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Make Magic Happen

We Believe

that great leaps in learning can come from one-on-one attention, that building writing skills leads to success, and that young people have important things to say.

Our Programs

help students write their own paths forward—and have fun doing it. At risk for a zombie apocalypse? We've got a writing workshop lesson plan for that. Running for Kid President? We can help a student craft her winning platform. From the serious to the silly, we're ready to create with you.

Get Involved

with 826DC. From revising sonnets, exploring fractions, and illustrating centaurs to donating and spreading the word about 826DC, there are a ton of ways to help magic happen here.

Advice to the Past

Yoanabel

Grade 3

The advice I would give is to end segregation because it’s not fair. Also not to cheat on tests.

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Birds in the City

826DC "The Thing with Feathers" Summer Workshop, 2018

We hear birds in the city. A bird chirps when singing a song. When birds chirp, it is harmony.

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Make a Donation Today

A gift of any amount helps make our creative writing programs free for District students.

Young Authors' Book Project

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Publishing young authors is kind of our thing.

After-School Writing Lab

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We want your homework. Seriously.

Field Trips

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Creative andproject-based fun.

Writing Workshops

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Free workshops that foster creativity.

Reading All-stars

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Saturday morning reading program.

In-School Writing, Editing, and Publishing

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Flexible and Teacher-Driven In-School (or Remote) Residencies.

What's New

Featured News, Press and stories from 826DC

Meet the Staff: Dominique Doonquah

Meet Dominique Doonquah, 826DC’s new School Residency Manager! She has joined the team to lead the much-loved Young Authors’ Book Project (YABP), in addition to running other in-school writing residencies throughout the school year.

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Introducing 826DC’s COVID-19 Safety Policies

826DC is officially reopening for in-person writing adventures this fall! We’re delighted—and determined to do this right.

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Why I Interned at 826DC

My name is Nate Schwartz and I want to tell you why 826DC is such a great place to intern.

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Talking about the Young Authors’ Book Project

Last week, we joined forces with the DC Charter School Alliance and one of our teacher partners from Bridges PCS to talk about the Young Authors’ Book Project (YABP), one of 826DC’s free writing programs!

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A DC Arts Organization to Know

826DC recently featured in a Washington Independent Review of Books story about “area arts organizations every writer (and reader) should know.”

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We're thrilled to introduce you all to Dominique D

We're thrilled to introduce you all to Dominique Doonquah, 826DC's new School Residency Manager! Check out the Q&A with her in 826DC's latest blog post, available at the link in our bio. #MagicMaker

[Image: A photo of Dominique, displayed in a squiggly frame over a blue backdrop with stars. In the photo, Dominique has short hair, is wearing sunglasses, and is standing outside in the sunshine.]

To celebrate #SmallBusinessWeek, everything is 15%

To celebrate #SmallBusinessWeek, everything is 15% off at Tivoli's Astounding Magic Supply Co. this week with code SMALLBIZ!

Thank you so much for supporting our small shop. Every single purchase helps fund our free youth writing programs. Visit astoundingmagic.com (or the store link in our bio) to start shopping 🛍️✨

[Image: Interior of Tivoli's Astounding Magic Supply Company, showing a display of student-written books, the book-binding studio, 826DC merch, and more.]

Joseline "is currently eleven years old. She lives

Joseline "is currently eleven years old. She lives in Washington, DC. She loves to draw to calm herself down and sing to entertain herself. When she grows up, she wants to be a doctor."

[Image: "Now my sister is four and a half years old, and I try my best to protect her, prepare her for life, and love her to all my ability." -Joseline, age 11, published in "Having To Tell Your Mother is the Hardest Part"]

#Tbt to decorating our "poetree!" How will you pla

#Tbt to decorating our "poetree!" How will you play with your writing today?

[Image: an 826DC student holds a poem up to a paper tree, decorated with poems on paper leaves, before the pandemic]

Happy International #LiteracyDay to readers of all

Happy International #LiteracyDay to readers of all ages, here in DC and beyond!

[Image: Two students read with a volunteer at a pre-pandemic session of our Reading All-Stars program]

Hurricane Ida swept through New Orleans about a we

Hurricane Ida swept through New Orleans about a week ago, displacing many @826neworleans students and families. Many are still living without power and are in urgent need of goods and services, like food and fuel.

If you're able, we hope you'll consider contributing to the 826 New Orleans Hurricane Ida Community Relief and Recovery Fund, which aims to raise $10K in direct aid. You can do that at give.826neworleans.org. #WritersHelpingWriters

[Image: The mud in my swamp is magic! 826 New Orleans After School Writers"]

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