The New York City Reading Series Census is an ongoing project to catalogue the contemporary literary scene. Any reading series curator in the New York area can take the survey here.

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What is the name of the series, and what is the significance or meaning of the series name?

The name of the series is Ditmas Lit. We floated around some ideas that were a little more clever, but we ultimately decided we wanted something easy to remember that gave a shout out to the neighborhood.

Who founded the series, and who runs it now?

Rachel Lyon and Sarah Bridgins founded and run the series.

What genres or mediums does the series include?

We’re open to all genres. Fiction, Non-fiction, poetry, storytelling, and anything in between.

What is the format of the series?

The two of us host it together and we have four readers who read for 10 minutes each, with a short break in the middle.

Where does the series take place?

It takes place in The Lodge at Sycamore Bar and Flower shop. Sycamore has a backyard and in the winter they put a big tent over it and transform it into this great space that feels like the living room of a cozy cabin. There are heaters to keep everyone warm and comfy couches and chairs. It’s a great place to host a reading.

Since taking the survey, the reading series has relocated to the backroom of Hinterlands

When and how often is the series performed (and is it seasonal)?

Right now it’s going to be on the third Tuesday of the month from December-March. Ideally we would like to keep it going past then though.

How long has the series been active?

December 20th is our first show!

Where can people find information about series on the web?

Our website is www.ditmaslit.com. We also have a Facebook page, and we’re active on Twitter.

Do you take submissions, solicit material, or a combination?

We’re currently soliciting material, since the series has a limited run. If we end up extending it past March, however, we would like to start opening it up to submissions.

Did you set out with specific goals when the series was launched and have they changed over time?

We really just wanted to create a welcoming space that was equal parts reading and social event. That’s why we’re striving to keep the show around an hour and a half. No matter how great the writers are, audience members start to get restless after a while, and we want to give everyone time to hang out, have a drink, and get to know each other. Sarah used to be a literary agent, and she sees this as a new way for her to continue promoting the work of talented writers and to help foster connections between people in the community.

Our biggest priorities are that the show reflect the diversity of Brooklyn and its creative community, and that everyone just has a great time. We want people to come to the show because it’s a fun way to spend an evening, whether they’re writers coming out to support their fellow artists or just people in the neighborhood looking to for something different to do on a cold night.

What distinguishes the series from others?

As far as we know, we’re the only series in Ditmas Park, which is a neighborhood where a lot of writers live. We’re also actively working on featuring a real diverse variety of readers and storytellers—not just in terms of their backgrounds, but also in terms of their work and their level of exposure in the literary world and beyond.

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The inaugural Ditmas Lit was held Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 at Sycamore Brooklyn from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and featured Isaac Fitzgerald, Jeanne Thornton, Garbrielle Moss, and Tommy “Teebs” Pico.