In 1994, SAL brought the nationally recognized Writers in the Schools to Seattle—an educational program that places local professional writers in public school classrooms to develop skills and spark student interest in reading and writing. The Poetry Series, featuring such notables as Philip Levine and Anne Carson, debuted in 2000, as did Wednesday University/SAL U an adult continuing education program co-presented by the University of Washington Alumni Association and taught by distinguished UW professors. (The 14/15 season was the last season for SAL U.) Hinge, inaugurated in the 2014/15 season features readings, lectures and other presentations by emerging and experimental writers in intimate settings. In the 15/16 season SAL introduced Women You Need to Know (WYNK), a three-part series designed to showcase cutting edge, thought provoking inspiring women. It opened with the graphic novelist and Tony award winner Alison Bechdel. From 2016/17 to 2017/18, SAL presented Sherman Alexie Loves, a two-year series that was curated by Seattle author, Sherman Alexie.

As Seattle has grown in size and sophistication, SAL has kept pace and helped engage, inspire, and connect our growing community.  In 2016/17 alone, over 25,000 SAL attendees had accessible, meaningful experiences with the foremost writers and thinkers of our time through SAL programming. Our Writers in the Schools program matches accomplished creative writers with local K-12 public schools and hospitals for year-long writing residencies. In 2016/17, over 7,800 students worked with a WITS writer-in-residence or spotlight author visit to discover their authentic voices, build community, and develop writing skills that will support them throughout their lives.