The Loft Mentor Series in Poetry and Creative Prose offers twelve emerging Minnesota writers the opportunity to work intensively with six nationally acclaimed writers of prose and poetry. There are two mentors each in the genres of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Four writers in each genre are selected for the program by the mentors through an anonymous competition. Three of the mentors spend an extended period of time working with the group in craft seminars, intensive genre-specific workshops and individual manuscript conferences. The other three come in for an intensive weekend of seminars, craft talks, and one-on-one consultations. This program is funded by the Jerome Foundation.
The Loft Mentor Series in Poetry and Creative Prose presents six readings a year. Each reading features one of the six mentors in the program as well as two program winners. Each reading is followed by a question-and-answer session with all three writers, giving audience members an opportunity to learn about their approaches to craft. A wine and cheese reception follows each reading.
Readings take place in the Target Performance Hall, second floor of Open Book. Readings are free to Loft members. General admission for non-members is $5. Passes may be acquired for classes and other groups interested in attending a particular reading by contacting Jerod Santek, the Program Director, or by calling 612-215-2586.
The 2009 – 2010 Loft Mentor Series will feature Philip S. Bryant and Pablo Medina (poetry), J. C. Hallman and Judith Kitchen (nonfiction), and Shannon Olson and Gene Yang (fiction) serving as mentors. Check the monthly Loft Calendar of Events for Mentor Series readings. Loft Calendar
Nonfiction mentors J.C. Hallman and Judith Kitchen selected Fred M.B. Amram, Anika
Fajardo, Katy Jensen, and Mary Jane LaVigne. Poetry mentors Philip S. Bryant and Pablo Medina chose poets Joanne Esser, Ann Linde, Michael J. Opperman, and LeRoy N. Sorenson. Fiction mentors Shannon Olson and Gene Yang selected are Annie Baxter, Karlyn K. Coleman, Emily Schmalz, and Kim Teeple. 2009-2010 Loft Mentor Series Winners, Honorable Mentions, & Finalists
The 2009-2010 Loft Mentor Series Competition in Poetry and Creative Prose is now CLOSED. The deadline was Wednesday, June 3, 2009. Watch for 2010 – 2011 guidelines early next spring. Consult past guidelines for reference purposes only. 2009 - 2010 Mentor Series Guidelines
