We made it to the end of another year of celebrating Black women writers. Thanks to Torch community members like you, we’re almost to our 2025 individual giving goal of $40,000. We need $9,089 by the end of the year to reach our goal! These unrestricted contributions help us with programming, sustaining the organization, paying Torch features, and much more.

In 2025, we:

• Hosted over 50 events, including free workshops, our Wildfire Reading Series, virtual writing circles, the Torch Retreat, and more.

• Paid over $51,000 to Torch Magazine Features, Retreat Fellows, authors, artists, and independent contractors.

• Continued our Writers Across the Diaspora Program with support from the Consulate General of Ireland - Austin.

• Started a new program, Welcome Table Talk, in collaboration with the Wintergreen Women Writers Collective.

• Supported 8 fellows from Iowa, California, Texas, and Michigan during our 3rd Annual Torch Retreat.

• Received the inaugural AWP Writing Organization Award.

• Started construction on The Torch Center, set to open in January.

• Grew our Instagram following to 11k+ followers.

With your help, we can reach our individual giving goal to start the year strong!  Your donation helps support Black women writers and empowers storytelling from emerging and experienced writers around the world.

Interested in learning more about what we have in store for 2026? You can watch our “Fueling Torch’s Flame” webinar online now! You’ll hear board members, staff, and community members talk about the importance of supporting Black women writers and the impact Torch Literary Arts has made on their lives. You can watch the live webinar here using this passcode: We!rL4%Y

We can’t wait to see what we accomplish next year with you!

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About Torch Literary Arts

Torch Literary Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established with love and intention in 2006 to publish and promote creative writing by Black women. We publish contemporary writing by experienced and emerging writers alike. Torch has featured work by notable authors such as Toi Derricotte, Tayari Jones, Sharon Bridgforth, Crystal Wilkinson, Patricia Smith, Natasha Trethewey, and Sapphire, among others. Programs include the Wildfire Reading Series, workshops, an annual retreat, and special events. 

Help Torch continue to publish and promote Black women writers by donating today.

Media Contact Information:

Brittany Heckard

Communications Associate

bheckard@torchliteraryarts.org 

(512) 641-9251