About Wordplay
Wordplay returns July 8, 2023!
Tickets are now on sale! Check out our amazing lineup.
This year’s Wordplay will be specifically curated around the Loft’s 2022/2023 theme: Narrative Power. Toni Cade Bambara said, “The job of the writer is to make the revolution irresistible.” The Loft’s programming will explore how writers exercise narrative power to lead and influence movements for social change. We are excited to feature authors in all genres whose books inspire revolution in any of the following topics:
- Racial Justice
- Health and Wellness
- Climate Change
- LGBTQIA2S+ Rights
- Gender Equity & Equality
- and more!
The Loft’s Wordplay is Minnesota's summertime celebration of readers, writers, and great books.
The Loft’s Wordplay launched in May 2019. Thousands showed up for the inaugural festival weekend, joining famous authors like Stephen King, Edwidge Danticat, and Amy Tan in a celebration of books. We enjoyed readings, conversations, writing workshops, kids’ activities, and one-of-a-kind happenings with outdoor stages, cooking stages, book signings, quiet reading corners, boisterous parties, food trucks, beer tents, and books, books, books.
Minnesota has one of the most celebrated literary communities in the country. We are rich with celebrated presses, locally owned bookstores, author events, writing classes, vibrant libraries, and great writers. We are perennially ranked one of the most literate communities in the country. A community like ours deserves a celebration like Wordplay.
There is something for every reader at Wordplay. Whether your book club reads literary fiction or paranormal zombie romance, whether you get your books at your library or on your e-reader, or even if the last book you read was a movie, this festival is for you. Wordplay’s mission is to celebrate the ways in which people connect to and through words and welcomes anyone who shares a belief in the connective power of story.
If you're interested in participating in Wordplay 2023 as an author, contact Shahenda Helmy at shelmy@loft.org
If you're interested in being a sponsor for Wordplay 2023, contact Kaitlyn Bohlin at kbohlin@loft.org.
The 2023 Wordplay festival map is now here. All activities will be centered around our home at Open Book (1011 Washington Avenue S).
Stay nearby the weekend of Wordplay at our two festival hotels. Special rates expire in early June, so sign up while rooms are still available.