LITNYS and Just Buffalo Literary Center convene at Girls Write Now to discuss Rupture & Repair in the literary community.
[New York City, NY] September 27, 2024 – An estimated 70% of the country’s literary arts organizations are located in New York State, with the largest concentration based in New York City. With restrictions to free speech, access to books, and limited liberal arts curriculum sweeping the nation, the impact of New York’s literary arts scene is tenfold across the nation. From September 15th to 17th, the annual LitNYS Facing Pages – Statewide Literary Arts Convening brought together thought leaders from 75 literary arts organizations with over 25 distinguished speakers to grapple with assaults on free expression, build their capacities to serve communities, and envision collaborations that highlight the importance of the writing arts.
“Over the 3-day Convening, New York-based independent literary publishers, presenters, and service organizations met to discuss trends, share resources, and take a deep dive into opportunities and challenges that impact their ability to bring works of literary excellence to the public. These organizations are often distinguished assets in their communities even as the literary arts remain historically underfunded when compared to other art disciplines in the United States. As a nucleus of field-sustaining work for the literary arts in New York State, LitNYS is grateful to the New York State Council on the Arts for its visionary leadership and sustaining partnership.” — LitNYS Founding Director Debora Ott
The Convening theme Rupture, Readiness & Repair: Strategies for Strengthening was selected for its timeliness, as were the panel themes which touched on alternative methods of publishing and distribution, censorship and threats to free expression, and opportunities for collaboration and inspiration.
Organizations shared data and findings from the Literary Arts Emergency Fund Report (CLMP, the National Book Foundation, Mellon Foundation, Artists & Poets), The Literary Nonprofit Compensation Survey (LitNet), and a Magnitude and Bond: Field Study on Black Literary Organizations (Cave Canum), as well as insights and observations from the field, with remarks from distinguished speakers including PEN America Managing Director, Jonathan Friedman, Legal Director for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), Will Creeley, Founding Director for the Center for Black Literature, Brenda M. Greene, Executive Director of the Media Coalition, David Horowitz, and Chief Librarian of the Brooklyn Public Library, Nick Higgins on free expression, book bans and interventions against nationwide censorship.
In a keynote address from poet and professor, Kimiko Hahn, the urgency of the convening was solidified in a call to action to use literature to build radical coalitions, and inspire a new future of free thinkers.
Hosted this year by Girls Write Now, a writing, mentoring, and community nonprofit that breaks down barriers of gender, race, age and poverty to mentor and train the next generation of writers and leaders, this year’s LitNYS Convening fostered the future of the literary community for New York State and beyond.
“At Girls Write Now, we believe that if you can write, you can do anything,” said Maya Nussbaum, Executive Director of Girls Write Now. “The young writers in our community have used writing to become leaders, activists, and connectors in their communities. This LIT NYS convening was a stark reminder of the importance of collaboration, connection
The full program & list of presenters can be found here. Most important to the general public is increased visibility for these incredible program assets which exist right here in our own communities.
#
LitNYS is a coalition of nonprofit literary arts presenters, publishers and service organizations. Founded in 2001 by Debora Ott and administered by Just Buffalo Literary Center, it serves as a New York State hub of resources to advance and strengthen the literary arts. Its key programs include Advancement Regrants, Mentoring, and the Facing Pages Convening. LitNYS is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, with additional support for this year’s gathering provided by Girls Write Now, The Writers Room, and Wendy’s Subway.
The mission of Just Buffalo Literary Center is to create and strengthen communities through the literary arts. For nearly 50 years, the organization has brought the world’s greatest writers to Buffalo, hosted poetry events and readings, and supported the development of young writers. Just Buffalo Literary Center serves as project administrator for LitNYS.
Girls Write Now is a nationally award-winning nonprofit, media brand, and multi-generational community. For nearly three decades, we have broken down the barriers of gender, age, race, and poverty to mentor, teach, and connect writers and leaders across disciplines and around the nation. With a focus on those historically disempowered due to their gender and gender identity, we harness the power of stories to shape culture, impact industries, and bridge worlds. The organization is a recipient of three White House distinctions, a lifelong grantee of the New York State Council on the Arts, and a founding partner of STARS Citywide Girls Initiative.