The Writers Grotto

The Writers Grotto runs a robust program of classes open to The public, taught by Writers accomplished in The genres they teach, and proud to mentor others in The writing life. Students come to Grotto classes when they are ready to take their craft and writing career to The next level. Our growing community of more than 30 teachers put on more than 120 classes a year, and include memoirists, novelists, screenwriters, journalists, poets, and narrative artists in a range of other genres, many of them award-winning authors with deep experience to share.

Through our membership program, The Writers Grotto provides physical and virtual workspaces and other amenities to The community of narrative artists who are our members, allowing them to work in a quiet, supportive environment surrounded by their peers. In 2022, our members published more than 20 books, including volumes of poetry, short story collections, novels, books for young people, and a variety of nonfiction. They also published countless shorter works, including articles, short stories, personal essays, poems, and more, in venues ranging from The most notable international publications to small independent presses.

Rooted & written is The Writers Grotto's tuition-free writing conference dedicated to Writers of color. The program helps emerging Writers of color hone their craft with guidance from established Writers in their community. It also facilitates connections in The publishing industry. Rooted & written empowers marginalized Writers to create and share work for broader audiences or community engagement. The program collaborates with artists from The bay area to create art that represents historically under- represented or excluded communities. Rooted & written benefits published and unpublished Writers, concluding with a public event where participants share their work. Rooted and written attracts dozens of emerging Writers. The 2023 conference hosted 47 Writers and reached an even wider audience.