ARTISTS FOR LITERACY, INC. LAUNCHES 3RD ANNUAL SONGWRITING CONTEST TO PROMOTE LITERACY Winning Songs Inspired By Literature to help thousands of teachers inspire youth to read by using innovative DVD learning tool

Artists for Literacy announces its third songwriting contest focused on educating young adult readers.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- October 20, 2003 -- Artists for Literacy, the San Francisco based non-profit that promotes reading and literacy, has launched their 3rd Annual Songs Inspired By Literature (SIBL) Songwriting Competition. Winning songs will be featured on a DVD learning tool that will help teach and inspire reading. The contest closes on April 5th, 2004.

Were using the power of new media and the pop appeal of MTV-like sounds and images to introduce characters and themes of great books," says Dale Allender, a member of AFLs advisory board and the Associate Executive Director of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). When students relate to books, they read books," he says. Through surveys sent out to English teachers across the country, as well as to students in the Bay Area, Artists for Literacy has chosen 10 books for which they are soliciting songs. (see list below) Winning songs will be featured along with songs written by well-known artists TBA. In the past 3 years, Artists for Literacy has produced 2 benefit CDs featuring songs inspired by literature donated by Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Steve Earle, Tom Waits, Suzanne Vega, Aimee Mann and Grace Slick. This year, Artists for Literacy is focusing on more rhythmic music i.e. hip-hop, rap, rock, and reggae.

Interested songwriters can now go on-line to read the guidelines of the contest, and download the book list. (www.siblproject.org/competition.html) Past benefit CDs are also available for purchase on the site. (www.siblproject.org/cd.html)

Founded in 1999 by singer-songwriter Deborah Pardes, Artists for Literacy (AFL) engages artists in the issue of literacy and channels their contributions into effective tools for teachers and students. An independent non-profit producer, AFL is currently developing the Songs Inspired by Literature (SIBL) multimedia DVD learning tool and teaching aid for use with reading-challenged youth and young adults. The DVD will feature songs about books, interviews with authors conducted by youth, background footage to supports themes of books, audio clips, and much more. This songwriting contest enables Artists for Literacy to gather the best musical content possible for the success of the DVD.

Book List for Artists for Literacys 3rd Annual Songs Inspired By Literature Competition
Ray Bradburys       Fahrenheit 451   
Octavia Butlers      Kindred   
Maxine Hong Kingstons   The Woman Warrior   
Harper Lees         To Kill a Mockingbird   
Toni Morrisons      The Bluest Eye   
Tim O'Briens         The Things They Carried   
Luis Rodriguezs      Always Running   
William Shakespeares   Othello   
Sister Souljah      The Coldest Winter Ever
Tobias Wolff         This Boy's Life