Our 5×5 is coming up on October 30, and it’s making us a little nostalgic. So, we reached out to our presenters from last year to see what they’re up to now and what advice they have for future 5×5 participants. (Submissions for 2014’s final 5×5 due September 30.)
First thing, what was your idea for last year’s 5×5?
We presented about an idea for an original publication, called Indy Writes Books. We wanted to tell the stories of our neighborhoods and publish them online and in print. (Alyssa presented on behalf of Indy Reads Books.)
There’s more to presenting at a 5×5 then just winning, right? What would you say you learned from participating?
We were again reminded of how supportive, creative, and engaged the Indianapolis community truly is. Not only did so many people attend the event, but there was a hunger in the air. A hunger to make this city even better than it already is!
Even though your idea didn’t win the cash prize, how would you say you’ve benefited from your participation?
It was a great platform for us to talk about our mission of promoting literacy. We primarily provide services to adults who struggle with reading and writing, but we also advocate for literacy in general. It helped us demonstrate that Indy Reads can promote literacy in new and creative ways. It also helped generate buzz about the Indy Writes Books project that we are currently working on. (See below!)
As a 5×5 veteran, what would you recommend to someone participating in a 5×5 challenge?
Have a clear idea, a solid budget, and a feasible plan for implementation. Also, know who your partners will be and get them to support your challenge.
It’s been about a year since our last 5×5, and we want to know what you’re working on now.
Indy Writes Books! We are indeed publishing our first book in November: Indy Writes Books, A Book Lover’s Anthology.The book will feature 29 works by Hoosier novelists, poets, puzzlemakers, visual artists, and essayists. It will retail for approximately $25, and through this holiday season, it will be available only at Indy Reads Books.
Contributors include: John David Anderson, Victoria Barrett, Frank Bill, Ray Boomhower, Mary Susan Buhner, Lorene Burkhart, Michael Dahlie, Cathy Day, Carol Faenzi, Terry Fahrety, John Green, Lou Harry, Liza Hyatt, Angela Jackson-Brown, Lyn Jones, Jeff Knurek & David Hoyt, Karen Kovacik, Norbert Krapf, Bonnie Maurer, Susan Neville, Will Shortz, Barb Shoup, Amy Sorrells, Gordon Strain & Dianne Moneypenny, Larry Sweazy, Dan Wakefield, and Ben Winters.
More info at: http://bit.ly/IndyWrites
