The Bexley Public Library’s Writer-in-Residence (WIR) Program is designed to cultivate and amplify the vibrant literary community in central Ohio. By offering a platform for aspiring writers to grow and connect, the program provides invaluable opportunities for inspiration, learning, and collaboration.
The 2026 BPL Writer-in-Residence program is made possible in part by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.
The BPL Writer-in-Residence will play a key role in bridging the library with the local literary scene by:
-Leading Writing Workshops: Inspiring and instructing emerging writers on how to hone their craft and explore new creative possibilities.
-Showcasing Central Ohio’s Literary Talent: Curating content for the BPL Blog and BPL Podcast, organizing engaging library programs, and fostering meaningful connections between the library and the writing community.
-Enhancing BPL’s Writing Programs: Assisting in the development and promotion of writing-related events, resources, and learning opportunities for writers at every stage of their journey.
To learn more about the program, including eligibility and application details, visit the Requirements & Criteria page.
For any questions, please contact us at programming@bexleylibrary.org.
Outside of publishing, Grace is an active member of the Columbus arts community. She founded and curates Columbus Stage Times, a comprehensive weekly calendar spotlighting more than 150 Central Ohio theater companies, and she serves on the education board of Cartoon Crossroads Columbus.
Grace loves helping writers discover their creative voice across any medium, genre or ability level. She has a particular passion for demystifying storytelling and helping writers (i.e. you) feel confident on the page. When she's not writing, she can be found watching women's hockey or going for a lil walk.
Click here for more information!
Plot Doctor - BPL Writer-in-Residence Podcast Series with Grace Ellis
Do you have questions about writing or publishing that you'd like to ask a published author? Submit your questions to writer@bexleylibrary.org and BPL Writer-in-Residence Grace Ellis will answer them on a special BPL Podcast Plot Doctor series. Visit BexleyLibrary.org/Podcasts for current and past BPL Podcast episodes.
Books by Grace Ellis
This collection gathers voices that reclaim joy, rest, and selfhood across borders, generations,
and identities. Through memoir, fiction, and poetry, these works explore what it means to come
home to yourself—even when the world asks you to forget.
About the BPL Writer-in-Residence Program
The Bexley Public Library’s inaugural Writer-in-Residence (WIR) Program is designed to cultivate and amplify the vibrant literary community in central Ohio. By offering a platform for aspiring writers to grow and connect, the program provides invaluable opportunities for inspiration, learning, and collaboration.
Running from March 1 – August 31, 2025, this exciting inaugural initiative is made possible through an LSTA grant from the State Library of Ohio. The BPL Writer-in-Residence will play a key role in bridging the library with the local literary scene by:
- Leading Writing Workshops: Inspiring and instructing emerging writers on how to hone their craft and explore new creative possibilities.
- Showcasing Central Ohio’s Literary Talent: Curating content for the BPL Blog and BPL Podcast, organizing engaging library programs, and fostering meaningful connections between the library and the writing community.
- Enhancing BPL’s Writing Programs: Assisting in the development and promotion of writing-related events, resources, and learning opportunities for writers at every stage of their journey.
Are you a published author with a passion for mentoring others? Apply to be the next BPL Writer-in-Residence and make an impact on the future of central Ohio’s literary community.
To learn more about the program, including eligibility and application details, visit the Requirements & Criteria page.
For any questions, please contact us at programming@bexleylibrary.org.
BPL Writer-in-Residence
The BPL Writer-in-Residence (WIR) aims to build on the dynamic creative arts and literary community around Columbus and to create opportunities for aspiring writers to find inspiration, gain instructional knowledge from published authors, and connect with each other at the Bexley Public Library.
Check back in February for more information on the inaugural BPL Writer-in-Residence and upcoming writing workshops.
BPL Writer-in-Residence
The BPL Writer-in-Residence aims to build on the dynamic creative arts and literary community around Columbus and to create opportunities for aspiring writers to find inspiration, gain instructional knowledge from published authors, and connect with each other at the Bexley Public Library.
Writing Workshops, Programs, and Resources
(Check back for BPL Writer-in-Residence workshop dates & information)
- Feed of writing workshops & events
- Blog entries from the WIR
- Podcast episodes from the WIR
- About the Writer-in-Residence (author bio)
About the BPL Writer-in-Residence Program
The inaugural BPL Writer-in-Residence will run from March 1 - August 31, 2025 and is funded through a competitive grant from the State Library of Ohio. The BPL Writer-in-Residence serves as a liaison between the Bexley Public Library and the central Ohio literary community by:
- Teaching instructional writing workshops for aspirational writers to learn and hone their craft
- Connecting with the community through library programming, creating content for the BPL Blog and BPL Podcast, and fostering opportunities for engagement between the Bexley Public Library and local writers
- Assisting with the coordination and promotion of BPL writing programs and developing new resources for aspiring writers
Are you an author interested in becoming the next BPL Writer-in-Residence? Learn more about the BPL Writer-in-Residence program on the Overview & Requirements page.
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