LitNYS is a coalition of New York State-based literary arts organizations committed to field-building work and collective thriving. It connects individuals of shared interest and purpose helping them build and sustain capacity to foster, promote and present the literary arts.

Founded in 2001 as a New York State Council on the Arts Literature initiative, LitNYS (formerly LitTAP) responded to national literary leaders’ call to professionalize the field. Its comprehensive collaborative work for more than 20 years has made it the nucleus of field-sustaining work for Literature in NYS through three project components: Advancement Regrants, a Mentoring Program, and the Facing Pages – Statewide Literary Arts Convening. You can learn more about each of these programs by clicking below.

LitNYS was designed by Debora Ott, Founding Director, who serves as lead consultant. It is coordinated hand-in-hand with Laurie Torrell, project consultant. LitNYS is administered by Just Buffalo Literary Center, as an extension of the organization’s mission to create and strengthen communities through the literary arts.

Nearly 500 literary leaders depend on LitNYS for resources and community. Its network helps embed literature into the fabric of American culture so that no matter what challenges present, the literary arts can adapt and thrive.