You know our city is famous for horses, bourbon, and the Wildcats. You might even know that US Poet Laureate Ada Limón + Kentucky Poet Laureate Silas House call Lexington home. But did you know the Horse Capital of the World plays host to an impressive + expanding writing scene?
At the center is the Lexington Writer’s Room, a collaborative High Street work space designed to welcome newcomers to the literary world, while offering opportunities for growth to everyone who enters.
LWR is a nonprofit + co-working space where people actively engaged in a writing project can come to socialize, network, and write. More than 100 writers in the 859 and beyond call the space home.
The open desk, in-person membership includes all of that, plus 24/7 access to the space, a well-stocked snack counter, access to literary events + workshops, and all the coffee an aspiring author can drink. Bonus: Your first month of 2026 is $26 for a limited time.
Thanks to virtual memberships, writers around the globe are able to connect to online networking, as well as open mic + workshop opportunities throughout the year.
The centerpiece of the LWR’s mission of inclusion is the need-based membership. Members of historically marginalized communities or individuals with significant financial need are able to join LWR through Grant-Funded Scholarships.
Bookish bonafides
More than just a calm space for local creatives, LWR creates opportunities to learn from other writers + rub shoulders with popular authors, poets, and literary luminaries.
- Co-founder and board chair Gwenda Bond is the New York Times bestselling author of “Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds,” “The Frame Up,” “Not Your Average Hot Guy,” and more.
- Award-winning poet Katerina Stoykova is a prolific creator of writing groups, as well as the founder of Accents Publishing, a local independent press.
- David Arnold is another notable member whose novels, including “The Electric Kingdom” and “Mosquitoland”, have appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers list.
How you can support
- Schedule a tour — Becoming a member is the most straightforward way to support a worthwhile community while enjoying all of its benefits.
- Make a donation — No amount is too small, or too large. Corporate and individual donors interested in supporting a unique charitable organization are encouraged to contact the board of directors
- Become a partner — Any group with shared values seeking strategic partnerships for workshops or events can contact Community Manager Pam Dorrel at cm@lexwritersroom.org and the Board at board@lexwritersroom.org.
