Literary Arts & Community
The Writers Place
A nonprofit literary arts organization supporting writers and readers through workshops, readings, youth programming, networking, and community events.
Literary organizations · Kansas City + Midwest connections
Find the people building literary life.
Discover literary arts organizations, literacy nonprofits, bookseller and writer associations, poetry communities, storytelling networks, publishers, and regional programs helping books and stories thrive.
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Different parts of one literary ecosystem.
Kansas City's literary life is bigger than writer groups alone. These organizations represent literary arts, youth literacy, independent bookselling, and DIY publishing. The full directory also includes poetry, storytelling, statewide associations, and regional book programs.
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Literacy & Book Access
Readers and Writers Network
A literacy-based nonprofit dedicated to growing young readers in Missouri and Kansas through free programs, special events, book clubs, and community partnerships for children and families.
Professional & Membership Associations
Kansas City Booksellers Association
An association created by Kansas City bookstore owners to strengthen the local book industry, support booksellers, promote literacy, foster community engagement, and raise Kansas City's profile as a literary destination.
Publishing & Zines
KC Zine Collective
A volunteer-run collective of zinesters, writers, artists, activists, and zine enthusiasts building Kansas City's DIY publishing community through KC Zine Con, workshops, readings, and Zine Club.
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Literary organizations
25 organizations shown
Literary Arts & CommunityKansas City, MO
Kansas City Metro
Kansas City Metro
The Writers Place
A nonprofit literary arts organization supporting writers and readers through workshops, readings, youth programming, networking, and community events.
Literary Arts & CommunityKansas City, MO
Kansas City Metro
Kansas City Metro
The Story Center
Mid-Continent Public Library's storytelling and publishing center, with workshops, consultations, author programs, Story Center spaces, and publishing resources including Woodneath Press.
Literacy & Book AccessKansas City, MO
Kansas City Metro
Kansas City Metro
Literacy KC
A Kansas City nonprofit providing adult education, English language learning, digital literacy, workforce development, and literacy programming for learners and families.
Literacy & Book AccessKansas City, KS
Kansas City Metro
Kansas City Metro
Reach Out and Read Kansas City
The Kansas City affiliate of Reach Out and Read strengthens families with young children by integrating books, shared reading, and literacy guidance into pediatric care.
Literary Arts & CommunityNorth Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Metro
Kansas City Metro
The Rabbit hOle
An immersive museum and nonprofit devoted to children's literature, bringing books to life through exhibits, programs, field trips, events, and literary experiences for readers of all ages.
Professional & Membership AssociationsPrairie Village, KS
Kansas City Metro + Virtual
Kansas City Metro + Virtual
Mid-America Romance Authors
A Kansas City-area community for career-focused romance writers offering meetings, craft and business education, networking, and virtual participation.
Professional & Membership AssociationsRegional
Kansas + Missouri
Kansas + Missouri
SCBWI Kansas/Missouri
The Kansas/Missouri region of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators supports children's book writers, illustrators, and translators through workshops, critiques, conferences, mentorships, and networking.
Professional & Membership AssociationsStatewide
Missouri
Missouri
Missouri Writers Guild
A statewide organization for professional and aspiring writers across genres, offering chapters, networking, workshops, contests, market information, and an annual conference.
Professional & Membership AssociationsStatewide
Kansas
Kansas
Kansas Authors Club
A statewide writing organization founded in 1904 that welcomes writers across forms and experience levels, with programs, contests, awards, gatherings, and local writing communities.
Publishing & ZinesKansas City, MO
Kansas City Metro
Kansas City Metro
Whispering Prairie Press / Kansas City Review
A Kansas City literary press and nonprofit publisher behind Kansas City Review, an annual publication featuring poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, art, and voices from the region and beyond.
Literary Arts & CommunityJohnson County, KS
Kansas City Metro
Kansas City Metro
Johnson County Library: Writers
Johnson County Library offers writing programs, contests, resources, open mics, author talks, and its annual Writers Conference for writers at every stage.
Literacy & Book AccessKansas City area
Kansas City Metro
Kansas City Metro
Readers and Writers Network
A literacy-based nonprofit dedicated to growing young readers in Missouri and Kansas through free programs, special events, book clubs, and community partnerships for children and families.
Professional & Membership AssociationsKansas City Metro
Kansas City Metro
Kansas City Metro
Kansas City Booksellers Association
An association created by Kansas City bookstore owners to strengthen the local book industry, support booksellers, promote literacy, foster community engagement, and raise Kansas City's profile as a literary destination.
Literacy & Book AccessKansas City, MO
Kansas City Metro
Kansas City Metro
Lead to Read KC
A Kansas City children's literacy nonprofit connecting students with reading mentors, tutoring, author partnerships, and thousands of books distributed through community locations.
Literacy & Book AccessKansas City, MO
Kansas City Metro
Kansas City Metro
Turn the Page KC
A Kansas City literacy nonprofit mobilizing families, educators, and community partners around children's literacy through free books, family programs, inclusive resources, and collective-impact initiatives.
Literacy & Book AccessKansas City, MO
Kansas City Metro
Kansas City Metro
DREAMS KC
A Kansas City literacy organization equipping parents to support children's foundational reading skills through parent literacy training, decodable books, literacy hubs, book walks, and author visits.
Publishing & ZinesKansas City, MO
Kansas City Metro
Kansas City Metro
KC Zine Collective
A volunteer-run collective of zinesters, writers, artists, activists, and zine enthusiasts building Kansas City's DIY publishing community through KC Zine Con, workshops, readings, and Zine Club.
Poetry & Spoken WordKansas City, MO
Kansas City Metro
Kansas City Metro
Poetic Underground KC / Fountain City Poetry Slam
A Kansas City poetry community creating brave spaces for artists through recurring open mics, showcases, workshops, and the competitive Fountain City Poetry Slam.
StorytellingKansas City, MO
Kansas City Metro + Virtual
Kansas City Metro + Virtual
River and Prairie Storyweavers
A Kansas City-area 501(c)(3) guild supporting the art of oral storytelling and the people who practice it through regular meetings, workshops, teller opportunities, and community performances.
Literacy & Book AccessKansas City, MO
Kansas City Metro
Kansas City Metro
Third and Long Foundation
The Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith Third and Long Foundation works to improve reading skills and fight illiteracy among students in the Greater Kansas City area.
StorytellingKansas City, MO · registered address
National
National
National Storytelling Network
A member-driven national organization advancing storytelling through promotion, advocacy, education, professional community, special interest groups, awards, and conferences. Its registered address is in Kansas City.
StorytellingStatewide · Kansas City mailing address
Missouri
Missouri
Missouri Storytelling, Inc. (MO-TELL)
A statewide 501(c)(3) membership organization dedicated to spreading the joy and art of storytelling throughout Missouri through performances, workshops, contests, and storytelling in state parks and historic sites.
State/Regional Literary SupportStatewide
Missouri
Missouri
Missouri Center for the Book
A program of Missouri Humanities and the state's Library of Congress Center for the Book affiliate, promoting Missouri's literary heritage, reading, authors, and statewide literature programs.
State/Regional Literary SupportTopeka, KS · statewide
Kansas
Kansas
Kansas Center for the Book
The State Library of Kansas program and Library of Congress Center for the Book affiliate highlighting Kansas literary heritage and fostering interest in books, reading, authorship, and libraries.
Professional & Membership AssociationsWichita, KS
Kansas
Kansas
Kansas Writers Association
A Kansas nonprofit writers' organization serving aspiring and accomplished writers with meetings, education, networking, contests, and support on the path to publication.
About this directory
A map of the literary ecosystem.
Some organizations help writers build careers. Others put books into children's hands, support booksellers, host poetry and storytelling communities, preserve literary culture, publish new work, or create statewide reading programs. We want this directory to make those connections easier to find.
Know an organization we should add?
We are starting with Kansas City and organizations that clearly serve this region, then expanding across the Midwest. Listings are informational and do not imply endorsement. Organization details can change, so we link readers directly to each group's own website.
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