The Writer's Loft

Do you need a place to write? The Writer's Loft at The House of Literature offers affordable workspaces dedicated to those who write and translate fiction and non-fiction, or engage in literary production of the written word.

Photo of a desk at The Writer's Loft

The House of Literature has the aim of promoting literature in a broad sense, safeguarding freedom of expression, and contributing to a knowledge-based public discourse. The top floor of the house is therefore dedicated to those who write and translate fiction and non-fiction, or work with literary production in other ways. Here, writers can find an affordable workspace, a community of colleagues, and a network of others they can learn from.

The Writers' Loft, located on the top floor of The House of Literature, offers 39 wiritingseats in an open-plan layout. The workspaces are flexible and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The floor has its own wireless network and a printer, as well as a common area with a lounge, dining table with chairs, a kitchenette, and restrooms. Those who have access for six months or longer can apply for a lockable locker in the space.

For a low monthly fee, users have access from 6:00 AM to 2:00 AM every day of the year. Access to The Writers' Loft is personal and cannot be shared with others.

Anyone working on literature-related projects can apply for a place at The Writers' Loft. Members of the house's writer organizations and authors with publishing agreements are prioritized. The application must include personal information and a description of the work/project. The application form can be found at the top of the page. Students and employees at universities/colleges and others with access to workspaces elsewhere will typically not be given priority.

The House of Literature administration is closed during the Easter holiday, in July, and during the Christmas holiday. For applications starting during or immediately after these holidays, it is advisable to apply well in advance to ensure processing before the holiday period.

Honorary Spaces

It is our goal to have a good mix of writers of different ages, genders, backgrounds, and at different stages in their careers. Therefore, we offer 3 free spaces in the Writers' Loft. These are also flexible spaces and are allocated for one calendar year at a time. In the allocation of honorary spaces, consideration is given to the project, production, and financial needs, and efforts will be made to achieve diversity in the allocations.

Honorary spaces are allocated for one calendar year, and applications are accepted during the period from November 1 to December 1 each year. The application form can be found on this page in the period the application is open.

Prices:

  • Standard price, minimum 2 months: 750 NOK per month.
  • Rent for 6 months: 550 NOK per month.
  • Rent for 6 months and membership in one of the house's writer organizations*: 450 NOK per month.

All prices are exclusive of VAT.

* Norwegian Writers for Children (NBU), The Norwegian Non-Fiction Writers and Translators Association, Norwegian Authors' Union (DnF), Writers’ Guild of Norway, The Norwegian Association of Literary Translators, Critics' Association, The Norwegian Writers' Center, and The Norwegian Journal Association. The offer also applies to writers protected by the ICORN program.

Writer Offices and Monastic Cells

In addition to the 39 open workspaces, there are 6 monk cells and 5 offices in the Writer's Loft. The monk cells and offices are allocated by the following organizations:

Members can apply for these spaces directly to their respective organization.