writershouse.net is coming

We're in the process of developing a new Web experience with free resources for local writers. We'll do the initial launch for the Wordstock Festival. Stay tuned for more Web info. And please drop me a note if you'd like to be included on the beta test site list.

The Feedback Machine

Wow, the one week mark is approaching since this somewhat obscure blog was posted. We've learned that basically the writers are legion who want a dedicated, quiet, creative space connected to the literary community here in PDX. The emails and comments continue to gain momentum in my inbox. Please keep them coming. And please use those little surveys.

Many of you have noted that the survey function is often not working. Sorry about that. Please refresh, try again. It's a new, free tool on Blogger and I think they're still working out some kinks.

Meanwhile, the marketing research continues. We're compiling a report on the 10 hottest Writers Rooms across the country and trying to interview the minds behind scenes in each location for feedback and support.

Writer Room Tour

I started communicating with folks in writer rooms around the country. Soon I'll take the national tour to interview the owners and operators. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, here's a great article from The NY Times on the popularity and success of rooms in New York.

Feedback so far

Here's the latest in a series of thanks--to everyone for the deluge of emails and awesome input. Here's what we've learned in the last 12 hours.

• Several folks asked: "What the hell does 'office' mean?" Wow, that's a good one. Please take a look at our new survey and help us figure it out.

• Souk and CubeSpace here in Portland are renting office spaces. I've heard great things about them and I can't wait to meet folks in both places. But I think these are different from a writers' room. Writers need an awesome creative space, that old Victorian house style, with books to the ceiling, people reading on couches, and literary rock stars sipping java over their dog eared manuscripts.
  
  
• Location was high on the comment list. People might be interested depending on the location. We're investigating places. It will be something close to downtown, in a funky nook of Belmont, Hawthorn, N. Mississippi... with parking and public transportation nearby.
  

Membership might include

• 30 or so cool, partitioned desks, first come basis
• T-1 Internet access
• Quiet space
• Computers, printers, copy machines, fax, Web server
  
• Storage for laptops and materials
• Kitchen/lounge
• Library with hundreds of hard-to-find books
• Living room for reading
• Garden
  
• Telephone room
• 24/7 access
• Discounts on literary events
• Free access to monthly workshops
  
• Discounts to professional services like legal and accounting
• Connections to network of editors, literary agents and authors

The Cost Q

There would need to be some kind of nominal fee structure. People need to value the space and their time there. We're really just looking to cover basic costs. Of course the price of membership has a lot to do with it. Right? Well, we don't think so. Can we just say, you'll get more than you expected?

The cost will be commensurate with the phenomenal value. Five or six members who are renting one of the five or six office/room suites for the year would pay more, perhaps $400 or $600 or even $1200 a month. These are professional authors who want a killer, creative, quiet writing environment among peers, to get out of the house each day and feel inspired. But members would pay a nominal monthly due that would include access to some equipment, resources, and the community.

Other cities have writers rooms

Here are just a few links to other writers rooms. A little online searching reveals dozens more. Only, not in Portland.

Minneapolis
www.loft.org/

Santa Monica
www.theofficeonline.com

Chicago
www.uptownwritersspace.com

Boston
www.writersroomofboston.org

New York City
www.writersroom.org