The Telling Room

The Telling Room

The Telling Room was founded in 2004 by three remarkable writers, Sara Corbett, Mike Paterniti, and Susan Conley. Their vision for the Telling Room was to connect with the young student writers in Portland. Now 16 years later, the Telling Room includes 75 different towns in the state of Maine to work with over 3,500 students annually. The Telling Room has won multiple awards including awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Maine Alliance for Arts Education’s Imagination Intensive Communities program, the Maine Arts Commission, and the National Art’s and Humanities Youth Program Award.

The Telling Room creates fun, innovative writing, and publishing programs to support young students with their writing and self-expression. They provide school-based programs, along with afterschool writing programs year-round. The Telling Room has published nearly 200 books that represent a diverse range of youth voices. A positive impact is made on Maine youth through the Telling Room’s programs, the adults who teach and care for them, and the communities encouraging these programs.

Quick Facts!

  • Founded in 2004 by three writers.
  • Works with over 3,500 Maine students each year.
  • Won a prestigious National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award in 2015, along with many others.
  • The Telling Room programs span over 75 different towns in Maine.
  • Connected with mentors and acclaimed writers from all over the world, including former President Barack Obama!
  • Published nearly 200 books representing a range of youth voices.