It featured a mix of prominent contemporary writers and artists alongside upcoming talents in a variety of disciplines—fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and visual art.
They sought to create an intellectually and aesthetically stimulating art and literature journal featuring established as well as emerging artists from various genres.
The dual goals of HOW have been summed up by founding editor Alison Weaver as follows: The vision we had when creating H.O.W was to appeal to a young, modern readership who hold both an avid interest in the arts as well as a general compulsion toward social consciousness.
gives its readers a visually hip journal filled with talented artists and writers, while at the same time allowing them to support children that are in dire need of our help.
Each issue launch is accompanied by a fund-raising event that both promotes the journal and contributes to the goal of raising money and awareness of the charity being supported.
Journal has hosted for issue launches have incorporated costume parties, literary contests, and silent auctions featuring designer clothing and jewelry, gift certificates, and many wonderful pieces of art donated by H.O.W.
Events have been held at venues such as Macao Trading Co. in Tribeca, New York City and Carly Simon's Midnight Farm store on Martha's Vineyard.
Events have also included guest readings from prominent authors and contributors such as Catherine O'Hara, Ben Taylor, Carly Simon, Harold Ramis, Susan Minot, Mary Gaitskill, David Gates, Justin Taylor, Jonathan Lethem, Barry Yourgrau, Tao Lin, Willie Perdomo, Joan Benefeil, Sam Lipsyte, Eileen Myles, Geraldine Brooks, Fanny Howe, Honor Moore, Alexandra Styron, Natasha Radojcic, and Greg Sanders, as well as musical performances by Stephanie McKay and the indie rock band Drug Rug.
It is a family-like, therapeutic environment where children receive the structure, acceptance, guidance and resources they need in order to thrive and grow up to lead positive and productive lives.