The Brick House is an American media cooperative. It was formed of nine writers, artists, and editors who came together in late 2020 to create a platform for expression,[1][2] cultural preservation, library advocacy,[3][4][5][6] and independent journalism.[7] Originally incorporated in Ohio, it is now a California corporation. The intent of the founders is that it should be independent of financial backers and commercial interests and hence of the influence of parties with agendas which differ from those of the contributing writers. The corporate structure is such that no entity outside the members of the cooperative can own an equity interest. It supports libraries through advocacy, publishing, and archival projects.[8][9]
The Brick House publishes Flaming Hydra, a subscription-based newsletter of about 60 independent writers.[10]
Founding and design
In late 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Maria Bustillos (editor of Popula) and a few other editors, writers, and creators came together with eight individual publications to form The Brick House.[11] The other core founders were Christina M. Greer, Alex Brook Lynn and Harry Siegel of FAQNYC,Myriam Gurba of Tasteful Rude, Brian Hioe of No Man is an Island, Mike Kanin and Sunny Sone of Preachy, Jason Adam Katzenstein of Awry, David Moore and Donald Shaw of Sludge,' Tom Scocca of Indignity, and Kola Tubosun of OlongoAfrica.[12] Each of the publications, with its own identity and management were to operate in independent editorial directions, depending on The Brick House only for a home where joint projects, grant applications, and other administrative ideas can be coordinated.[citation needed]
That year, they raised $90,000 from 1,321 backers on Kickstarter.[13] With this funding, along with a number of later subscribers, The Brick House was able to pay each publication to do their work independently.[citation needed]
Over the years, the nine publications thinned down, and as of January 2025[update] The Brick House comprises only seven of the initial co-founders: Maria Bustillos, David Moore, Harry Siegel, Myriam Gurba, Brian Hioe, Tom Scocca, and Kola Tubosun.[14]
Notable projects
In 2022, The Brick House helped raise funds to help in the re-publication of An African Abroad, a classic travel memoir by Olabisi Ajala, through OlongoAfrica.[15][16][17]
In 2024, The Brick House founded FlamingHydra, a subscription-based newsletter with 60 independent writers, artists, and publishers.[18][19]
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