The Center for
California Literature
Mission + Vision​
We believe that expanding access to the literary arts is vital to building healthy and engaged communities. We believe that literature should be accessible to every community and that a vibrant literary life can be built throughout the diverse regions of California by supporting the needs of writers, readers, and book sellers.
​
History
In 2024, Christopher Soto was commissioned by Los Angeles Times to write an article titled “Writers on Loving and Leaving Los Angeles." The landscape research conducted for this article concluded that many literary arts professionals felt compelled to move away from the region due to a lack of educational and employment opportunities. This concern demands structural change. In 2025, our first Advisory Board meetings were held and fiscal sponsorship was formalized with Community Partners. We are currently preparing for the official launch of the organization. By 2026, we will launch of our first major initiative, The Literary Datahub. More info coming soon!
​
Executive Director and Founder
Christopher Soto is the Executive Director and Founder of the Center for California Literature. He received his MFA in Creative Writing from NYU and most recently worked at UCLA's Ethnic Studies Research Centers. He has been published at the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and more. He finds joy by reading on the hammock next to his dog, Cafecito.​
