve also listened to some of their courses on religion, music, math, science, philosophy, and other assorted topics.  I’d practically have an extra master’s degree if I added them all up!  If you happen to look at their prices – don’t be daunted!  Their courses regularly go on sale so those $300 courses end up costing $30-$40 if you are patient.  Audio downloads are even cheaper – I often get them from $25-30 and occasionally for cheaper than that.  Beat that price for quality education!

No – this was not solicited.  I’m just a big believer in continuing education and in sharing resources that are sure to bless anyone who is exposed to them.