Class

Finding Community in Literary Magazines: A Class for Writers of Color and Indigenous Writers

Many writers get their start publishing in literary magazines, but with so many wonderful publications out in the world to read and submit to, it can feel overwhelming to begin the work of submitting. It can be easy to fall into the habit of submitting to any and every literary magazine you can find, and easier still to allow the disappointing (but inevitable) reality of rejection stall your path to publication. In the spirit of truly honoring your writing, we'll invite students to re-conceptualize the practice of submitting as an exercise in locating and celebrating a community of peer writers.

In this class, we will discuss the fundamentals of preparing to submit your writing, knowing when your work is ready for publication, and strategies for identifying which literary publications would be good homes for your writing. We will familiarize ourselves with literary publications that amplify and center BIPOC, Disabled, and LGBTQ2+ voices. We will have time to workshop pieces you hope to submit to literary magazines so that, at the end of the class, students will have a solid plan for submitting future works and a polished packet of writing ready to submit to journals you’d be proud to see yourself in.

This class is part of a series of classes that cover the issues and traditions of writers of color and Indigenous writers and is intended for writers of color and Indigenous writers to work on their craft in a space that centers them and their work. We ask all participants to be cognizant of that core value. Minnesota human rights laws prevent the exclusion of anyone based on their identity. But if you are not a writer of color or Indigenous writer, please be mindful of the space and energy you take up in a class intended to uplift traditionally marginalized and silenced communities. Anyone being disruptive may be asked to leave.

The class is offered on a pay what you can basis with the suggested fee of $40 ($36 for Loft friends). Students may select the "pay what you can" option and enter any amount, including $0.

This class takes place in-person, at the Loft at Open Book; we encourage participants to be fully vaccinated and masked in the interest of everyone’s safety. Please see the Loft’s website for the most up to date information about the Loft’s COVID policies. Accessibility accommodation requests can be made via this form.

All Classes listed on the Loft website take place in Central Time (CT); please adjust to your own time zone accordingly.