The Loft Lit Podcast

The Loft Literary Center

Welcome to The Loft Lit Pod, the official podcast from Minneapolis’s premier literary arts center, The Loft Literary Center. Join us for inspiring interviews, resources for readers and writers, and insider looks at new offerings emerging from the Loft. Whether you want to write a book or just find some great new ones to read, join us to connect with a vibrant community of poets and storytellers. https://loft.org/

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    Literary Thunder: Welcoming Patricia Smith to the Loft with Arleta Little

    In this episode, we are joined by the Loft's Executive and Artistic Director Arleta Little. Arleta is also an author and poet, and we celebrate Patricia Smith's upcoming Nov 7 visit to the Loft.    Arleta reflects on her own creative practice and collaborative poetry collection, Black Swallowtail, tracing how early promises and personal evolution shape a poet's voice. The conversation turns to Patricia Smith's legendary career—from her origins in Chicago's slam poetry scene as a four-time national champion to her mastery of persona poems, narrative craft, and the musicality of spoken word. Arleta also offers details on leading a virtual book club around Smith’s collection The Intentions of Thunder and closes the episode with a live reading of Smith’s powerful poem "When the burning begins."    Additionally, the episode shares a throwback clip from the Short Story Summit featuring authors Julie Schumacher and Megan Giddings discussing burnout and sustaining creative energy. Show Notes & Links HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS Patricia Smith Live: Reading & Conversation in Support of the Loft (Nov 7): https://loft.org/events/patricia-smith-live-reading-conversation-support-loft Patricia Smith Book Club (Oct 28): https://loft-lit.circle.so/c/sessions/patricia-smith-book-club BOOKS TO PURCHASE The Intentions of Thunder by Patricia Smith: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Intentions-of-Thunder/Patricia-Smith/9781668055731 July Sun by Aamina Ahmad: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/783240/july-sun-by-aamina-ahmad/ Black Arts by Megan Giddings: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/black-arts-megan-giddings?variant=44717895221282 Patient Female by Julie Schumacher: https://julieschumacher.com/writing/novels/patient-female/ Black Swallowtail by Arleta Little and Ta-coumba T. Aiken: https://duluthart.org/shop/black-swallowtail-by-ta-coumba-t-aiken-and-arleta-little/ POEM When the Burning Begins by Patricia Smith: https://poets.org/poem/when-burning-begins Send us a voice note about the podcast Support the Loft Support Our Community: Become a Friend of the Loft: https://loft.org/join-support Join the Loft's free Digital Community, the Loft Writing Network: https://loft-lit.circle.so/Loft-Writing-Network

    Literary Thunder: Welcoming Patricia Smith to the Loft with Arleta Little

  2. Oct 6

    Inside The Loft’s Year-Long Writing Projects with Susan Schaars

    What happens when you dedicate a full year to craft, community, and mentorship? On this episode of The Loft Lit Pod, host Chris Jones dives into one of The Loft's most beloved programs: the Year-Long Writing Projects. Nonfiction cohort participant Susan Schaars joins the show to share how her work and writing life evolved under mentor Sun Yung Shin, what it takes to commit to a year of rigorous creative work, and how the program reframed her writing journey. Plus, hear a live recording of the poem "Heartwood" by poetry cohort alum Aurora Masum-Javed, and catch up on major local literary highlights—including upcoming events with Ten Thousand Things and poet Patricia Smith. Show Notes & Links UPCOMING EVENTS Patricia Smith Live: Reading & Conversation in Support of the Loft (Nov 7): https://loft.org/events/patricia-smith-live-reading-conversation-support-loft Ten Thousand Things Presents As You Like It (at Open Book, featuring a pre-performance reading with Zach Goldberg) (Oct 15): https://tenthousandthings.org/as-you-like-it/ YEAR-LONG WRITING PROJECTS Learn more about the upcoming Year-Long Writing Project Sections: https://loft.org/year-long-writing-projects Year-Long Writing Projects Info Session (Oct 13): https://loft.org/events/2027-novel-writing-poetry-creative-nonfiction-memoir-and-fiction-writing-project-information AUTHORS TO CHECK OUT Aurora Masum-Javed website: https://www.auroramasumjaved.com/ Susan Schaars LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-schaars/ Send us a voice note about the podcast Support the Loft Support Our Community: Become a Friend of the Loft: https://loft.org/join-support Join the Loft's free Digital Community, the Loft Writing Network: https://loft-lit.circle.so/Loft-Writing-Network

    Inside The Loft’s Year-Long Writing Projects with Susan Schaars

  3. Sep 29

    Reclaiming a Myth: Crafting Historical Fiction with Alysandra Dutton (The Stolen Women)

    Join us for a conversation with author and Loft teaching artist Alysandra Dutton as she discusses her upcoming novel, The Stolen Women. In this episode, Alysandra shares insights into her creative writing practice, how to conduct deep research for historical and myth-inspired fiction, and the art of breathing new life into timeless stories. Plus, we honor the literary legacy of Annie Dillard, highlight a special upcoming Loft opportunity with Valeria Luiselli, and introduce a new monthly "Mission Moment" segment with Loft staff member Zach Goldberg. Show Notes & Links VALERIA LUISELLI AT THE LOFT Forge: a Craft Seminar with Valeria Luiselli (The Art of Listening) (Oct 8): https://loft.org/classes/forge-craft-seminar-valeria-luiselli-art-listening The Fire is Here: Beginning Middle End with Valeria Luiselli (Oct 8): https://loft.org/events/fire-here-beginning-middle-end-valeria-luiselli BOOKS TO PICK UP Pre-Order Alys Dutton's The Stolen Women (Harper Collins): https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-stolen-women-alysandra-dutton?variant=44415047663650 Witness: Poems to Address the Past, Present, and Future of Policing: https://lernerbooks.com/shop/show/26968 I'd Rather Be Destroyed by Zach Goldberg: https://buttonpoetry.com/product/id-rather-be-destroyed/ ALYSANDRA DUTTON CLASSES Diversifying Writers: Writing & Publishing for Neurodivergent Artists (Oct 8-29): https://loft.org/classes/diversifying-writers-writing-publishing-neurodivergent-artists Historical Fiction Workshop (Oct 6-Nov 10): https://loft.org/classes/historical-fiction-workshop The Art of the Outline: Novel Writing Clinic (Oct 6-Nov 10): https://loft.org/classes/art-outline-novel-writing-clinic LOON WRITERS FESTIVAL Loon Writers Festival | Detroit Lakes, MN (October 9-11): https://www.loonwriters.com/festival Send us a voice note about the podcast Support the Loft Support Our Community: Become a Friend of the Loft: https://loft.org/join-support Join the Loft's free Digital Community, the Loft Writing Network: https://loft-lit.circle.so/Loft-Writing-Network

    Reclaiming a Myth: Crafting Historical Fiction with Alysandra Dutton (The Stolen Women)

  4. Sep 22

    Under the Skin: Unpacking Har Mar with Hilal Isler

    This week on The Loft Lit Pod, Chris Jones sits down with writer, educator, and former Loft fellow Hilal Isler to discuss her striking new short story collection, Har Mar. Hilal shares insights into her craft, her publishing journey from Loft fellow to the release of Har Mar, and these stories (and the women in them) that stick with you long after you turn the final page. Plus, we look ahead to upcoming Loft events featuring MacArthur Genius Valeria Luiselli and National Book Award winner Patricia Smith, and reflect on a vibrant weekend with poet Hieu Minh Nguyen. Show Notes & Links UPCOMING EVENTS The Fire is Here: Beginning Middle End with Valeria Luiselli: https://loft.org/events/fire-here-beginning-middle-end-valeria-luiselli Forge: a Craft Seminar with Valeria Luiselli (The Art of Listening): https://loft.org/classes/forge-craft-seminar-valeria-luiselli-art-listening Patricia Smith Live: Reading & Conversation in Support of the Loft: https://loft.org/events/patricia-smith-live-reading-conversation-support-loft YOUTH CLASSES Find our full list of upcoming youth offerings here: https://loft.org/classes/youth-offerings BOOKS TO PICK UP Staying Still by Hieu Minh Nguyen: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/826738/staying-still-by-hieu-minh-nguyen/ Har Mar by Hilal Isler: https://bookshop.org/p/books/har-mar-stories-hilal-isler/f33d47cef4f30f99?ean=9798899480522 Hilal Isler website: https://hilalisler.com/ Send us a voice note about the podcast Support the Loft Support Our Community: Become a Friend of the Loft: https://loft.org/join-support Join the Loft's free Digital Community, the Loft Writing Network: https://loft-lit.circle.so/Loft-Writing-Network

    Under the Skin: Unpacking Har Mar with Hilal Isler

  5. Sep 15

    Short Stories, Big Ideas: Crafting Short Fiction with Megan Giddings

    In this episode of The Loft Lit Podcast, host Chris Jones sits down with University of Minnesota assistant professor Megan Giddings (and author of the new short story collection Black Arts). Ahead of the upcoming Short Story Summit (Sep 30), we dive into the craft of short fiction, building compelling narrative arcs in short form, and what it takes to publish a story collection compared to her three novels. Plus, we share some collective voices of inspiration and encouragement from Youth Pride Night, along with some upcoming community highlights. Show Notes & Links SHORT STORY SUMMIT The Fire is Here: University of Minnesota x the Loft Short-Story Summit featuring Aamina Ahmad, Megan Giddings, and Julie Schumacher: https://loft.org/events/fire-here-university-minnesota-x-loft-short-story-summit BOOKS TO PICK UP July Sun by Aamina Ahmad: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/783240/july-sun-by-aamina-ahmad/ Black Arts by Megan Giddings: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/black-arts-megan-giddings?variant=44717895221282 Patient Female by Julie Schumacher: https://julieschumacher.com/writing/novels/patient-female/ CHILDREN AND FAMILY WEEKEND House of Hope Children and Family Weekend Featuring Kwame Alexander (Sep 19-20): https://www.hohchurch.org/hope-arts-center/ Helena Ku Rhee Author Talk (Sep 19): https://loft.org/events/helena-ku-rhee-author-talk-reading-conversation-2026-mcknight-judge-childrens-literature For the Love of the Game: Dynamic Poetry About Your Favorite Activities with Keenan Jones (ages 7-12)-Sep 19: https://loft.org/classes/love-game-dynamic-poetry-about-your-favorite-activities-keenan-jones For the Love of the Game: Dynamic Poetry About Your Favorite Activities with Dralandra Larkins (ages 13-17)-Sep 19: https://loft.org/classes/love-game-dynamic-poetry-about-your-favorite-activities-dralandra-larkins FILM FESTIVAL Twin Cities Arab Film Festival (use code LOFTCAFF26 for $2 off): https://tcaff26.eventive.org/welcome Send us a voice note about the podcast Support the Loft Support Our Community: Become a Friend of the Loft: https://loft.org/join-support Join the Loft's free Digital Community, the Loft Writing Network: https://loft-lit.circle.so/Loft-Writing-Network

    Short Stories, Big Ideas: Crafting Short Fiction with Megan Giddings

  6. Sep 8

    The Art of the Critique: Cultivating Your Writing Eye with Andy Dehnart

    Welcome to the debut episode of The Loft Lit Pod! Host Chris Jones sits down with writer and media critic Andy Dehnart to explore the evolving role of cultural criticism, how to analyze media with a sharp eye, and why engaging with criticism strengthens your own creative writing. Plus, a poem from Ty Chapman and we preview an exciting upcoming weekend at the Loft featuring poet and performer Hieu Minh Nguyen. Show Notes & Links TV Criticism Discover Your Inner Critic: An Intro to Criticism with Andy Dehnart: https://loft.org/classes/discover-your-inner-critic-intro-criticism List of TV Critics via Surf.Social: https://surf.social/feed/surf%2Fcustom%2F01kvv32x8nx6mjbeckw2p64qf7 Hieu Minh Nguyen Weekend The Fire is Here: Staying Still with Hieu Minh Nguyen and special guests Danez Smith and Aurora Masum-Javed (Sep 12): https://loft.org/events/fire-here-staying-still-hieu-minh-nguyen Forge Craft Seminar with Hieu Minh Nguyen (Sep 12): https://loft.org/classes/forge-craft-seminar-hieu-minh-nguyen-little-rooms-poetics-inventory-and-curation Books to Pick Up Witness: Poems to Address the Past, Present, and Future of Policing: https://lernerbooks.com/shop/show/26968 Send us a voice note about the podcast Support the Loft Support Our Community: Become a Friend of the Loft: https://loft.org/join-support Join the Loft's free Digital Community, the Loft Writing Network: https://loft-lit.circle.so/Loft-Writing-Network

    The Art of the Critique: Cultivating Your Writing Eye with Andy Dehnart

  7. Trailer

    Welcome to the Loft Lit Pod!

    Welcome to The Loft Lit Pod, the official podcast from Minneapolis’s premier literary arts center, The Loft Literary Center. We say that the Loft is where words catch fire. Join us for regular inspiring interviews, resources for readers and writers, and insider looks at new offerings emerging from the Loft.  Whether you want to write a book or just find some great new ones to read, join us to connect with a vibrant community of poets and storytellers. Our first official episode drops on September 8. We hope to see you around the fire.  Send us a voice note about the podcast Support the Loft Support Our Community: Become a Friend of the Loft: https://loft.org/join-support Join the Loft's free Digital Community, the Loft Writing Network: https://loft-lit.circle.so/Loft-Writing-Network

  • 1 Trailer
    6 Episodes

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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out of 5
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About

Welcome to The Loft Lit Pod, the official podcast from Minneapolis’s premier literary arts center, The Loft Literary Center. Join us for inspiring interviews, resources for readers and writers, and insider looks at new offerings emerging from the Loft. Whether you want to write a book or just find some great new ones to read, join us to connect with a vibrant community of poets and storytellers. https://loft.org/

Information

  • Creator
    The Loft Literary Center
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Loft Literary Center
  • Show Website
    The Loft Lit Podcast

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