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What Is The StoryForge Initiative?
The StoryForge Initiative is a nonprofit project dedicated to helping indie authors bring their books to life by removing financial and technical barriers to publishing.
We provide affordable publishing essentials — including ISBNs, professional author pages, and access to free tools — so writers can focus on what truly matters: telling their stories.
Our mission is simple:
To forge paths for every story, regardless of background, budget, or experience.
Why StoryForge Exists
Publishing has become more accessible than ever, but the costs and confusion surrounding it still hold many writers back.
An ISBN alone can cost $125, and professional resources are often locked behind high paywalls or industry gatekeeping.
Too many incredible stories remain unwritten, unpublished, or unseen — not because of lack of talent, but because of lack of access.
StoryForge was created to change that.
How We’re Making a Difference
We’re building a transparent, community-first system that empowers authors nationwide:
- Affordable ISBNs: Authors can purchase ISBNs through StoryForge for only $20 each, a fraction of the retail cost.
- Professional Author Pages: Low-cost, custom landing pages to showcase books and connect with readers.
- Free Resource Library: Guides, templates, and publishing tools for every stage of an author’s journey.
- Transparent Finances: Every dollar and ISBN distributed is logged publicly on our Transparency Page.
As StoryForge grows, we’ll introduce micro-grants to help cover editing, cover design, and marketing expenses for indie authors.
Built by Authors, for Authors
The StoryForge Initiative was founded by Christopher Schlosser, an indie author who knows firsthand the challenges of self-publishing.
From purchasing the first ISBN block out of pocket to personally funding the website and hosting, the Initiative was built on the belief that community can break barriers.
Every contribution — whether time, money, or shared experience — strengthens the foundation for authors everywhere.
Learn More About Our Work
Want to dig deeper into how StoryForge operates?
Visit our other pages to see how everything connects:
Together, we’re building a future where every story has a path.
