The Loft Blog

Pro Tips
The Minnesota of My Mind
Uncover the Magic of Minnesota Through a Writer's Eyes: A Journey from Sinclair Lewis to Today's Twin Cities.
Lara Avery
Sep. 5
Reading Like a Writer
Unwieldy Creatures and Vulnerability
How 'Unwieldy Creatures' makes you invest emotionally in a character you can't trust.
Allison Wyss
Aug. 29
Pro Tips
Unveiling Your Story: A Step-by-Step Guide to Turning Your Diary into an Autobiography
Learn how to transform your diary into an autobiography with author Harry Bingham. Discover the art of blending personal anecdotes with universal themes, and craft a narrative as compelling as it is authentic.
Harry Bingham
Aug. 10
Pro Tips
Silence Your Inner Critic and Cultivate Creative Compassion
Navigate the tension between your creativity and the ever-present inner critic to understand what's truly stifling your voice. Mary Lanham breaks down how to nurture your creative soul and let your authentic narratives come to life.
Mary Lanham
Aug. 8
The Bookish Brand
Authors Get Stage Fright Too
From mastering public speaking to preparing for media interviews, columnist Rachel Werner offers essential tips for authors to overcome stage fright and make a memorable impression.
Rachel Werner
Aug. 4
Loft Spotlights
Passing the Pen: A Mother-Daughter Duo's Writing and Teaching Adventure
Learn about the mother-daughter duo whose shared love of writing developed into an educational collaboration.
Stephanie Surles
Jul. 20
Loft Spotlights
Sarah Cypher on Cultural Heritage, Sexuality, and Magical Realism in her Debut Novel
The Skin and Its Girl is about a young, queer Palestinian American woman who pieces together her great-aunt’s secrets. Author Sarah Cypher sat down with us to answer some questions about the hit new book.
Sarah Cypher
Jul. 20
Around the Loft
Thank You Jenny!
For 16 years, Jenny Dodgson helped shepherd the Loft's education department. We look back at her legacy and wish her well in her next adventure.
Chris Mackenzie Jones
Jul. 19
Reading Like a Writer
"Nightbitch" and Dual Sensibility
An ordinary mother, an extraordinary transformation. Dive into the world of 'Nightbitch' by Rachel Yoder, where the line between human and dog gets blurred in the most astonishing way.
Allison Wyss
Jul. 11
The Bookish Brand
The LIT Party of the Year: Wordplay 2023 Preview
Listen, engage, and fuel transformative progress through authentic dialogue on July 8th in Minneapolis.
Rachel Werner
Jun. 30
Pro Tips
Lessons from Journalism: The Power of In-Person Interviews
Delve into the crucial role of in-person interviews to make your prose pulse with life.

Jaclyn Youhana Garver
Jun. 13
The Bookish Brand
The Real-Life Adventures of Debut Authors
Beyond the "Once Upon a Time": The gritty, glamorous, and grueling journey of debut authors unveiled.
Rachel Werner
Jun. 9