About Us

Since 2009, we have published hundreds of kids in our anthologies and encouraged thousands of students to read and write! Founder, Melissa Williams, children’s author, started the organization under the name, READ3Zero, to encourage a daily habit of reading thirty minutes every day and to meet the needs of children who desired to be published. After receiving many stories and inquires from students who attended her school visits and writing workshops, she created the I Write Short Stories by Kids for Kids publishing contest. In 2016, the organization officially changed its name to the iWRITE Literacy Organization. At iWRITE, we believe that becoming a published author or illustrator at a young age will increase positive self-esteem and encourage a healthy sense of competition.

iWRITE strives to acknowledge creative and literary achievements while encouraging our kids to become role models to other students their age. Many of our young authors have proceeded to hold their own Barnes & Noble book signings and do interviews for local newspapers and television stations. Three of our published authors held our organization’s first international literacy mission in the Philippines during the summer of 2013, teaching creative writing workshops and giving I Write Anthologies to street school students. The Filipino students were so excited to get autographed copies of the I Write books and meet published young authors. The attention our kids have received by the public has encouraged them to set new goals and become role models in their communities as they mentor to others, intern at iWRITE and build their resumes for their futures.

President– Elaine Balagia Croucher

Vice President – Stephanie Tsuru

Treasurer – Carlos Rubio

Director – Arielle Lawson

Director – Arun Mani

Director – Wendy Tilford

 2017 Annual Report [REVISED]