Lit lessons
Budding novelists will be in good hands at the Grotto’s and the Writing Salon’s well-respected courses—but when the voices in your head grow too chatty to stay between covers, put them to work at the New Play Institute, which launched in 2003 as part of the Bay Area Playwrights Festival (taking place this month at San Fran­cisco’s Magic Theatre). The first workshop sold out in two days, and now classes like “Language As Action” and “Afraid to Write That Play? Good.” fill up with aspiring stagesmiths. Instructors include local and national talents who’ll encourage your inner Ionesco with a combination of one-on-one and group feedback. San Francisco Writers’ Grotto: sfgrotto.org; The Writing Salon: writingsalons.com; The New Play Institute: Playwrights Foundation, 131 10th St., 3rd Fl., S.F., 415-626-0453, playwrightsfoundation.org

Give a reading—online
At two-year-old, S.F.-based website Dublit, authors record a short selection of their own work using a simple online tool and any computer mike, then post it for all the world to hear. The company filters recordings through a back-end system that improves sound quality before posting—but if you’re still not crazy about your performance, Dublit can connect you with a professional voice actor who’ll record the piece for the recession-friendly price of $50. The site—whose five thirtysomething founders all have successful tech and sales careers on the side—also serves as a social network where members can create profiles, join public forums, and start private workshopping groups. Plus, you get a link for each upload—be your own agent and pass it around. dublit.com

Creativity comforts
The ultraergonomic workstations from Berkeley architect Michael Goldin’s company, Swerve, start at $1,100, but they’ll last until long after you win that Pulitzer. (Also, if you skimp on your setup, your writing career might be over before it starts—as many an author from the days before ergo evaluations will attest.) Goldin’s designs can be configured for each user, making them popular among heavy hitters, like the Google and Electronic Arts executives who recently built their home offices with Swerve. Stop by the company’s showroom to check out the customizable T6 system, with its infinitely adjustable joints, and assemble your ideal writing space one component at a time. All workstations are made of aircraft-grade aluminum, bamboo, and other earth-friendly materials. 2629 7th St., Berkeley, 877-644-1898, swerveco.com

Continental allure
Opened last summer by two former tech guys who decided they felt more passionate about beans than binomials, the comfy, Euro-style Epicenter Cafe is an especially writer-friendly space (spread-out-and-stay-awhile tables, plenty of outlets, free Wi-Fi) on an unlikely SoMa block. And where else can you sample pastries flash-frozen in France and Italy and delivered biweekly? For dyed-in-the-wool Bay Area loyalists, Epicenter also has tasty regional fare, such as Barefoot coffee, Gilt Edge dairy, and Bagel Bakery bagels. 764 Harrison St., S.F., 415-543-5436, epicentercafe.com

All work and no play…
Don’t be a lonely slave to the semicolon—San Francisco is a hotbed of literary events that involve other people (and beer!). The newest reading series on the block is Bang Out, curated by Amick Boone and Kevin Hobson, friends who met while pursuing MFAs at SF State. Each quar­ter, they pick a theme and post a call for submissions that culminates with a performance by selected readers at Amnesia (look for “Toxic Assets” on July 18). Anyone is welcome to send in work of 1,000 words or less, ideally “banged out” just for the series. Even if you’re not ready to submit, go and listen: It’s a great way to get inspired. Bang Out: bangoutsf.com; Amnesia: 853 Valencia St., S.F., 415-970-0012, amnesiathebar.com

The caffeinated office
Sometimes the muse likes some company, a bit of a buzz, and better wireless than the connection you’re borrowing from the neighbors. You’ll find all three at Coffee Bar, in the Mission. This beautiful, industrial-chic space also has great light, a subdued soundtrack, delicious pastries, and Mr. Espresso beans from Oakland. After the muse clocks out, enjoy a light meal and the occasional evening event. 1890 Bryant St., S.F., 415-551-8100, coffeebar-usa.com

Main image: Nine local literary luminaries strike a work pose for our cameras. From left, Carol Edgarian: author of Rise the Euphrates, founder and edi­tor of Narrative magazine; Sean Finney: author of The Obedient Door, editor-in-chief of Canteen magazine; Jane Ganahl: author of Naked on the Page, editor of Single Women of a Certain Age; Michelle Richmond: author of a story collection and three novels, including The Year of Fog; Peter Orner: author of The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo and Esther Stories; Sho­shana Berger: cofounder and former editor-in-chief of ReadyMade magazine; Reed Kirk Rahlmann: playwright and fiction writer; Stephen Elliott: author of six books, including The Adderall Diaries (forthcoming), and editor of TheRumpus.net; Robert Mailer Anderson: author of Boonville, cowriter and producer of Pig Hunt.