What is Written Out Loud?
Helping Kids Discover The Truest Version Of Themselves
When I was in elementary school, I was a creative kid who felt, deep down, that I didn’t have a creative place to play. The activities that were open to me were, basically, sports. Sports were where the peers and parents went, after school every day, delivering the kind of validation that only transpires when an entire community mobilizes around an activity.
After a 25-year career making films in Hollywood, I created Written Out Loud to give creative kids the exact same team- and community-oriented validation that young athletes receive. Written Out Loud delivers elite instruction, mentorship, and fellowship - combining Hollywood storytelling techniques with Ivy League caliber instruction and Silicon Valley-engineered program delivery. Our unique group-storytelling approach is revolutionizing how kids learn writing, transforming even reluctant readers into joyful writers - and yes, published authors. Not only does Written Out Loud develop kids’ storytelling skills, it gives them a safe, inspiring space to grow their courage, empathy, and self-confidence.
“At Written Out Loud,” said one of our students, “I feel more like myself than anywhere I’ve ever been.” We would be thrilled and honored to provide this same outcome for the children of your community: to create the kind of space that so many creative kids need, deep down. Through mentorship, fellowship, and craftsmanship, kids at Written Out Loud are discovering, strengthening, and giving voice to the best version of themselves.
Joshua Shelov, Founder & CEO
Our Leaders
Once Upon a Time
Seven Storytellers living in far away lands banded together to create a world where ANYONE brave enough to enter could find fellowship with others like themselves, and together, unleash the great beauty of their imaginations.
Who are these seven?
Meet our Leads
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JGo
Co-Founder & Chief Learning Officer

Joshua Shelov
Founder and CEO

Maria DiGregorio
Customer Service Lead
During her spare time, she loves going to the movies or curling up with a book (next to her 12-pound feline friend)!

Naomi Giddings
Book Publishing Lead
Naomi is a freelance illustrator and designer from the Washington, DC area currently living in Southern California. She graduated summa cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis with a major in Communication Design and minors in Creative Writing and Art History & Archaeology. Naomi is biracial Japanese American and is interested in creating works that uplift marginalized people and tell a story. As the Publishing Lead at Written Out Loud, Naomi ensures that all books are designed, published, printed, and shipped to their authors.

Sarah Mills
Communications Lead
Sarah has a deep passion for molding videos into stories. She has dabbled in stand-up comedy and in keeping her cute aggression towards her two cats under control (both efforts have failed).
When Sarah joined Written Out Loud in 2021, she found a new HOME with kindred spirits, united by the beauty of STORY. As the Communications Lead, Sarah is dedicated to sharing the ideas of Written Out Loud's amazing Storytellers with the world!

Cassie Gilmore
Data & Assessment Lead

Joe Skoff
Blog & Director Onboarding
Our TEACHERS
The Seven Leads Were Not Alone...
For they summoned from every corner of the land a merry band of talented beings, each gifted with the singular ability to inspire and lead young Storytellers. These are the Written Out Loud Story Directors: our remarkable teachers. These brilliant story-folk guide every child, crew, book, and journey in our program. Many come from unexpected corners: some are actors, others writers, still others illustrators and filmmakers, educators, and child-raisers.
It is our Story Directors who greet your child and community every session, and make it possible for our precious, imaginative world to exist.