All About Us
OUR MISSION & PURPOSE
The Pointed Word is an online independent book subscription service with a social purpose—to help people explore and engage in a more deeply connected global community through books.
Books have tremendous power to shape our understanding of the world. They provide mirrors that allow us to better see ourselves and explore or reflect on identity. They provide windows that bring greater visibility to cultures and perspectives that differ from our own. By exploring a wider world of literature, we are connected more deeply to the wider world of people and cultures all around us, which ultimately makes our global community a better place for us all.
At The Pointed Word, we seek to curate and promote inclusive collections of literature that encompass the range of human experience, with a focus on diverse voices, books from independent publishers, and books in translation.
Why books from independent publishers? With large publishing houses merging into even larger (and fewer) conglomerates, writers with unique voices, perspectives, and writing styles face tremendous difficulty in publishing their work. But independent publishers offer other options via contests, open calls for submissions (for both agented and unagented work), and targeted requests, making publishing more accessible for marginalized artists and bringing greater diversity to the published books available for us to read. We do sell books by the more well-known publishers, but indie publishers have a special place in our heart and in our book selection.
Why books in translation? We live in a globalized world, but that isn't reflected in most of what we read in the US. Ideas and art transcend borders and geography, and the stories we love can come from anywhere. Books in translation are one of the most accessible ways to meet and develop connections with different people from across the world.
OUR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY
The Pointed Word is a social enterprise. Social enterprises are mission-driven businesses that generate income for a variety of causes. Our cause is getting new books into the hands of people who experience obstacles to access, free of charge. If you work for a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Suffolk County, New York, and you serve incarcerated individuals, low-income mothers, or children/young people in low-income communities, email us at thepointedword@gmail.com to find out how we might partner with you. We would also love to hear from publishers or book wholesalers who would like to contribute donated books to a cause.
OUR FULFILLMENT PROCESS
Concierge customers will receive a link to our survey in their order confirmation email. Book recommendations are emailed within 3-5 business days after the survey is completed.
VIP Subscription customers will also receive a link to our survey in their order confirmation email.
Individual book orders are fulfilled directly by Bookshop.org and our status as a Bookshop Affiliate means we receive a commission for each book purchase made through our shop (via the search link featured on our site). Find out more about Bookshop.org.
OUR FUTURE
From these humble beginnings as an online book subscription service, we intend for The Pointed Word to someday make the transition to becoming a physical space here on Long Island's south shore. Ultimately, our vision for The Pointed Word is that it will grow into a community space and full-scale social club for regular people from all walks of life who are interested in literature, art, and community. Some of the things we hope to integrate in the future include a cafe and a membership structure with access to event space, workshops, children's spaces and programs, reading rooms, work space with child care, social service opportunities, mutual aid, secondhand and handmade goods, and more. We hope you will come along with us on this journey as we work to make our vision a reality.