The written word is powerful. It can record the present and survive for centuries. The instruments a writer uses have changed over time; in many places people now use keyboards more than pens to express their ideas.
But not everyone has the fundamental tools to become a writer. The ability to read and write is a privilege many of us take for granted. Literacy often evades those who are economically disadvantaged and oppressed. And yet, learning to read and write has been essential to empowering marginalized people and helping them acheive social justice (see our
Understanding Literacy page for more.)
The publishing industry is a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. The most common formats are... (
more)
The written word is powerful. It can record the present and survive for centuries. The instruments a writer uses have changed over time; in many places people now use keyboards more than pens to express their ideas.
But not everyone has the fundamental tools to become a writer. The ability to read and write is a privilege many of us take for granted. Literacy often evades those who are economically disadvantaged and oppressed. And yet, learning to read and write has been essential to empowering marginalized people and helping them acheive social justice (see our
Understanding Literacy page for more.)
The publishing industry is a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. The most common formats are books, periodicals (magazines), and newspapers, with genres as diverse as poetry, plays, novels, short stories, screenplays, reviews, editorials, articles, songs, research papers, reports, how-to manuals, textbooks, and encyclopedias. The competition is fierce and there are no guarantees that your work will find a publisher, but with determination you may yield positive results. Writing is a viable and rewarding pursuit and career.
Do-it-yourself media is now a popular method of publishing. New and experimental writers can afford to photocopy and distribute their own work in activist or literary circles. These are called zines. Much of the do-it-yourself media is being published online by young people. Online publishing opens up many avenues for expression--you can contribute to an online publication or news outlet, or make your own! Build your own website or keep a blog. Publishing in a newspaper, online magazine, blog, book, or even pamphlet can connect you to others and inspire group-building. See our
Understanding Independent and Mass Media section for more. (
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