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We Need Diverse Books

Writing the Story of Us All.

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We Need Diverse Books

We Need Diverse Books

We Need Diverse Books

We Need Diverse Books

We Need Diverse Books

Writing the Story of Us All.

Writing the Story of Us All.

Writing the Story of Us All.

Writing the Story of Us All.

Aisha Saeed
Aisha Saeed
Aisha Saeed
Aisha Saeed
1 Campaign |
Bethesda, United States
$181,676 USD 2,414 backers
181% of $100,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Choose your Perk
featured

Sponsor the Walter Grant 2017

$1,000 USD
0 out of 10 of claimed

High Five!

$5 USD
56 claimed

Wall of Thanks

$10 USD
229 claimed

WNDB Sticker

$15 USD
186 claimed

WNDB Swag Pack

$25 USD
246 out of 2000 of claimed

WNDB Canvas Tote

$40 USD
329 claimed

WNDB Logo T-shirt

$45 USD
114 claimed

WNDB Art Poster

$50 USD
64 claimed

#CelebrateJackie Signed Book

$75 USD
38 claimed

Super Swag Pack

$100 USD
134 out of 500 of claimed

Agent portfolio review + call

$125 USD
2 out of 3 of claimed

Mega Swag Pack

$200 USD
12 out of 500 of claimed

Agent Critique (Query + 30 pp)

$200 USD
4 out of 10 of claimed

Editor Critique - Spencer Hill

$200 USD
0 out of 1 of claimed

Sponsor a Classroom

$500 USD
3 out of 20 of claimed

Free Pass to Editorial Meeting

$2,000 USD
1 out of 2 of claimed
sold out

Agent Critique - YA (30 pp)

$175 USD
3 out of 3 of claimed
sold out

Skype Visit with Shannon Hale!

$300 USD
1 out of 1 of claimed


Why do we need diverse books? Authors give the answer.

Thank you to each and every one of you for helping us to reach our goal! First we announced that we reached our initial goal of 100K. Now we can announce we have reached both of our first two stretch goals! Thank you so much for making this possible, and now it's time announce our third stretch goal:

                                     $150,000 and beyond: Sustainability

The problem with diversity in children's literature won't be solved over night or even in a year. Battling entrenched barriers for diverse books takes sustained effort. Your donations from here on out, every single dollar, helps WNDB maintain our long-term viability and to continue to change the face of children's literature for years to come.

Stretch goal #1: We Need Diverse Books – the publishing edition

Once we reach $125.000, we can focus on bringing WNDB to the heart of publishing. Right now, publishing is still a very homogeneous industry, while internships--which are critical to developing a career in the publishing world--are not financially accessible to most. This contributes to a lack of diversity within the industry. 

Once we’ve reached our first stretch goal, WNDB will be able to create a paid internship program to help interns from diverse backgrounds (as noted in our mission statement) who demonstrate financial need. We hope our grants will allow people who might not otherwise be able to achieve their dream of a career in publishing. We will also be able to fund a year-long mentorship program for multiple writers.

Stretch goal #2: We Need Diverse Books – in your backyard

Once we reach $150.000, we will further expand our WNDB in the classroom program, servicing more schools and spreading our reach across the country. We will expand our outreach and create more educational kits and educational materials to be used to discuss diversity in all its ways and forms. And we'll offer travel grants, to help currently-published authors attend conferences and events that would otherwise not be accessible to them.

Finally, we plan develop a WNDB app. The WNDB app goes beyond recommendations and looks for new interactive ways to support diverse authors and books. With it, WNDB is excited to create a new high-tech way to bring diverse books to YOU, the reader.

Together, we'll write the Story of All of Us!

Help us change the face of children's literature

What is We Need Diverse Books™?

Reading is the ultimate form of empathy.

Though more than half of schoolchildren are minorities--people of color, LGBTQIA, and/or people with disabilities--the fact remains that too few of these children see reflections of themselves in the books they read. Books are more than mirrors-- they’re windows as well. The more kids read, the more they understand not just themselves, but the Story of Us All.

8 Kids Nail What's Wrong With Our Bookshelves:

We Need Diverse Books™ (WNDB) is a grassroots organization dedicated to advocating and supporting non-majority narratives. We've been featured in a plethora of media outlets, including the LA TimesNPR, The Huffington Post and The Guardian. 
You may know of #WeNeedDiverseBooks as the hashtag that went viral after BookCon released its whitewashed author lineup. But since then we've become so much more than just a hashtag. We've incorporated and become an organization dedicated to creating tangible change within the publishing industry, and have been thrilled at the support we've received from organizations across the world. You can read more about our mission here

Thus far we've been a volunteer corps surviving on moxie alone - but we can do so much more with your help. 

With your donation, WNDB will be able to:

  • Diversify our classrooms: Through our Diversity in the Classroom program we will work with An Open Book Children’s Literacy Foundation, First Book, and the National Education Association to bring diverse books and authors into disadvantaged schools. Diverse authors will also visit other schools to give all children windows into different backgrounds and cultures so they can increase their empathy and understanding.
  • Support diverse authors: Through our newly announced Walter Dean Myers Award & Grant program “The Walter” will recognize outstanding diverse contributions by authors in Young Adult and Middle Grade literature, and provide funds to help develop new diverse authors and artists.
  • Promote diverse programming: WNDB will continue to have a presence at conferences across the country, aiming to foster positive, honest, and constructive discussions on diversity and show people that a diverse book is just a good book that any child can enjoy.
  • Develop educational kits: In conjunction with School Library Journal and the American Booksellers Association, WNDB is creating educational kits to introduce teachers, librarians and booksellers to select diverse books.
  • Host WNDB’s inaugural Kidlit Diversity Festival: It will be a celebration of diversity in children’s literature to be held in the Washington, DC area in the summer of 2016. The festival will showcase both diverse authors & illustrators, as well as authors who write diversely, with programming geared to promote the importance of our shared life experiences. 

 

Our impact model

FAQ

Q: Will my donations be tax deductible?

A: Yes! Due to the generosity of our fiscal sponsor, An Open Book, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all your donations are tax deductible.

Q: Do you have transcripts of your videos for those who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing?

A: Yes - we've posted a full transcript of our campaign video on our Tumblr.  The transcript for the John Green video is directly on the You Tube page for the video! 

Q: Are the perks listed the only ones that will be available? 

A: No! Due to Indiegogo restrictions, we are only allowed to post 20 perks at a time and will be rotating them regularly. Perks that will be revolving include limited edition artwork, special offers from authors, and some further exciting offers from agents.

Q: Did you say AGENTS? What agents???

A: Thanks to our WNDB agent liaison Marietta Zacker of the Nancy Gallt Literary Agency , the following amazing agents have donated perks including "Bypass the query queue" offers, query critiques, partial critiques and personal phone calls:

Michelle Andelman, Mackenzie Brady, Danielle Burby, CAKE Literary, Minju Chang, Jamie Weiss Chilton, Danielle Chiotti, Gemma Cooper, John M Cusick, Sarah Davies, Adriana Dominguez, Karen Grencik, Elizabeth Harding, Susan Hawk, Molly Ker Hawn, Ella Kennen, Ginger Knowlton, Sarah LaPolla, Jennifer Laughran, Steven Malk, Kendra Marcus, Victoria Marini, Taylor Martindale, Jennifer Mattson, Erin Murphy, Monica Odom, Rachel Orr, Kathleen Ortiz, Ammi-Joan Paquette, Alexandra Penfold, Lara Perkins, Barbara Poelle, Jessica Regel, Jen Rofe, Abigail Samoun, Brooks Sherman, Danielle Smith, Saba Sulaiman, Suzie Townsend, Joanna Volpe, Caryn Wiseman, Kristin Vincent and Marietta Zacker.

Q: What will the canvas tote bag and t-shirt look like? 
A: Check them out below! 



Q: I love what you are doing! How can I help?

A: The quickest and easiest way to help us right now is support us with your generous donation! We also welcome help in many other ways as well:

  1. Share this page with your family and friends, including a personal message describing why the campaign is important to you!

  2. Use Twibbon to add a small WNDB support logo to your social media profile picture, and add some WNDB flair.

  3. Create your own sign or use the templates we’ve created and submit pictures to our Tumblr about why you #SupportWNDB. Bonus!  The photos with the most reblogs will win a WNDB prize pack.

  4. Follow us on TwitterTumblr Instagram and Facebook and use the #SupportWNDB hashtag to spread the word about our campaign!


Q: Who made your AMAZING campaign video? 

A: We're so glad you asked! We owe our fantastic video appeal to Aina Dumlao and Bru Muller of Undercurrent Media, who went above and beyond the call of duty. Please check out their amazing website, including an ad for Secret that still makes me chuckle. Stay tuned for some equally incredible (and moving) update videos.


Q: Is shipping included in the perks?

A: Yes, if you live in the US. However, for international donors, please add the specified shipping after you choose your perk.

Q: My kid is a Captain Underpants fan. What does Dav Pilkey's signed print look like? Will it be available for Christmas?


A: We will do our best to have it shipped before Christmas. Behold, the glory:

Q: What will the WNDB Art poster look like?

A: Here is a preview of the lovely art on our poster. Artists are: Vanessa Brantly, Aree Chung, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Yuyi Morales, LeUyen Pham, Dav Pilkey, Divya Srinivasan, Don Tate, & Hyewon Yum!

Q: I bought a t-shirt. How do I tell you the size I'd like?

One of our rewards volunteers will contact you via email. Thank you!

Q: I bought an agent-related reward. What happens next? 

One of our rewards coordinators Caroline Tung Richmond or Marieke Nijkamp will contact you to give you more information. Thanks for the contribution!

Q: I bought a perk to help with the fundraiser, can I give more?

A: Yes! There is an option at checkout to add more to your contribution. Thank you!

Q: What if I want to donate but don't want a perk?

A: We appreciate your support for our campaign and we welcome your donation even if you do not wish to pick a perk. That just means 100% of your donation will go directly to WNDB! 
Q: Can I donate via check?
A: Yes! Please make your check out to "An Open Book." AOB is our fiscal sponsor, and thus your gift will be tax deductible. In the memo line of your check, please write "We Need Diverse Books" so that AOB will ensure your money is earmarked for the campaign. Our PO box is:

732 Eden Way North 
#127, Suite E
Chesapeake, VA 23320


Thank you!

We appreciate your support so much. As we are a grassroots campaign, by definition we owe any success we have to you.


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