A Place to Call Home: Seven Writers’ Rooms to Check Out

There are conversations, camaraderie, and critiques. Some offer quiet workspaces and others, seminars and other learning opportunities. Writing centers are cropping up all over the country. They are places where writers can go meet like-minded creatives who share similar experiences. Friendships develop right along with manuscripts and abilities.

Here are just a few of the places that have become meccas for wordsmiths:

The Loft- Minneapolis

Of course, I started in my own backyard. The Loft Literary Center, as it’s officially known, is located in downtown Minneapolis, right above a bookstore. They offer everything from readings and classes, to “genre festivals,” competitions and grants.

The Grotto- San Francisco

The Grotto is “a collective workspace community for writers, filmmakers and other narrative artists.” Like The Loft, they offer classes and events that cover all genres. The Grotto has a number of “in-house” resident writers who use the space to work on their never-ending lists of projects.

The Writers Workspace- Chicago

As its name suggests, this is a membership-based work/meeting space for writers in the Windy City. This spot is basically an office-for-hire. By becoming a member, you have access to their workspaces, meeting rooms, Wi-Fi, lounge, and of course, other creative minds to bounce ideas off of. They also hold workshops and host events such as their “Third Friday Series.”

The Writers Room- NYC

The Writers Room’s website states that it’s the “first and largest urban writers’ colony in New York City.” Maybe it’s just me, but the work “colony” just seems to fit an organization of this type, doesn’t it? This is the place that many New York writers come for a quiet, peaceful workspace. They feature talks from authors from all genre and they have a nice list of works produced there.

Writers’ Bloc- Phoenix

As with the other locations mentioned, Writers’ Bloc offers a place for writers to come together to share and grow. They have reasonably-priced workshops all year round and frequently host events. Call or email for a more recent list of seminars.

Eulalie and Carlo Scandiuzzi Writers’ Room- Seattle

Located in the Central Library of the Seattle Public Library system, this writers’ room has a limited number of workspaces available and offer them on a six-month rotating basis. Inhabitatants enjoy the benefit of having a plethora of reference materials a few feet away! Admission is limited to writers under contract with a publishing company or those who demonstrate a hearty commitment to using the provided reference materials.

LA Writers Center- Los Angeles

This is an invitation only membership organization that consists of writers, directors, actors and dramaturge that, at the moment, seems to focus more on screenplay and playwriting. They have a reading series that gives playwrights the chance to receive feedback and critiques on works-in-progress.

This list is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to writing centers around the country! Check with your local arts council to see if there are any in your area. If not, heck…start your own and then tell us about it!

Are there any other writing centers that are worth a mention?