James Patterson Masterclass Review [2025 Upd.] Worth Buying?

Last Updated on February, 2025

The purpose of this article is to evaluate whether or not James Patterson’s MasterClass on Writing actually teaches its students the “mechanics and techniques he’s mastered to help you write your next novel.”

I decided to learn if the James Patterson MasterClass might help someone like me, who has never written a novel before, get started.

I’ll talk about my experience, what you’ll learn, and how it’s structured. I’ll tell you my James Patterson MasterClass review and whether you should enroll.

 Overall: 4.8/5
James Patterson Masterclass sing up page
4.8
Easiness
4.9
Effectiveness
4.9
Price
Features
  • 21 Superb High-Definition Video Lessons
  • PDF Workbook for Immediate Download
  • Finding and Developing Ideas
  • The Process of Writing Down Words
  • Personalized Feedback
  • Community Support
  • SEE WHAT’S MORE
Brand Information
  • MasterClass was founded in 2015 by David Rogier and Aaron Rasmussen
  • Based in San Francisco, California
  • Has a global reach, with students from over 100 countries
  • All-access subscription costs $180 per year
  • MasterClass offers over 100 courses
Program Benefits
  • Learn from a Bestselling Author
  • Encourages participants to develop their own unique voice and style
  • Covers topics other classes neglect
  • Ability to interact with James Patterson
  • Comes with an additional 66-page downloadable PDF workbook

Quick Summary

Find out how to:

  • Discover and create fascinating ideas
  • Create likable and relatable characters
  • Create a conversation that promotes the story
  • Create suspense in your work
  • Getting past writer’s block
  • Refine and perfect your writing
  • Learn how to be published in a very competitive field
  • Publish your book and sell them online and off

Duration Of The Course: 3 hours and 50 minutes (21 lessons).

Best For: People who are eagerly waiting to write a book and publish it.

Who is James Patterson?

James Patterson is an American philanthropist and best-selling author. His first novel, The Thomas Berryman Number, catapulted him.

Mystery Writers of America awarded it an Edgar. “1st to Die,” “Along Came a Spider,” and “The Quickie” followed as bestsellers. 

His interesting characters include Alex Cross, Laura Stillwell, and Lindsay Boxer. Patterson’s works have sold over 325 million copies, including several No. 1 blockbusters.

picture of James Patterson

If you want to keep readers hooked, as Patterson does, read some of his works. If you want to improve your writing under a successful, business-savvy author, this MasterClass is for you.

Who is Masterclass By James Patterson for?

If you’re a fiction writer who wants to perfect your skills, you should consider James Patterson’s Masterclass. It’s also useful for journalists who want to try their hands at writing fiction.

All the fundamentals of fiction writing, content writing, and storytelling are covered in detail by Patterson in this Masterclass. His class discussions are always lively and packed with useful information.

Helpful for new writers who get bored quickly. I never felt like I was going over the same material over and over again when using Patterson’s video lessons. There was always fresh and useful data being presented.

James Patterson Masterclass
BEST WRITING MASTERCLASS
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James Patterson Masterclass
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What Does James Patterson’s Masterclass Promise You?

Twenty-one individual video lessons totaling more than three hours of content will serve as your initial encounter. You can watch these video classes whenever you choose for the rest of your life.

Get the PDF workbook for more details, exercises to deepen your understanding, homework, recorded criticisms from James Patterson, and room to jot down your own thoughts.

You can submit questions to the instructor and get a response, and you can also participate in an active online community. Someone on the team, if not the man himself, will answer your question.

Moreover, instead of receiving a score for your writing assignments, you will receive feedback in the form of critiques from your classmates.

Structure of James Patterson’s Masterclass

The 22 classes that make up James Patterson’s MasterClass on Writing each last about 9 minutes and fifty seconds. However, the course can be viewed at 1.5x or 2x speed by using the video playback controls.

  • Introduction
  • Passion + Habit
  • Raw Ideas
  • Plot
  • Research
  • Outlines: Part 1
  • Outlines: Part 2
  • Writer’s Block
  • Creating Characters
  • First Lines
  • Writing Dialogue
  • Building a Chapter
  • Writing Suspense
  • Ending the Book
  • Editing
  • Working with a Co-Author
  • Getting Published
  • Book Titles and Covers
  • Marketing the Patterson Way
  • Hollywood
  • Personal Story
  • Closing
Structure of James Patterson’s Masterclass

Inside James Patterson’s MasterClass

Personal Learning

21 Superb High-Definition Video Lessons: Patterson’s teaching style is friendly, allowing the student to fully immerse themselves in the material. The writing class’s sessions were filmed in a variety of “real life” settings, including a hotel room, a pub, and an apartment in New York City. The soundscape of traffic, a vacuum cleaner, and glasses clinking made me feel like I was actually there, taking James Patterson’s words all in.

PDF Workbook for Immediate Download: The workbook is well-structured, packed with helpful information, tidbits, and plenty of practice-oriented exercises. 

Before breaking down each session and adding homework and challenges, the workbook provides an introduction to the course and explains how to make the most of the Patterson MasterClass.

Homework: At The Write Practice, I believe that the best way to learn is by performing, which is why I think it’s great that the MasterClass workbook includes an assignment for each session so that you can practice and refine the writing skills you’re being taught at home.

Finding and Developing Ideas

Inside of James Patterson's MasterClass Raw Idea Lessons

Famous writers who write non-fiction know how to find ideas. It establishes trust and draws readers. However, creating fiction requires research, something I didn’t realize.

It may be more crucial. Credibility boosts confidence and writing. Research often inspires authors. Maybe these new ideas provide you with a new and better writing angle.

Patterson tells his students, 

“Research really helps your confidence.”

His advice includes mainly the following:

  • Raw ideas
  • Plot
  • Character Creation

Raw Ideas: In this basic course, James teaches how to produce unique ideas. Discover and create intriguing narrative ideas after the training.

  • Analyze an idea.
  • Create something from unrelated concepts.
  • Try new subjects.
  • Find the best marketable idea.

James provides genre and writing formulae and examples of writers’ successful utilization of outside topics. He argues there are various ways to find and sell an idea, but successful ones have specific features.

He suggests reading his favorites and changing your routine to be more open to new ideas. Writing tips on observation, story issues, and novel feasibility.

James’s advertising background meant he concentrated on a book’s financial viability and marketability. This writing method wasn’t in any other MasterClasses.

Plot: James says actions speak louder than words. Thus, tales and personalities reveal each other. James emphasizes this when teaching:

  • Condense the plot for interest.
  • Friction raises pressure.
  • Understand a story’s major events.
  • Learn storytelling and plotting.

It was concise. James gives pointers. He suggests creating intriguing people. Create intriguing opponents for your “hero” and determine their story priorities.

His online courses teach writing and audience-building. He describes his ideal reader and how he manipulates expectations to tell a gripping story.

Creating Characters: This chapter emphasizes characters and their impact on the story and reader, unlike the previous one, which focused on the plot lines. He thinks you should make them unforgettable. In this section, James advises:

  • Characterize yourself.
  • Add additional personality.
  • Give heroes and villains depth.
  • Recognize successful media characters.
  • Discover character traits.

James shares his favorite Private Series and House characters, both good and bad. He believes a character must have certain traits to be believable and make the reader care about their progress.

I liked how James cared about more than the primary characters in this chapter. He devotes a lot of attention to tertiary characters in fiction and film. He advises how to use them to draw the audience closer to the primary character.

The Process of Writing Down Words

Inside of James Patterson's MasterClass Writing dialogues Lesson

James discusses writing your novel here. Opening lines, conversation, chapter-building, and tension. He addresses writer’s block, book ending, and rewrites. These are some units covered under this:

  • What does the outline do?
  • First Lines
  • Writing dialogues
  • Writing Suspense
  • Chapter Creation
  • How to end the book

What does an Outline do?: Patterson says writing a novel requires a much more comprehensive outline than a blog post. Most amateur writers make the error of free-writing without framework. This can trap you and waste months of hard work. You’ll know your story’s direction with a good outline. 

It simplifies writing. Most aspiring writers question how fast to unleash everything. Slow reading bores. Speed kills the suspense. 

First Lines: James feels the very first words set the narrative tone. They can also be used as “hooks” to engage readers. James explains why his favorite literary lines work in this chapter. He captivates readers in the initial chapters.

“I must feel what the reader feels.” 

Both the writer and the reader must be deeply invested in the first lines. James discusses emotional stakes in a best seller of his.

This course will show you how to rewrite to start strong, raise stakes, and interest readers.

Writing Dialogue: James focuses on lines writing dialogue building here. This involves conversation to advance the tale and reality. James shows you instances of well-written conversation in most chapters. These are mostly excerpts and remarks from his works.

You’ll also learn the following:

  • Dialogue reveals character.
  • How to write a good explanation
  • Show time passing with dialogue.
  • Write for story progression.
  • Discover Thriller from Patterson

Writing suspense: 

James instructs:

  • Understand your genre.
  • Keep readers guessing.
  • Write suspense responsibly.
  • Reward your writing.

James suggests ways to set up the ending without spoiling it. He feels this is the best method to write a surprising, satisfying finale. James says writers must “seed” the ending. James demonstrates successful chapter finishes.

Finally, James advises on finale preparation and alternate plans for the best ending. James thinks this takes time and revision.

Chapter Creation: “A movie projector is in our heads,” James quotes. A story’s viewpoint can make or destroy it. Patterson describes opinions in this section. He evaluates each option’s strengths and cons for different writing styles.

He displays his preference, yet he gives you some useful POV advice. He also cites the “Women’s Murder Club” series’ excellent chapter writing. He guides you through a chapter and gives you chapter-building tips. From Michael Bennett to Alex Cross, he has created the most complex characters.

How to end the book: Patterson says the outline is more rational than emotional when ending a book. Since a lot has changed since he started writing the book, his outline ends rarely become the actual endings. This suggestion freed me since I enjoy structure. Feel your book’s ending.

Making it as a Writer

Inside of James Patterson's MasterClass Writer's Block Lesson

Getting Published: Before his first book was finally released, James Patterson had to try 31 times to get a publisher to take him on. He’s been turned down more than once. (not so much anymore, but you get the idea). Patterson says that if you want to get a literary agent, you need to reach out to teachers and make connections.

Marketing the Patterson Way: James’ advertising expertise makes him a good marketing instructor. This chapter also discusses brand image, an essential topic for him and many authors in the social media age, basically everything that covers marketing. James explains:

  • Self-promote your book.
  • Brand and tagline.
  • Promote yourself on social media.
  • Use your publication to maximize outreach.

James uses The Beach House to demonstrate how to market and advertise your book. This chapter lacks industry jargon despite his career. This was the MasterClass’s clearest and simplest chapter.

Other MasterClass reviews:

My Experience With James Patterson’s MasterClass

The value of James Patterson’s MasterClass course relies on the novels you write and how much practice you put in. As a lot of the comments show, how you feel about this class will reflect on how hard you try.

I had different thoughts about this MasterClass. I think it’s very helpful for some people but not so much for others.

Things I Enjoyed About the James Patterson Masterclass

The MasterClass was significant. Listening to James Patterson, who has made over $700 million writing books, is fascinating.

Creates an Ideal reader: I like how he advocated writing to a single person sitting across from you—someone who wants to be there, wants to play a cat and mouse game, and whom you don’t want to leave until the story is over. Keep the story forward..

Setting the scene: “Being there” is feeling the scene, using sensory detail and emotion to immerse the reader, and using one POV in each scene. He writes his main character, Alex Cross, in first person and his supporting characters in third person limited.

Achieve perfection: Patterson says his final writing process is worth the price of admission. He stresses the importance of a good finale, and several of his books have alternate endings. Hemingway’s 2012 A Farewell To Arms features 39 of his 42 proposed endings.

What I Didn’t Enjoy About the James Patterson Masterclass?

You’ll know the secrets but lose the wonder: If you love thrillers, seeing the man behind the curtain may ruin the fantasy. Patterson says, “I don’t think they’ll read books the same way again after listening to this.”

Intermediate/advanced class: Before you start writing, the class requires a certain degree of proficiency. Before buying Patterson’s MasterClass, you may wish to brush up on writing basics.

No classroom atmosphere: Some prefer classroom learning with direct teacher-student interaction. Since there’s no deadline or grading, online assignments demand more self-discipline. Feedback requires more than raising your hand and expressing a question.

How Much Does James Patterson’s Masterclass Cost?

MasterClass is a subscription-based service, and if you’re interested in James Patterson’s MasterClass, you have three subscription options to choose from:

  • Individual: Provides access to one device and costs $15 per month.
  • Duo: This grants access to two devices and comes in at $20 per month.
  • Family: This lets you access the classes across six devices and costs $23.

All of the options will be billed annually, not monthly, and Duo and Family plan lets you download and watch the classes offline.

Also, all membership plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

BEST WRITING MASTERCLASS
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James Patterson Masterclass
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James Patterson MasterClass Review: What Others Have Said

MasterClass by James Patterson has both good and no so good reviews online; I’ll attach the images down below; take a look at them for yourself:

User experience of James Patterson Masterclass 1

All I can say looking at this review from a Redditor is ‘’WELL SAID’’

User experience of James Patterson Masterclass 2

James Patterson’s outlining process is excellent, and yes, not everyone will enjoy the technical side of things.

Alternatives to James Patterson’s Masterclass

On MasterClass, there are other writing courses available:

  • David Mamet: Dramatic Writing
  • Amanda Gorman: Poetry
  • Neil Geiman: The Art of Storytelling
  • R. L. Stein: Creative Writing for Young Audiences
  • Margaret Atwood: Creative Writing
  • Malcolm Gladwell: Writing
  • David Sedaris: Storytelling and Humor
  • Joyce Carol Oates: The Art of the Short Story
  • David Baldacci: Mystery and Thriller Writing
  • Billy Collins: Reading and Writing Poetry
  •  Walter Mosley: Fiction and Storytelling 
  • Salman Rushdie: Storytelling and Writing
  • N. K. Jemisin: Fantasy and Science Fiction
  • Stephen King: Writing Fundamentals
  • Dan Brown: Writing Thrillers

Is James Patterson’s Masterclass Worth the Money?

Inside of James Patterson's MasterClass Lessons

James Patterson’s Masterclass was one of Master Class’s original three (with Serena Williams in tennis and Dustin Hoffman in acting). It’s still an excellent online writing class. Take James Patterson’s MasterClass.

Do it! I loved the class. It also offers a practical writing style and writing process advice. I’m glad for the reminders and new insights into the writing process.

Writers who wish to engage readers in a suspenseful cat-and-mouse game should take this class. It teaches authors how to convey “being there.” It’s for writers who wish to tell a gripping story with intriguing characters. The course is for an aspiring writer like that!

Pros and Cons of James Patterson’s Masterclass

Pros

Advice from a successful author
Concise and simple
Covers topics other classes neglect
Explains in detail
Ability to interact with James Patterson
Comes with an additional 66-page downloadable PDF workbook

Cons

Has book spoilers
Subjective advice 
Limited source use

You can learn more about MasterClass in my own review.

James Patterson MasterClass Review: Final Verdict

James Patterson’s MasterClass gave me the best overview of all of the different parts of the writing process. It’s, without a doubt, a one-stop shop for all things writing, from creating thrillers to high-stake plots. You’re covered all around. 

Ready to write unputdownable stories?

This is the way to get started. 

FAQs

Yes, a subscription is required to view courses from MasterClass.

The James Patterson MasterClass is not available for free download. 

Yes, if you are not satisfied with the Masterclass within the first 30 days, you can receive a full refund.

The James Patterson Masterclass is approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes in length.

BEST WRITING MASTERCLASS
James Patterson Masterclass
James Patterson Masterclass sing up page
Easiness
Effectiveness
Price

4.8

4.9

4.9

Overall Score

4.8

visa master amex paypal
Pros
Advice from a successful author
Concise and simple
Covers topics other classes neglect
Explains in detail
Ability to interact with James Patterson
Comes with an additional 66-page downloadable PDF workbook
Get the BEST PRICE valid until the end of February
Cons
Has book spoilers
Limited source use

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Carlos Eduardo
Hey there, I’m Carlos Eduardo, the Founder and Author of Scorebeyond. Delving deep into 20+ years of education transformation through innovative e-learning, I’ve poured my expertise into this platform. My enduring legacy continues to drive the path towards a future empowered by knowledge!

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