About the Tour
In the summer of 2019, House of SpeakEasy and Narrative 4 embarked on an 1,800-mile road trip from New York City to New Orleans, and back again, delivering books to underserved communities and partnering along the way on workshops, story exchanges, readings, and more. The tour launched from Pioneer Works in Red Hook, Brooklyn, on Thursday, June 13, and returned to NYC on June 28.
Stay tuned for details about our plans to continue the tour in 2020!
Over the course of 16 days, the book truck made stops in 18 cities and towns, partnering with dozens of local organizations and writers and serving thousands of readers. In the end, we distributing over 5,000 titles donated by publishers and purchased from independent booksellers. We’re very grateful for all those who supported this project, including our generous donors, volunteers, author, and publishers.
Scroll down to get involved and to donate books or get involved!
WE DID IT!
On June 10, 2019 we successfully met our initial Kickstarter goal of $18,000. By the end of the campaign, we’d raised over $20,000 in less than a month thanks to your support!
Your generous pledges helped get the truck on the road, assist with book logistics, compensate writers, and address costs for the tour's support vehicle and drivers.
The SpeakEasy Book Truck
Our 27-foot-long box truck, retrofitted with bookshelves that allow for open-air access, offered free books, literary magazines, and opportunities for public browsing to readers of all ages at every stop. We also delivered requested books and classroom sets for schools, libraries, books-to-prison programs, and other literacy partners and institutions.
Workshops + Events
The tour spotlighted readings, workshops, and discussions led by acclaimed authors and emerging teen talents. Featured writers included Raquel Salas Rivera, Rayna Guy, Rickey Laurentiis, Jenny Johnson, Hanif Abdurraqib, Eloisa Amezcua, Hannah Pittard, Kiese Laymon, Darrell Bourque, and Daniel José Older.
Collaborations
We are excited to be partnering with Pioneer Works, The Shipman Agency, The Free Library of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Two Dollar Radio, Floyd County High School, The Porch, Jayne Avenue Community Center, NUNU Collective, the Ernest J. Gaines Center, and the New Orleans Museum of Art, with more partnerships to come!
Contact Us
For media requests or to learn more about partnership opportunities, please contact us using this form. If you would like to submit a request to have books donated, please click here. We look forward to hearing from you!