GENRE
Festival
McKee’s 2025 Spring program
All writers are genre writers. What kind of story are you telling?
Every story flows from a tradition of core events, characters, and values delineated by the genre in which you write. The writer’s first task is to identify the genre, or combination of genres that will inspire his or her creativity. The second is to master its possibilities.
Book individual courses below or bundle to save up to $120.
Robert McKee’s
LOVE STORY
Love Story
We create love stories in order to explore, express and experience love from the safe distance of art. In the 3-part Love Story Webinar Series, Robert McKee guides you through the beautiful expression and delightful agony of the Love Story. Learn the history and nature of romance, the storytelling principles involved in crafting the consummate love story, and how you can mix and merge genres to create something truly unique.
$197.00
Robert McKee’s
Action
Action
Writing Action requires the deepest awareness and discipline. The ubiquity of this highly specialized and coded story form presents the modern writer with the biggest obstacle: the audience knows the genre. Robert McKee’s 3-part Action Webinar Series teaches the core principles of the genre, the structure of Action stories, and how to design set pieces in order to maximize the audience’s excitement.
$197.00
Robert McKee’s
Crime Thriller
Crime Thriller
The key to a thrilling tale lies in the writer’s mastery of the intricate psychology of both victim and villain, and the razor-sharp use of the genre’s conventions. The greater the mastery, the greater the thrill. Robert McKee’s 3-part Crime Thriller Webinar Series explores everything from the conventions and subgenres of Crime, to how to handle clues, to the evolution of the Thriller and the keys to creating its characteristic tension.
$197.00
Robert McKee’s
Horror
Horror
There is an unspoken contract between the horror writer and audience. The audience says: “I’ve paid my money, I’m here to be terrified… so do your worst.” For those writers brave enough to venture into the unknown, Robert McKee’s 3-part Horror Webinar Series teaches the sources of horror, the hidden worlds within reality, and the secret to creating a monster that will terrify audiences for years to come.
$197.00
Robert McKee’s
Comedy
Comedy
The dramatist respects and admires humanity, telling stories that in essence say “under the worst of circumstances, human beings are magnificent creatures.” The comedy writer says “under the best of circumstances, human beings will find some way to screw up.” Robert McKee’s 3-part Comedy Webinar Series dives deep into the nature, principles, and structure of this pointed genre.
$197.00
How it Works
Webinars
Learn online from Robert McKee
Every webinar series consists of three live writing lectures delivered online by Robert McKee via Zoom. Each session is 2 hours in length and starts at 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada). This Genre Festival runs from Tuesday, April 1, through Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Students like the online format because...
“I feel like I am part of a brilliant international writing community just by logging in to Zoom in the evenings from my small living room in the middle of Sweden.”
Elin Olofsson
Q&A Sessions
Ask McKee Anything
Every webinar concludes with a Q&A session during which Robert answers your questions on the topics covered during the lecture, or on any aspect of the writing craft. Participants can submit their questions during the live session or in advance by email.
Students like the Q&A periods because...
“I didn’t realize in the beginning how much the questions would help me learn, but it turns out they are just as important as the lectures. I think that is in large part to the careful attention Robert gives to each one.”
Billie Tomlinson
Live & On Demand
Can’t attend live? No problem!
If you can’t join us live, you can catch up at your convenience. Recordings are made available within 24 hours of the conclusion of each event, and can be viewed as many times as you like within the access period. Recordings will be available through June 30, 2025.
Students like recording access because...
“It’s really great to have the chance to watch these webinars at my own convenience and not having to take time off work to attend. I hope he continues to do them, I’ll continue to take them. Can’t wait for the next class.”
Marcos Meconi
What Attendees Are Saying
Natasha Phillips
Marlene Simon
Matt Isner
Jane Olander
Friederike Giley
“I had several ‘light bulb moments’ as I took notes, and was able to incorporate his ideas into my work-in-progress immediately. This webinar was well worth the time and money.”
Erin Brescia
Ed Han
“I am thoroughly enjoying these sessions and have learned so much beyond my collegiate studies. Robert has inspired, encouraged, and empowered me with his wonderful teaching.”
Becky Bulebush
“I am really enjoying the seminars and am so glad that I signed up. These webinars are inspiring me to make more effort to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard!) and pursue my ambitions. I must say that I have attended several different writing courses over the years, but none as inspiring as Robert’s.”
Sharon Grey
Rebecca O'Reilly
Barry Eisler
Cheryl Willis
Carol Roscoe
Robert Robertson
John Jurko
Barbara Seyda
Lilly Chen
Varda Tully
BUNDLE & SAVE UP TO $120
GENRE
Festival
To support your commitment to the craft, we’re offering bundle deals on the Genre Festival.
Save when you enroll in multiple webinars this spring.