it’s that time of year again… if you’re someone looking to support writers & have some money to spare, here is a list of organizations that actually support writers, offer resources, and work to share diverse stories from diverse people.
we need diverse stories: what it says on the tin. this program works to create various workshops to celebrate diverse writers & artists, to mentor young aspiring writers, to support diverse publishing, and to get diverse books in classrooms worldwide.
some of their programs include:
Black creatives mentorship
the Native children’s and YA writing intensive
they also have a page full of various resources for readers, writers, educators, publishers, and booksellers.
Asian American writers’ workshop:
dedicated to creating, publishing, developing and disseminating creative writing by Asian Americans, and to providing an alternative literary arts space at the intersection of migration, race, and social justice.
they cover poetry, fiction, essays, and various other literary forms. they also have a page focused on Black and Asian feminist solidarities, which i personally encourage all to take a look at.
focusing on nurturing and supporting generations of writers and readers of Asian American literature. each year they host 30-40 reader and writer workshops across the united states to connect audiences to Asian American literature. they offer online classes, there is a poetry coalition, and a mentorship lab based out of new york city.
Hispanic Heritage Literature Organization:
an organization that emphasizes the importance of the legacy of stories, especially from a cultural perspective. they support and elevate the work of Hispanic writers, and highlight the cultural importance of storytelling.
they have goodwill ambassadors all across the world, and host multiple fairs & festivals that focus on Hispanic heritage, as well as various other cultural, artistic, and literary programs.
a website produced by the academy of american poets that functions to share poetry online and support poets at every stage of their career. they offer resources for educators to bring poetry into the classroom, as well as hosting a massive online catalogue of poetry with over 3,000 featured poets. i personally receive their poem-a-day newsletter, where they send you a poem to your email every morning.
a literary organization specifically for Black poets. they offer workshops & lectures, and host various opportunities for fellow Black poets.
a national poetry organization that cultivates a community for Latinx poets both young and old, hosting workshops, symposia, and public readings.
the Hurston/Wright foundation:
another organization that provides a variety of writer workshops specifically for Black writers, both youth and adult, as well as an award program, and hosting public readings of Black literary works.
an organization established to help promote and support Black women and girls in writing. they publish contemporary creative writing by both established and emerging writers, provide workshops, and resources for educators.
yes, even nanowrimo! they have a young writer’s program that takes national novel writing month and makes it accessible to young writers, educators, and families. they offer resources for writers and educators, as well as host online panels for diverse writers & online workshops focusing on community and connection.
people of color in publishing:
publishing is the biggest hurdle marginalized writers face when it comes to getting their work out there.
this organization focuses on empowering and uplifting people of color in publishing and throughout the entire industry, in hopes to create an inclusive and safe space for all writers. they host mentorship programs and networking lunches, as well as highlight job listings specifically for writers of color.
they also have a survey specifically for collecting data about racism in the workplace faced by publishing employees, used to amplify the dialogue about the industry as a whole and the need for immediate action to become anti-racist.
while the focus is not specific with writers, it is a massive force to fund education, opportunity, and sustainable self-sufficiency for families and communities worldwide. “geeks doing good.”
founded by patrick rothfuss, it is backed by a variety of authors and artists from comics, fiction, and gaming. they vet charities and ensure that any money you donate is going to a reputable organization, ones that are usually otherwise overlooked by members of the online community.
even if you are unable to donate, every single one of these programs have newsletters and social media - follow them, promote them, sign up for the newsletters. get informed about the issues faced by marginalized writers in this community and commit to uplifting them and spotlighting their work.
make an effort to expand your library and listen to new voices.
