Class

2025 Teen Writing Project (September Start–Minneapolis)

This semester-long class is for students who are serious about writing and are ready to take their fiction to the next level. Most of our time in class will be spent discussing your work, helping you make your fiction the best it can be.

The teaching artist will point out areas in your manuscript in process that show particular strengths, or some areas you may need to develop further in order to bring out the impact of your story. Through discussion, in-class writing exercises, and close reading of master authors, we’ll look at those big, deep questions that drive all fiction—Who are these characters? What do they want?—but we’ll also look at the smaller, more technical aspects of craft, like point-of-view, voice, setting, and time. Last but not least, we’ll try to answer that age-old question: Just what is a story anyway?

NOTE: This class is designed for advanced students who are already working on a novel or short stories. There is no application or requirement to submit work in advance, but you may send a short writing sample (1000 words or less) to [email protected] with the subject "2025 Loft Teen Writing Project" to review.

Dates:
- Sept 18, 25
- Oct 2, 9, 6, 26, 30
- Nov 6, 13, 20
- Dec 4, 11

The Loft’s Teen Writing Project is a group of Minneapolis-area teen writers who meet IN PERSON to engage in a literary community and write. This semester-long class is for students who are serious about writing and are ready to take their fiction to the next level. Weekly meetings are held Thursdays from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM in-person at the Loft's location at 1011 Washington Ave S #200, Minneapolis, MN 55415. The first meeting for Fall 2025 is Thursday, September 18, 2025.

As a participant, you'll make lasting connections and have the opportunity to work on Loft community projects, including learning from established adult writers, joining the editorial board of the Young Writer's Anthology, gaining behind-the-scenes non-profit management experience, and contributing to the Loft Young Writers blog.

Email [email protected] at least two to three weeks in advance if you have any accessibility requests for this class. This class takes place in-person, at the Loft at Open Book. Please see the Loft’s website for the most up to date information about the Loft’s COVID policies