Ready to dive into the intricacies of oral history? Voice of Witness is launching monthly 60-minute working sessions where you can roll up your sleeves and learn alongside fellow storytellers!
Join Fanny García, VOW’s Editorial Program Manager and Oral Historian, as she unpacks the ins and outs of methodology, ethical storytelling, and trauma-informed interviewing. Whether you’re wrestling with a current project or just curious about the craft, these sessions are your space to grow and ask questions in an intimate, small-group setting. Fanny will share key insights and examples, then spend time answering your questions and providing project guidance.
So grab your notebook, bring your burning questions, and let’s figure this out together. The oral history community is stronger when we learn from each other!
Upcoming Sessions
SESSION 5: Year in Review
Thursday, December 11, 2025 • 12pm PT / 3pm ET
In December, we’re reflecting on the year in oral history! It’s been a year of learning, challenges, and growth—and this session is your chance to process it all. Together, we’ll look back at the oral history landscape of 2025, discuss what worked (and what didn’t) in your projects, and explore emerging questions and trends that shaped our field. Whether you’re reflecting on a year of practice or just beginning your journey as an oral historian, you’ll walk away with clarity on lessons learned, fresh perspective on current conversations in the field, and momentum to carry into 2026 with renewed intention and confidence.
SESSION 6: Informed Consent and AI
Thursday, January 22, 2026 • 12pm PT / 3pm ET
In January, we’re tackling informed consent in the age of AI! It’s essential, it’s evolving, and it’s what can help narrators make informed choices in a landscape where their stories face new risks.
For this session, Fanny García will lead a short conversation with Doug Boyd, a leading authority on oral history and technology who serves as the Director of the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History at the University of Kentucky Libraries.
Together, we’ll examine what narrators need to know about AI—from data scraping to voice cloning—and how to build consent processes that address these realities without overwhelming or alarming them. Participants will walk away with practical language for consent forms, strategies for having clear and compassionate conversations about AI with narrators, and the confidence to adapt your consent practices as technology continues to change.
SESSION 7: Book Publication
Thursday, February 12, 2026 • 12pm PT / 3pm ET
In February, we’re tackling book publishing from oral histories! It’s ambitious, it’s achievable, and it’s how your interviews can reach readers far beyond academic circles.
For this session, Fanny García will lead a conversation with Đào X. Trần, managing editor at Haymarket Books and a twenty-plus year veteran of bringing compelling manuscripts to life.
Together, we’ll examine what makes literary oral history compelling to readers and publishers, how to craft a strong manuscript and book proposal, and strategies for pitching your project to publishing houses. Participants will walk away with practical tools for transforming oral history into narrative that captivates, clear guidance on what publishers look for in proposals, and the confidence to position your project for success in a competitive market.
Please note that dates and topics are subject to change. Sessions will not be recorded.
Meet the Host
Fanny García is an award-winning BIPOC oral historian whose published and acclaimed work centers ethical storytelling practices. She holds an MA in Oral History from Columbia University and has extensive experience documenting the stories of communities affected by government policies and crimmigration.
Meet the Organization
Voice of Witness is a nonprofit organization that advances human rights by amplifying the voices of people impacted by injustice through oral history, education and advocacy. VOW has a proven track record in ethical, community-rooted oral history and a strong industry reputation. We are recipients of the Oral History Association’s Vox Populi Award and have been featured in NBC News, The Guardian, Ms. Magazine, and The Nation.
Testimonials
The support Fanny provided for my book was instrumental in putting together proposals that resulted in getting a publisher. Fanny was deeply curious about my book, asking questions that helped pull out some details and angles that I needed to highlight more, while also drawing new connections and making insightful suggestions. Fanny’s experience in publishing and specifically in oral history publishing made a huge difference for me as a first-time author of an oral history book, as she was able to help me understand how to effectively explain and market my project. I can’t say enough how much she helped me get across the finish line, with so much generosity and warmth!
Katie Miles, Author and Labor Organizer
I reached out to Fanny with a recruiting challenge for a new oral history project. She listened closely, asked insightful questions, and quickly offered sound advice that left me with doable and effective steps to follow. After our call, she followed up with helpful resources and a key introduction. Fanny has a real talent for transforming complexity into a clear and practical plan.
Sarah Bishop, Author and Professor in Communication Studies at Baruch College
Fanny is an exceptional thought partner when it comes to exploring the complexities of oral history methodology. One conversation that particularly resonates with me was our in-depth discussion on the ethics and intricacies of compensation in oral history practice. Her extensive research and writing on the subject have expanded my understanding. I have found Fanny to be exceptionally insightful, offering advice that is not only rooted in solid oral history theory but also reflects a deep understanding of its diverse applications. With her wealth of experience spanning publishing, art, community service, and education, she brings a unique and invaluable perspective to the table. Furthermore, Fanny’s outstanding listening skills and her ability to provoke meaningful, thought-provoking questions make our discussions both expansive and highly productive.
Yolanda Hester, Project Director of the Arthur Ashe Oral History Project at UCLA
Sliding-Scale Registration Fees
- Regular: $30
- Reduced: $15
- Hardship: $5
- Sponsorship (cover registration fees for you + a fellow storyteller): $60
Questions?
Please reach out to Fanny García at fanny@voiceofwitness.org.
Learn more about the benefits and applications of oral history and first-person storytelling.
