Inside The Loft’s Year-Long Writing Projects with Susan Schaars

What happens when you dedicate a full year to craft, community, and mentorship? On this episode of The Loft Lit Pod, host Chris Jones dives into one of The Loft's most beloved programs: the Year-Long Writing Projects. Nonfiction cohort participant Susan Schaars joins the show to share how her work and writing life evolved under mentor Sun Yung Shin, what it takes to commit to a year of rigorous creative work, and how the program reframed her writing journey. Plus, hear a live recording of the poem "Heartwood" by poetry cohort alum Aurora Masum-Javed, and catch up on major local literary highlights—including upcoming events with Ten Thousand Things and poet Patricia Smith. Show Notes & Links UPCOMING EVENTS Patricia Smith Live: Reading & Conversation in Support of the Loft (Nov 7): https://loft.org/events/patricia-smith-live-reading-conversation-support-loft Ten Thousand Things Presents As You Like It (at Open Book, featuring a pre-performance reading with Zach Goldberg) (Oct 15): https://tenthousandthings.org/as-you-like-it/ YEAR-LONG WRITING PROJECTS Learn more about the upcoming Year-Long Writing Project Sections: https://loft.org/year-long-writing-projects Year-Long Writing Projects Info Session (Oct 13): https://loft.org/events/2027-novel-writing-poetry-creative-nonfiction-memoir-and-fiction-writing-project-information AUTHORS TO CHECK OUT Aurora Masum-Javed website: https://www.auroramasumjaved.com/ Susan Schaars LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-schaars/ Send us a voice note about the podcast Support the Loft Support Our Community: Become a Friend of the Loft: https://loft.org/join-support Join the Loft's free Digital Community, the Loft Writing Network: https://loft-lit.circle.so/Loft-Writing-Network