Literary Places

This database of writerly destinations—places writers can visit for inspiration, to promote their writing, for research, and to discover community—includes historical sites, reading venues, literary collections, writing centers, and writers spaces. Save your selections to My P&W and populate a personal Google Map that can be used to plan reading tours and visits to literary meccas, or just to keep track of your favorite literary locales.

City:

Or by Zip Code

Select a state to see cities in that area, or use the filters above.

View My Map

Literary Place	City	State
Sundance Bookstore and Music	Reno	Nevada
Founded in 1985, Sundance is a local, independent bookstore in Reno, Nevada. The store also sells music, magazines, newspapers, pottery, puzzles,... Indie Bookstore
The Theodore Roethke Home Museum	Saginaw	Michigan
Located in Saginaw, Michigan, the Theodore Roethke Home Museum is the childhood home of the Pulitzer Prize winning poet, Theodore Roethke (... Historical Site
The Steinbeck House	Salinas	California
Built in 1897 and restored in 1973, this Queen Anne Victorian served as the birthplace and childhood home of John Steinbeck. Today, the house is... Historical Site
National Steinbeck Center	Salinas	California
Located in John Steinbeck's hometown of Salinas, California, the National Steinbeck Center consists of the John Steinbeck Exhibition Hall and the... Historical Site
O. Henry House	San Antonio	Texas
This house was home to William Sidney Porter, better known as the short story writer O. Henry, in 1885. Today the O. Henry House is a museum open... Historical Site
Dashiell Hammett’s Home	San Fracisco	California
891 Post Street was home to Dashiell Hammett, author of The Maltese Falcon, in the 1920s. An historical marker indicates the location of... Historical Site
City Lights Booksellers & Publishers	San Francisco	California
Founded in 1953, this independent bookstore is also an historical landmark, offering three floors of books from major publishing houses as well as... Historical Site, Indie Bookstore
John’s Grill	San Francisco	California
Located in the Union Square neighborhood of San Francisco, John's Grill was a setting in Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon. In... Historical Site
Green Apple Books	San Francisco	California
Founded in 1967, this independent bookstore provides new and used books of all genres. Green Apple often hosts local authors for readings and book... Indie Bookstore
Center for Literary Arts	San José	California
The Center for Literary Arts provides lectures, conversations, seminars, and readings—including its long-standing Major Authors Series, which... Reading Venue, Writing Center