History and Evolution of the Program

For 17 years, Readers & Writers has created positive experiences of literature for people at risk of exclusion from social and cultural discourse.

Our family of outreach programs put books in the hands of Americans without ready access to, or encouragement to seek out, literary culture.  These programs include author panels for high school students; writing and reading workshops for high school classes; and the Summer Writing Institute, which invites teens ages 15–18 to interact directly with professional writers in a series of workshops.

History

Readers & Writers started out as a literary training program for alternative schools, transforming over time into a producer of programs that bring books and authors to students. Throughout the years Readers & Writers has used a variety of book-based programming to cultivate popular interest in literature among readers of all ages, including:

    • The in-school program, featuring book study, creative writing and author visits for students in traditional, alternative, and after-school programs
    • The Book Groups Initiative, fostering book community-based discussion groups with an emphasis on exploring contemporary literary writing
    • World Voices Festival programs for teens, including school visits, group writing workshops, author readings, and panel events focusing on literature and current events
    • The Bingham and Lila Wallace-Readers Digest Fellowships, bringing outstanding literary talents to American communities that lack strong literary culture or tradition
    • The PEN Teen Writing Institute, allowing creatively curious New York City teens ages 15–18 to learn firsthand about the art and profession of writing by work-shopping with professional writers

In all its forms, the program has been praised as a source of valuable experiences by students, teachers, and authors alike.


The Current Program

Readers & Writers is now a literary arts events program, presenting authors in readings, panels, and writing workshops to high school teens, ages 14–19. While we advise programs nationally, our own programs only operate in New York.

Annually, Readers & Writers accepts New York City public schools as Readers & Writers Partner Schools. Any public high school in New York City’s five boroughs—including charter, alternative, mini-academy, and traditional schools—is eligible to be a Partner School.

 
Our Mission

Readers & Writers mission is to advance literature and create lifelong learners by providing students with informative and exciting experiences around reading, writing, and literary discussion.

Our work reflects PEN’s overall mandate to create a culture of readers, writers, and critical thinkers in society.