Class

2026 Teen Writing Project (Winter Edition–Minneapolis)

This semester-long advanced 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 the 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 "2026 Loft Teen Writing Project" to review.

Dates:
- January 22, 29
- Feb 5, 12, 19, 26
- March 5, 12, 19, 26
- April 2, 9

MORE: The Loft’s Teen Writing Project is for Minneapolis-area teen writers. You'll meet IN PERSON to engage in a literary community and write. It's for students who are serious about writing. 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, Minneapolis, MN 55415. The first of the 12 meetings is Thursday, January 22, 2026.

As a participant, you'll make lasting connections. You'll also 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 a behind-the-scenes look at nonprofit management, and contributing to the Loft Young Writers blog.

Accessibility: Please submit this request form 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.