Amplify Writers offers career support
In 2018, Elisa Saphier and I launched “Magnify: Small Presses, Bigger” with the goal of showcasing books from independent publishers and offering an inside look at life as an author launching a small press book.
Over 20 issues, we helped to promote 130 books from 110 small presses; featured small press book coverage from 70 media outlets; highlighted the work of 19 organizations and literary community builders; and shared insights from independent publishers, publicists, cover designers, and authors.
When we sent out our last issue of Magnify in June 2020, we didn’t have official plans to stop or suspend the newsletter. But as the pandemic wore on, it became too difficult for us to devote time to the project on top of everything else we were juggling. While we’re still weathering the challenges of the pandemic, we are thrilled to begin 2022 with renewed energy and new funding for the next phase of the project.
Over the next six months, Amplify Writers will use our newsletter to celebrate and promote the work of writers with lived experiences, identities, and backgrounds that are underrepresented in publishing. The newsletter will establish Amplify Writers as a champion of and resource for emerging writers from marginalized communities.
In addition to putting out a monthly newsletter, Amplify Writers intends to offer free or low-cost programming focused on career support for marginalized writers. The specific programming will be informed by the work we do over the next six months, interviewing and surveying writers and industry professionals in the Portland metro area to determine what types of career support they want and what expertise they have to share. (We do expect to offer virtual programming outside of the Portland area, but to start with, our engagement efforts will focus on our local community.)
How can you help?
We’re building a community, and we need you to be a part of it. Sign up for our newsletter, follow us on Twitter, buy books from our shop, and tell your friends about our work. And if you represent a bookstore, publisher, or other business invested in literary community, please consider sponsoring our community engagement!
Stay tuned for the release of our career development survey for writers so that you don’t miss your chance to contribute. We can’t wait to learn from you!
We’re grateful for support from the following organizations & businesses.
