Story Shares

Story Shares provides a unique solution for teen and adult illiteracy in the form of reimagined easy to read, hard to put down books. Our literacy hub consists of two overlapping pieces: a library, and a studio. Our library has been fashioned in the image of the struggling readers we aim to serve. Its shelves are filled with titles that reflect these readers’ experiences and identities. They feature diverse characters and culturally responsive topics and themes at a range of reading levels. These carefully crafted stories draw our target audience members in, build their confidence, and make them eager to keep reading. Our studio is where we reimagine, curate, and publish these unique reads. We crowdsource our collection of books, tapping into the existing writer community to elicit a wide range of new stories. Our annual contests provide writers with the awareness, tools, and incentives to create the books our readers need: including a book-building tool for publishing stories, reading level guidance for ensuring content is “just right,” and cash prizes for several winning categories. Beyond our contests, writers are motivated to share their stories with us year-round, because they care about literacy, and because they are eager to be published before an established network of readers. With this model, we're fast expanding our library of reads, and connecting the books within it to those in need of them.