Publishing

At the end of their program, all of our students become published authors! Their books are sold in our storefront, online, and in some bookstores across NYC. These publications would not be possible without the help of volunteer editors, designers, and writing mentors. Read on to learn more about our publishing guidelines and see some books we're collaborated on in the past!

Join our Publishing Corps!

• Do you dream in proper punctuation or chat about subject-verb agreement at dinner parties? Join our editing cohort! Help us produce student publications that honor their unique voices while maintaining readability!
• Are you a professional designer (or very talented hobbyist)? Join our design cohort! Provide the layout and book cover design to support our publications in addition to other illustration, graphic design, and branding needs we have!

• Instructions for Book Editors + Designers If you are a first-time editor or designer for one of our publications, or just curious about what the process entails, check out our overview of instructions for creating a book that honors our students' writing.
• Book Design Guide More in-depth support for designers creating a chapbook or perfect-bound publication.
• Editorial Handbook Need a refresher on whether or not we use the ever-contentious Oxford Comma (we do!) or how to capitalize titles? This overview is for you!
• Publishing Style Guide The as-close-to-comprehensive-as-possible 826NYC publishing style guide for your reviewing pleasure!

These are publishing guidelines, which means that while students may write about these topics, we cannot publish them.

• Writing that implicates the author (or someone else who is clearly identifiable) in a crime cannot be published. Let a staff member know about this immediately.
• Writing containing information that may endanger the student or someone else may not be published without signed consent from the student (or guardian if under 18 years old)
• Writing that negatively portrays someone in the student’s life or community may not be published without that party’s written consent
• Sexual content, drugs, or violence should enhance literary effect in a piece, not undermine it - pieces containing these themes likely will not be published in works for younger audiences.
• Swearing and derogatory language cannot be published.
• Writing cannot negatively target specific genders, races, abilities, sexual orientations, religions, or ethnic groups.

If a student has written or shared something about being in a dangerous or abusive situation, tell an 826 staff member and/or the classroom teacher immediately.

If you have any questions about these guidelines, please email volunteer@826nyc.org.