Twin Cities Literary Scavenger Hunt

I was uber-excited to find out about the coolest fall project, a collaborative effort by many landmark groups in the Twin Cities literary community: the Twin Cities Literary Scavenger Hunt. Of course I had to participate in this. And what a great idea--an 11-week trivia contest with a new question every week that has to be answered in person at various literary locations in order to win a prize, plus a stamp in your literary passport, and the possibility of winning big prizes at the end (check the above website for specifics on prizes). 

This is such a creative and fun way to get people out and about, experiencing what the Twin Cities has in abundance: a wonderful lit community. So every week, as I play along, I'll post my adventures. Feel free to join in--you can start any time, so if you missed week 1, no biggie. Start up now and come along for the ride.

The question for week 1 was: What was the name of the restaurant at former literary landmark The Hungry Mind bookstore? No, I'm not telling the answer. But I know it. {smirks}

The first four places to visit are not only wonderful places, but in many ways historic in the literary landscape.

Two spots were in one location, the Open Book site on Washington Ave, not far from the Guthrie: the Loft and Milkweed Press. Both are housed in a gorgeous, well-worth-a-visit restored building that's warm and welcoming and beautiful to look at. The Loft is the center for literary arts, offering all manner of writing classes, lectures, seminars, readings, as well as providing open space for writers to hang out. Milkweed Press is a highly acclaimed small press.

The Loft also has a small press library, shown above, and the door on the right leads to writers' studios, which are available to rent to Loft members.

Open Book has other tenants too, one of which will be featured in an upcoming week. Of course, any good writers' space should have coffee.

And tasty sandwiches, soups, and salads as well.

Not to mention a book-like staircase.

These are not fledgling organizations, although Open Book is relatively new. The Loft celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, and Milkweed celebrates its 30th.

Not far away is the northeast arts corridor.

Which has a number of refurbished buildings and warehouses, and lots of artists' spaces. Here you'll find Coffee House Press, another well-regarded literary small press, celebrating its 25th year in the publishing world.

The offices are part of a large art gallery. How cool is that?

Finally, I made it to the last stop for the week (barely!): Graywolf Press, also celebrating 35 years in the literary community.

Close to the new Twins stadium and next door to Bev's Wine Bar (so what's more appropriate for literary types, coffee or wine??), Graywolf recently moved into new digs, also in an artists' haven.

The offices are beautiful, and I was happy to find them. Here's Marisa and Erin, the latter of which runs the Graywolf Twitter page and obligingly provided me with landmarks when I couldn't find their office on the first try. 

So, the scavenger hunt is off to a jolly start, and I can hardly wait to meet this week's targets. The question is: Name the author who has been known to write longhand drafts of a popular mystery series at the St. Clair Broiler in St. Paul. Know the answer? I do.

But I'm not tellin'.

Comments

[kmkat]

I didn't get the first answer until they gave a second clue. But I knew the answer to this one right away. He is one of my favorite authors.

[cursingmama]

I have a guess for your 2nd trivia question - but I'll keep it to myself for now. If I'm correct his new book just hit shelves....