Our friends at LitBox are raising funds to open a second book-vending location in Southeast DC and bring even more books by local, living authors to readers.

LitBox recently celebrated the first anniversary of its original Western Market location, where it sold more than 500 locally written chapbooks, novels, essays, novellas, and story collections in its first year. Founder Lauren Woods reinvested every dollar in books and operating expenses while volunteering her time to manage the project. Despite receiving partial support from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, LitBox still needs $3,000 to complete and ship its second vending machine—or $3,500 to cover shipping and moving costs as well.

The new machine will accommodate larger books that do not fit in LitBox’s current vending slots, helping clear an existing backlog and expanding opportunities for local authors. Additional funds will support licensing and inventory for the new location.

LitBox grew out of Lauren and her husband Andrew Bertaina’s longstanding commitment to Washington-area literature. After creating the 804 Literary Salon to celebrate local writers, Lauren imagined a vending machine dedicated entirely to books by living area authors. Community support helped launch the first LitBox, and the team now hopes to double its sales—and its impact—with a second location.

Every contribution helps. If 100 people donate $30, LitBox will reach its goal, but donations of any size are deeply appreciated. Contributions can be sent directly to LitBox’s business account through Zelle at Lauren@litboxbooks.com, or through Venmo at @Ladiwoods1. Funds received through these methods will go directly toward the new machine and its launch.

Please consider supporting our friends at LitBox as they work to place more locally written books into readers’ hands.