13 Weeks of Adventure: Week 4 - The Center for Fiction

A library, bookstore, coworking space, and education center, attracting readers of all ages.

Rachel Leeke Alexis

Jul 18, 2024

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Eighty-two years before the New York Public Library, the Mercantile Library of New York provided a haven for readers and writers. Rebranded in 2008 as The Center for Fiction, it moved to Fort Greene, Brooklyn, over a decade later. Spanning three floors, it offers a library, bookstore, coworking space, and education center, attracting readers of all ages. Much more than a sum of its parts, The Center for Fiction is incredibly unique. It is the only literary nonprofit solely dedicated to celebrating fiction's creation and enjoyment.

I love how their logo is bookish and expressive of the past, present, and future.

Once I got over the shock of not knowing this place, despite my love for books and Brooklyn, seeing a rolling ladder against a wall of books on their website solidified my need to visit. Thankfully, things aligned so that I could enjoy a taste of their programming, too. In celebration of Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond’s latest release, “My Parents’ Marriage,” I sat in as the author gave a reading, shared a bit on her writing process, and discussed the book’s themes alongside Emmy award-winning author and journalist Abi Ishola Ayodeji.

The place is hard to miss, with a large glass façade and book carts outlining the front entrance. The inside was just as bright and welcoming as I made my way to the event space, passing tables of books and smaller reads on revolving racks. The evening served as my introduction to Brew-Hammond’s work. I don’t usually attend an author event for a text I haven’t read. Still, I took a front-row seat because, as a writer myself, I know the value of being seen and celebrated for things passionately pursued. It was really special to see two Black women owning the stage and sharing dispatches on relationships, community, and generational trauma.

Author Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond (left) shared some sage advice to writers: “Keep writing, whether you have the words, are in the mood or not - just keep writing.”

As a non-member, my experience of The Center was limited to the first floor. Membership grants privileges such as borrowing books from their library, access to studio space, classrooms, a tech-free reading room, and garden terraces on the upper floors. For a casual visit, the view from the café seating – plush stools, colorful racks, and stuffed toys in the children’s area – is more than enough to enjoy a bite with a book. However, if I still resided in the city’s best borough, especially nearby, I would invest in a membership for the dedicated workspace alone. All other perks - fellowships, discounted in-store purchases, workshops, mentorship, and programming around the business of writing - would be a bonus.

My stacks of unread books are positively shaking.

In my opinion, the best part of the organization cannot be experienced in-house. The First Novel Prize, awarded annually in December, includes a $15,000 cash prize and the distinction of having your first novel recognized by a panel of esteemed American authors.

Cheers to emergent literary talent!