About SSWA

What:

So Say We All is a 501(c)3 literary arts organization that provides opportunities for expression and arts education to populations without access. We believe having forums to share our stories foster emotionally and psychologically healthier communities, that by taking ownership of our narratives we empower ourselves to take control of our lives, and that open communication is the most powerful alternative to isolation and despair.

How:

Production

So Say We All’s programming revolves around producing literary arts showcases; theatrical events involving several writers performing original work with the aid of multimedia. These showcases are often rooted around a theme that’s explored through the participating writers’ varied perspectives. So Say We All produces the VAMP (Visual Art, Music, Performance) Showcase on a monthly basis, and several special showcases are produced throughout the year in collaboration with partner organizations.

All literary arts showcases are open to participation by the public through a vetted submission process. Chosen participants receive extensive literary critique through group workshops, performance coaching, and one-on-one mentorship with senior writers. Participation in these workshops yields therapeutic benefits from socializing with others who share similar experiences, of being welcomed back into the community after disclosing difficult truths, and through public self-representation.

Creative Writing Education

So Say We All makes creative writing instruction available to the public through its Greenroom Writers Workshop series, produced at various independent venues and the San Diego Public Library system. These hour-long workshops welcome writers of any skill level to participate in topical discussions on technique or subject matter, engage in a generative free-write, and the option to share their work at the end.

In addition to open workshops, SSWA offers regular, long-term storytelling, poetry, creative writing, and performance instruction tailored to the needs of social service providers and organizations. Past and current clients include the Teen Center at Father Joe’s Village, The Toussaint Academy, Veteran Writers Group San Diego (VWG-SD), Grossmont Community College, High Tech High, The Braille Institute’s Teen Center, and several branches of the San Diego Public Library.

So Say We All Press

2012 marked the entry of SSWA into the publishing world through the creation of the multimedia anthology The Far East (funded through a Creative Catalyst Fellowship from The San Diego Foundation to Executive Director Justin Hudnall under the sponsorship of San Diego Writers Ink,) horror anthology Black Candies, and the experimental collaborative novel, Last Night on Earth. Both works featured local writers alongside nationally recognized contributors.