Writers Row at the Writers Conference
About Writers Row
Explore Writers Row, a vibrant gathering space where creativity, community and resources converge. Meet local authors, publishers, writing groups and community organizations and programs that support and celebrate the writing lifestyle. Browse information, discover opportunities and connect with fellow writers and readers. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, partnerships or your next great read, Writers Row is the place where stories — and connections — begin.
Coterie Theatre
Interested in creative writing? Drop by to learn more about opportunities to bring your words to life through the art of theatre! The Coterie offers acting, playwriting, and theatre classes year-round for PreK-12th grades at multiple locations around Kansas City, including an extensive summer program of classes and performance camps. We are interested in intergenerational conversation and space to amplify the voices of young people. We consistently include teen programming in our season and community programs. We seek to redefine traditional notions of work for young audiences with our unique dramatic writing programs (Young Playwrights Roundtable), teen LGBTQ+ devised theatre work (Project Pride), and mental health workshops in a dramatic format (Project Daylight), all free of charge. All these components serve an average of over 75,000 per year through over 350 performances.
Kansas City Art Institute
Meet current Kansas City Art Institute Creative Writing faculty and majors to learn about the Creative Writing program at KCAI and our two publications, Sprung Formal and Compendium. Sprung Formal, launched in 2005, is KCAI’s juried literary magazine. It welcomes writers and artists locally, nationally and internationally. Created through the course “The Literary Magazine,” each issue ends with a public reading. In 2007, it won the AWP National Program Directors’ Prize in design and received special recognition in 2011 for its handcrafted, category-questioning submission. In 2021, the journal partnered with graphic design students, resulting in an award-winning issue and website. Compendium, established in 2004, is a non-juried collection of writing and artwork by graduating seniors majoring or double-majoring in art history or creative writing. Student volunteers handle editing, design, and production. It is released alongside the B.F.A. exhibition and concludes with a public reading.
KC Book Beat
Stop by the KC Book Beat table to learn how we support local authors, readers and creatives across Kansas City. We are a nonprofit that builds community through storytelling, events, and our biannual indie author catalog. From book fairs and author workshops to Lit & Libations and Nerd Fest, we create inclusive, vibrant spaces that celebrate indie talent. Learn about upcoming events, opportunities to get involved, and how we are working to amplify underrepresented voices. We are here to connect the literary world with the local community, and we would love to share how you can be part of it.
Johnson County Library
Your story matters. Our tools help you write it, shape it, and share it. If you're passionate about writing or looking to meet, collaborate, and share with other writers, you've found the right place! We offer writing-focused programs and events for all levels to help you develop your skills. Connect with fellow writers at open mics. Submit your writing to our contests. Attend an online author talk. Delve into our collection—both physical and digital—to improve your craft (learn the business side of the business). Become a part of our local author community. Find it all at at jocolibrary.org/writers.
The Kansas City Writers Group
Members of The Kansas City Writers Group are ready to discuss the multi-genre group for writers at all levels. The group offers two workshops via ZOOM for writers at all levels. The Writers Workshop features lecture, homework, in-class writing exercises, class interaction, marketing information and more. The workshop is led by professional writer, Sally Jadlow, the author of poetry, historical fiction, devotionals and inspirational short stories. The Critique Group functions as a point of discussion for "works in progress" led by Deborah Shouse and Mary-Lane Ka.m.berg, both widely published, professional writers and editors who are willing to share what they know with other writers, regardless of experience or achievement.
Kansas-Missouri Writers’ Collective
The Kansas-Missouri Writers’ Collective, affectionately known as began as the Kansas City region of National Novel Writing Month. KanMoWriCo split off as an independent organization in March 2024, on a mission to provide support and community for writers of all levels in the Kansas City metropolitan area. We provide structured writing time at “Write-Ins” for accountability and camaraderie and organize writing workshops for writers to engage in critique in a low-pressure environment. KanMoWriCo believes in the transformational power of creativity through writing, whether that writing leads to publication or not. We have cultivated a community, both in person and online, to provide support, encouragement and accountability for writers. We are open to all, dues-free and proud to center diversity, equity and inclusion. You can find our calendar at www.kanmowrico.com. Whether you can come weekly or just occasionally, there’s always an open seat for you with KanMoWriCo. Come see our booth in Writers Row for a free copy of our Jumpstart Your Novel zine, check out activities to help get the creative juices flowing, or even join us for a sprint or two and get some of those words down before you get home!
Mid-America Romance Authors
At MARA, we believe in advancing the professional interests of career-focused romance writers. We are a Kansas City-based writers group with opportunities for virtual members from anywhere. If you want to connect to other romance authors, hone your skills as a writer or learn more about what's happening in this ever-changing genre, we would love for you to join us. We meet once a month at Prairie Village City Hall and on Zoom. Look for Mid-America Romance Authors online or contact us for more information: membership@marakc.com.
Mid-Continent Public Library: The Story Center
The Story Center helps storytellers of all kinds—writers, entrepreneurs, and family historians—share their stories with the world. Writers can access free workshops on craft and publishing, one-on-one consultations, and events featuring nationally recognized authors. Through its unique publishing project with The Woodneath Press, writers even have the opportunity to see their work in print.
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) provides the resources, professional networking, and community-building opportunities that support writers, illustrators, and translators throughout their careers. Members gain access to conferences, workshops, and networking opportunities with agents, editors, and fellow creators. SCBWI also offers mentorship programs, grants, and industry resources that help emerging and established voices bring stories for young readers to life.
Writers Place
Visit with members of Writers Place and explore writing prompts from our collection, Creative Prompts from the Writers Place. Then try your hand at recording a poem or brief story for our next audiobook. Sign up for our weekly eblast that highlights local readings, showcases members’ new books, and offers information about various writing topics. The Writers Place has been a Kansas City institution for many years. We are currently located at 31 W. 31st in Kansas City, Missouri and on the web at https://thewritersplace.wildapricot.org/. Our mission is to promote writers and their words, nurture an interest in writing and literature among wide and diverse audiences and reach out to the next generation of writers, poets, novelists and storytellers. We offer workshops, readings, youth and adult programming, networking, support and more for writers, readers and lovers of the written word.
Olathe Public Library
Olathe Public Library supports writers with resources that inspire creativity and connection. The library offers writing workshops, author visits, and collaborative programs with local organizations. Writers can also explore technology like 3D printing, audio/video equipment, and digital publishing tools in the library’s makerspace, providing innovative ways to bring stories to life. Stop by our booth and decorate a writing incentive chart to track your efforts and feel that sweet satisfaction of hitting your goals!
Readers and Writers Network
We are a group of passionate volunteers who believe that literacy is the key to a better future. Our mission is to "Grow Young Readers" by offering free literacy programs to children and families in Missouri and Kansas. We offer a variety of programs to meet the different needs of our learners, including Book Clubs/ Celebrations, Pop Up in the Park, Daddy/ Daughter 5k, Giving Thanks Party for kids and a Dog Man Festival. We rely on volunteers to make our programs possible. Whether you want to be a tutor, help with fundraising, or provide administrative support, we have a role for you. Join us and make a difference in someone's life today! Visit us at https://readersandwritersnetwork.org/.