LIFE@GWN

We're Not in Kansas Anymore...

Winnie Holzman, Co-Writer of Wicked

To Winnie Holzman, co-writer of the Wicked musical and movies, writing is all about what happens off the page. While Wicked is full of magic, mystery, and other-worldly imaginations, writing, to her, is best used as a tool to connect more deeply, live more bravely, and love more compassionately within the everyday. In the afterglow of the 2025 Girls Write Now Awards, Honoree Winnie Holzman talks with Girls Write Now about how to tell a story larger than life, while staying true to it. 

WRITE WITH US

Prompt of the Week

By  Melody Serra and Adama Abdul-Wahab, Studio Facilitators

Write a poem where love and grief mirror one another—where it’s hard to tell which is which. How does the ache of missing someone resemble the ache of loving them? Let one emotion speak to the other.

Community Studios start soon, and we're so excited to write with you! Come to Blurred Lines: Grief and Love, a poetry Community Studio on Monday, November 10th, hosted by Mentor Melody Serra and Mentee Adama Abdul-Wahab.

SPEAKING IN FIRST DRAFT PODCAST

BONUS: Speaking on the Stories in Our Suitcases Pt. 1

We All Belong, No Matter Where We're From

Speaking in First Draft is dedicated to elevating a range of creative voices and experiences, especially those whose stories are suppressed. In light of nationwide xenophobic attacks targeting immigrants, we’re handing our Girls Write Now community members the mic. Get ready to hear captivating stories from Nigeria, Ukraine, the Dominican Republic, and other parts of the world. These community voices are invaluable and must be protected; we are honored to share their stories with you.

WHAT WE'RE READING

Seeing Stars: A Mashad Family Novel

By Mentor Candice Jalili

A spin-off story to the beloved Finding Famous, Girls Write Now mentor Candice Jalili is back with another story in the Mashad Family universe: a laugh-out-loud, larger-than-life YA romance that brings reality TV down to earth. Fans of romance will swoon over the love triangle at the center of Seeing Stars, featuring a young reality TV star, the president's son, and a stunning surfer.

MENTORSHIP

Become a Mentor On Demand

The Easiest First Step to Mentorship

Our Fall Cycle is in full swing, and if you missed the chance to join a Journey before spring, you can still make an impact as a mentor on demand! Professionals of all backgrounds, fields, and industries, from anywhere in the U.S., ages 25 and up can set their own schedule and help a young writer in one-time sessions. It's easy to sign up, and it's a great way to dip your toes into the mentoring pool.

COLLABORATORY EVENTS

Studios Start Next Week

November 10-21, Virtual

Get ready to unlock your creativity with our dynamic Community Studios series. Led by our mentors and mentees, studios are free, one-hour workshops where you'll have the chance to connect with fellow creatives while diving into topics like nature writing, processing grief through poetry, journalism, late-night comedy, and more!

Open to all mentors, mentees, members & the public. Become a member to access registration. It's quick & easy!

COMMITTEE MEETING

Intersectional Voices in Technology

Thursday, November 13, 7-8 PM ET, Virtual

The world of work is shifting fast—driven by changes in how we write, give, and receive mentorship—and where we find community. Girls Write Now is uniquely poised to meet these changes in this moment. At this month’s committee meeting, we’ll harness the diverse experiences and expertise of Tech Committee members, identifying the real tensions of leaders across sectors to best position Girls Write Now as a strategic solution with essential services to meet those needs.

Open to all mentors, mentees, members & the public. Become a member to access registration. It's quick & easy!

SALON SERIES

From Sesame Street to Dr. Seuss: Writing Books Kids Love to Read with
Tish Rabe

Friday, November 14, 6-7:15 PM ET, Hybrid
Girls Write Now HQ
247 W 37th Street, 10th Floor

Have you ever wondered who's behind your most beloved children's books? Join Girls Write Now and Tish Rabe, children’s book author and publisher, for a special conversation about her inspiring journey in children’s literature. From her early work as a writer and editor, to becoming the founder of her own publishing company, Tish’s stories offer a sense of calm and care, wrapping children in the warmth of love and connection.

Open to all mentors, mentees, members & the public. Become a member to access registration. It's quick & easy!

SPECIAL EVENT

Literature to Life Performance: If Beale Street Could Talk

Saturday, November 15, 2-4 PM ET, In-person
Girls Write Now HQ
247 W 37th Street, 10th Floor

Literature to Life in partnership with Girls Write Now presents If Beale Street Could Talk. A story that remains disturbingly poignant 60 years after it was first published, James Baldwin’s classic is about abiding love in the face of injustice. Told from the perspective of its young heroine, this is the story of one family’s fight for justice in a society where institutional discrimination has the power to destroy lives, a theme that resonates today with audiences from all walks of life. This event will feature a 60-minute solo stage adaptation, preceded by a 10-minute introduction to the show, and a discussion following. This performance will not be recorded. Thank you to Vintage at Penguin Random House for donating books to our mentors and mentees.

Open to all mentors, mentees, members & the public. Become a member to access registration. It's quick & easy!

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

International Studio & Curatorial Program

2026 Spring Internship

The International Studio & Curatorial Program’s internship program offers an opportunity for those passionate about the arts and culture field in New York City, presented through the lens of a leading residency-based non-profit organization. ISCP interns engage in all aspects of the day-to-day operations and gain invaluable experience as they learn about arts administration within a studio filled building while being introduced to a vast network of international art professionals.

Deadline: December 5, 2025

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITY

Your Podcast Pipeline

The "Podcast Clarity Blueprint" Masterclass

Do you have brilliant ideas but struggle to get them heard? Tired of feeling invisible despite your valuable expertise or lived experience? You're not alone! This live, 90-minute guided session by Girls Write Now teaching artist Christabel Nsiah-Buadi will help you: Get your ideas out of your head and on the mic, learn to distill your thoughts into a clear, compelling arc, amplify your expertise, own your narrative and share it with confidence, gain narrative clarity, and fine-tune your message for hosting or guesting.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

NederLander

Spring Internships

Nederlander offers internship sessions that provide an opportunity for students to learn about the workings of a multi-faceted company and to develop professional skills. Interns are required to work up to 20 hours per week with compensation of $17.00/per hour, during which time they will acquire hands-on experience in a theatrical office.