The Loft Blog

Sometimes, as writers, we need to show a shift in atmosphere or mood—but how to describe that? A great technique is to describe the same unchanging thing but in a different way. I think of it as a shift in the sensibility of the character as they respond to the change in the air.

With Virtual Wordplay 2020 quickly approaching, I bet you’re itching to get a closer look into all the amazing authors and their works coming to your screens in a matter of weeks. Therefore, I have brought to you a breakdown of all the beautiful and intriguing fiction works coming to Wordplay 2020! 

It’s strange to be in publishing when an international health and financial crisis is happening—otherwise known as COVID. When I was in third grade, I remember seeing the Challenger explode after takeoff, along with my entire classroom (and the rest of the world). I remember when Kirk Cobain died.

Welcome to a week's worth of writing prompts! If you read last week's roundup, you know this is a new venture to try and increase community in a time of social distancing. Each day, we post a writing prompt on Twitter and Instagram that we're encouraging you all to interact with.

I AM (Artist in Motion) is an interview series meant to spotlight indigenous artists and artists of color in the Twin Cities. The seventh in the series, this interview is with Magdalena Mora, a picture book illustrator. Equality's Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America is her first book.

Wondering what your kids might be interested in from this year’s Wordplay lineup? Not sure what books your elementary student and middle schooler might both find interesting? Need some new picture book suggestions with gorgeous illustrations? Look no further!

Ocean Vuong's On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is a novel about a Vietnamese-American boy, his childhood, and his first boyfriend. It’s written as a letter to the boy’s mother, a woman who is both traumatized and abusive. Vuong is not only a novelist but a poet . . .

With the impending apocalypse (forgive the drama, I work in YA publishing), the Loft made the difficult call to move all of their offerings online. Teaching artists with classes ongoing or scheduled for later in the spring had the option to either cancel or reconfigure their class online.

In this time of social distancing, we turn to social media. What was once everyone's favorite procrastination tool now has the potential to be a great source of inspiration. And we want to help! Thus, daily writing prompts. Just one more chance for you to start the next great work of art. Every day.

Poetry is not just a niche genre, and we’re bringing in some big names in the poetry scene to our virtual Wordplay this year. These guys are masters of the craft, so be sure to read their books, attend their online sessions, and become big fans!

I AM (Artist in Motion) is an interview series meant to spotlight indigenous artists and artists of color in the Twin Cities. The sixth in the series, this interview is with Said Farah, a Somali nonfiction writer currently pursuing his MFA from the University of Minnesota.

Nothing excites me more than the thought of another summer of our Young Writers’ Program. For those unfamiliar, the Loft's Young Writers’ Program consists of week-long writing camps that take place over five weeks in the summer. While it may be my job, I also have a deep personal investment.