826LA announced this week that Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will be the guest editor of its next collection of student writing.
In the fall, a group of students from Roosevelt High School, Villaraigosa’s alma mater, will assemble to write, edit, and publish a volume of their own original writing.
Over the course of the semester, the students will meet frequently with 826 volunteers, who will help them edit and polish their original drafts. The volunteers, some of whom are writers, editors, and book designers—will also advise the students on all aspects of bookmaking.
The Mayor will meet periodically with the students to offer guidance and encouragement, as well as write an introduction to the book.
The project will fully immerse the students in the entire bookmaking process. They will guided by professionals, but they will be responsible for all aspects of production.
This volume follows Rhythm of the Chain, 826LA’s first collection of student writing. It was written by the students of Animo Inglewood Charter High School in collaboration with basketball coach Phil Jackson.
826LA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. It is structured around the belief that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.Founded by writer Dave Eggers, 826LA is located in SPARC on Venice Boulevard.
