
Your Words Matter.
Share your voice.
Write your story.

I WRITE NY is an ongoing, New York State creative initiative for middle and high school students. A committee reviews all submissions (writing and other media) and awards grants for outstanding work, which will be shared and acknowledged publicly. Writers, influencers, and sponsors suggest writing challenges that are posted online monthly or as a “flash” event.
TEENS MIND
This inaugural edition was created in the Spring of 2020 during the "Write from Experience" Program at the Professional Performing Arts School in NYC.
It is a Zine filled with original poetry, stories of "Life in Lockdown", childhood memories and unique dramas. All writings were developed during the progam by the students.

20 authors and writing experts are matched with 60 aspiring teen writers to discuss what makes a compelling story and to write.
I WRITE & GO! creates a real time writing experience for teens and authors.
Free 1 ½ to 2 hour monthly events run from Dec. 2020 - Dec. 2021.
OUR OBJECTIVES
Motivate emerging young writers to write good stories.
Acknowledge guest authors who pay it forward through I Write & Go.
Inspire mentors, coaches, and others to keep working with rising star writers.
Sign up for In The Know
and find out when I Write & Go is starting.
WE WANT YOUR STORY
The Know in partnership with members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA-East) and the Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) are calling MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS to take the WRITING challenge.
New York Story Challenge
Promoting the words of young writers and New York City.
GETTING STARTED…
You are a New York Character
New York is a city with “character,” and you are also a character in the city. Write a story based on something that happened to you or someone you know. Imagine a neighborhood place you know well, like a bodega, a shop or café, a sports event, on a bus, subway, or with a friend or relative. Write the story only you can tell.
Alternate New York Story Challenge: Your Story of the Future
Imagine you are a character 20 years from now. Are you/your character still living in New York? What has changed about you, your life and New York? Your character of the future can be you or anyone you like—a business person, mechanic, an author, cyber hacker, even the mayor. Write from your character’s future voice.
Know this: You can write as much as you need and all the words you want to tell the story.
Required 2 things:
1. A hand-written draft or Story Synopsis must be submitted.
2. A Story Submission Form must be completed with information about you, the author, title of the Story, and signed and dated permission for us to review your revised, final Story according to the Guidelines. (For Guidelines, click here)
![IWrite Nov212019[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f3fee2_1a817acaa4a94a31a29ac73160abc123~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_4377,h_3273/fill/w_492,h_368,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IWrite%20Nov212019%5B1%5D.jpg)
WORDS MATTER.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
Every time you accept a writing challenge and submit your story (minimum three paragraphs), you earn points. You can redeem your points to purchase a workshop in Essay writing, Poetry or with accumulated points, attend a series of classes, or receive personalized coaching for a job interview or apprenticeship. Through The Know’s strategic partners, we plan to offer audiobooks, textbooks, tech equipment and other equipment, software and tools you may need for school or to complete a project.
The more you submit work online to different challenges, the more you will learn and points you will earn.
A Reading Committee of authors, editors and specialty writers volunteer each quarter (every three months) to review and evaluate student submissions by gaging and charting writing conventions and originality.
You will learn that “words matter” to authors, editors, stand up artists, public speakers, and publishers.

BECOME A MENTOR OR COACH
I WRITE NY offers interested students free meetups and workshops guided by volunteer authors and writing mentors.
We also offer affordable in-person or remote, 5 – 10 week programs with 2-hour classes, designed and run by coaches in their field. The aim of I WRITE NY is to cultivate the next generation of powerful writers, journalists, and communicators.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor or a coach please click BECOME A MENTOR OR COACH. Send us your resume and a brief letter about your accomplishments and how you would share your knowledge with youth. If you have questions, call us at 917-710-0050.

GET YOUR HOME OR SCHOOL INVOLVED
Parents and Teachers can collaborate with the I Write NY team creating a writing challenge event for students to spark interest in a broader world, sharpen skills across the curriculum, and ignite a lasting love for words, writing and story-telling.
Sign up, iwriteny@theknowledgeproject.org. Tell us your writing challenge proposal, deadline and celebration event dates. Tie the challenge to a writing genre or nationwide theme month such as Black History or Poetry. The Know will post your home or school challenge online and offer participating students an audience for their writing outside the classroom
Questions? For more information on how to create an I Write NY Challenge, contact, sheilaklewis@theknowledgeproject.org, or call 212-346-9933.