Diverse books
We Need Diverse Books is revolutionizing what we read.
At WNDB, we’re creating lifelong readers and a more compassionate world through the power of diverse books. We support marginalized creators, publish inclusive stories, and provide readers with books that reflect our world.
The Latest at WNDB
WNDB recently accepted the Innovator’s Award and held a panel at the LA Times Festival of Books!
There has never been a more urgent moment to stand up for diverse stories — and board service with We Need Diverse Books is one of the most meaningful ways to do it.
In 2014, WNDB got its start as a simple hashtag. Today, we’re a national 501c3 nonprofit that’s changing what we read across America.
Every reader deserves to find themselves in a story. To accomplish this, we enact change across the entire publishing process:
Step One: Creating a Book
We help marginalized writers and illustrators overcome financial and systemic barriers so that they can tell their stories and get published.
Step Two: Publishing a Book
We help diverse college students launch their careers in the publishing industry. We also publish books filled with inclusive voices that are shelved nationwide.
Step Three: Reading a Book
We provide thousands of free books to educators, students, and readers. Many of the titles we donate were written by the creators we’ve supported, making our work come full circle.
“
The WNDB mentorship program changed my life.”
Amina Luqman Dawson, WNDB mentee and Newbery Medalist
Our Work in Action
Check out how WNDB’s programs are interconnected, allowing us to shepherd books from a rough draft to a published book and into the hands of readers.
Learn more about our impact.
WNDB publishes books and anthologies to amplify marginalized voices and enrich collections on our bookshelves.
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Enrich your bookshelf
Featured Programs
Books Save Lives
Book bans now affect millions of students across the United States, but we’re fighting back — because we recognize the power of a diverse book to transform lives. With our Books Save Lives initiative, we’re providing grants to impacted educators, supporting affected creators, and working with grassroots organizations and policymakers — all to defend our freedom to read.
Internship Grants
The publishing industry has long struggled to build an inclusive workforce, which is why we established our Internship Grants program in 2015. Every summer, we provide grants to college and graduate students interning at publishers and literary agencies, giving them the financial support to secure housing, transportation, and whatever else they need to focus on their internships and burgeoning careers.
WNDB in the Classroom
We send free diverse books around the country to students in need via schools and libraries, book clubs, after-school groups, and festivals. Our goal? We help people find stories that they can relate to, which bolsters literacy rates, teaches compassion, and fosters a lifelong love of reading for all ages.
Looking for where to find diverse books? Or how to fight censorship? We have you covered and more.
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Free resources for parents, educators, and readers
WNDB in the News
Our partners and sponsors play an integral role in the growth and success of WNDB.
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