named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Themed Essay Submissions
Runs periodic calls for essays around specific themes such as "Roommates" and "Cats", with deadlines and live event plans
Writers Read Live Events
Hosts live storytelling events in NYC and the Hudson Valley where selected writers perform their 650-word personal essays on stage
Writers Read Podcast
Publishes audio recordings of selected personal essays as podcast episodes, distributed online
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Literary Events & Workshops 1 activity
- Host live storytelling events for writersOrganizes and hosts recurring live events where writers perform true, personal stories of exactly five minutes (650 words or fewer) at venues including City Winery New York, The Loft at City Winery NYC, SUNY New Paltz, and other Hudson River Valley and Capital Region locations; events are free to the public and often tied to specific themes such as music and American identity or shared living spaces.
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Literary and Cultural Publishing 1 activity
- Manage story submission and curation processHosts recurring, theme-based submission cycles for short personal essays (650 words or fewer) which are curated for live performance and inclusion in podcast and digital distribution.
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Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Produce and distribute storytelling podcast and digital contentProduces the Writers Read Podcast featuring curated five-minute true stories from live shows, distributes it on major podcast platforms, and post-produces live recordings for YouTube with enhanced audio and visual quality; also distributes selected essays through broadcasts and printed anthologies.
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Youth & Emerging Filmmaker Training 1 activity
- Provide media production mentorship and internshipsOffers mentorship and hands-on training for Digital Media Production interns and student volunteers, engaging them in the full lifecycle of storytelling content including live event production, camera operation, multi-camera setup, post-production for podcast and YouTube, and social media marketing.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$51K
Contributions & grants——
Program service revenue$51K100%
Investment income——
Other revenue$20
expenses
Total expenses$39K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$22K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$11K
1 years on record · 2024–2024
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 4
- Edward McCann — Founder, Executive Director
- Kevin O'Connor — Production Director
- Rishi Shankar — Art Director
- Sara Marrone — Board President
relationships · 9
Who they work with
- Bryant Park Partner — Hosts Writers Read events at the Bryant Park Reading Room.
- Carnegie Hall Partner — Collaborates with Carnegie Hall as a festival partner for the United in Sound: America at 250 event.
- City Winery New York Partner — Venue for hosting Writers Read live performance events.
- SUNY New Paltz Network — Alumni from SUNY New Paltz hold leadership roles in the organization and guide interns.
- SUNY New Paltz Partner — Collaborates with SUNY New Paltz to present a featured event during the Alumni Reunion 2026.
- SUNY New Paltz Partner — Hosts live storytelling events in partnership with Writers Read during Reunion Weekend.
- Spotify Partner — Collaborates on content distribution or promotion, as indicated by shared branding.
- The Loft at City Winery NYC Partner — Venue partner hosting regular Writers Read live events.
- Writers Read Partner — Organization that creates performance opportunities for writers
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Analog Storytelling for Public Re-Engagementmethodology: analog-engagementBy using live spoken word storytelling, the organization counters digital fatigue and re-engages audiences in shared cultural reflection, because in-person, voice-driven narratives foster presence and communal connection.
- Authentic Voice and Micro-Narrative Focusmethodology: voice-centered_storytellingBy centering the writer’s authentic voice and focusing on concise, emotionally resonant moments, the organization creates deeper audience connection, because brevity and intimacy increase emotional impact and reflection.
- Craft-Centered Narrative Developmentmethodology: craft-centered_storytellingBy emphasizing literary craft—such as word choice, narrative arc, and sentence structure—the organization improves storytelling quality and impact, because technical rigor transforms personal experience into enduring literary work.
- Curated Storytelling as Literary Amplificationmethodology: curated_programmingBy curating live and digital storytelling programs, the organization elevates personal narratives into literary art and expands writers' public reach, because structured, high-integrity formats increase cultural resonance and engagement.
- Peer-Led Leadership Developmentmethodology: peer-led intern developmentBy using former interns to coach new interns, the organization builds professional continuity and skill transfer, because peer-led models strengthen program sustainability and leadership ownership.