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The Writers Place is a literary community center, library, and gathering place for writers, readers, and the general public. Our role, as a service organization, is to provide support, resources, guidance and inspiration for those in our region who care about the word as art. Our mission is to promote writers and their work, to nurture an interest in writing and literature in a wide, diverse audience and to reach out to the next generation through educational programs for students at all levels.

The Writers Place, located in a wonderful turn-of-the-century mansion in mid-town Kansas City, Missouri, shares its space with Helicon Nine, Inc. Both are part of The Midwest Center for the Literary Arts, a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Gloria Vando founded Helicon Nine in 1977, and began publishing fine books of literature. In 1992, Vando and William Hickok founded The Writers Place, which places an emphasis on workshops, book signings, art openings, readings, and theater productions. The goal of our founders had been to provide a venue in which writers could come together and discuss their work. That goal has come to fruition with so many additional benefits; utilizing the library, rich in local and regional authors, having a place to work in solitude, and being able to network with other Writers Place members, nearly 1,000 strong.

With just one paid staff member, The Writers Place receives dauntless community helpers--volunteers to keep the organization vigorous. We invite you to look around our "virtual" house, then visit the real thing at 3607 Pennsylvania, in the Valentine district of Kansas City, Missouri.

The Writers Place provides handicap parking, entrance ramp and bathroom facilities.

MIDWEST CENTER FOR THE LITERARY ARTS, INC.
THE Writers PLACE OFFICERS AND BOARD OF GOVERNORS

HONORARY ADVISORS

Robert Bly, Michael S. Harper, Nicolas Kanellos, David Owen, Gordon Parks, Judy Ray, Richard Rhodes, Daniel Stern, David Stickelber, Linda Talbott, James Tate, Studs Terkel, Calvin Trillin, Mona Van Duyn. 

EMERITUS BOARD

Sydney Backstrom, Stanley Banks, Betsy Beasley, Karen Brookfield, Terry Faulkner,Diane Gibson, John Hastings, Lauren Helmstetter, Pinky Kase, Elaine Lally, F. Lee Major, Patricia Cleary-Miller, Phil MIller, Marty Nichols, David Oliver, Trish Reeves, Robert Stewart, Lou Jane Temple, Thomas Zvi Wilson.

Riverfront Readings Committee

Phyllis Becker, Chair; Kathy Allen; Carl Bettis; Joseph Cecil; Silvia Kofler; Pat Lawson

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