Subject: First-Time Applicant Inquiry — Dungeon Books, 115 Brunswick St
Dear Ms. Pagan-Milano,
My name is Carrie Vu. I’m the co-owner of Dungeon Books, an independent bookstore at 115 Brunswick St in Jersey City specializing in science fiction and fantasy literature and tabletop roleplaying games. We’ve been open since October 2024.
I’m writing as a first-time applicant with two questions about the 2026–2027 JCACTF grant cycle:
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Is the application window for Program Grants still open?
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We are registered in New Jersey as Script Wizards LLC, an arts-focused business that produces regular public programming — author events, art exhibitions, and workshops. We are not yet a 501(c)(3), though incorporation is underway. Are we eligible to apply for a Program Grant as an NJ-registered arts business under the current eligibility guidelines?
For context, since opening we have produced literary and arts programming including:
- Author conversations and readings featuring Cassandra Khaw & Saline Goldberg (Mar 2026), Alice Evelyn Yang & Jade Song (Feb 2026), Julie C. Dao & Gabrielle Nguyen/AznAmericana (Dec 2025), JE Harter (Oct 2025), Sebastien de Castell (Sep 2025), and Elaine Cho (Aug 2025)
- Professor Dungeon Master (Dungeon Craft, hundreds of thousands of YouTube followers) ran his game Deathbringer at our one-year anniversary (Oct 2025)
- An original art exhibition of fantasy illustrator David Mattingly’s work (all 54 Animorphs covers) at our grand opening during JCAST 2024
- Ongoing display of original works by local Jersey City artists Jonah Dunstan and Tom
- Regular community workshops including miniature painting
Our events and programming: https://www.dungeonbooks.com/events Our Instagram (event documentation): https://www.instagram.com/dungeonbooks/
Press coverage:
- IndieBound Featured Bookstore, February 2026
- JCity Times: https://jcitytimes.com/dungeon-books-is-the-latest-addition-to-a-gaming-neighborhood-downtown/
- Shelf Awareness: https://www.shelf-awareness.com/theshelf/2024-10-15/dungeon_books_jersey_city_n.j._hosts_grand_opening.html
- Patch.com: https://patch.com/new-jersey/jersey-city/dungeon-books-open-jersey-city-saturday-celebration
Dungeon Books is Asian woman-owned. I am Vietnamese American, and my co-owner Panat Taranat is Thai. Our grand opening was attended by Councilman Frank Gilmore, Councilman James Solomon, and NJ Senator Angela McKnight.
I’d welcome the chance to discuss our eligibility and am happy to meet in person or by phone at your convenience.
Thank you, Carrie Vu Dungeon Books / Script Wizards LLC 115 Brunswick St, Storefront 1R Jersey City, NJ 07302 www.dungeonbooks.com