Longbranch Coffeehouse, located on East Jackson Street, began a literary movement last fall and has been gaining momentum since.

For some time now, Longbranch has been in the process of defining a place in which individuals involved in literary acts could feel welcome and present their work in a unique and warm environment. Elaine Ramseyer, Longbranch’s 15-year general manager, said the establishment wants to build a literary scene showcasing local writers.

“We had a really strong previous fall, [from] fall 2012 to spring 2013 and now we’re rolling through this one. So it’s been for about a year that we’ve really been driving it,” Ramseyer said.

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Different university professors have performed at the coffeehouse; creative writing Professor Scott Blackwood has read from his new novel “See How Small” at Longbranch.

“It was my first time there. It was a huge turnout and the warmth was kind of stunning,” he said. “In terms of book tours, you don’t get people to turn out, certainly not with that warmth. It made me realize that there is this whole community that’s a combination of people who love books and reading. I had some of my students there and colleagues, it was terrific.”

David Anthony, a professor of American literature, has also read excerpts from his novel at the coffeehouse.

“[The reading] went really well. It was especially nice that there was such a large turnout,” Anthony said. “There were about 50 or 60 people. A lot of those were people from the English department, which was also really nice; both faculty and graduate students.”

Blackwood, who was present for Anthony’s reading, said he was happy with the audience’s positive reaction.

“For whatever reason, sometimes it’s not the right setting, or people are tired, or whatever – but this one, it went over so well, we were all kind of electrified a little bit by it,” he said. “It was great. It was a really electric atmosphere.”

The idea of words come out in as different a fashion as the unique threads that create the flesh of us as humans – each his and her own account of life varies by their lenses of perception, Ramseyer said. Longbranch is a place in which all forms of perceptions may be introduced into the world for connection, she said.

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“Words are our greatest tools as human beings…we have a lot of tools, but words are just so specific to humans,” Ramseyer said. “I mean, we invented language…We kind of take it for granted but if you think about it, it’s so unique to the human experience…So I really try to honor and respect it and other people and provide a hospitable environment to share and celebrate that.”

Ramseyer said she wants to encourage area artists to share their work with the community.

“I know a lot of things happen at the University, and that’s great…but it’s really important to ripple it out into the greater community and this space is really good for that…We try to anchor Friday nights from 7 – 9 p.m. for upcoming local authors who will be presenting,” she said.

The Longbranch Coffeehouse is a unique place offering a safe habitation, filled with warm individuals, as well as electric performances. In time, its swell should reach the shores of every listener.