Upcoming Events
Storytelling for Social Change Webinar
Virtual
Storytelling is a valuable tool for advancing social change, and an understanding of systemic oppression is incomplete without deep listening and learning from people who have experienced injustice firsthand. This webinar will offer participants a broad introduction to Voice of Witness, our oral history methodology, and the use of storytelling to amplify the voices of communities impacted by injustice.
VOW offers this FREE webinar as a resource for anyone interested in using first-person narratives to build community and advance justice. We will explore the power of personal narrative as a format and discuss key elements of the oral history process, including best practices in ethical interviewing and project creation.
Ask An Oral Historian: Book Publication
Virtual
Ask An Oral Historian consultation hours are your chance to dive into the intricacies of oral history and learn alongside fellow storytellers. Whether you’re wrestling with a current project or just curious about the craft, these monthly 60-minute working sessions are your space to grow and ask questions in an intimate, small-group setting.
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.
Community Voices Initiative: Winter 2026
Virtual
In this intimate and interactive 7-week course, participants will take a deep dive into the practice of oral history and ethical storytelling. Using insights and examples from our 15+ years of oral history for justice work, VOW staff will provide a comprehensive look at the entire process, from project planning to building relationships with community members/narrators and sitting down for an interview to editing, archiving, amplifying, and beyond. This course is designed for advocates and nonprofit organization staff looking to expand their storytelling skills and document the first-person stories of community members. Please apply by February 9, 2026 to participate in our Winter 2026 CVI course.
