Celebrating 20 Years of the Writer-in-Residence Program

The Associates of the Boston Public Library celebrated two decades of the historic  Writer-in-Residence program on October 1, 2024, in the Boston Public Library's Rabb Hall. The milestone was honored with special guest speaker, acclaimed YA and children's author, Lois Lowry, and the announcement that the stipend significantly increased, from $23,000 to $50,000.

The evening was marked with the highest attendance in the program’s history, with approximately 160 in-person attendees, and 40 people joining via Zoom. Among the audience were Boston-based publicists, literary agents, celebrated authors, and dedicated book lovers, as well as members of the Associates Board. Program alumni also gathered in force, including Elaine Dimopoulos (2010-11), Jennifer De Leon (2015-16), Lisa Rosinsky (2016-17), Autumn Allen (2020-21), and Rhonda DeChambeau (2022-23). We even had program alumni join us virtually through Zoom, including Anna Staniszewski (2006-07), Hollis Shore (2012-13), Annie Hartnett (2013-14), and Katy Doughty (2021-22). 

To celebrate the Writer-in-Residence program’s 20th anniversary, the event began with a video featuring many of our program alumni. They highlighted their writing journey at the BPL, how the residency launched their literary careers, and their gratitude to the Associates and the anonymous investor. Watch the full video here.

Associates Board Chair, Alyce J. Lee, who now co-chairs the Writer-in-Residence Committee with Vice Chair Usha Pasi, kicked off the evening, “Tonight, we celebrate twenty years of the Associates’ Writer-in-Residence Program: twenty years of welcoming emerging writers into the Boston Public Library, fostering their literary creativity, and many times, launching their professional writing careers, changing their lives forever.”  

A major announcement followed that thanks to a generous anonymous investor, the Writer-in-Residence’s annual stipend is more than doubling, from $23,000 to $50,000. This increase positions the fellowship as one of the most competitive opportunities for emerging YA and children’s writers. Alongside this financial boost, the program offers editorial support and a private office space at the library to help the writer complete one literary work. The program's influence on the literary world is undeniable with alumni publishing, or soon to publish, over eighty books. Nine of these were written at the BPL, including Annie Hartnett’s Rabbit Cake, Natalie C. Anderson’s City of Saints and Thieves, and Jennifer De Leon’s Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From – all of which have been optioned by Hollywood film studios. 

Alumna, Elaine Dimopoulos, whose book The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow recently won a Massachusetts Book Award, introduced outgoing Writer-in-Residence, Danielle Emerson. Elaine highlighted Danielle’s impressive achievements, including her workshops in the BPL’s Children's Library and her participation in numerous writing workshops and conferences. Danielle then read from her completed manuscript, Shíghandí, Told From Home: Short Stories, an anthology of ten short stories exploring themes of family, healing, queerness, and identity. “My inspiration for this collection started with a need to heal, and to combat native and indigenous erasure in YA and children’s books... This need for support and care for my Diné community has always been my motivation for writing this short story collection” Danielle remarked.  

After Danielle’s powerful reading, President of the Boston Public Library, David Leonard, ceremoniously accepted Danielle’s manuscript on stage for inclusion in the BPL’s Special Collections. David noted the significance of the program in today’s literary climate, “(The Writer-in-Residence program) celebrates emerging authors... This is all the more important today as books throughout this country, and indeed the world, are being challenged... I will report to you that no books are banned here at the Boston Public Library... This relationship with the Associates itself is a symbol of what libraries are about: a public-private partnership, just as it was in 1848. We are supported by incredible donors... and so tonight, we celebrate that.”  

Next, alumna Autumn Allen, who recently won a Debut Honor Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association for the novel written during her residency, All You Have To Do, introduced the incoming Writer-in-Residence, Yssis Cano-Santiago. Autumn shared her admiration for Yssis’ proposal, A Hypochondriac’s Guide to Love, noting, “Her writing samples showed both skill and profound sensitivity, and I am quite possibly her most eager fan.” Yssis expressed her excitement for the year ahead, adding, “I look forward to spending the year strengthening my novel, learning more about my characters, and further exploring this beautiful space.” Next she read the first chapter of her proposed novel.

Alan Andres, who chaired the Writer-in-Residence committee from 2003-2024, introduced Newbery Medal-winning author Lois Lowry. She recounted her love for libraries and literature. She underscored the importance of creative and financial support for writers, "Virginia Woolf pointed out that a woman writer needs space and income, and more than that, needs to be acknowledged as valuable,” she remarked. 

The event concluded with a reception in the Guastavino Room, where attendees mingled and celebrated the many literary achievements of the evening, surrounded by the BPL’s walls beautifully lined with books. 