Cleveland Stories Kicks Off Next Month – Launch Party – Tuesday, May 22nd, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Seeds of Literacy, 13815 Kinsman Rd. Cleveland
A place-based writing program for members of Mt. Pleasant and surrounding neighborhoods on Cleveland’s east side. Participants will have an opportunity to write their stories, learn about their neighborhood, and share with their neighbors. Selected pieces will be published and presented at a final reading and celebration. Learn more about Cleveland Stories on our website.
New Events!
Lit Cleveland at Pride in the CLE Festival (Free!) – Saturday, June 2nd, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Public Square, West Superior Ave & Ontario St, Cleveland
Join writer Ken Schneck and Lit Cleveland at Pride in the CLE, a celebration of Cleveland’s rich and diverse LGBT community! The day-long festival will feature a series of fun and inclusive events in Public Square.
Lit Cleveland at the AHA! Book Festival (Free!) – Thursday, June 7th, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Playhouse Square Key Bank State Theatre Lobby, 1519 Euclid Ave, Cleveland
Come join us on June 7th for a daylong Book Festival in Playhouse Square! All ages will be welcomed, entertained, and delighted by storytelling, readings, author signings and performances on the Book Festival stage. Free admission and free parking available.
This Week!
Spring Mixer at Nighttown – Spring Mixer (FREE for members; non-members, please purchase a membership in advance or at the door)
Wednesday, April 25th, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Nighttown Secret Garden Patio, 12383 Cedar Rd, Cleveland
Welcome the warmer weather with us at Lit Cleveland’s Spring Mixer! We’ll gather at Nighttown’s Secret Garden Patio to enjoy appetizers, a cash bar, networking, and readings by Ryan Rowland, Lara Lillibridge and Mary Grimm.
Lit CLE Spring Membership Campaign – Your support is vital to helping us fulfill our mission of creating and nurturing a vibrant literary arts community in Northeast Ohio. Consider becoming a member or renewing your annual membership.
Save the Date: A LIT Summer Night Fundraiser Announced!
A LIT Summer Night ($45/2 for $75 /Tables available) – Friday, June 1st 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Bop Stop at the Music Settlement, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Cleveland’s hottest party for writers and readers returns! Featuring Amy Eddings as emcee, writers-for-hire Mary Weems, Ray McNiece, and Susan Petrone, and performances by Kisha Nicole Foster, EF Schraeder, and Michael Garriga alongside live jazz trio Sun Song. Tickets are going fast — get yours today!
Upcoming Classes
First to Final Draft in Five Weeks w/Matt Weinkam ($100 /$75 for members) – Thursday, May 3rd, May 10th, May 17th, May 24 & May 31st, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., The Randolph Building, 7405 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
In a creative lull lately? This fiction workshop will take you from the blank page to a finished short story draft in just five weeks. By the end of the course you will have given and received feedback, sharpened your writing skills, and produced a polished story draft. Intended for intermediate/advanced writers.
Pitch Perfect: The Art of Effective Pitching w/ Jen Jones Donatelli($40 / 30 for members) – Tuesday, May 8th & May 22nd, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Gordon Square Arcade Conference Room, 6516 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
When it comes to turning your ideas into reality, a successful pitch often makes all the difference. This two-part class will focus on perfecting pitch letters for print and online publications—and the elusive art of making your pitch stand out in an editor’s ever-widening sea of emails. Participants will craft effective pitches, examine real-life pitch letters, share pitches, and get feedback from a live panel of local editors.
The Shape of Memoir w/Charlotte Morgan ($80/$60 for members) – Saturday, May 12th, May 19th, May 26th & June 2nd, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Loganberry Books, 13015 Larchmere Blvd, Cleveland
Back by popular demand! You have recollections, but are not sure how to turn them into a memoir or collection of personal essays. This class will help you develop your first chapter. Participants will read good memoir, complete craft exercises, study different structures, and provide feedback on each other’s work.
The World of Poetry Chapbooks w/Lucy Biederman ($60/$45 for members) – Wednesday, May 16th, May 23rd, May 30th, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Loganberry Books, 13015 Larchmere Blvd, Cleveland
In the first two workshops, participants will address completing and submitting cohesive chapbook manuscripts. The third workshop will address the nuts and bolts of the chapbook submission process. This workshop is for intermediate/advanced poets who have 8-24 pages of poetry that they are ready to think about publishing.
Haiku Hike: A Poetic Journey w/Ray McNiece ($20/$15 for members) – Saturday, May 19th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Edgewater Park Beach House, 6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland
Usher in spring with an immersive class designed to get your creativity flowing! Haiku Hike begins with an introduction of the form with examples. From there, participants will explore Edgewater Park, with relevant examples of haiku given at each stopping point. At the end of the hike, calligraphy pens and hand-made paper 4”x11” will be provided so participants can copy drafts of their haikus onto placards to take home.