An Interview with Judith Mansour-Thomas, Executive Director of The Lit: Cleveland's Literary Center

2009 Winner 

Ohio Advocate of Literary Arts Award

from

Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library

What is the history of “The Lit” and how has it expanded from it origins? 

The LIT was incorporated October 15, 1976 as the Poets' League of Greater Cleveland. The mission of the organization was to give voice to Cleveland's growing community of beat style and street poets, for whom poetry was not an academic endeavor, but for whom poetry was a means of artistic, literary, social, and political expression. With a mission to promote the art of written and spoken word poetry, The PLGC was a place where workshops, classes, and poetry readings were organized and executed. By the mid 1980's, however, the artistic and social climate began to change, and prose was incorporated into the purview of the League, and in 1991, The Poets' League merged with Cleveland Writers' Center to form the Poets' & Writers' League of Greater Cleveland. In expanding its mission, vision, and operations to include a broader spectrum of literary genres, fiction, essay, memoir, and journalism became areas of study and workshop. Since that time, we have again changed our name to The LIT: Cleveland's Literary Center, and although our focus remains literature across genres and literary arts, we seek to blend and cross pollinate with other art forms so as to not only enhance literary craftsmanship, but also to improve and increase audience and appreciation for literary arts. 

How does “The Lit” support the literary arts in Northeast Ohio?

The LIT offers ongoing courses, workshops, book groups, and events where writing and or reading are the focus. For over 35 years, we have conducted a monthly public poetry workshop, and are in the process of developing a monthly public fiction workshop; both are facilitated by award winning writers. Our outreach events provide writers and readers the opportunity to gather with like-minded people, to build and develop crucial support, and to gain informed feedback on their work. We host events for book launches and other literature related publicity. The LIT publishes MUSE: A Quarterly Journal of Words + Images. MUSE provides a platform for veteran and novice visual and literary artists to publish new work. 

How does “The Lit” select authors for book readings or other sponsored events?  

The LIT is always on the lookout for new work that demonstrates excellence of craft, and we keep in touch with presses, booksellers, agents, and writers from around the country. When we see that there is an opportunity to give our membership and constituents access to the living artists, we coordinate an event to elevate awareness of the work and to help stimulate book sales. 

What does the future hold for "The Lit"?  

The future is steeped in the hope and belief that The LIT can and will establish NE Ohio as a literary epicenter in the US. We hope that through our continued efforts to make ourselves known as a resource, a location, and top notch arts organization that we will grow our membership, subscription base, and presence in the community and beyond.  

You have been working in this position for nearly two years now, what has been the most rewarding experience as executive director thus far?  

This is a tough one. In so many ways, this position feels like my life's work. It courses through my blood: the magazine, the people, the events. I always feel intellectually and professionally challenged by my work, and at the same time, I feel so at home. I love meeting other people who love words and their power to transform lives. I must admit, though, meeting Naomi Shihab Nye, Li- Young Lee, Mohsin Hamid, and Junot Diaz ranks fairly high on my Richter Scale of amazing moments!