Shopping cart

The Loft Literary Center

A Haven For Readers & Writers

The Loft believes that story, verse, and writing aren’t just nice things you put on a shelf, but are instead core to a full existence. At their best, they help us connect, entertain, mourn, protest, provoke, educate, and empathize. Join us—and find or share your story.

Learn More About the Loft

loft literary center

New at the Loft

The Loft offers far more than award-winning writing classes. Learn more about our latest offerings below.

If Square Web Graphic

The Loft Presents If

This fall the Loft presents If—more than a dozen events and classes around the most important word in the English language.

Young Writers' Program 2019

Summer Youth Returns

The Loft's Young Writers' Program is back with week-long classes for youth ages 6–17 starting the weeks of July 8, 15, 22, and 29.

Wordsmith Lineup

Wordsmith—a career, craft, and connection conference for writers is coming Nov 1–3, 2019. The lineup and schedule is now posted! Registration opens August 21.

Upcoming Classes

Sign Up for a Class

Summer & Fall Classes Now Open

Loft creative writing classes take place online and in-person and are offered to youth and adults. All classes are designed to help you reach your goals. Explore our upcoming offerings and find your next chance to learn, connect, and grow.

All summer and fall classes, for both youth and adults, are now available!

Upcoming Classes About Loft Classes

Classroom Back Image

Upcoming Loft Events

Learn More About Loft Events

The Loft hosts numerous events throughout the year. Take a look at our upcoming offerings and plan your next visit.

Upcoming Loft Events

McKnight Reading: Cristina García

Please join us for a reading by 2019 McKnight Fellowship in Creative Prose judge Cristina Garcia! Catered reception to follow.

Loft Member Meetup

Members make everything possible at the Loft, so come make some bookish buddies at our members social hour.

The Loft Presents If: Celebrating Octavia Butler

As part of the Loft's fall theme 'If,' join us for a conversation between Autumn Brown and Chaun Webster celebrating one of the most influential speculative fiction writers of all time, Octavia Butler.

The Loft's Blog

Reading Like a Writer

The Incendiaries and a Layered Perspective

The Incendiaries by R.O. Kwon is about a college student (Phoebe) who becomes enmeshed in a violent religious cult, while her boyfriend (Will, the narrator) grapples with his own discarded faith in God.

Inclusivity in the Writing World

It goes without saying that we should put aside a wait-and-see approach to building a diverse writing community, and that we need to reach out to writers of color, the LGBTQIA community, and those with disabilities, so that everyone has a space to share their stories.

Seasons of Reading

I remember at the age of 18 finally getting my first bookstore job. It was quite the process, with many applications, but finally a bookstore opened its door. Of course this was a game changer in my career choice, of which I’ll always be grateful that Kim the bookstore manager gave my young adult se