Frequently Asked Questions

About Hosting Find Your Voice workshops

Who can host a 916 Ink Find Your Voice program?
Any school or child/youth serving organization can host a 916 Ink workshop.  Most of our workshops are grant funded, but we have the ability to provide programs to schools via our fee for service model.  To learn more, contact us at info@916ink.org.

What Schools/Organizations host Find Your Voice workshops currently?
Currently 916 Ink hosts about 30 workshops annually at schools and community organizations throughout the Sacramento Region. See our Schools and Community Workshops page for more details.

What age groups does the Find Your Voice program serve?
916 Ink’s Find Your Voice workshops are designed for youth grades 3-12. Our workshop curriculum is segmented and applied in a way that best suits groups composed of students grades 3-6, grades 7-8, and grades 9-12.

How long is a Find Your Voice workshop series?
Our typical school-based workshop series is 12 sessions long, meeting 1-2 times per week for 90 minutes.

What are the requirements of hosting a Find Your Voice Program?
The minimum number of attendees to ensure a successful program is 10 youth, though a group of 15-20 is ideal. The maximum amount of students is 25. Our facilitators conduct the workshops independently, but a teacher or other staff person is required to be on site at all times.

How can I bring Find Your Voice to my School/Organization?
Complete the form on our Schools and Community Workshops page to submit your interest.

What is the basic Method structure?
Every workshop includes a Spark (or sample piece of writing or inspiration point), a Prompt (a question, sentence starter, or other idea), 10-15 minutes of writing time, followed by sharing and feedback.

What if my student is not a (strong) writer?
Our workshop Method is good for writers of all levels! We also encourage telling stories using pictures, lists, or other alternative structures. One of our core values, borrowed from Amherst Writers and Artists’ Method founder Pat Schneider, is “A Writer is Someone Who Writes.” We see no barriers in what’s possible when you put pen to paper.

What if my student does not like the prompt?
Write what needs to be written. They don’t have to follow the prompt!

What if my student doesn’t want to share?
Sharing is always optional and we will never pressure anyone to share if they don’t want to. However, we do strongly encourage it as it is an integral part of developing the writing community and building your own confidence as a writer.

What if my student doesn’t know what to write?
They can write about not knowing what to write, how they feel, or what they did today. There are no limits to what they can write. Sparks and tangible prompts are additional supportive tools for students’ imagination.

How does my student become a published author through a Find Your Voice workshop?
In most Find Your Voice creative writing workshops, students (or “Inkers") submit and revise writing in preparation of being published in a professional anthology. After the program, they attend a book release celebration where they receive free copies of their book and can read their work aloud in front of an audience of family and friends. To be published in a Find Your Voice book, a youth author must complete and return a Find Your Voice enrollment packet. The registration form must both provide a parent/guardian signature AND check off ‘Yes’ in the section requesting consent for publication.
Who retains rights of the writing?
Youth Writer retains sole copyright ownership of the Work and all rights not expressly granted to 916 Ink in the Author Contract, and may publish or contract for publication of the Work in any way Youth Writer wishes, provided that 916 Ink may also continue to publish the Work on the terms contained in the Author Contract.

Can a student submit work to other publications after being published in a Find Your Voice anthology?
Yes, the Youth Writer may submit for publication elsewhere.

Does my student have to publish writing to participate in a Find Your Voice workshop?
No, we never pressure any participant to publish anything they don’t want to. Though, we strongly encourage taking advantage of this unique once in a lifetime opportunity. We remind students that this is something they can take with them as they apply for high school or college and begin to build their professional resume.

Are students published in REAL books?
Yes! We work with a professional designer and publisher for each Find Your Voice anthology. Most books include an ISBN on the back of the publication and are for sale on our website. 916 Ink publishes some independent zines that are printed in-house and not registered, but those works are never distributed for sale.

Where do we get a copy of the publication?
All Inkers are celebrated at a Book Release Party about 6-8 weeks after a workshop series ends. In addition to receiving their TWO FREE copies of the anthology, they have the opportunity to sign autographs and read aloud in front of an audience.
Before a Book Release Party, we send out physical invitations in class, as well as digital invites through email and text. We can only send digital communication to families who have completed a Find Your Voice registration form. Not sure when your party is scheduled? Email: info@916ink.org

What if I want additional copies of the publication?
Copies are available for purchase at 916ink.org/books