Resources for Writers
A comprehensive list of resources for writers including local and national organizations for writers, graduate writing programs, literary publications, funding opportunities, national organizations, and more.
Intermedia Arts is Minnesota’s premier multicultural, multidisciplinary arts center. Our mission is to be a catalyst that builds understanding among people through art. Intermedia Arts Literary Programs (formerly SASE: The Write Place) are dedicated to making the literary arts accessible to a diverse community of writers and enthusiasts; we are committed to ensuring that people of all cultural, economic, social and ethnic backgrounds have a place and a voice within the Twin Cities’ literary community.
Founded in 1994 and located in Park Rapids, MN, JWB is a nonprofit organization seeking to discover and encourage regional writers.
A nonprofit organization for writers in west central Minnesota. LWRN’s purpose is to promote networking among writers and serve as an informational exchange for literary events, educational opportunities and online resources.
This Duluth-based membership organization was founded to promote all genres of writing as a profession or as an avocation.
The Literary Guild at the University of Minnesota Duluth provides an opportunity to explore the literary arts, both original works as well as other works, in a non-academic atmosphere. Meetings, readings, and publications are open to the public as well as UMD students.
The mission of the Loft is to foster a writing community, the artistic development of individual writers, and an audience for literature. The Loft is housed at Open Book in Minneapolis.
This organization provides support and promotion for writers within the romance industry.
Minnesota Science Fiction Society, Inc.
The Minnesota Science Fiction Society, Inc., is a Minnesota non-profit corporation dedicated to furthering the appreciation of science fiction and fantasy literature.
Minnesota Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
The Minnesota chapter provides networking opportunities and educational programming for writers and illustrators who produce media for children.
Open Book was co-founded in 2000 by charter tenants The Loft, Milkweed Editions, and Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA). This Minneapolis literary arts center features meeting classrooms and exhibit space and a book arts studio.
Founded in 1971, the Playwrights’ Center is a regional and national resource for script development by providing a range of services for writers at all stages of their careers.
An all volunteer, non-profit organization that provides aspiring and practicing Minnesota screenwriters a setting for interaction and exchange of information. Since 1987 Screenwriters Workshop has promoted the development of Minnesota screenwriters. As members of Screenwriters Workshop, screenwriters, playwrights, producers, directors, and allied partners in filmmaking express their commitment to improving the quality of storytelling. Programs include: script critique groups, table readings, staged readings, seminars, conferences, script contests, and social mixers.
Twin Cities Online Creative Writers
Minnesota-based virtual meeting place dedicated to creative writing.
Hamline University, Saint Paul
MA Liberal Studies & MFA Writing
Minnesota State University, Mankato
MA, Creative Writing Programs
Minnesota State University, Moorhead
MFA, Creative Writing
University of Minnesota, Duluth
MA, Literary Studies
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
MA, English/Creative Writing Program
University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul
MA, English
This literary magazine is published by Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and features fiction, essays and poetry.
The official literary magazine of Minnesota State University, Mankato, this publication features poetry, prose, fiction and art.
This biannual publication from the English Department at Minnesota State University, Mankato was founded to provide support for Minnesota writers, as intended by its originator, Robert C. Wright.
This journal is sponsored by the University of Minnesota MFA creative writing program and publishes both established and emerging writers in each of the three genres — fiction, nonfiction, and poetry — in which University of Minnesota students specialize.
The English Department at Bemidji State University publishes this annual anthology of women’s writing and art.
This Minneapolis-based national publication reviews children’s books and serves as a guide to children’s literature in the curriculum.
This literary journal is published by the Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Red Wing, MN.
This Brainerd publication features writing, photography, and art from Minnesota’s northern Lake Country.
Seeks out and publishes fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction by both new and established authors.
This Minneapolis-based journal features prose, poetry, and visual art exploring Arab America.
Sponsored by the League of Minnesota Poets in Brainerd, MN.
Founded in August of 2009, all Paper Darts projects are funded entirely by generated revenue. Paper Darts is truly a grassroots project born entirely out of passion for literature. Paper Darts publishes contributor content online, which can include anything from music, comics, and videos, to art, fiction, and poetry, plus much more.
Rain Taxi is a quarterly publication featuring reviews of literary fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, with an emphasis on works that push the boundaries of language, narrative, and genre.
Revolver is an arts and cultural magazine based in Minneapolis, that aims to publish writing that is concrete and resonant. Revolver prides itself on having a unique editorial style with a decentralized staff.
The Riverbank Review is a national children’s literature publication with book reviews, essays, interviews, and other features for those seeking high-quality books for young readers.
Published by the Literary Guild at the University of Minnesota Duluth, The Roaring Muse features poetry, prose, and short stories from university students and the general public.
The Saint Paul AlmanacThe Saint Paul Almanac builds community by sharing stories through an annual book, public readings, and a unique community editor mentorship program that supports authentic inter-generational and inter-cultural learning between youth and elders, emerging and established artists and writers.
Student Literary Arts Magazine (SLAM)
SLAM is published twice a year by and for undergraduate creative writing students at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
The Talking Stick is a literary journal offering artwork, poetry, essays and short stories by northern Minnesota writers. It is published by the Jackpine Writers’ Block, a writers’ group that has been meeting in Park Rapids, MN since 1994.
A View from the Loft is a magazine published by the Loft Literary Center. This monthly magazine features articles about writing and literature, interviews with writers, opportunities for publication and awards and reviews of books and Internet sites of interest to writers.
Water~Stone, an annual review of literature (fiction, essays, creative nonfiction, poetry), is published by the Graduate Liberal Studies at Hamline University in St. Paul, MN.
XCP: Cross Cultural Poetics is a biannual interdisciplinary journal of poetry, poetics, experimental ethnography and cultural and performance studies. Published in Minneapolis.
Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies
Located in Red Wing, the Anderson Center offers short-term residencies to artists, writers, scientists and humanists who are free to work on their individual projects.
Compas is a non-profit community-based arts organization which sponsors school residency programs for artists and writers as well as public arts presentations.
McKnight Artist Fellowships for Writers
The Loft Literary Center administers the McKnight Artist Fellowships for Writers in creative prose, poetry, and children’s literature. The fellowships carry $25,000 cash awards.
Midwest Independent Publishers Association’s Book Awards
This annual awards program recognizes and honors works from independent publishers in the Midwest.
Milkweed Editions is a nonprofit literary press offering cash advances for winners of the Milkweed National Fiction Prize and the Milkweed Prize for Children’s Literature.
Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB)
MSAB ensures the arts are accessible to all citizens by nurturing creative activities, encouraging the development of innovative forms of artistic expression, and preserving the diverse artistic heritage of the people.
The Arts Retreat, sponsored by the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center in Otter Tail County, provides an opportunity to focus on creative work while experiencing a unique taste of life in a Midwestern small town.
Northeastern Minnesota Book Awards (NEMBA)
The NEMBA recognizes books which represent the history, culture, heritage or lifestyle of northeastern Minnesota. It is sponsored by the University of Minnesota Duluth Library and the Friends of the Duluth Public Library.
SASE/Jerome Awards: Grants for Emerging Minnesota Writers
Each year, Intermedia Arts awards grants of up to $5,000 to emerging Minnesota writers. The purpose of this program is to make grants to support the creation and production of new artistic works by emerging Minnesota writers, and to contribute to the professional advancement of those writers.
Sponsored by the Literary Arts Institute at the College of St. Benedicts, this annual prize includes a cash award of up to $15,000 presented for the best new book of literary fiction and book publication by Graywolf Press.
VERVE Grants for Spoken Word Poets
Each year, Intermedia Arts awards grants of up to $3,000 to emerging Minnesota spoken word poets. The purpose of this program is to make grants to support the creation and production of new artistic works by emerging Minnesota spoken word poets, and to contribute to the professional advancement of those artists.
Supports American poets at all stages of their careers and fosters the appreciation of contemporary poetry through nationally sponsored programs.
American Crime Writer’s League
Online idea exchange founded by a group of writers.
American Society of Journalists and Authors
Organization for freelance writers.
Asian American Writers’ Workshop
Resource for writers, readers and publishers on literature written by Asians living in America.
The Associated Writing Programs
Serves writers, writing programs and writers conferences and centers since 1967.
Association of Literary Scholars, Critics, and Writers
Fosters appreciation of the value of literary studies and of a common literary culture.
Society of published authors advocating for fair compensation, free speech and copyright protection.
Online resource to educate, inform, support and empower aspiring and published Black writers.
Horror Writers Association (HWA)
Worldwide organization of writers and publishing professionals dedicated to promoting the interests of writers of horror and dark fantasy.
International Women’s Writing Guild
Network for the personal and professional empowerment of women through writing.
The Lambda Literary Foundation is a non-profit organization supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender literature.
Mystery Writers of America, Inc.
Professional organization of mystery and crime writers in all categories: fiction, screenplays and staged plays and nonfiction.
National Book Critics Circle (NBCC)
NBCC, founded in 1974, consists of nearly 700 active book reviewers, interested in communicating with one another about common concerns.
Organization serving readers, writers, film producers, agents and editors.
Trade union for freelance writers working in U.S. markets.
Coalition of multi-published writers of popular fiction dedicated to serving the professional needs of its members.
Fellowship of writers to advance literature, to promote the culture of reading, and to defend free expression.
Sponsors readings, seminars, and competitions intended to challenge and inspire readers and writers of poetry.
Provides networking and support to individuals seriously pursuing a career in romance fiction.
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc.
Organization of writers of speculative fiction and other forms of genre fiction.
International organization of readers and writers dedicated to promoting the professional development and advancement of women crime writers to achieve equality in the industry.
Twin Cities Chapter: http://www.twincitysinc.org/
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Professional organization dedicated to serving the people who write, illustrate, or share a vital interest in children’s literature.
Small Publishers, Artists, and Writers Network (SPAWN)
Provides opportunities for authors, illustrators, graphic designers, photographers, editors, self-publishers, and others involved in the process of publishing to exchange ideas and information.
Teachers & Writers Collaborative
Brings writers and educators together in collaborations that explore the connections between writing and reading literature and that generate new ideas and materials.
Union representing writers in the motion picture, broadcast, cable and new media industries.
150 Resources to Help You Write Better, Faster, and More Persuasively
Whether you’re a student or a professional writer, there’s always something new to learn and ways to improve your writing. Check out these 150+ resources, organized by subject, with resources listed alphabetically within.
Quarterly publication featuring author interviews self-described as “good writing about good reading and good writers.”
This online resource from the UK includes literary news, writing resources, and essays of interest to writers and readers.
Copyright Office of the Library of Congress
Information concerning the registration and protection of “original works of authorship,” including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works.
National Endowment for the Humanities
NEH is an independent grant-making federal agency which supports research, education, and public programs in the humanities.
Poetry and Literature Center of the Library of Congress
Home of the Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry at the Library of Congress. In addition to supporting the Poet Laureate’s activities and interests, the Center sponsors an annual series of public poetry and fiction readings, lectures, symposia, and the Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry.
Poetry is the oldest monthly devoted to verse in the English-speaking world. The publication’s mission is to print the best poetry written today, in whatever style, genre, or approach. An new excerpt from the current issue is posted each week on their website.
Poets and Writers magazine profiles noted authors and publishing professionals, lists a roster of upcoming grants and awards, as well as recent prize-winners, and reports news relating to contemporary literature.
The online version of the international news magazine for book publishing and bookselling.
The magazine’s website includes a comprehensive list of online resources for scriptwriters.
Online resource for information about books, writing and publishing.
The Writer’s Chronicle, published six times a year, presents essays, articles, news, and information designed to enlighten, inform, and entertain writers, editors, students, and teachers of writing.
Founded in 1920, Writer’s Digest is described as the insiders guide to the writing life.
WritersMarket.com provides complete market contact information, query letter clinics, pay rates, submission guidelines, and more.
Writing Guide for College Students
Use this guide to refresh your knowledge of basic grammar rules, and to understand what you need to know and apply in your college classes.