Creative writing is a vital skill that supports children’s imagination, resiliency, and self confidence. New York Edge’s Student Book Publishing Initiative presents an opportunity to support afterschool participants that will take place during the after school period. The Initiative will help students develop and reinforce a joy of writing and creative expression that will serve them throughout their school years and beyond. Students will have the experience of becoming published authors and gain exposure to leading authors, illustrators and leaders in the publishing industry.

Working in partnership with an award-winning children’s book author focused in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the genre, students in our after school program will learn about the creative writing process, write their own stories and have them illustrated by artists from Pixar. The initiative will result in the students having the unique experience of producing a tangible final product–a book that is for sale wherever books are sold–while also helping them better understand the science of storytelling, writing, art, and design. Additionally, income generated from book sales would be reinvested in the student publishing initiative.

The Initiative would be initiated in January 2022 at 5 of our after school programs located in elementary New York Edge is currently piloting this program at PS189 in the Bronx. Look for the students’ first book later this fall. You can help us expand the Student Book Publishing Initiative by making a donation today!