Welcome to The Writer's Block, Inc. where literary art is in motion and within reach! At The Writer's Block, it is our mission to create a literary community where writers of color can thrive, connect, and share their voices.
For this North Texas Giving Day season, we are seeking support for the revitalization of our organization. Since 1997, we have been dedicated developing writers of color through workshops, literary events, critique sessions, conferences, retreats, and publishing opportunities. With your support on North Texas Giving Day, we can continue our mission to provide a platform for diverse voices, expand our programs, and create more opportunities for writers to share their stories.
Your generous contribution on North Texas Giving Day will also allow us to expand our immersive programming by helping us (re)launch our annual retreat as the Partners & Pages Writer's Retreat. This 10-day retreat for poets, fiction writers, creative nonfiction writers, and scriptwriters is designed to offer the perfect balance between relaxation, connection, soul work, and intense creative work.
The first three days are an opportunity for writers to bring a partnerâa spouse, best friend, significant other, parent, or siblingâto enjoy a mini-vacation together. While theyâre there, everyone can enjoy meals together and participate in social activities, readings, and opportunities to strengthen their relationships (including optional workshops on connecting, creativity, or personal growth).
After three days, companions depart, and the retreat shifts into focused creative development and dedicated writing time. Writers will also engage in immersive writing workshops, critique sessions, pitching, one-on-one meetings with mentors and agents, networking, craft lectures, author conversations, affinity group meetings, and an opportunity to dive deep into their craft in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Impact
For the past 27 years, The Writerâs Block has supported the racial, social, and economic equity of writers of color by providing honorariums, offering monthly writing workshops, hosting biannual retreats, and presenting at special events such as Tulisoma, the Texas Book Festival, Dallas is Lit Festival, SMUâs Dallas Literary Festival, South by Southwest Conference in Austin, and more.
We have impacted over 200 writers of color through our workshops, educational trainings, and an annual, focused retreat. Additionally, we have published over 50 writers of color across five anthology collaborations through our independent publishing company, and we regularly feature their work on our social media channels and podcast.
Beginnings
Our founders recognized the need for a space where writers of color could share their cultural nuances, interests, and experiences in a loving, supportive, and safe environment to develop, evolve, and become published. And so it was: The Writerâs Block was formed to create a unified neighborhood or âblockâ in Dallas, Texas, where writers of all backgrounds can come together to share stories, develop their craft, and build meaningful connections without leaving the South. Since our beginnings, we have been on a mission to build a community where writers of color feel supported and empowered to contribute to the literary landscape of our city and beyond. Â
Our mission is to build a community for writers of diverse backgrounds to feel supported and empowered to contribute to the literary landscape of our city and beyond.
As we continue our mission to center the experiences, nuances, and voices of underrepresented writers, we are seeking support for the following key areas to expand our impact and reach:
1. Funding for Programs and Workshops: Our diverse programs, including writer's groups, workshops, and retreats, are at the heart of what we do. We need your support to continue offering these enriching experiences, especially those that serve underrepresented writers and communities of color.
2. Scholarships for Underrepresented Writers: Cost should never be a barrier to participation. Therefore, we are raising funds to provide scholarships that will open doors for writers of color in underrespresented communities who might not otherwise have the opportunity to engage with our programs.
3. Technology and Resources: In today's digital world, access to the right tools is essential. We seek funding to equip our organization and our programs with the necessary technology and resources that will enable us to run virtual workshops and events that can reach writers far and wide.
4. Creative Coaches: To enhance the learning experience for writers, we collaborate with skilled creative coaches who can guide, mentor, and inspire our members and workshop participants. Your support will help us hire these professionals, so that our writers receive the highest level of instruction and encouragement.
5. Marketing and Outreach: Expanding our reach is crucial for connecting with writers who can benefit from our programs and services. We need funds to strengthen our marketing and outreach efforts, particularly in underserved communities, so that more people can discover and join The Writer's Block.
6. Community Engagement and Partnerships: Building strong ties with local schools, libraries, independent and community bookstores and organizations is key to extending our impact. We seek support to develop these partnerships, bringing our programs to a broader audience and creating lasting community connections.
7. Operational Support: Running The Writer's Block requires a solid foundation. General operating funds are needed to cover the essential costs of our organization so we can continue our work without financial strain and with a focus on growth.
8. Publishing Opportunities: One of our goals is to provide a platform for underrepresented writers to share their voices with the world. We are raising funds to support publishing opportunities that will bring the work of underserved writers to a broader audience.
With your support on North Texas Giving Day, we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of writers and in the literary world as a whole. Thank you for helping us advance equity, creativity, and community through the power of words.
The Writer's Block centers the experiences, nuances, and voices of underrepresented writers. We are committed to creating inclusive and accessible programs, but especially those that reflect the diverse identities within communities of color. Through our writer's group, workshops, retreats, and literary events, we are committed to effecting positive change and advancing equity in the literary world.
Organization name
The Writers Block, Inc.
Causes
Arts & Humanities
Operating Budget
Less than $100,000
Counties Served
Dallas, Collin, Tarrant, Denton
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latinx, Native American, Other
BIPOC Leadership
Both the Executive Director/CEO and Board Chair
Address
543 W. Commerce St., #542