Mission Statement:

The glaring inequality in traditional publishing and its impact has inspired Writing Our Own Stories Inc. to create a space for aspiring authors of color to publish their stories. We want to combat the discriminatory practices of major publishing companies by creating programs that empower communities throughout the entire writing process. We aim to create an opportunity for the narratives of modern day griots to be heard. We provide writing workshops that educate on the foundations of becoming a published author. Our workshops will help authors to write professionally, learn the basics of writing, book production, publishing, and marketing. We assist our authors through the entire writing process. Writing Our Own Stories Inc. aims to ensure that our voices are magnified and that our stories are told. Aspiring authors will be encouraged to publish stories that magnify their existence and solidify that their histories are preserved.

Vision Statement:

Writing Our Own Stories Inc. will create a world where every story has the opportunity to be told and every person is encouraged and inspired to write their own story. We envision a world where there is no divide in literary diversity and there is access to all griots to share their stories.

Values:

Supportive: We support our authors through one-on-one writing coaching and in collaborative group writing workshops.

Results-Driven: We ensure our authors are supported throughout the writing process and successfully publish their own stories.

Inclusive: We are dedicated to uplifting the voices of marginalized communities including Black, Brown, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA+ authors.

Respectful: Our authors and their stories will be treated with respect. We provide a space where anyone who wants to write can come and be encouraged and supported through the process.

Educational: Our core value is to expand the knowledge of our authors and to equip them with empowering information to be self-sufficient published authors.

Empowering: We pour motivation into our authors and aim to shift their mindset to be empowered to tell their own stories to the world.