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Featured News
Words & Stories Reading Series at Wetland Garden in Salesforce Park
Wednesday, September 2nd from 1:00-1:30pm. Join us for a FREE lunchtime reading in the beautiful Wetlands Garden of the TJPA Salesforce Park! Rob Ehle and Josh Wilson will be reading from their work, come by!
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Featured News
Grotto Nights at SFPL: Jilanne Hoffman in Conversation with Leslie Kirk Campbell
On Tuesday, September 29th on the 1st Floor of the San Francisco Main Library at 100 Larkin Street, Explore the creative process behind writing a middle-grade novel. Author Jilanne Hoffmann discusses her debut novel HeartLand, sharing how she navigated publishing decisions, developed themes of neurodivergence, friendship, and environmental change, and brought the story to life. In conversation with Leslie Kirk Campbell, Hoffmann reflects on writing for tween readers while balancing the expectations of agents, editors, and her own creative instincts. A Q&A follows the discussion.
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Featured News
Literary Salon: Childhood: Return to Innocence
September 18th, Friday, 5-7 pm, (In person) -- September's Grotto Literary Salon Theme: Who am I really and who can I be? Denial, Secrets, Liberation, Transformation, a powerful discussion about identity, mixed race, being queer and not the ethnicity they thought they were. Featuring Leslie Kirk Campbell, Susan Kiyo Ito, Doug Henderson, Chino Lee Chung and Christl Rikka Perkins. Nate Olivarez-Giles will emcee the evening. At The Writers' Grotto, 1663 Mission Street Suite 602, San Francisco (near the Van Ness BART & MUNI station). Snacks and refreshments will be provided. This event is FREE and open to the public.
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Featured News
Rin Kelly Scholarship Now Accepting Applications!
The Rin Kelly Scholarship for Fiction is now accepting applications. Founded in honor of The Writers Grotto student and author of "Into the Laughing Gas World" Rin Kelly, the Rin Kelly Scholarship for Fiction offers a $350 scholarship to emerging fiction writers with a focus on speculative, imaginative and critical/satirical works. Please click the link for submission guidelines and to learn more.
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Upcoming Classes & Events
MM/DD
MM/DD
Today
ddd, MMM. DD
9:30-10:30am PT
Spring Write-In with Xandra Castleton
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7:00-9:00pm PT
CLASS Me, Myself, and I: Understanding Memoir with Julie Lythcott-Haims
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7:00-8:00pm PT
Spring Write-In with Laurie Ann Doyle
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7:00-8:00pm PT
Fall Write-In with Laurie Ann Doyle
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6:30-8:30pm PT
CLASS Scrivener Secrets: The Perfect Refresher Course with Janine Kovac
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6:30-7:30pm PT
Lit Crawl SF 2026 Applicant Information Session
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6:00-8:30pm PT
Start from Scratch: Write a Short Story in 6 Weeks (with Lindsey Crittenden)
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6:00-8:30pm PT
Intermediate Creative Nonfiction Writing with Kristen Cosby
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6:00-8:30pm PT
Start from Scratch: Write a Short Story in 6 Weeks with Lindsey Crittenden
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6:00-8:30pm PT
Introduction to Creative Writing with Kristen Cosby
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6:00-8:00pm PT
Me, Myself, and I: Understanding Memoir with Julie Lythcott-Haims
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6:00-8:00pm PT
EVENT Dying to Talk: Stories of Death and Care
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6:00-8:00pm PT
Momentum: A Continuing Writing Workshop (with Jenny Bitner)
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6:00-8:00pm PT
Me, Myself, and I: Understanding Memoir with Julie Lythcott-Haims on August 19
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6:00-8:00pm PT
Fiction Workshop with Doug Henderson
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6:00-7:30pm PT
Grotto Nights at SFPL - Jilanne Hoffman in Conversation with Leslie Kirk Campbell
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6:00-7:30pm PT
Write Your Heart Out with Britta Stromeyer
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6:00-7:30pm PT
Grotto Nights at SFPL: Getting the Scoop: The Highs and Lows of Undercover Reporting
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6:00-7:30pm PT
Difficult Conversations as Writers with Brandy Collins
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6:00-7:30pm PT
Difficult Conversations as Writers with Brandy Collins
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6:00-7:30pm PT
Grotto Nights at the Library: Campfire Stories and Other Ghostly Narratives
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6:00-7:30 pm PT
Grotto Nights at SFPL: Jack of all Genres: Master of More
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6:00-7:00pm PT
Fall Write-In: October 28th
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6:00-7:00pm PT
EVENT Grotto Nights at SFPL- Panel: Speculate: Writing about the Strange and Surreal
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6:00-7:00pm PT
Grotto Nights at SFPL: Unchecked: The Future of Journalism in a Factless World
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5:00-7:00pm PT
EVENT Literary Salon Series: Readings and Conversation with Queer Authors
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5:00-7:00pm PT
Literary Salon: November 20th
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5:00-7:00pm PT
EVENT Literary Salon: Who am I really and who can I be?
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5:00-7:00pm PT
EVENT Literary Salon: Childhood: Return to Innocence
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5:00-7:00pm PT
EVENT Literary Salon: July 17th
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5:00-7:00pm PT
Reading + Meeting: Nov. 21st, 2025
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4:00-7:00pm PT
Grotto Spring Volunteer Fair
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4:00-6:00pm PT
Me, Myself, and I: Understanding Memoir with Julie Lythcott-Haims July 14
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4:00-5:00pm PT
Fall Write-In: October 20th
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3:00-4:30pm PT
Members Only: Essay/Memoir Group
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3:00-4:30pm PT
Members Only: Essay/Memoir Group
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3:00-4:30pm PT
Members Only: Essay/Memoir Group
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3:00-4:30pm PT
Members Only: Essay/Memoir Group
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3:00-4:30pm PT
Members Only: Essay/Memoir Group
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3:00-4:15pm PT
So Bad You Have To Laugh About It: Turn Life’s Garbage Into Literary Gold with Jessica Martinez and Britta Stromeyer
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2:00-5:00pm PT
Every Sentence Counts: A Hands-On Practicum
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2:00-3:30pm PT
CLASS Micro-Tensions in the Novel with Sam Moussavi
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12 PM to 1:30 PM PT
Litquake x Telegraph Hill Arts and Literature present: An Afternoon with Larua Dave
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12:00-1:30pm PT
Write With Image, Not Explanation (with Sabina Khan-Ibarra)
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12:00-1:30pm PT
Write Stronger Poems Through Form with Sabina Khan-Ibarra
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12:00-1:30pm PT
Rooted Words: Place, Landscape, and Setting in Contemporary Poetry with Sabina Khan-Ibarra
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12:00-1:30pm PT
Unlock the Poet Within: Transforming Tradition with Sabina Khan-Ibarra
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12:00-1:00pm PT
Fall Write-In: December 2nd
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12:00-1:00pm PT
Fall Write-In: October 16th
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12:00-1:00pm PT
Fall Write-In: October 7th
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12:00-1:00pm PT
Fall Write-In: October 1st
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12:00-1:00pm PT
Fall Write-In: September 24th
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12:00-1:00pm PT
Fall Write-in: September 14th
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12:00-1:00pm PT
Fall Write-in: September 10th
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12:00-1:00pm PT
Plan Your Novel (with Lisa Lerner)
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12:00-1:00pm PT
Spring Write-In with Kristen Cosby
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12:00-1:00pm PT
Spring Write-In with Lisa Lerner
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12:00-1:00pm PT
Spring Write-In with Lisa Lerner
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12:00-1:00pm PT
Spring Write-In with Kristen Cosby
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12:00-1:00pm PT
Fall Write-In with Maw Shein Win
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12:00-1:00pm PT
Fall Write-In with Laurie Ann Doyle
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12:00-1:00pm PT
Fall Write-In with Jenny Bitner
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12:00-1:00pm PT
Fall Write-In with Kristen Cosby
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12:00-1:00pm PT
Members Only: Grotto Book Publicity/Author Marketing Group
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11:30am-1:30pm PT
The Poem As Container (with Sabina Khan-Ibarra)
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11:30am-1:30pm PT
Writing Between Forms (with Sabina Khan-Ibarra)
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11:30am-1:30pm PT
The Strange Shape of the Poem (with Sabina Khan-Ibarra)
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11:00am-12:00pm PT
Fall Write-In: November 18th
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11:00am-12:00pm PT
Fall Write-In: November 13th
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11:00am-12:00pm PT
Fall Write-In: November 4th
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11:00am-12:00pm PT
Spring Write-In with Sabina Khan-Ibarra
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10:30am-3:30m PT
Write a Grant-worthy Artist Statement (with Lyzette Wanzer)
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1:00-4:00pm PT
Sacred Space & Intention: Threshold Writing in Midwinter with MK Chavez & Maw Shein Win
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1:00-3:00pm PT
Write a Fabulous Beginning with Lisa Lerner
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1:00-1:30pm PT
EVENT Words & Stories Reading Series at Wetland Garden in Salesforce Park
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1:00-1:30pm PT
EVENT Words & Stories Reading Series at Wetland Garden in Salesforce Park
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1:00-1:30pm PT
EVENT Words & Stories Reading Series at Wetland Garden in Salesforce Park
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1:00-1:30pm PT
EVENT Words & Stories Reading Series at Wetland Garden in Salesforce Park
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1:00-1:30pm PT
EVENT Words & Stories Reading Series at Wetland Garden in Salesforce Park
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1:00-1:30pm PT
EVENT Words & Stories Reading Series at Wetland Garden in Salesforce Park
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1:00-1:30pm PT
EVENT Words & Stories Reading Series at Wetland Garden in Salesforce Park
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1:00-1:30pm PT
EVENT Words & Stories Reading Series at Wetland Garden in Salesforce Park
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1:00-1:30pm PT
EVENT Words & Stories Reading Series at Wetland Garden in Salesforce Park
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1:00-1:30pm PT
EVENT Words & Stories Reading Series at Wetland Garden in Salesforce Park
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1:00-1:30pm PT
EVENT Words & Stories Reading Series at Wetland Garden in Salesforce Park
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1:00-1:30pm PT
EVENT Words & Stories Reading Series at Wetland Garden in Salesforce Park
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1:00-1:30pm PT
Words & Stories Reading Series at Wetland Garden in Salesforce Park
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10:00am-5:00pm PT
CLASS Strategic Submissions for Beginners with Lyzette Wanzer
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10:00am-4:30pm PT
Introduction to the Lyric Essay (with Lyzette Wanzer)
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10:00am-4:30pm PT
Under Their Skin: A One-Day Ghostwriting Workshop (with Alissa Greenberg)
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10:00am-4:00pm PT
Sin and Syntax Workshop: Grammar Brush-up for Writers (with Constance Hale)
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10:00am-12:00pm PT
Thrilled to Meet You: Writing Opening Scenes that Seduce a Script Reader (with Xandra Maria Castleton)
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10:00am-12:00pm PT
How to Write an Irresistible Pitch (with Lisa Lerner)
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10:00am-12:00pm PT
Experiment with Hybrids: The Lyric Essay, Prose Poem, and Flash Creative Nonfiction (with Joanne Furio)
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10:00am-1:00pm PT
Unlock Your Memoir with Hybrid Structure with Grace Loh Prasad
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10:00am-1:00pm PT
Canva 101 for Writers with Grace Loh Prasad
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10:00-11:30am PT
CLASS How to Write an Irresistible Pitch with Lisa Lerner
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10:00-11:00am PT
Spring Write-In with Janine Kovac
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10:00-11:00am PT
Let's NaNoWriMo Together! with Lisa Lerner
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10:00-11:00amPT
Spring Write-In with Xandra Castleton
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Member Spotlight
Chino Lee Chung
Chino Lee Chung is a queer and trans Chinese Mexican personal essay writer, grassroots activist, and is currently working on a collection of essays that integrate his social activism with his intersectional identities. He’s a recipient of the 2024-2025 San Jose State Steinbeck Fellowship and a member of San Francisco Writers Grotto Ethics Committee and Board. He holds an MFA from the California College of Arts and San Francisco State University. His work appears in "Invitation to Joy – Writer’s Creating in Community", "Gender Queer: voices from beyond the sexual binary", "Our Family Coalition Newsletter", a featured narrator in “So Many Stars; An Oral History of Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, and Two-Spirit People of Color,” and served as an Assistant Fiction Editor at 14 Hills Literary Magazine.
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Featured Work
"You're going to the bookstore, aren't you?" with Lewis Buzbee
by:
T.K. Rex
Doug Henderson
Lewis Buzbee, Doug Henderson and T. K. Rex discuss the craft of books, and why we still love bookstores, even after (especially after) working at them.
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Lit Start books written by The Writers Grotto. Lit Starts on Memoir, Humor, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Dialogue, Character & Action
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