wHAT WE DO
The Haight Ashbury Literary Journal is dedicated to fostering equitable and accessible literary programming and publication that preserves and celebrates the vibrant culture and community of San Francisco’s literary scene. Our mission centers on providing a vital platform to elevate voices that are often marginalized or oppressed, featuring writers from diverse backgrounds encompassing various ages, genders, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. We are particularly committed to amplifying the work of local writers and those from unconventional circumstances, including “off-grid” and incarcerated contributors who might otherwise lack access to literary publication opportunities. At the heart of our mission lies a belief that poetry serves as both a mirror and a bridge—reflecting the authentic experiences of our community while connecting readers to perspectives that challenge, inspire, and transform. We recognize that the most powerful stories often emerge from the margins of society, and we are committed to ensuring these voices find their rightful place in the literary conversation.
How you can help
The Haight Ashbury Literary Journal currently operates with a dedicated team of volunteers who provide their services in-kind, reflecting both the organization’s grassroots nature and its current financial constraints. Our staff handles event organization, manuscript review, and publication production. Their commitment to the organization’s mission demonstrates the deep personal investment that drives our work. We have maintained operations through a combination of foundation support, grants, and private donations. We also benefit from the ongoing support of subscribers, local artists, theaters, literary festivals, and private donors, many of whom are longtime friends of founders Hotchkiss and McIntire and understand the unique role we play in San Francisco’s literary landscape.
Despite the financial challenges in sustaining our work and the legacy of the magazine, we continue to publish annually and maintain our programming schedule, testament to the dedication of our team and the ongoing support of our community. If you would like to support our mission in the form of a tax deductible donation, contact us.
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