YOUNG WRITERS' PROGRAM 2018 - Ages 6-17 - The Loft Literary Center
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YOUNG WRITERS’ PROGRAM 2018 Ages 6–17
WELCOME TO THE LOFT’S
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2018 YOUNG WRITERS’ PROGRAM Classes for 15–17 Year Olds 4
Classes for 13–17 Year Olds 6
The good people of Minnesota are currently digging them-
selves out from under a full foot of snowfall, yet the Loft has Online Classes (Ages 13–17) 14
summer on the brain. Why? We’ve just finished planning an-
other exciting program for young writers at the Loft, and we Classes for 12–14 Year Olds 16
invite you to take a look at all we have to offer, from return- Classes for 9–11 Year Olds 20
ing favorites like Fairy Tales, Myths, Magic and Book Making,
to new offerings sure to become old favorites by season’s Classes for 6–8 Year Olds 27
THE LOFT’S YOUNG WRITERS’ PROGRAM
end. We know kids and teens have been studying, testing,
The illustrations throughout this publication are from
applying, and reading and writing their brains out all school Benjamin Currie (benjamincurrie.net).
year, but the Loft is different, we promise! Here, you get to
focus on the creative, artistic, fun, silly sides of yourself.
Whoever you are, or wherever you’re at in your writing NEW SUMMER CLASS FORMAT
journey—from reluctant reader and writer nervously finding
his voice in a school classroom, to seasoned poet or short Due to popular demand, the Loft has moved to a new
NEW CLASS FORMAT
story writer eager to tackle more complex craft elements in format for our summer youth offerings. With the excep-
her work—the Loft has a place for you! We need your voice, tion of an all-day, week-long camp, all summer youth of-
your perspective, YOUR story, to make this summer the best ferings will be week-long, half-day offerings, with either
one yet! Come grab a pencil and notebook on the first day a 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. start time.
of class and begin, or continue, your writing journey with us
in our beautiful writing spaces at Open Book. Many can be taken back-to-back to allow for a full-day
schedule from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. If you want to take advan-
Our classes are generally broken down into suggested age tage of the full-day schedule, please also see our lunch
ranges of 13-17, 15-17, 12-14, 9-11, and 6-8 years. “Combo” time supervision offering.
classes happen in partnership with our friends at Minnesota
Center for Book Arts and include writing in a Loft classroom, More details about the program and the lunch time
and hands on book arts activities in MCBA studio space on supervision can be found on pages 21 & 26.
professional equipment such as printing presses. If you’re
brand new to the Loft, or to writing in general, and have
questions on where to jump in, please feel free to call Loft
program associates at 612-379-8999; we have something for Find additional bios and more offering details at loft.org. You can
everyone! We invite you into these pages to explore, dream, also find policy, scholarship, teaching, and advertising info at:
LOFT.ORG
create, and deepen your connection to yourself and to the
world around you through the art of creative writing, one Refund and class policies: loft.org/policy
word, one story at a time! Scholarship offerings: loft.org/scholarship
Teaching at the Loft: loft.org/teach
Advertising opportunities: loft.org/advertise
Jennifer Dodgson, Loft Program Director, Education
ADVANCED FICTION WORKSHOP:
W E E K O F J U LY 2 3
PUTTING THE STORY IN YOUR STORY
with Robert Voedisch
July 23–27, 1–4 p.m.
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
In this class, we’ll look at the big questions that drive every story—Who
are these characters? What do they want?—but we’ll also look at the
smaller, more technical aspects of fiction, like point-of-view, voice, and
time. (Note: Students can have up to 20 pages of work critiqued by the
teaching artist.)
Robert Voedisch is a recipient of the Loft Mentor Series
Award. His fiction has appeared in The Greensboro Review,
North American Review, One Teen Story, Five Chapters, Paper
Darts, and in the anthology Fiction on a Stick: Stories by
Writers from Minnesota.
START AND FINISH YOUR COLLEGE
W E E K O F J U LY 3 0
ESSAY with Maggie Shea
July 30–August 3, 1–4 p.m.
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
Most college applications ask for a 500-650 word personal essay that
reflects something essential about you. Taught by a high school English
CLASSES FOR TEENS (15–17)
teacher and writer, this class will take you through the process from
idea to draft to polished essay.
Each day includes time for writing, feedback, and fun activities.
Maggie Shea loves working with teens. As director of
a high school writing center for the past ten years, she
has taught many college essay workshops and coached
hundreds of students on college and academic essays. Her
own essays have been published in the Star Tribune and
Mothering Magazine, among others. Maggie is working on
her MFA in Creative Nonfiction at Hamline University.
Classes for Teens 5
(Ages 15–17) | LOFT.ORG/YOUTH
NOVEL WRITING CR ASH COURSE
W E E K O F J U LY 9
with Brian Malloy
July 9–13, 9 a.m.–noon
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
You have a great idea for a novel or story, but don’t get far when you sit
down to write.
In this class for beginners and those in need of a refresher and/or a kick
in the butt, we’ll review and practice the basics of how to write amazing
fiction.
Brian Malloy’s novels are The Year of Ice, Brendan Wolf,
and the young adult novel Twelve Long Months. His books
have been a Book Sense pick, a New York Times New and
Notable title, and a Booklist editors’ choice. He teaches
creative writing and literature at the University of Minne-
sota, Hamline University, and The Loft Literary Center, and
previously taught at Emerson College (Boston).
INTRODUCTION TO POETRY SLAM AND
W E E K O F J U LY 9
SPOKEN WORD with Blythe Baird
July 9–13, 1–4 p.m.
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
Spoken word is an especially powerful tool that empowers youth to
articulate their feelings and experiences in a way that is clear, concise,
CLASSES FOR TEENS (13–17)
effective, and artistic. In this class, we will explore what makes an im-
pactful performance poem, where to find inspiration for what to write
about, poetry slam rules and strategy, giving meaningful feedback, get-
ting involved in your local slam scene, and using your work to develop
an online platform.
Blythe Baird is an author, viral spoken word poet,
and teaching artist. Her work has been featured by The
Huffington Post, VICE, Write Bloody, Button Poetry, Mic, and
EverydayFeminism. Her short film “When the Fat Girl Gets
Skinny” won the 2017 ADCAN film award for the National
Eating Disorder Association.
Classes for Teens 7
(Ages 13–17) | LOFT.ORG/YOUTH
WORLD BUILDING: FROM THE SHIRE TO NOVEL IN PROGRESS
W E E K O F J U LY 1 6
W E E K O F J U LY 9
PANEM with Alex Juffer with Carrie Mesrobian
July 9–13, 1–4 p.m. July 16–20, 1–4 p.m.
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75 Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
Even an offhand reference to District 13 or Hogwarts plunges us into its For students currently working on novel-length projects, this class
fictional world. How can setting serve as such a profound will help navigate through character development, plot structure, and
imaginative trigger? emerging themes.
This class will investigate dystopias, parallel universes, and wholesale This class will not be a workshop environment but a place where
fictional worlds as starting points, before we begin the process of students will be able to explore possibilities and problem-solve with
constructing our own. classmates. All genres welcome.
Alex Juffer received his BA in English at Macalester Carrie Mesrobian is the author of Sex & Violence, which
College and MFA in creative writing at Southern Illinois was a finalist for YALSA’s 2014 William C. Morris Award for
University. As a graduate student, he taught composition Debut YA fiction and the winner of the Minnesota Book
classes every semester, as well as intro to creative writing. Award for Young People’s Literature, and Perfectly Good
He also taught creative writing at the Summer Writers’ White Boy, which received starred reviews from Kirkus and
Workshop and writing lessons to teens at the Puerto Rican Publishers Weekly. She has taught at the Loft since 2007.
Cultural Center in Chicago.
SCREENWRITING FOR TEENS CREATIVE NONFICTION: THE PERSONAL
W E E K O F J U LY 1 6
W E E K O F J U LY 1 6
with Cristina Pippa AS UNIVERSAL with Rachel Castro
July 16–20, 9 a.m.–noon July 16–20, 1–4 p.m.
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75 Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
In this fast-paced and fun screenwriting class for teen writers at all The more specific your writing, the more it will resonate with a reader.
levels, we will test out movie concepts and help you develop a script for Think: the tile pattern on your kitchen floor, the stitching on your broth-
CLASSES FOR TEENS (13–17)
CLASSES FOR TEENS (13–17)
a short film. Using screenwriting format and structure as a guide, you er’s hat. In this class, we will look at forms of creative nonfiction by writ-
will map out the plot of your movie, pitch your ideas and write scenes in ers like Leslie Jamison, Alison Bechdel, Bich Minh Nguyen, Roxane Gay,
exciting locations with powerful characters. By the end of the week, you and Eula Biss, among others, and learn about the ways they balance
will have written the first draft of a short screenplay. sensory detail with exposition to advance and shape their work.
Cristina Pippa is the winner of the National Playwriting Rachel Castro received an MFA from the University of
Award and finalist for the Leah Ryan Prize for Emerging North Carolina Wilmington. She has taught writing in
Women Writers, Cristina completed her BA at Columbia Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, and China. Before teaching
University and her MFA at the University of Iowa. Her play, at The Loft Literary Center, Rachel was a writer-in-resi-
Cell Cycle, is published and her screenplays have been dence at Ox-Bow School of Art in Saugatuck, Michigan.
optioned and won several awards. She teaches in the She writes about race, class, and language, and lives in
Screenwriting BA program at Metropolitan State. Minneapolis.
8 9
DR AWING INTO WRITING WRITING A GREAT ACT ESSAY
W E E K O F J U LY 2 3
W E E K O F J U LY 2 3
with Carolyn Williams-Noren with Rhea Davison
July 23–27, 9 a.m.–noon July 23–27, 1–4 p.m.
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75 Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
Don’t skip this one, even if you “can’t draw”. The teaching artist is a poet In this class, we’ll take an in-depth look at the new, redesigned ACT and
who “can’t draw” either but loves to experiment with using drawing and SAT essays. We’ll start by breaking down what each type of prompt is
coloring to move her writing forward. Come ready to use lots of ink and asking you to do. Next, we’ll examine the writing and perspectives, fo-
lots of paper, and surprise yourself! cusing on strengths and weaknesses. Then you’ll write your own timed
essay and discuss each other’s work. This process will be repeated with
variations and interactive activities until you are ready to take the ACT
or SAT and earn your best score!
Carolyn Williams-Noren’s poetry chapbook, Small Like a Rhea Davison has taught at the Loft for five summers!
Tooth, was published in 2015 by Dancing Girl Press. She has experience teaching creative writing and English
Carolyn founded and tends the Little Poetry Library composition at the college-level and has an MFA in fiction.
outside Blue Moon Café at 39th and Lake in Minneapolis, Honors include winning first place in the Robert C. Wright
and she was a 2014 winner of a McKnight Artist Fellowship competition, attending the Callaloo workshop, serving as
in poetry. Artist in Residency at Devil’s Tower, and participating in
the Loft Mentor Series in the genre of poetry.
WRITING IN PLACE: EXPLORING THE CREATING COMPLEX VILLAINS: GETTING
W E E K O F J U LY 2 3
W E E K O F J U LY 2 3
CITY THROUGH WRITING THE BAD GUY RIGHT with Natalie Martell
with Jeanne Bain & Ashley Richardson
July 23–27, 9 a.m.–noon | Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75 July 23–27, 1–4 p.m. | Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
The creative process can be fed in so many ways and where you write Every story needs a dark side. In this class, students will focus on creat-
CLASSES FOR TEENS (13–17)
can change your story. In this class, we will explore how physical setting ing villains with unique back stories and desires. We will build character
CLASSES FOR TEENS (13–17)
affects our writing by moving around the city and finding great spots to profiles, practice world building, write confessional letters, and more.
write. We will be meeting at the Loft every day, but will then quickly ven- This class is best for writers in the early stages of a novel or short story.
ture to various locations including: The Guthrie, The Stone Arch Bridge,
The Central Library, Izzy’s Ice Cream, and Gold Medal Park. Smart shoes, Natalie Martell is a fiction writer who also holds a passion for
rain gear, and pocket money are essential for all students. music and young adult literature. She is currently an MFA
candidate and English 101 teacher at Minnesota State
University.
Jeanne Bain has an affinity for fanfic, all things dark,
producing community radio, and singing Broadway
showtunes out of key while doing dishes. Her teaching
Ashley Richardson is at heart, a novelist, who enjoys per-
and writing focus on creative process, rather than product,
forming spoken word poetry in her spare time. She is currently
which allows the moments of our ordinary, everyday lives
an MFA candidate in fiction at Minnesota State University.
to inspire the extraordinary.
10 11
POETRY STUDIO WINDOWS & DOORS & SECRET
W E E K O F J U LY 3 0
W E E K O F J U LY 3 0
with Carolyn Williams-Noren PASSAGES WAYS—FINDING NEW WAYS
July 30–August 3, 9 a.m.–noon INTO POEMS with Danez Smith
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
July 30–August 3, 1–4 p.m.
Do you love to write poems? Want to write poems but are never sure Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
where to start? Either way, this class is for you. Every day, we’ll read
poems, get inspired by what makes them work, write our own poems, In this class, we’ll explore different ways of getting into the first draft of
and, finally, share what we’ve written and give each other useful, a poem through a variety of methods. Class sessions will be focused on
encouraging feedback. This class is designed to give you a ton of ideas experimenting with form and process, writing and editing new drafts,
and starting points for getting into poetry. The teaching artist will and reading work from innovative contemporary poets. This class is
provide written feedback on up to 5 pages of poems for each student. designed for teens who are new to writing poetry and for those looking
to deepen their work as poets.
Carolyn Williams-Noren’s poetry chapbook, Small Like a Danez Smith is the author of Don’t Call Us Dead (Graywolf
Tooth, was published in 2015 by Dancing Girl Press. Press, 2017), a finalist for the National Book Award, and
Carolyn founded and tends the Little Poetry Library [insert] boy (YesYes Books, 2014). Danez’s work has been
outside Blue Moon Café at 39th and Lake in Minneapolis, featured widely including in on Buzzfeed, the New York
and she was a 2014 winner of a McKnight Artist Fellowship Times, PBS NewsHour, Best American Poetry, Poetry Maga-
in poetry. zine, and on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
NOT JUST THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE: I’M GAMING AS I WRITE THIS
W E E K O F J U LY 3 0
W E E K O F J U LY 3 0
WRITING SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY with Rachel Gold
with Lyda Morehouse July 30–August 3, 1–4 p.m.
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
July 30–August 3, 9 a.m.–noon
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75 Gain better storytelling and writing skills by playing a game! Using a
role-playing game framework, we’ll design a world and create
CLASSES FOR TEENS (13–17)
CLASSES FOR TEENS (13–17)
If writing stories with zombies, robots, vampires, fairies, (or even characters who interact within it. Over the week, you’ll develop your
unicorns!) is your thing, then this is the class for you. We’ll learn how to characters, deepen conflict, increase suspense and participate in a
build believable worlds and play story games and have idea prompts satisfying resolution to our story. No prior experience with gaming is
with a science fiction/fantasy edge. necessary.
Lyda Morehouse leads a double life. By day, she’s a Rachel Gold is the author of Just Girls and Being Emily,
mild-mannered science fiction author of the Shamus and winner of the Golden Crown Literary Award, the Moon-
Philip K. Dick award-winning AngeLINK series. By night, beam Children’s Book Award, and a finalist for the Lambda
she’s the bestselling paranormal romance and urban Literary Award. She has an MFA in Writing from Hamline
fantasy writer, Tate Hallaway. She’s written and published University and has spent the last 14 years working in Mar-
over a dozen novels (five as Lyda and nine as Tate), and keting and Publicity. For more information visit:
together her two identities have over a decade of profes- www.rachelgold.com.
sional publishing experience.
12 13
STORYTELLING FOR BEGINNERS ONLINE WRITING WHAT MATTERS— ONLINE
ONLINE CL ASS
ONLINE CL ASS
with Justina Ireland CLASS THE PERSONAL ESSAY CLASS
July 11–August 22 (Online) | Reg $117.00 Mem $105.30 with Thomas March
Stories unite us, motivate us, and occasionally divide us. But how ex- July 25–August 22 (Online) | Reg $156.00 Mem $140.40
actly does a story come to be? Through a combination of video lectures
When asked to write personal essays, high school students often com-
and online discussion, this class will teach younger artists about the
plain that they don’t know what to write about because nothing exciting
storytelling foundations of character, plot, and setting while helping
has happened to them yet. They couldn’t be more wrong. This class will
them to find and better incorporate their voices and their stories into
help students identify the scope and subject matter of a good personal
everything they create. The class is designed to work around vacation
essay—and then to practice the art of revealing one’s personality by
plans. Login once a week from anywhere, or take a week off and catch
writing with energy and conviction. This class is especially suitable for
up the following week.
students preparing to write college application essays.
Justina Ireland lives with her husband, kid, and dog in Thomas March is a poet, critic, and teacher. He has been
Pennsylvania. She is the author of both full-length books a featured reader or performer at a number of esteemed
and short fiction and considers words to be her best venues. His award-winning work has been published in
friends. Her books Vengeance Bound and Promise of Shad- numerous journals. A member of the National Book Critics
ows are both currently available. Her forthcoming young Circle, he has also reviewed for American Book Review, The
adult book Dread Nation and adult debut The Never and the Believer, and New Letters, among others.
Now will be available soon. For more: justinaireland.com.
DISCOVERING THE WRITING ONLINE SCRIPT WRITERS GROUP ONLINE
ONLINE CL ASS
ONLINE CL ASS
WORLD with Heather Goodman CLASS with Cristina Pippa CLASS
July 11–August 8 (Online) | Reg $80.00 Mem $72.00 July 25–August 22 (Online) | Reg $156.00 Mem $140.40
Together we will discover paths to create our own poetry, fiction, and Write scripts for film, a tv series, or stage in this online writers group
nonfiction. We will read powerful examples and discuss helpful advice for teens. The teaching artist will lead online chats and discussions and
from established writers. Writing prompts will inspire us to begin new provide writing prompts, tips on formatting and structure, and feed-
CLASSES FOR TEENS (13–17)
CLASSES FOR TEENS (13–17)
work and help us focus our voice in a safe and open setting. Optional back on scenes each of the four weeks in the session. The online class
writing exercises each week. Through writing, reading, and discussion, is appropriate for both experienced and new teen screenwriters who
we will investigate ways to develop our inner writer! would like a constructive online environment to improve craft and build
a writing community.
Heather E. Goodman has taught writing at high schools, Cristina Pippa is the winner of the National Playwriting
universities, and the Loft. She provides students with Award and finalist for the Leah Ryan Prize for Emerging
touchstones to enter their writing and encourages them to Women Writers, Cristina completed her BA at Columbia
continue listening to their voice. She has attended Bread University and her MFA at the University of Iowa. Her play,
Loaf Writers’ Conference, was a Loft Mentor Series Award Cell Cycle, is published and her screenplays have been
recipient for fiction, and won the Chicago Tribune’s Nelson optioned and won several awards. She teaches in the
Algren Award. Screenwriting BA program at Metropolitan State.
14 15
HELP! I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO WRITE!
W E E K O F J U LY 9
with Holly Day
July 9–13, 9 a.m.–noon
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
This class will discuss many of the “tricks” professional writers use to
get their creative mojo started. Everything from random character and
plot generation to creating vivid scenes out of the blue for your fan-
tastic characters to live will be covered, as well as how to move your
characters from the beginning of a story to a satisfying conclusion. We’ll
discuss plot arc, character development, and the how to create realistic,
identifiable conflict in our stories.
Holly Day has worked as a freelance writer, indexer, and
editor for more than 25 years, with over 7,000 published
articles, poems, and short stories and over a dozen
published books. Her writing has been nominated for a
National Magazine Award, a 49th Parallel Prize, an Isaac
Asimov Award, six Pushcart awards, and three Dzanc
Book’s Best of the Web awards, and she is the recipient of
numerous grants and awards.
WRITING THE FANTASY WORLD
W E E K O F J U LY 9
with Holly Day
July 9–13, 1–4 p.m.
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
In this class, we’ll learn how important geography is to our stories by
building workable fantasy worlds for our characters to live in, with
special attention given to geographical features such as waterways,
mountains, and even nearby planetary bodies that can be incorporated
YOUTH CLASSES (12–14)
into our stories. We’ll look at many examples of place-based fiction,
including many classic fairy tales.
Holly Day has worked as a freelance writer, indexer, and
editor for more than 25 years, with over 7,000 published
articles, poems, and short stories and over a dozen
published books. Her writing has been nominated for a
National Magazine Award, a 49th Parallel Prize, an Isaac
Asimov Award, six Pushcart awards, and three Dzanc
Book’s Best of the Web awards, and she is the recipient of
numerous grants and awards.
Classes for Youth 17
(Ages 12–14) | LOFT.ORG/YOUTHWORDS CAN CREATE MAGIC WRITING SONG LYRICS
W E E K O F J U LY 2 3
W E E K O F J U LY 1 6
with Peter Blau with Ben Connelly
July 16–20, 9 a.m.–noon July 23–27, 9 a.m.–noon
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75 Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
You like to read about magic, but how can you make your own? Writers In this class we’ll take an interactive and improvisational approach to
create magic with words and spin stories from their imaginations. The writing song lyrics and investigate the art and craft of song lyric writing.
teaching artist will give you prompts and exercises to set your Whether you play an instrument or not you’ll learn how songs work and
imagination free as your ideas expand into real-life adventures or how to awaken and harness your creative energy.
magical creative tales. Bring your best ideas, turn them loose on the
page, and let your writing surprise you as you discover the writer in you!
Peter Blau teaches adults and children in a variety of Ben Connelly is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumental-
venues, and is a recipient of an award from Mpls/St Paul ist, producer and educator with 15 years teaching expe-
Magazine for his work at a women’s correctional facility. rience and 7 CDs of his own songs. His songs have been
His primary goal is to make writing approachable to all internationally released and been featured on commercial,
his students. Peter provides a supportive environment for public, and college radio nationwide as well as in films and
students as they move through their own personal writing on television.
journey. www.WriteCreateCommunicate.com.
POETRY BASICS: PLAYING WITH WORDS, CONSTRUCTING FICTIONAL WORLDS
W E E K O F J U LY 3 0
W E E K O F J U LY 1 6
SOUND, AND VIDEO with Becca Barnaskis with Mike Alberti
& Nick Jaffe July 30–August 3, 9 a.m.–noon
July 16–20, 1–4 p.m. | Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75 Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
Free yourself from ordinary writing by exploring how words/sounds/ Have you ever wondered how your favorite writers can transport you
image overlap! Create poems out of words in magazines, from daily into a completely a different world? In this class, we’ll learn to build
speech, or from just walking down the street. Then make those poems imaginary worlds from the ground up through games, writing exercises,
come alive using original music and videos that you create yourself and readings from from YA books such as Harry Potter, The Hunger
YOUTH CLASSES (12–14)
Games, and Percy Jackson. This class will focus on writing science fiction
YOUTH CLASSES (12–14)
using GarageBand and iMovie on iPads. Tech provided for this class.
and fantasy, but anyone interested in practicing their fiction writing is
welcome!
Becca Barniskis is a published poet, performer, and has
taught poetry for years to a wide range of students in varied
contexts including elementary and middle schools. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mike Alberti
is currently an MFA candidate in fiction at the University of
Minnesota, where he also teaching undergraduate fiction
Nick Jaffe is a professional musician, audio engineer, and for writing. He earned his BA in English from Vassar College,
over 15 years has taught music, digital recording, video, and and has since worked as a journalist in New York and Mas-
the physics of sound to students of all ages in schools and sachusetts. Mike was the recipient of the annual Sweet
many other contexts. Corn Prize for Fiction from Flyway Magazine in 2014.
18 19Lunch Care
The Loft is able to provide care and supervision for
children attending multiple classes throughout the day
during the lunch time hour. Loft summer program staff
will work and play with your children in a Loft classroom,
helping with their writing projects, playing games, and
providing morning and afternoon snacks. We do not
provide lunch. We’ll then guide them to their classroom in
time for their next class or to be picked up.
Reg $10 Mem $9 Low $7
Learn more: loft.org/care
DO YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER?
W E E K O F J U LY 9
with Peter Blau
July 9–13, 9 a.m.–noon
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
Is there a writer hiding inside your head? In this class, you will be given
the tools to shake your creativity loose and let that writer out to play.
You will write, read, share, and write some more, as you learn how to
make writing exciting and fun. The teaching artist will help by giving you
prompts and exercises to stretch your creativity and unlock your imag-
YOUTH CLASSES (9–11)
inations. If you write, you are a writer. If you want to be a better writer,
you should write more, and that’s exactly what this class will be about.
Peter Blau teaches adults and children in a variety of
venues, and is a recipient of an award from Mpls/St Paul
Magazine for his work at a women’s correctional facility.
His primary goal is to make writing approachable to all
his students. Peter provides a supportive environment for
students as they move through their own personal writing
journey. www.WriteCreateCommunicate.com.
Classes for Youth 21
(Ages 9–11) | LOFT.ORG/YOUTHFAIRY TALE FLIPBOOKS ALL DAY SUMMER WRITING CAMP ADVENTURE:
W E E K O F J U LY 1 6
W E E K O F J U LY 9
with Julie Strand GET A CLUE! WRITING MYSTERIES
July 9–13, 9 a.m.–noon AND
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75 CLIFFHANGERS! PUNCHLINES! CATCHPHR ASES!
Together we’ll learn about fairy tales and make our own! Through WRITING AND ILLUSTR ATING YOUR
beginnings, middles and endings supported by details and actions, OWN COMIC
we’ll explore dialogue, descriptions and transitions. On Friday, we’ll
each have a series of illustrated stories to bind into books that can mix, with Stephen Shaskan & Trisha Speed Shaskan
match, and make new characters and stories!
July 16–20, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Reg $575.00 Mem $517.50 Low $402.50
Young writers, grab your best mystery solving gear, your favorite super
hero comic, your notebooks and pens, and let’s write at the Loft! We’ll
Julie Strand has coordinated, directed, and taught within begin our day by setting up a crime scene and discovering the clues to
creative writing programs for kids at literary centers in how the best, most suspenseful mystery stories are written! We’ll use
Wisconsin and Idaho and is excited to share her experien- props, games, and read stories to inspire our own writing. We’ll learn
tial approach with young writers at the Loft. She earned the vocabulary of mysteries while exploring writing craft, from character
her MFA in Creative Writing from Boise State University in to plot.
2013 and authored the chapbook The Mae West Defense in
2009. Her poetry has appeared in numerous journals. After a short lunch and play break, we’ll delve into the world of com-
ics while writing and drawing our own comic books! By the end of the
week, students will have their own mystery—from scary to fantastical to
funny—and their own comic to take home and enjoy for the rest of the
IT’S ALL ABOUT ME! summer!
W E E K O F J U LY 9
with Brenda Hudson
July 9–13, 1–4 p.m.
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75 Stephen Shaskan is an author and illustrator, an early
childhood educator, and a Loft teaching artist. His debut
Who says being selfish is a bad thing? We’ll use fun writing exercises to picture book A Dog is a Dog (Chronicle Books) is on New
help you tell your own story of who you are and what you think, feel, York Public Library’s Top 100 Books to Read and Share for
and dream. We’ll show you how to use your writing and other materi- 2011, and was a 2011 CBCC Choice. The Three Triceratops
als to create a beautiful book, with you as the main character! This is a Tuff (Beach Lane Books) was released in Spring of 2013.
YOUTH CLASSES (9–11)
hands-on class that provides quirky writing prompts to get you thinking
YOUTH CLASSES (9–11)
about yourself in a new way. At the end of this class, you will take home
a wonderful book version of yourself.
Trisha Speed Shaskan has written over forty books for
Brenda Hudson is recipient of the Loft’s 2016 Excellence children. Currently, Trisha works as a literacy coordinator
in Teaching Fellowship. She is a teacher, editor, writer, and at an elementary school. For over fifteen years, Trisha
a credentialed journaling instructor through the Center has taught creative writing to children at various plac-
for Journal Therapy. She holds an MS in journalism from es, including Minneapolis public schools and Saint Paul
Boston University, and a PhD in rhetoric from the Univer- Academy. Trisha won the 2009 McKnight Artist Fellowship
sity of Minnesota’s Department of Writing Studies. Helping for Writers and received her MFA in creative writing from
others express themselves through writing is her passion. Minnesota State University, Mankato.
22 23WRITE A ONE-ACT PLAY SHORT STORY WRITING
W E E K O F J U LY 2 3
W E E K O F J U LY 1 6
with Connie Kingrey Anderson with Kat Shepherd
July 16–20, 9 a.m.–noon July 23–27, 1–4 p.m.
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75 Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
Do you like to act out plays with your friends? In this class, you’ll learn Whether it’s funny, frightening, or heartbreaking, a good short story is a
to write one! You’ll discover how to create an intriguing plot by chart- compelling peek into a deeper world. In this class we’ll read short works
ing what the audience needs to know and when. Our class time will be by favorite authors and unlock the secrets of story structure. We’ll use
spent writing, giving and receiving feedback, and revising. Then you’ll what we discover to write and build a class collection of short stories.
incorporate the lessons you learn into your own writing. You’ll also have Every writer will have the opportunity to complete at least one short
an opportunity to see how your dramatic writing “works” by reading/ story, and students will work together to critique and revise their work.
performing it with others in the class.
Connie Kingrey Anderson is the author of the Creep- Kat Shepherd is a writer and educator who just moved
ers Mysteries series, including Haunted Cattle Drive and to Minnesota with her husband and three dogs. She loves
Toadies. Kids can enjoy reading the book (in the front). to create engaging stories for reluctant readers because
Then they can star in their own Movie for the Ear using the reading should be a joyful experience for everyone. A for-
script (in the back). She also produced the audio movie for mer classroom teacher, Kat has worked with middle grade
Haunted Cattle Drive, which won the Audie Award for Best students for two decades. Her spooky middle grade book
Original Program from the Audio Publishers Association. series, Babysitting Nightmares (Macmillan/Imprint), debuts
June 5, 2018.
BUILDING IMAGINARY WORLDS FAIRY TALES, MYTHS, MAGIC, AND
W E E K O F J U LY 2 3
W E E K O F J U LY 3 0
with Mike Alberti BOOKMAKING: A LOFT/MCBA COMBO
July 23–27, 9 a.m.–noon
CLASS with Marie Olofsdotter
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
July 30–August 3, 9 a.m.–noon
Have you ever wondered how your favorite writers can transport Reg $277.50 Mem $249.75 Low $194.25
you into a completely different world? In this class, we’ll learn how to
build fictional worlds from the ground up. We’ll study techniques that Explore the timeless territory of magic as you write your own myth-in-
other writers have used, and concentrate on building our own fictional spired fairy tale! Students will record the hair-raising adventures of a
YOUTH CLASSES (9–11)
worlds, too. We’ll try writing exercises, share our writing with one anoth- main character, who sets out on a magical journey to save a troubled
YOUTH CLASSES (9–11)
er, read excerpts from books, look at comic books and graphic novels, world, and along the way, encounters menacing villains and mystical be-
and practice supporting each other’s writing goals. ings. Students will then bring the story to life in a pop-up book at MCBA.
Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mike Alberti Marie Olofsdotter is an interdisciplinary artist and
is currently an MFA candidate in fiction at the University of writer. Marie has written and illustrated several children’s
Minnesota, where he also teaching undergraduate fiction books and is the recipient of a Mid-America Publishers
writing. He earned his BA in English from Vassar College, Award and a Midwest Book Achievement Award. Visit
and has since worked as a journalist in New York and Mas- www.marieolofsdotter.com for more information.
sachusetts. Mike was the recipient of the annual Sweet
Corn Prize for Fiction from Flyway Magazine in 2014.
24 25LEVEL UP YOUR WRITING! Classes for Youth
W E E K O F J U LY 3 0
with Jessica Mattson
(Ages 6–8) | LOFT.ORG/YOUTH
July 30–August 3, 1–4 p.m.
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
We love to play video games, but can they also help us write fun and
creative fiction? Absolutely! In this class, we’ll use game-inspired writing
prompts to explore the craft of storytelling. Once we’ve got the basics
down and have generated lots of ideas, it will be time to write, write,
write!
Jessica Mattson is a graduate of the MFA program in Cre-
ative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline
University in St. Paul, Minnesota. She currently works as a
bookseller for Addendum Books, and enjoys writing mid-
dle grade and young adult fiction as well as playing video
games in her spare time.
Lunch Care
The Loft is able to provide care and supervision for
children attending multiple classes throughout the day
during the lunch time hour. Loft summer program staff
will work and play with your children in a Loft classroom,
helping with their writing projects, playing games, and
YOUTH CLASSES (9–11)
providing morning and afternoon snacks. We do not
provide lunch. We’ll then guide them to their classroom in
time for their next class or to be picked up.
Reg $10 Mem $9 Low $7
Learn more: loft.org/care
26MAPPING YOURSELF: A LOFT/MCBA LEAGUE OF SUPER WRITERS
W E E K O F J U LY 1 6
W E E K O F J U LY 9
WRITING AND BOOK MAKING CLASS with Lorna Pecard
with Keren Gudeman
July 16–20, 9 a.m.–noon
July 9–13, 9 a.m.–noon | Reg $277.50 Mem $249.75 Low $194.25 Reg $262.50 Mem $249.75 Low $194.25
You are many things: student, friend, artist...and what else? Make your If you like superheroes, writing, and drawing, then you’ll love this class!
own book at MCBA and fill it with maps about you! Maybe you contain a You’ll create your very own superhero and bring them to life through
river of music, an island of candy, a mountain of words or an iceberg of artwork, stories, poems, and plays. We’ll sharpen our skills through
kindness. This class is for aspiring illustrators and wordsmiths who like games, writing prompts, and costume-making. Just bring your
filling entire pages with color and life. You’ll walk away with your own imagination!
book about YOU!
Keren Gudeman is a former English teacher, coach and Lorna Pecard is a Creative Writing MFA candidate at
outdoor educator. Keren founded Improv Parenting in Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she teaches
2016, which teaches kids and adults improv to enrich English. She is a poetry editor for the Blue Earth Review, co-
relationships through creativity, play and spontaneity. host for KMSU’s Weekly Reader, and runs writing
workshops for Aktion Club Theatre.
PLAYTIME WITH STORIES AND RHYMES FUN WITH SETTING AND CHARACTER
W E E K O F J U LY 1 6
W E E K O F J U LY 9
with Chelli Riddiough with Sophia Swank
July 9–13, 1–4 p.m.
July 16–20, 1–4 p.m.
Reg $262.50 Mem $249.75 Low $194.25
Reg $262.50 Mem $249.75 Low $194.25
“Grandpa dropped his glasses once in a pot of dye, / And when he put
Learn about setting (the time and place of a story) and characters (the
them on again he saw a purple sky.” Writing with a silly spirit—as Leroy
people in a story) and create your own! We’ll draw pictures and maps,
F. Jackson does here—is the main goal this week. All week, we’ll be
play games, introduce our favorite toys, sing songs, write with sensory
scribbling, scribing, and scrawling—and having fun while we’re at it! Half
detail, and enjoy a daily story time. Please bring a snack every day.
the class will be spent actively writing, and the other half will be spent
YOUTH CLASSES (6–8)
YOUTH CLASSES (6–8)
listening to stories, sharing work, and occasionally breaking for a quick
game.
Chelli Riddiough is a writer and editor from Madison, Sophia Swank has taught English as a foreign language
Wisconsin. She graduated cum laude from Williams Col- to students age 4 to senior citizen, and has found each
lege with a BA in philosophy. Her fiction has been pub- age group to have its own charms. She holds a BA in
lished in the First Line and ESOPUS Magazine. She received Asian Languages and Literatures from the University of
a College of Liberal Arts fellowship from the University of Minnesota and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young
Minnesota, where she is currently an MFA candidate in Adults from Hamline University. Represented by New Leaf
fiction. Literary & Media, Inc., her first novel is currently out on
submission.
28 29THIS BOOK IS A MONSTER: A LOFT/ USE YOUR IMAGINATION
W E E K O F J U LY 2 3
W E E K O F J U LY 3 0
MBCA WRITING AND BOOK-MAKING with Nancy Carlson
CLASS with Ellen Fee
July 30–August 3, 9 a.m.–noon
July 23–27, 9 a.m.–noon Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75
Reg $277.50 Mem $249.75 Low $194.25
Create characters, get to know them and put them in original stories.
What if a book is more than a book? What if a book is really...a monster? This is a class for kids who love to draw, write, use their imaginations,
Kids will craft monsters of their own making while learning the basics of and be inspired by a beloved author and illustrator who has published
creative writing. We’ll bring our monsters to life as we shape them into over 65 books and really knows her characters (and imagination!)
real books filled with poems, stories, and illustrations. (Don’t worry—
our monsters won’t be too scary for your 6–8 year olds.)
Ellen Fee has spent the past year teaching creative writing Nancy Carlson has been writing and illustrating for chil-
at an after-school program in St. Paul. Before that, she dren for over 30 years and has 65 published books. She
graduated from the University of Minnesota, where she wrote one of her newest books along with a young man,
wrote an undergrad thesis on children’s poetry and Armond Isaak, who took her class Use Your Imagination!
literacy development. Her poems have appeared in a at the Loft. The book is called Armond Goes To A Party. This
variety of publications. is Nancy’s seventh year teaching at the Loft and she loves
it.
GROSS OUT!: WRITING THE STORIES THAT HERE’S MY WORLD: A LOFT/MCBA
W E E K O F J U LY 2 3
W E E K O F J U LY 3 1
GET YOU GIGGLING WRITING AND BOOK MAKING CLASS
with Ellen Bergman with Carolyn Williams-Noren
July 23–27, 1–4 p.m. July 30–August 3, 1–4 p.m.
Reg $262.50 Mem $236.25 Low $183.75 Reg $277.50 Mem $249.75 Low $194.25
Why do we giggle at farts? In this class, we talk about the gross behavior In this class, we’ll use the same tools that grown-up writers use to
and why it’s funny. We’ll collaborate through writing and observation, tell the stories of their lives: creative metaphors, lively verbs, careful
theatrical play, and developing voice. Through a critical lens, we will attention, and information from all of the senses. At MCBA we’ll create
YOUTH CLASSES (6–8)
a unique book that shows what your world is like right now, a book that
YOUTH CLASSES (6–8)
explore cultural overlaps in expected behavior, while relating
through humor and shared stories. shows exactly what *you* notice, sense, and feel in your regular life.
Ellen Bergman is an elementary school teacher at the Carolyn Williams-Noren’s poetry chapbook, Small Like a
Twin Cities Immersion School. Her kids come primarily Tooth, was published in 2015 by Dancing Girl Press.
from the 2nd and 3rd grades and serve as great Carolyn founded and tends the Little Poetry Library
inspiration for her own perspective and take on outside Blue Moon Café at 39th and Lake in Minneapolis,
creativity. Ellen is the recipient of the Lawrence Owen and she was a 2014 winner of a McKnight Artist Fellowship
Prize for poetry. in poetry.
30 31poetry out loud
You too!
The Loft has a full lineup of spring and summer adult
classes too—both in-person and online.
Isn’t it time you took a little time for yourself too? Photo: Anna Min Enterprises
loft.org/classes MN Poetry Out Loud state competition is March 8, 2018. Learn
more about the competition and program at loft.org/pol.
bring the Loft to you “ Often youth are forced to read the
classics and are never told why. As a re-
sult, beautiful language becomes a chore;
teens never learn to connect to it and can
even grow to hate it. What’s the point of
pretty words when they have no mean-
ing?
RESIDENCY PROGRAM The Poetry Out Loud program works to
reverse this trend. Recently I had a teach-
er who always stressed that we should
Schools, libraries, homeschools, hospitals, ‘be well-versed in the words of your time.’
human service organizations learning creative Poetry Out Loud puts both old and new
writing from the Loft’s award-winning writers. words into the minds, hearts, and souls
of young people. It breaches the chasm
We’re already working with dozens of organizations
and schools. Start planning now to bring Loft
between youth and literature.
— Abigail Etterson, Minnesota
”
programming to your classroom or school during the
school year. Learn more at: Poetry Out Loud Champion 2016
LOFT.ORG/RESIDENCY LOFT.ORG/POLGENERAL PROGRAM INFO of Open Book, in a Loft writing classroom). Staff from both
the Loft and MCBA will be present to guide you to where your
Registration | Registration is open as long as there is space children are when combo classes are in session.
available in a class. You can register your child or teen online
at www.loft.org or by calling 612-379-8999. A detailed confir- Age Ranges and Writing Ability | The age ranges listed for
mation note will be emailed once your registration has pro- each class are suggested guidelines, but before registering
cessed. Walk-in registrations are also accepted during office your child for a class outside of her/his age range, please
hours (T–F, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.). We are here to help. consider that teaching artists propose classes based on age
ranges they are comfortable teaching. Suggested age rang-
Child Care | The Loft is able to provide lunch time super- es also consider socialization, as well as more mature class
vision to children and teens of all ages who are enrolled in discussions; you may have an incredibly gifted child who
a morning or afternoon class at the Loft (or both). You may excels at writing and learning, but please consider whether s/
register for lunch time care on the website when you register he would be comfortable in a class with children much old-
for a class, or you can call the education office. It is important er/younger, comfortable participating in more mature class
to note that the Loft does not provide lunches, only supervi- discussions pertaining to writing for older audiences, and how
sion in a Loft class room from noon until 1 p.m. Please send it would affect the learning environment of the others. If you
a lunch with your child. Loft staff will help your child find the have questions please call 612-215-2579.
right classroom.
Scholarships | Families or individuals able to prove enroll-
Child care before and after classes is not a part of the pro- ment in a public assistance program are eligible to receive a
gramming the Loft is able to offer; children are supervised 95% scholarship to attend a Loft summer youth class; snacks,
only during class, and during lunch, if registered. Please meals, and writing materials are provided. For assistance,
do not drop young children off more than five minutes be- please contact us at 612-379-8999 or loft@loft.org.
fore the start of a class, and make sure to pick up children
promptly at class end. Keep in mind that Open Book is a Parents With Children or Teens with Special Needs | Chil-
public building in a busy downtown area; generally older dren and teens with special needs or disabilities are
YOUNG WRITERS’ PROGRAM
YOUNG WRITERS’ PROGRAM
teens are fine—and welcome—to hang out on their own in always welcome at the Loft! Please call us at 612-215-2579 if
the building if they sign up for multiple classes. Open Book is you would like to discuss how the Loft can accommodate the
home to many different businesses, including a lovely book needs of your child or teen (hearing or sight impairments,
arts gallery and coffee shop on the first floor. children with PCA’s, learning challenges) in order for them to
more fully participate in and enjoy Loft classes!
Loft/MCBA Combo Classes | Please note that if you register
your child for one of our Loft/MCBA combo classes (creative Student Readings | Many teaching artists hold student read-
writing and book arts/book making), you will drop your child ings on the last day of class; please check in with your child’s
off in one location (typically, on the first floor of Open Book, teaching artist for information on whether or not s/he plans
in MCBA studio space) and pick them up at the end of class to hold a student reading. Family and friends are always wel-
in a different location (typically, on the second or third floor come to hear the work created by our talented young writers!
34 35GENERAL PROGRAM INFO (CONTINUED) scholarships
What to Bring | Please pack snacks, beverages, lunch (if ap-
plicable), and anything else specified in the class description.
The Loft will provide a notebook and pencil on the first day
of class, but you should feel free to bring along any preferred
writing utensils or beloved journals. The Loft does not provide
laptops or tablets, unless otherwise indicated in a class de-
scription, but students are welcome to bring their own.
Cancellation and Refund Policy | In the event the Loft has
SCHOLARSHIPS
to cancel a class, you will be notified in advance and issued a
100% refund. If you need to cancel, notify the Loft education
office before the start of the second class meeting to receive
our standard 85% refund. Unless the Loft cancels a class, no The Loft offers scholarships to youth offerings with a
100% refunds can be given once registration has taken place, 95% discount. Applicants must demonstate some level
as there is a registration fee of 15%. No refunds will be given of public assistance. Learn more at:
after the start of the second class meeting.
LOFT.ORG/SCHOLARSHIP
About Online Classes for Teens | Our online classes are
asynchronous and run week to week. That means partici-
pants can log in any time during the week, from anywhere, get the scoop
but should save time every week to join the discussion and
do the class activities. Set 1–2 hours a week aside for the
duration of the class to participate. We try to protect your
teen’s privacy by only sharing first names and no other per-
ENEWS
YOUNG WRITERS’ PROGRAM
sonal identifying information in the online class environment,
but teens are able to divulge more so be sure to discuss safe
behaviors with younger teens before they participate. Class
communications are only visible to the teaching artist and
other teens in the class. Participants will receive instructions
on how to access the class and login information a few days
before class begins. If you are signing up a teenaged family
member or friend, be sure to include their name and email
address so they can receive this information directly. We will
copy you on the email so you also have this information. For
legal reasons we cannot register anyone who will not be at
least thirteen years old on the first day of class. It is alright if
they turn 18 before the end of class.
36
BIT.LY/LOFTENEWSjoin & support
FUNDERS
A THRIVING LOFT COMMUNITY The Loft’s youth programming is made possible through the generous
INCLUDES THE NEXT GENERATION contributions of Loft members, Patrick and Aimee Butler Family
Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, Target, the William Randolph
OF READERS AND WRITERS. Hearst Foundation and by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota
State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative
appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
ACCESSIBILITY
The Loft Literary Center strives to be accessible to all,
without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national
origin, veteran status, economic status, sex, gender
identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, or
disability. As possible, we will remove barriers to
participation in our programs to persons with disabilities.
Help kids discover the power of To arrange for accessibility accommodation, please
contact the Loft at 612-215-2575 or loft@loft.org three
imagination, creativity, and weeks in advance. Accessibility services are partly
storytelling. supported by the Rachel Vaughan Memorial Fund. For
more information about accessibility see
Become a Loft member with a contribution of any amount. loft.org/access.
The Loft is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Member contributions
are 100% tax-deductible.
LOFT.ORG/SUPPORTTHE LOFT Non-Profit Organization LITERARY CENTER US Postage Suite 200, Open Book PAID 1011 Washington Avenue South TWIN CITIES, MN Minneapolis, MN 55415 Permit 1533
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