Slant’d

What Slant’d does

Slant'd is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit independent publishing house founded in 2017 that produces an annual themed literary magazine, books, and creative writing programs targeting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) writers, artists, and readers in the United States. The organization was reincorporated as a literary arts nonprofit in 2022 after a co-founder departure and restructuring. Its core product is the Slant'd literary magazine, published periodically since 2017 with themed issues (Issues 01–08, including Lore, Homecoming, Wonder, Revolution, and the upcoming Wild); each issue is 100–120 full-color offset-printed pages featuring personal essays, short stories, poetry, art, and photography by AAPI creators. In 2025, the organization expanded into book publishing with a rolling-submissions program for short story collections, children's picture books (ages 4-8), and untraditional memoirs.

The technology stack is conventional publishing infrastructure: a Webflow-hosted website at slantd.com handles e-commerce and digital delivery, Submittable manages submissions, Givebutter processes tax-deductible donations, and Kickstarter is used for issue pre-order crowdfunding. Slant'd is fully volunteer-run with zero paid staff, a leadership team (Founder & Executive Director Krystie Yen, Chief of Staff Emily Yen, plus Directors of People & Culture, Programs, and Brand & Marketing, plus Managing Editor, Art Director, and Creative Director), ~22 additional volunteer team members, and a 6-person Board of Directors.

Revenue is generated across four streams: (1) product sales of magazines ($30 print, $12 digital), cookbooks ($20 print, $10 digital), anthologies, and merchandise (stickers $4-12, art prints $20, red envelopes $12) via DTC e-commerce and 10+ independent bookstore retail partners (McNally Jackson NYC, Skylight Books LA, Chevalier's Books LA, North Fig Bookshop LA, On Waverly SF, Pair Cupworks AZ, etc.); (2) sliding-scale program fees for Beyond the Page (6-week storytelling workshop, $84-$300) and Blank Page Revival (month-long writing program, $250-$350); (3) tax-deductible donations, corporate matching, stock gifts, DAF grants, and bequests via Givebutter; and (4) crowdfunding campaigns ($97,000+ raised across 4 campaigns since 2017). Distribution is primarily US-domestic with digital products available globally. Marketing is community-led via Instagram, Facebook, The Unfolding email newsletter, word-of-mouth within the AAPI creative community, and earned media (CBS News, Colorlines, Paper Magazine, TEDx, Talks at Google, People).

Name

Slant’d

Legal name

Slantd (no apostrophe!)

Website

https://slantd.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Slant'd is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit independent publishing house producing a themed annual literary magazine, books, and creative writing programs that center AAPI writers, artists, and readers across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Literary Publishing

NAICS

Periodical Publishers (51312), Book Publishers (513130)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Culture & Literary Magazines (MPAJAEAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Publishing & Submission Prep Workshops (Query Letters, Agents, Journals) (EDAMAMAI), Humor, Gift & Specialty Format Books (Journals, Coloring, etc.) (MPAJAAAN), Children’s Nonfiction Publishing (MPAJAFAE)

Keywords

• Literary magazine publishing
• AAPI creative programs
• Independent book publishing
• Creative writing workshops
• Nonprofit publishing house

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Sales of literary magazines ($30 print, $12 digital), cookbooks ($20 print, $10 digital), anthologies, merchandise (stickers, art prints, red envelopes), and digital wallpapers. 100% of net proceeds support their mission.
2. Donations & Fundraising: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization accepting tax-deductible donations through Givebutter platform. Corporate matching, stock donations, DAF grants, bequests, and brand partnerships. Raised $97,000+ across 4 crowdfunding campaigns.
3. Program Fees: Beyond the Page 6-week storytelling workshop with sliding scale pricing ($84-$300). Blank Page Revival month-long writing program with sliding scale fees ($250-$350). Revenue supports program sustainability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Slant'd publishes an annual themed AAPI literary magazine (featuring essays, poetry, short stories, art, and photography) alongside a books publishing program launched in 2025 for short story collections, children's picture books, and untraditional memoirs. The organization also runs two creative development programs—Beyond the Page (a 6-week virtual live storytelling workshop) and Blank Page Revival (a month-long collaborative writing program for AAPI writers aged 25+)—and sells supporting merchandise (stickers, art prints, red envelopes), a cookbook, and free digital wallpapers. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, 100% of net proceeds from product sales and program fees support AAPI creative development.

Product overview

Slant'd is a nonprofit independent publishing house that operates as a multi-product platform centered on amplifying AAPI voices through literary publishing and creative programs. The core offerings include an annual literary magazine (Slant'd) featuring themed issues with essays, poetry, art, and photography; a books publishing program launched in 2025 for short story collections, children's picture books, and memoirs; and creative development programs including Beyond the Page (6-week storytelling workshop) and Blank Page Revival (month-long collaborative writing program). Additional revenue streams include merchandise (stickers, art prints, red envelopes) and digital products (wallpapers, cookbook). The organization is fully volunteer-run and 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Beyond the Page: A 6-week live storytelling workshop that centers, affirms, and celebrates lived experiences as AAPIs.
• Blank Page Revival (BPR)

Products and services

• Slant'd Literary Magazine Annual themed literary magazine featuring personal essays, short stories, poetry, art, and photography by AAPI creators. Each issue is themed (Lore, Homecoming, Wonder, Revolution, etc.), contains 100-120 full-color pages produced via offset printing, and is sold in print ($30) and digital ($12) formats. Targeted at AAPI writers, artists, photographers, and readers seeking authentic AAPI narratives.
• Books Publishing Program Book publishing initiative focused on short story collections, children's picture books for ages 4-8, and untraditional memoirs by AAPI authors. Accepts proposals on a rolling basis and is designed to help AAPI writers and artists realize publishing dreams that traditional publishers have overlooked.
• Beyond the Page Workshop Six-week virtual live storytelling workshop for AAPI writers who want to move beyond the page, featuring live storytelling development, performance preparation, and a final virtual story slam celebration. Targeted at AAPI adults seeking to develop their voice and craft in a supportive community.
• Blank Page Revival Workshop Month-long creative writing program for AAPI writers aged 25 and over, focused on overcoming perfectionism, building sustainable writing practice, and collaborative writing through co-writing partnerships. Includes two scholarship positions per cohort to ensure accessibility.
• Full Bellies, Full Hearts Cookbook

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ AAPI artists and writers published through Slant'd, many for the first time, going on to become published authors or pursue creative careers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• La VecinaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent boutique in Los Angeles (628 N. Avenue 64, Los Angeles, CA 90042) retailing Slant'd publications and merchandise.
• North Fig BookshopminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent bookstore in Los Angeles (6040 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90042) selling Slant'd publications.
• Chevalier's BooksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent bookstore in Los Angeles (133 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004) retailing Slant'd publications.
• McNally JacksonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent bookstore chain with 5 NYC locations (Rockefeller Center, Seaport, Nolita, Downtown Brooklyn, Williamsburg) retailing Slant'd publications.
• Skylight BooksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent bookstore in Los Angeles (1818 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027) retailing Slant'd publications.
• The Prolific GroupminorOthersPrinter for Slant'd literary magazines. Listed in masthead credits as the printing partner for publications.
• KickstarterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCrowdfunding platform used for Issue 07: Lore Kickstarter campaign with rewards including Slant'd red envelopes and exclusive items.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Restless Books: Independent nonprofit publisher of international literature in English translation. Comparable as a nonprofit independent publisher focused on underrepresented global voices and diverse storytelling.
• Two Dollar Radio: Independent literary publisher focused on bold, risk-taking fiction and nonfiction. Comparable as a small indie publisher with curated literary catalog and community-oriented ethos.
• Catapult: Independent book publisher and writing platform with magazines, books, and workshops for emerging writers. Comparable as an indie literary publisher with multi-format output including books, magazine content, and writing classes.

Direct peers

• One Story: Nonprofit literary magazine publishing one short story per issue, with associated writing programs and community workshops. Comparable as a nonprofit literary publication with educational programming and debut-author focus.
• Guernica Magazine: Nonprofit online magazine of global art and politics featuring essays, fiction, and poetry. Comparable as a mission-driven literary nonprofit publishing themed content with cultural and political focus.
• A Public Space: Independent nonprofit literary magazine and book publisher that supports emerging writers through fellowships and anthologies. Comparable as a literary nonprofit with both periodical and book publishing arms.
• Electric Literature: Nonprofit digital literary publisher producing Recommended Reading and other programs. Comparable as a mission-driven literary nonprofit focused on amplifying diverse voices and supporting emerging writers.
• McSweeney's: San Francisco-based nonprofit literary publisher producing themed literary journals, books, and the Daily department. Comparable as a nonprofit literary publishing house with community-driven editorial model and themed anthologies.
• Hyphen Magazine: Independent nonprofit magazine covering AAPI arts, culture, and politics. Most directly comparable to Slant'd in mission, audience (AAPI community), and editorial focus on underrepresented voices.

Regional players

• Angry Asian Man / JoySauce: AAPI-focused media platform (formerly Angry Asian Man blog) covering Asian American arts, culture, and news. Comparable as an AAPI-targeted media organization amplifying creative community content, though broader in editorial scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/slantdcreative
• Instagraminstagram.com/slantdcreative
• Xx.com/slantdcreative
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/slantd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Slant’d