Strangers

What Strangers does

Strange Inc. is a New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 47-2528213) founded in 2014 that supports Muslim creatives through an integrated portfolio of publishing, formation, convening, recognition, and review programs. Its core publishing arm, Strange Inc. Press, is a selective literary imprint producing 1-3 titles per year across literary fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and children's books, with all manuscripts undergoing editorial review and a distinctive theological coherence screening process before publication. Adjacent programs include The Creative Path (a formation program with Studio and Seed pathways), Muslim Creatives Fest (a flagship ticketed convening), the Creative Excellence Awards (an annual literary recognition program running since 2023), the Beautiful Seeds Grant (a microgrant program), and Halal Reads (a values-indexed literary registry with professional book reviews launched in 2024). The organization also operates the Muslim Creative Community online platform and the Muslim Creative Show podcast hosted by founder Aishah Alam.

The underlying technology is a publishing and editorial platform with structured sign-off authority, a domain-specialized review team (Halal Reads Review Team comprising educators, librarians, Islamic studies scholars, and literary experts), and a content marketing layer spanning a SendFox newsletter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and the podcast. The organization is archived at the New York Public Library and holds a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, CLMP membership, and partnerships with Thomson Reuters Foundation, Islamic Circle of North America, and the Muslim Fund for the Arts.

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit model: one-time book sales across e-book, paperback, and hardback formats distributed through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, IngramSpark, Kobo, Walmart, Thriftbooks, Booksamillion, Strand Books NYC, and Magers and Quinn; ticketed event fees for Muslim Creatives Fest; transaction-based Halal Reads review services; subscription-style formation program fees (with gap-eligible Seed Pathway); and tax-deductible donations, recurring patron support, and program-specific contributions processed via Zeffy. The customer base spans Muslim women writers (primary), Muslim creatives more broadly, Muslim readers, and institutional patrons, with no disclosed enterprise customer concentration.

Name

Strangers

Legal name

Strange Inc.

Website

https://strangeincorporated.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Strange Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports Muslim creatives through selective publishing (Strange Inc. Press), formation programs, an annual festival, literary awards, microgrants, and a book-review registry, serving Muslim writers, poets, readers, and patrons.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Literary Publishing

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (813990), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (71151)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Religious & Spiritual Print-on-Demand (Bibles, Devotionals) (MPAJANAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious & Spiritual Books Retail (CRALAAAE), Author Website, Storefront & Direct-to-Reader Commerce (D2C Sales) (MPAJAJAE)

Keywords

• Independent book publishing
• Literary recognition programs
• Creative formation services
• Faith-rooted literary content
• Author community platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Queens

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Book Sales: Direct sales through the Strange Inc. bookstore and distribution via major retailers including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, IngramSpark, Magers and Quinn, Thriftbooks, Strand Books NYC, Walmart, and Booksamillion. Books published in e-book, paperback, and hardback formats with price points ranging from $3.99 to $35.99.
2. Donations and Patronage: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization accepting one-time contributions, recurring patron support, program-specific support, and institutional patronage from foundations and philanthropists. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
3. Halal Reads Review Services: Professional book review service offering Traditional Reviews (250-500 words) and Picture Book Reviews (200 words) for Muslim authors, providing industry credibility and marketing material.
4. Muslim Creatives Fest: Ticketed in-person event featuring exclusive workshops, panel discussions, keynotes, and marketplace showcasing Muslim-owned creative businesses.
5. Formation Program Fees: The Creative Path program offers Studio Pathway (full-tuition enrollment) and Seed Pathway (gap-eligible for those facing financial barriers, including applicants from third-world countries and refugee contexts).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels11 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Strange Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that publishes literary fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and children's books by Muslim authors through its selective imprint Strange Inc. Press (1–3 titles per year), and runs an integrated ecosystem of formation programs (The Creative Path), community convenings (Muslim Creatives Fest), annual recognition (Creative Excellence Awards), microgrants (Beautiful Seeds Grant), and professional book reviews (Halal Reads). All published works pass through full editorial review and theological coherence screening.

Product overview

Strange Inc. is a nonprofit literary organization offering a multi-faceted portfolio of programs and published works for Muslim creatives. The core offerings include Strange Inc. Press (a selective publishing imprint producing 1-3 titles annually), Creative Excellence Awards (annual literary recognition), The Creative Path (formation program with two pathways), Muslim Creatives Fest (flagship convening), Beautiful Seeds Grant (microgrant program), Halal Reads (professional book review service), Muslim Creative Community (online community), Muslim Creative Show (podcast), and a portfolio of published books. The programs support formation, publishing, gathering, and recognition for Muslim creative culture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Creative Excellence Awards: Annual recognition program for Muslim literary work, currently in Literary Division, evaluating poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and children's books
• Strange Inc. Press
• Halal Reads
• Muslim Creatives Fest
• The Creative Path
• Beautiful Seeds Grant
• Muslim Creative Show

Products and services

• Strange Inc. Press A selective literary imprint producing 1–3 titles per year in literary fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and works for young readers, with full editorial review and theological coherence screening on every manuscript.
• Creative Excellence Awards Annual recognition program for Muslim literary work across Poetry, Non-Fiction, Fiction, and Children's Book categories, establishing quality standards and providing institutional recognition to Muslim authors.
• The Creative Path Primary formation program for Muslim creatives developing their practice from the inside out, offering Studio Pathway (full-tuition enrollment) and Seed Pathway (gap-eligible for those facing financial barriers, including applicants from third-world countries and refugee contexts).
• Muslim Creatives Fest Ticketed in-person event featuring exclusive workshops, panel discussions, keynotes, Legacy Stage talks, Showcase performances, and a marketplace showcasing Muslim-owned creative businesses.
• Beautiful Seeds Grant Microgrant program providing institutional recognition and financial support to emerging Muslim creatives before they have accumulated industry credentials.
• Halal Reads Values-indexed literary registry providing professional book reviews by educators, librarians, Islamic studies scholars, and literary experts; offers Traditional Reviews (250–500 words) and Picture Book Reviews (200 words) for Muslim authors, with thoughtful classification of Muslim literary content.

Quantifiable outcome

• Research confirms embodied creative practice, rooted in meaning and community, is among the most protective forces for human flourishing available (per WHO synthesis of 900+ studies, Harvard Human Flourishing Program findings)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Candid (GuideStar)coreOthersCandid (formerly GuideStar) provides the Platinum Seal of Transparency, demonstrating organizational accountability and commitment to public reporting standards.
• Muslim Fund for the Arts (MFTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with MFTA supporting Muslim creative infrastructure and cultural programming.
• New York Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrange Inc. was Archived at New York Public Library. The organization's Pandemic Diaries Archive (Strangers Poets) is preserved at NYPL including works by Amirah Arielle Ahmed, Haala Marikar, and Liam Spencer.
• BryteBridgeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization supporting Strange Inc.'s work.
• CatchafireminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner platform connecting nonprofits with skilled volunteers for organizational support.
• Islamic Circle of North AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ICNA supporting community initiatives and Muslim creative programs.
• Thomson Reuters FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Thomson Reuters Foundation providing organizational support and credibility.
• Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLMP membership supports Strange Inc.'s literary publishing community and connects independent presses.
• ResistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization supporting the work of Strange Inc.
• The Servants PromiseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit providing aid to Palestine. 5% of royalties from Poetic Justice and 100% of profit from The Man and The Tree Stump go toward The Servants Promise.
• Halal Reads Review TeamcoreOthersTeam of qualified professionals including educators, librarians, Islamic studies scholars, and literary experts providing faith-informed book reviews.
• Annual Impact ReportsminorOthersStrange Inc. maintains documented public record through annual impact reports, available as PDF downloads.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Beacon Press: Independent nonprofit publisher producing values-driven books on social justice, religion, and culture. Comparable as a mission-led independent press with nonprofit backing and selective catalog discipline.
• Islamic Relief USA: Large US-based Muslim faith-rooted nonprofit with similar donor base and community standing. Comparable as a Muslim nonprofit competitor for institutional funding, patron attention, and diaspora engagement.
• Hay House: Major self-help and spiritual publisher producing books on faith, wellness, and personal development. Overlaps with Strange Inc.'s self-help and faith-development titles (e.g., be soft, be strong; The Woke Writer) at greater commercial scale.
• Penguin Random House: World's largest trade publisher distributing titles across all major retailers. Indirectly comparable as the dominant retail channel through which Strange Inc. Press titles reach readers (Amazon, B&N).

Direct peers

• White Thread Press: Islamic publishing house producing devotional, educational, and literary works for Muslim audiences. Closely comparable to Strange Inc. Press in mission, content style, and faith-informed editorial approach.
• Kube Publishing: UK-based leading English-language Islamic publisher producing fiction, children's books, and educational titles. Directly comparable as a faith-rooted publishing house serving Muslim readers with curated editorial standards.
• Saqi Books: Independent UK and Middle East publisher of Arabic, Islamic, and progressive literary works. Comparable as a values-driven literary publisher with Muslim cultural focus and multi-format catalog.
• The Islamic Monthly: US-based literary and cultural publication dedicated to elevating Muslim voices through essays, fiction, and poetry. Directly comparable mission and audience overlap with Strange Inc.'s literary work.

Others

• Kirkus Reviews: Established professional book review service used by publishers and authors for editorial credibility. Comparable to Halal Reads as a paid review product targeting indie and faith-aligned authors seeking discovery.
• CLMP (Community of Literary Magazines and Presses): Membership organization supporting independent literary publishers. Strange Inc. is a member; CLMP serves as an industry body and capability resource for indie press operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@StrangeIncorporated
• Facebookfacebook.com/Strangeincofficial
• Instagraminstagram.com/strange_incorporated
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/strangeinc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Strangers