Literary Arts at the Library

Cuyahoga County Public Library is honored to continue the important work of The LIT.  Please continue to visit our site as we build programs, workshops, and opportunities for writers.

Literary Arts Events   |   Muse   (The LIT publication archive)

History, THE LIT

Founded in January 1974, The LIT was incorporated October 15, 1976 as the Poets’ League of Greater Cleveland. The mission of the organization was to give voice to Cleveland’s growing community of beat style and street poets, for whom poetry was not an academic endeavor, but for whom poetry was a means of artistic, literary, social, and political expression. With a mission to promote the art of written and spoken word poetry, The PLGC was a place where workshops, classes, and poetry readings were organized and executed. By the mid 1980′s, however, the artistic and social climate began to change, and prose was incorporated into the purview of the League, and in 1991, The Poets’ League merged with Cleveland Writers’ Center to form the Poets’ & Writers’ League of Greater Cleveland. In expanding its mission, vision, and operations to include a broader spectrum of literary genres, fiction, essay, memoir, and journalism became areas of study and workshop. After that time, the name changed again to The LIT: Cleveland’s Literary Center, but the focus remained literature across genres and literary arts, seeking to enrich lives through reading and creative expression. Cuyahoga County Public Library is honored to continue the important work of The Lit. 

Literary Arts Events

Adult Workshops | Youth Workshops  |  Free Author Events  |  Ticketed Author Events 

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Writing Workshops and Classes for Adults

_{Check out these FREE workshops for adults...}

Poetry Writing Workshop 

Third Thursday of each month

6:30 PM

South Euclid - Lyndhurst Branch

The South Euclid-Lyndhurst Branch continues the tradition of the LIT's Poetry Workshop.
This workshop is free and open to the public.  Please register.

Advanced Fiction Workshop 

Tuesdays, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5, August 7   

4:00 PM

South Euclid - Lyndhurst Branch

For fiction writers with previous workshop experience committed to attending. 
Sorry!  This workshop is FULL.

Introductory Fiction Workshop 

Thursdays, March 8, April 5, May 3, June 7, August 9

6:30 PM

South Euclid - Lyndhurst Branch

For fiction writers new to the workshop experience.  Learn how to workshop,
guided by novelist Sarah Willis.  Sorry!  This workshop is FULL.

Writing Books Kids Can’t Put Down

Plotting and Structuring the Children’s Novel

Saturday, March 10

2:00 PM

Berea Branch

Learn how to focus your narrative, supercharge your story, fulfill the promise of your premise, and use action and your supporting players to reveal your hero's true character; explore the various paths to publication.  Please register.

What It Takes to Write a Book 

Wednesdays, March 21 + 28, April 4   

6:30 PM

Chagrin Falls Branch

Have a book idea that just won't go away?  This three-week class will get you started,
whether you want to write a nonfiction book, novel or memoir.  Please register.

Writing for the Silver Screen

Saturday, March 31

2:00 PM

Bay Village Branch

Learn the building blocks of a movie script, how to develop plot and characters, and techniques to dramatize your idea and compress it into a compelling pitch;  explore the path to selling a script and having it produced.  Please register.

Taking It Bird by Bird

Saturday, April 14

2:00 PM

Gates Mills Branch

A discussion and writing workshop is inspired by Anne Lamott's
famous book, Bird by Bird.  Please register.

Writing Workshops and Classes for Youth

_{Check out these FREE workshops for youth...}

Write It Out 

Thursdays, March 8+22, April 5+19, May 3+17

4:00 PM:  Teens in grades 6-12

Fairview Park Branch

Come hang with teens just like you and write creative, horror, even crazy stories— as you watch your writing improve! Each week is a new random, quirky and challenging writing prompt that focuses on a different aspect of writing.  Please register for all.

Write It Out – Next 

Thursdays, March 1+15+29, April 12+26, May 10

4:00 PM:  Teens in grades 9-12

Fairview Park Branch

Serious about writing?   Each session will have a challenging writing prompt that focuses on a different aspect of writing to get you ready for publishing. Please register starting January 15.

Quick and Dirty Creative Writing for Teens

Monday, April 9

7:00 PM:  Teens in grades 6 -12

Strongsville Branch

Engage in some quick and fun writing activities to get your creative ideas going.  Hosted by Rhonda Stapleton, teen novel author.  Please register.

Author Visits at Cuyahoga County Public Library

_{Check out these FREE events...}

Authors @ CCPL

Meet published writers hosted by the library, ask questions
about their craft and practice, and get a book signed!

Ticketed Author Series at Playhouse Square

Writer's Center Stage 

The William N. Skirball Writers Center Stage
program is the Cuyahoga County Public Library
Foundation’s signature fundraising event.

Through Writers Center Stage, we are proud to
present nationally recognized and award-winning
authors to area book lovers.

Each season the program strives to present an
outstanding and diverse representation of the
contemporary literary world as it adds to the
region’s great cultural offerings.

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