SPEAKING IN FIRST DRAFT PODCAST

Episode 35: Speaking on Breaking the Mainstream

Feminist Journalists and Editors on Telling the Stories That Have Been Silenced

What happens when magazines that once championed women's stories fold? Who and what takes their place? Esteemed journalists Versha Sharma (Former Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue), Koa Beck (Former Editor-in-Chief of Jezebel and the co-host of “The #MeToo Memos” on WNYC’s The Takeaway), and Marina Fang (Former Senior Culture reporter at HuffPost) discuss their rich, generational experiences as women of color in the industry and share advice on how to get our stories told in a media environment that is increasingly hostile to marginalized voices.

NEWS & PRESS

Girls Write Now Founder & Executive Director Honored on Eames Institute's Curious 100

Maya Nussbaum Joins List of 100 Celebrated Advocates Across Industries

Girls Write Now is proud to count Founder & Executive Director Maya Nussbaum among the 2026 Curious 100 Honorees presented by The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity. Nussbaum was honored in the "Protectors" category for tackling "critical social issues through activism, creativity, and advocacy to protect and empower others, creating a more just and sustainable world." Since its founding in 1998, Girls Write Now has innovatively scaled its one-of-a-kind programming to be invaluable to underserved communities across the United States.

LIFE@GWN

“I’m more obsessed with storytelling than ever before”

From Mentee to Intern, Kayla Martinez Charts Her Creative Path at Girls Write Now

Kayla Martinez is not only a devoted mentee, but our Video and Multimedia Intern extraordinaire! Her infectious enthusiasm comes across in every project she tackles, and as a video editor, animator, writer, content creator—among many other other labels—Kayla has become part of the fabric of Girls Write Now. Learn more of Kayla’s life@GWN—how 90s sports movies inspired her most recent project, what she’s gained from her mentor Jo, and how Girls Write Now healed her relationship with writing.

WRITE WITH US

Prompt of the Week

By Jennifer Brown & Christiane Calixte, Community Studio Facilitators

What are some autobiographical narratives that you’ve enjoyed recently whether it was in a memoir, TikTok, Reddit post, reality TV, social media, or op-ed? What kept you engaged in the story?

Tell your unique story at Putting the Me in Memoir, a Community Studio led by mentor Jennifer Brown and mentee Christiane Calixte today at 8 PM ET as well as on April 20th and May 18th.

SPECIAL EVENT

Thriving Thursday: Free Write & Reflection

Thursday, March 26, 6-7 PM ET, Virtual

When the world feels heavy, lean into your community. Join us for a low-pressure free-writing session where we’ll share creative space with one another. We’ll kick things off with a few optional writing prompts, but you’re free to wander wherever your pen (or keyboard) takes you. This is an easy way to commit an hour towards work on your submission for our upcoming anthology—Metamorphosis—or any other project of your choice! Remember, submissions for the anthology are due by April 9.

Open to all mentors, mentees, members & the public.
Create a portal account to attend all events.

FRIDAY NIGHT SALON

The Story Only You Can Write with Author Juliet Faithfull

Friday, March 27, 6-7 PM ET, Virtual

In this Friday Night Salon with Juliet Faithfull participants will explore how to write the story only they can tell. This event will encourage writers of all ages and backgrounds to believe that their story is worth writing by embracing courage on the page and letting go of hesitation and self-doubt in order to write with honesty and boldness. 

Thank you to Thousand Voices x Random House Publishing Group for bringing Juliet to our community of writers!

Open to all mentors, mentees, members & the public.

CAREER CHAT

Calling All Bookworms: A Career Chat with Macmillan

Tuesday, April 7, 4:15-5:30 PM ET, Virtual

Do you never leave the house without a book? Have you had to place yourself on a book-buying ban more than once? If you answered yes to those questions, run, don’t walk, to this Career Chat. Macmillan employees from various departments like Editorial, Sales, Marketing/Publicity, and more will come and talk to you about what it takes to get a book into the hands of bookworms like you. Come hear about ways to break into the publishing industry from the people who have done it!

Open to all mentors, mentees, members & the public.

SPECIAL EVENT

STARS Youth-Led Town Hall: Safety First

Wednesday, April 8, 11 AM-1 PM ET, In-Person
695 Park Ave, New York, NY

At the STARS Town Hall, young people lead the conversation. Students will have the opportunity to share their perspectives, connect with other youth leaders across the city, and help shape solutions that city leaders need to hear. This year’s conversation centers on one big question: What does it actually mean for young people to feel safe in New York City in 2026? Safe spaces don’t just happen—they’re built through listening, collaboration, and action. Your voice matters and we hope you'll join us.

Open to all girls and gender-expansive young people ages 13–24.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Macmillan

Manager, Creative Strategy

Tor Publishing Group is looking for a dynamic individual to lead creative strategy, research, and manage non-traditional media contacts and event opportunities, including but not limited to social media influencers, for our publicity department. This role is perfect for someone who has their finger on the pulse of pop culture and entertainment, is highly creative and collaborative, thinks strategically, and is a fan of genre fiction. This position will report directly to the VP, Executive Director of Publicity.

Create a portal account to apply for this opportunity.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Macmillan

Summer 2026 Internship

Macmillan Publishers is excited to offer paid, full-time, remote internship opportunities for our Summer 2026 session! While these positions are remote-friendly, interns hired locally will have the opportunity to work from the New York City office if interested. They are looking for passionate individuals to join them in departments on the Trade side of the business including Editorial, Marketing, Publicity, Art & Design, Sales, Managing/Production Editorial, Production, Publishing Operations, Subrights, Creative Services, and Author Events. If you are from a diverse background, you may qualify for a $3,000 supplemental grant from We Need Diverse Books in addition to Macmillan's compensation.

Create a portal account to apply for this opportunity.

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Fort Greene Park Conservancy

Environmental Justice Fellow

The Environmental Justice (EJ) Fellow will play an important role in the mission to enrich and nurture Fort Greene Park, supporting park stewardship and environmental programming, such as Green Team, a teen environmental education program, while furthering their own research. Candidates must commit to approaching their work through a DEI lens, prioritizing FGPC’s values and mission.

Deadline: Wed., April 15th, 2026
Create a portal account to apply for this opportunity.