All Library locations will be closing early at 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 31 and remain closed Thursday, January 1, for New Year's.
The Writers for Readers interns are gearing up for another semester of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction writing classes starting January 17. Each session lasts two hours and includes writing time, so students can practice and receive immediate feedback.
These free, college-level courses are made possible by the annual Writers for Readers fundraiser, held each fall.
Dayton Little, Brandon Allen, and Eva Schneider, this semester’s instructors and Master of Fine Arts candidates in the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s creative writing and media arts program, are thrilled to offer the free classes at Library locations.
This is Allen’s sixth semester teaching at the Library, and he’s added a new course for spring 2026 called The Short Story: Form, Function, and Magic.
“I've gained a new appreciation for the form during my time in the MFA program at UMKC,” says Allen, whose degree emphasis is in fiction, “and can't wait to share some exemplary narratives with the class.”
Little, now in his second semester offering instruction at the Library, is excited to teach Writing About Religion. Because he’s also pursuing an MA in history, he brings a unique perspective to the course.
“I’m most looking forward to meeting more members of the community this year,” Little says. “Last semester really showed me how large the literary community is in KC, and I’m excited to continue working with more aspiring writers.”
Classes offer more than an opportunity to improve writing skills; they’re an opportunity to connect with other writers.
“I'm as excited as ever to discover the talented authors living in our city,” Allen says. “In nearly every class, I meet someone whose words inspire me.”
Click here to register for spring semester classes.
Eva Schneider contributed this article to the Library’s website.