They say true happiness comes from giving — so ask not what your literary community can do for you, ask what you can do for your literary community. Here are six ways to give back to the Los Angeles literary community:
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For a more vibrant literary community: Pen America
This literary and human rights organization, committed to championing the freedom to write, does everything from provide fellowships to emerging writers to defend writers and journalists’ freedom of speech to give out literary awards to organize local readings to host a local book club.
Become a member for $25 or more to enjoy a whole host of benefits — including invitations to members-only receptions.
For the future writers in your neighborhood: 826 LA and WriteGirl
Both these organization basically let you volunteer to mentor young girls and boys — so that they become better writers. 826LA focuses on students ages 6 to 18 while WriteGirl focuses on girls ages 13 to 18.
Those might be the best known organizations in town, but there are many other nonprofits that encourage young people to read and write. Some others to check out are InsideOUT Writers, Young Storytellers, Reading to Kids, Get Lit, and Street Poets.
For your online book review supplement: Los Angeles Review of Books
If you don’t read The Los Angeles Review of Books yet, start now. LARB publishes thoughtful, in-depth essays about books and culture every day. It’s one of my favorite places for discovering new books to read.
Become a member for $5 monthly or more and get a Reckless Reader Card that gives you discounts at local bookstores. Higher membership levels will get you the quarterly journal, handpicked books, or even invites to dinner with featured authors.
For your libraries: Library Foundation of Los Angeles and Young Literati
The Library Foundation of Los Angeles supports the Los Angeles Public Libraries, with reading and literacy programs for children adults and events — like the free ALOUD literary series that brings great authors to the downtown Los Angeles library for readings and conversations. Become a member for $50 and get first dibs on tickets to those events.
If you like both books and parties, you might consider joining the Young Literati — a LFLA membership program for people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s featuring exclusive literary events with wine and nibbles.
More: Young Literati: Party with book lovers, support libraries
For your local literary arts center: Beyond Baroque
Beyond Baroque isn’t just a bookstore with odd hours; it’s a literary arts center that hosts dozens of readings and open mics every month — as well as free weekly community writing workshops — at its historic Venice location.
Become a member for $30 or more for free admission to events. If you live out in Riverside, check out Inlandia Institute, another great literary center with similar goals.
For your local nonprofit press: Red Hen Press, Kaya Press, and Les Figues Press
My own book was published by a nonprofit literary press, Red Hen — so of course I recommend supporting this organization’s work. In addition to continuing to publish great books, Red Hen’s cool initiatives include Quill, a new queer publication series, and Writing in the Schools, writing workshops led by authors in local schools.
Other local nonprofit presses include Kaya Press, which publishes “literature being produced throughout the Asian and Pacific Island diasporas,” and Les Figues Press, which publishes more experimental, boundary-pushing work and “embraces a feminist criticality and editorial vision.”
Originally published 12/27/16; updated 2/18/19