Biennial Report
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Biennial RepoRt July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2011 TABle oF ContentS 3 Introduction 4 40th Anniversary Campaign 6 Poets & Writers Magazine 9 Pw.org 10 Information Services Founded in 1970, Poets & Writers believes writers make indispensable con- 11 Readings/Workshops tributions to our national culture. The organization’s mission is to foster the 23 California Office professional development of poets and writers, to promote communication 24 Awards for Writers throughout the literary community, and to help create an environment in which 28 In the Field literature can be appreciated by the widest possible public. 30 Friends of Poets & Writers 32 Institutional Donors 34 Board of Directors 35 Poets & Writers Staff 36 Treasurer’s Report 38 R/W Writers Supported 47 R/W Sponsors n 2010, POeTS & WRITeRS CelebrateD four decades of importance of our website as a means of providing informa- I service to creative writers. tion and as a platform for the community of creative writers, the longtime editor of the magazine, Mary Gannon, was promoted to Founded in 1970 by Galen Williams with the support of the new editorial director. In this capacity, she provides direction to both York State Council on the Arts, the organization’s first initiative the magazine and website. Under her leadership, we’ve added was a program now called Readings/Workshops, which paid fees a host of new features, enhanced functionality of the site, and to writers for leading workshops and giving readings. strengthened linkages between our print and digital publications. On the occasion of our 40th Anniversary, the Board of Directors The Readings/Workshop program, where it all began, continued wanted to honor Galen for her vision and tenacity. She nurtured to thrive, paying hundreds of writers fees for giving readings and and supported scores of writers and began such smart, singular conducting workshops in new York, California, and eight cities programs that they continue to thrive today. Our signature pro- outside those states. grams, including Readings/Workshops, the Directory of American And there is still more. The pages that follow describe the Poets and Writers, and Poets & Writers Magazine (which began as a award winners we’ve celebrated, the new fellowship program we newsletter, called Coda), are all Galen’s brainchildren. newer launched, and the many supporters who make it all possible. We initiatives, notably a website rich with unique resources, services, are very pleased to say that Poets & Writers’ financial position is and databases, are extensions of them, made possible by new positive. Thanks to the tremendous generosity of our Board of n technology. In recent years Poets & Writers has instituted a series Directors, the Friends of Poets & Writers, our sponsors and of awards to recognize outstanding writers at various stages of donors, as well as the careful stewardship of the staff, we have their careers. All of these spring from the seed Galen planted. not only maintained but strengthened the organization’s financial She recognized that emerging writers needed both funds and health during an economically challenging period. TRODUCTIO n I encouragement to build a life in literature. They also needed • This report itself is a departure, pointing the way to the future opportunities to connect with readers and with peers, to build a as much as it celebrates past accomplishments. In addition to 2011 literary community that would sustain both writing and reading, covering two years instead of one, we decided for the first time 30, and to share information. Forty years later, writers continue to not to print the full report, but to produce it exclusively for reading ne JU need cash, readers, community, and information—and Poets & electronically. In addition to being more cost effective, this format — Writers continues to meet those needs. affords us the opportunity to include videos and links to material 2009 And so, to honor Galen, we launched the 40th Anniversary Cam- on our website. If you are just getting to know Poets & Writers, we 1, Y paign, which over the past two years raised $1 million to ensure hope you will enjoy learning about the many facets of the organiza- l JU that Poets & Writers remains relevant in the increasingly digital tion. If you are a supporter, we extend grateful thanks and hope landscape, to provide financial stability and flexibility, and to nurture that you will share in our pride at the many accomplishments young leaders who will champion literature long into the future. described here. PORT e R We’ve accomplished a great deal in these two years. We’ve added l Sincerely, IA color to the pages of Poets & Writers Magazine and made it available in a variety of digital formats. Our editorial team worked enn BI tirelessly to enhance the quality and breadth of the magazine’s coverage, and their efforts were recognized with a Gold eddie Celia Currin elliot Figman P&W Award for editorial excellence. Recognizing the growing President executive Director 3 40tH anniVeRSaRy CaMpaiGn he 40Th AnnIveRSARY CAMPAIGn SeCUReD significant funds for Reserved. T three specific objectives: Rights All the Galen Williams endowment Fund The Galen Williams endowment Fund will enhance the financial security and flex- n Crampton. ibility of Poets & Writers, ensuring that we can continue to serve creative writers ancy n for decades to come. Daniel and Joanna S. Rose challenged us to match their very generous lead contribution, and members of the Board, former members of the CAMPAIG Copyright Board, and others contributed to meet the goal. The William Bingham Foundation William Styron and Lauren Bacall cut the cake at and the e.h.A. Foundation also made grants helping to complete this portion of the the Poets & Writers tenth anniversary celebration. RSARY campaign and recognize Galen’s legacy at Poets & Writers. ve I nn Writers online A h This initiative will allow us to make significant investments in our online presence 40T over a period of five years, ensuring that P&W remains relevant in an increasingly • digital landscape. Writers Online has already enabled us to engage expert consultants, 2011 add staff with both technical and editorial skills, and roll out new web features and 30, digital products. ne JU — Reserved. Galen Williams Fellowship program 2009 Rights The Fellowship Program is intended to nurture future leaders for the non-profit 1, All Y literary field. We created two paid fellowship positions, which have been named l JU ictor. v for the donors whose generous contributions have made the program possible: the Diana and Simon Raab editorial Fellowship and the Joseph F. McCrindle Thomas PORT e Foundation Readings/Workshops Fellowship. R l Copyright IA Galen Williams, In the program’s inaugural year, 2010-11, we welcomed Cat Richardson as the Raab Founder of Poets & Writers. editorial Fellow and Cathy linh Che as the McCrindle Foundation Readings/Work- enn BI shops Fellow. P&W 4 poets & Writers is grateful to all who contributed to the 40th anniversary Campaign. thanks to their generous support, we will continue to meet writers’ evolving needs for decades to come. CHaMpionS Ella and Elliot Figman Diane Pinkley The Joseph F. McCrindle Foundation Lynn Goldberg Timothy Seldes Daniel & Joanna S. Rose Helen Handley Houghton Ellen Sussman William Kistler John Thompson leaDeRS Ann McGovern Daria Topousis John W. Holman, Jr. Al and Rosa Silverman Galen Williams Susan & John Jackson Shen Tong Kirk Wilson Diana & Simon Raab n Paul Vidich Xu Xi Robin B. Smith Anonymous Anonymous Ellen M. Violett & CAMPAIG Mary P.R. Thomas Foundation ContRiButoRS Anonymous Jennifer Benka We also thank the members Esther Cohen RSARY BeneFaCtoRS of the 40th anniversary ve Roger Cooper I Ellen Archer Campaign Writers Committee Valentine Craig nn Amy Berkower for their generous contributions A Dr. Saralyn R. Daly h The William Bingham Foundation and dedication to our goal. Allison Davis 40T Maureen Mahon Egen Marvin Diogenes Dorothy Allison • The E. H. A. Foundation Heather Dubrow Da Chen 2011 Jane Friedman Hon. Brian B. Duff Nelson DeMille 30, The Hyde & Watson Foundation Michael Geisser Jennifer Egan ne JU Susan Isaacs Jonathan Franzen Karin Grafstrom — Ellen R. Joseph Thomas Hesse A. M. Homes 2009 Susan & Alan Kahn 1, and Gwendolyn Bellman Major Jackson Y Helen Macioce l Mrs. Joan L. and Sue Monk Kidd JU Susan D. McClanahan Dr. Julius H. Jacobson Wally Lamb Michael Pietsch Janklow & Nesbit Associates Barry Lopez Theodore C. Rogers PORT e Cathy Che Stephen O. Lesser Honor Moore R Nick & Joanna Vergoth l Robin Magowan Peter Straub Margaret V.B. Wurtele IA and Juliet Mattila Quincy Troupe SuppoRteRS Lily Tuck enn Sandi Mendelson BI Virginia Barber David Nichols Hilma Wolitzer P&W Miles Coon Francine Pascal Anonymous Celia Currin 5 Poets & Writers Magazine ISCAl YeAR 2010 BeGAn with important F personnel changes in the editorial department. Mary Gannon, who had been the editor of Poets & Writers Magazine for five years, was promoted to editorial director, with responsibility for both the magazine and website. Kevin larimer, who had been deputy editor, became the editor of Poets & Writers Magazine. Under their leadership, the look and content of the magazine have continued to evolve, and links between the magazine and WRITERS MAGAZINE website have been strengthened. & Over the past two years, the editorial team has experimented with a variety of cover treatments. POETS • And, since the January/February 2011 issue, a por- 2011 tion of the magazine has been printed in full color. The results are gorgeous. 30, ne JU The January/February 2010 issue, our second — annual Inspiration issue, shook things up with a 2009 stunning cover treatment by renowned designer 1, Y Chip Kidd. This was followed in 2011 with Jim l JU Tierney’s take on the inspiration theme and thus was born a tradition well worth continuing.