The Center for Fiction

What The Center for Fiction does

The Center for Fiction is a 501(c)-style nonprofit literary organization founded in 1820 and headquartered at 15 Lafayette Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn. It supports fiction writers and readers through a portfolio of interconnected programs: the Susan Kamil Emerging Writer Fellowships (nine NYC-based writers receiving $5,000 grants, studio space, and agent introductions annually), the First Novel Prize ($15,000 to the winner, $1,000 to each finalist), the Medal for Editorial Excellence, the Lifetime of Excellence in Fiction Award, and the On Screen Award. It runs reading groups, multi-week writing workshops (e.g., $445 for a 6-week course, $45 single sessions), and hundreds of public literary events per year featuring author conversations, readings, and panel discussions, delivered both in-person and via livestream.

The organization also operates the KidsRead/KidsWrite program, which brings NYC public school students from all five boroughs into contact with children's, YA, and literary fiction authors at no cost to schools. It has expanded digitally through KidsRead @Home resources, the National Teen Storyteller Contests, and a Junior Edition book recommendation series. Content services include weekly book recommendations, published short fiction and essays, podcasts, recorded event videos, Story Time Videos, and writing guides.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit income stack combining annual memberships (general tier plus Fiction Circle at $1,000+ donations and corporate memberships), tax-deductible donations (one-time and monthly), bookstore and café sales (physical and online), workshop and reading-group fees, day passes, merchandise, gift certificates, gift memberships, and private event space rentals. Marketing and distribution are community-led: the website serves as the central hub, supported by a weekly newsletter, a YouTube channel, social media, and partnerships with publishers for author events. There is no proprietary technology platform, no app, and no AI/ML product layer; the underlying infrastructure is a content website, e-commerce bookstore, and video hosting.

Name

The Center for Fiction

Legal name

The Center for Fiction

Website

https://centerforfiction.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1820

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Center for Fiction is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit literary organization founded in 1820 that supports early-career fiction writers through fellowships, grants, and workshops, and engages readers via events, reading groups, and a bookstore, while running the KidsRead youth literacy program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Literary Arts & Culture Services

NAICS

All Other Publishers (513199)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Literary Arts & Writing Organizations (BPAGAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fiction Writing Workshops (Short Story, Novel) (EDAMAMAA), Creative Nonfiction & Memoir Workshops (EDAMAMAC), Creative Writing & Storytelling (Fiction, Poetry, Memoir) (EDAAAGAI)

Keywords

• Literary arts programming
• Fiction writing fellowships
• Reading group workshops
• Writer development programs
• Literary community events

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Memberships: Annual membership tiers providing access to events, discounts, library, and social events. General Membership, Writers Studio, Fiction Circle (for donors $1,000+), and Corporate Membership options available.
2. Donations: Tax-deductible one-time and monthly contributions supporting writing workshops, fellowships, KidsRead program, and public literary events.
3. Bookstore Sales: Physical and online bookstore sales of books, merchandise, and gift certificates.
4. Program Fees: Fees for writing workshops, reading groups, and events including ticket sales and enrollment costs.
5. Space Rentals: Rental of The Center's facilities for private events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Center for Fiction is a nonprofit literary organization operating a physical venue in Downtown Brooklyn that includes a bookstore, café & bar, library, and writers' studio. It runs fellowships and awards (First Novel Prize, Emerging Writer Fellowships), reading groups, writing workshops, public author events, and the KidsRead/KidsWrite literacy program for NYC public school students. The organization supports fiction writers at all career stages and engages readers through curated book recommendations, literary events, and membership programs.

Product overview

The Center for Fiction is a nonprofit literary organization in Brooklyn, New York, offering a portfolio of interconnected programs supporting readers and writers. The core offerings include: Emerging Writer Fellowships providing $5,000 grants and studio space; the First Novel Prize ($15,000 winner award); annual awards including the Medal for Editorial Excellence, Lifetime of Excellence in Fiction Award, and On Screen Award; Public Literary Events featuring author conversations; Reading Groups and Writing Workshops (offered online via Zoom and in-person); and the KidsRead/KidsWrite program for public school students. The Center operates a Bookstore, Café & Bar, Library, and Writers Studio at its Brooklyn location, with membership tiers (General Membership, Fiction Circle at $1,000+, Corporate Membership) offering benefits and discounts. Content services include Book Recommendations (Book Recs), Fiction/Essays/Interviews, Story Time Videos, Videos of past events, Podcasts, and Writing Tools. The organization accepts Donations and sells Merchandise, Gift Certificates, and Gift Memberships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emerging Writer Fellowships Annual fellowship awarding nine NYC-based emerging fiction writers a $5,000 grant, dedicated writing studio space at The Center, and opportunities to meet literary agents.
• First Novel Prize Annual award recognizing the best debut novel of the year; the winner receives $15,000 and each finalist receives $1,000.
• Medal for Editorial Excellence Annual award honoring an editor, publisher, or agent who has discovered, nurtured, and championed fiction writers throughout their career.
• Lifetime of Excellence in Fiction Award Annual award honoring a writer whose exceptional body of work has significantly shaped culture and perspective.
• On Screen Award Annual award recognizing groundbreaking original works on film and television that reflect the complexity and vision of great novels.
• Reading Groups Group discussions exploring fiction titles from diverse writers and genres, held online via Zoom and in-person in Brooklyn; open to general readers with scholarships available.
• Writing Workshops In-person and online workshops exploring fiction, nonfiction, memoir, translation, prose, and poetry, led by award-winning authors for writers of all levels.
• Public Literary Events Live and livestreamed author events featuring conversations about craft, the writing life, and literature's engagement with pressing issues, held throughout the year.
• Bookstore Retail bookstore located at The Center's Brooklyn venue, open to the public daily from 9am to 8pm, selling books, merchandise, and gift certificates.
• Café & Bar Café and bar service located within The Center's Brooklyn venue, open to the public daily from 9am to 8pm, offering food and beverages.
• Library Members-only library collection providing access to literary resources and reading materials.
• Writers Studio Dedicated writing space available to Emerging Writer Fellows and members, with single-day passes available to the public.
• General Membership Annual membership tier providing social event invitations, library access, members floor access, and discounts on events, reading groups, workshops, and bookstore purchases.
• Fiction Circle Premium membership tier for donors contributing $1,000 or more annually, offering special program invitations and deeper engagement opportunities.
• Corporate Membership Business membership providing organizations with engagement opportunities across The Center's literary programs and community.
• KidsRead / KidsWrite Annual literacy program inviting NYC public school students from all five boroughs to meet children's, YA, and literary fiction authors, with curriculum integration at no cost to schools.
• National Teen Storyteller Contests Annual storytelling contests for teenagers; first, second, and third place winners plus honorable mentions are published on The Center's website.
• Space Rentals Rental of The Center's physical facilities and meeting rooms for private events and gatherings.
• Day Pass Single-day access pass to The Center for Fiction's facilities and services for non-members.
• Writers Studio (Membership Tier) Membership tier providing members access to dedicated writing space at The Center.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nine emerging writers receive $5,000 grants plus studio space and agent meetings annually
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Loft Literary Center: Minneapolis-based nonprofit literary center offering writing workshops, classes, readings, and fellowships — the closest operating analog to The Center for Fiction in terms of mission, programming mix, and community-led model.
• Hugo House: Seattle nonprofit literary center providing writing classes, workshops, readings, and a writing residency program. Directly comparable as a community-rooted literary nonprofit with hybrid in-person/online programming.
• Lighthouse Writers Workshop: Denver-based nonprofit literary arts organization offering workshops, book events, and writing residencies. Comparable mission and operating model as an independent literary center serving writers and readers.

Broad incumbents

• Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP): National nonprofit supporting independent literary publishers and magazines. Comparable as a literary nonprofit ecosystem builder, though focused on the publisher/magazine side rather than direct-to-writer programming.
• PEN America: Major literary and free-expression nonprofit with awards, fellowships, and public programming. Overlaps with The Center for Fiction in literary awards and advocacy but operates at much larger national scale.
• AWP (Association of Writers & Writing Programs): National nonprofit serving writers and writing programs, including a major annual conference. Comparable as a literary nonprofit but oriented toward institutional programs rather than direct community programming.

Regional players

• Greenlight Bookstore: Independent Brooklyn bookstore hosting frequent author events and literary programming. Comparable as a community-facing literary retailer in the same neighborhood, though without the workshop/fellowship/awards layer.
• McNally Jackson Books: NYC independent bookstore chain known for literary events, readings, and an in-store café. Comparable to The Center's bookstore/café/event hybrid model at a different scale and footprint.
• Open Book: Minneapolis literary arts center housing multiple literary organizations, workshops, readings, and a performance space. Operates a similar hybrid venue-plus-programming model in a different regional market.

Emerging players

• SPLAB (Seattle Poetics LAB): Smaller nonprofit literary organization focused on poetic and prose workshops, readings, and community events. Comparable at a smaller scale as a community-led literary nonprofit with workshop and event programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/centerforfiction
• Xx.com/Center4Fiction
• Facebookfacebook.com/thecenterforfiction

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 The Center for Fiction