LIFE@GWN

Rachel Bloom

 The Comedian on Framing Life Through Humor

Rachel Bloom's one-woman off-Broadway production, Death, Let Me Do My Show, was adapted into a Netflix special wherein she lives out her tragedies in front of a live studio audience. But for Bloom, it’s more than a coping mechanism, humor is a beacon of hope in a chaotic world. That’s why she began supporting Girls Write Now and will join us as a Girls Write Now 2025 honoree. Together with a mentee from the Girls Write Now Power of Punchlines Journey, Rachel discusses the role comedy plays in her approach to life.

READ WITH US

Books by 2025 Girls Write Now Honorees

From Cookbooks to Journaling Prompts

Every year, Girls Write Now recognizes the individuals and institutions who champion Girls Write Now’s mission to mentor and train the next generation of writers and leaders. In honor of their contributions and commitment to uplifting women and gender expansive young people, we are highlighting three of their publications: The Way Home by Kardea Brown, The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad, and Toni at Random: The Iconic Writer’s Legendary Editorship by Dana A. Williams.

WRITE WITH US

Summer Sounds
Prompt and Playlist

By Sally Familia,
Community Coordinator

Choose a song from the playlist that embodies an emotion that you are currently navigating. Write a scene, short story, poem, or song where someone experiences and expresses that emotion through their interactions.

Our summer prompts and playlists are a whole mood. Check out this week's creativity boost!

COMMUNITY STUDIOS

August Community Studios Start Now!

August 11-21, Various Times, Virtual

August is a month of beach days, park hang outs, and warm sunsets. It's also the perfect time to give your creativity a boost with our Community Studios. Curated and led by mentors and mentees in the Teach GWN Journey, these studios cover a wide range of genres, topics, and activities so you can find one that works for you! 

Open to all mentors, mentees, members, and the public

COLLEGE CHAT

Navigating the MFA Experience

Tuesday, August 19, 4:45-6 PM ET, Virtual

Panelists Nicole Caplain Kelly, Christine Singleton, Sasha Debevec-McKenney, Sheena Daree Romero, Marya Cohn, and Jessie Keyt will share insights from their journeys during and after earning their MFAs in poetry, fiction, and screenwriting. Speakers will also share their experience teaching in MFA programs. There will be opportunity to connect with the panelists, and a Q&A session in which attendees can ask questions about the panelists’ experiences and receive advice on pursuing an MFA.

Open to all mentors, mentees, members, and the public

SALON SERIES

Memoir & Op-Eds as a Tool for Reclaiming Your Story with Kaila Yu

Thursday, August 21, 6-7:15 PM ET, Virtual

Join author and cultural critic Kaila Yu as she discusses how memoir and opinion writing can be used as tools of resistance, reflection, and reclamation. Drawing from her upcoming memoir Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty, Kaila will share how writing personal narratives can dismantle stereotypes, challenge the gaze, and give voice to long-silenced truths. Through conversation and writing prompts, participants will explore how to transform lived experience—especially around identity, race, gender, and beauty—into essays that resonate on both the page and the public stage.

Open to all mentors, mentees, members, and the public

COMMITTEE MEETING

IV DEIB Committee:
What Radicalized You?

Thursday, August 21, 7-8:30 PM ET, Virtual

The Committee on Intersectional Voices in DEIB is committed to promoting our inclusive and equitable environment within Girls Write Now. Addressing issues related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, participants develop, review, and make recommendations on initiatives that ensure all voices are heard and valued. At this Thursday's meeting, we ask: What radicalized you? What moment instilled in you the need to become more involved in your local community? Join us as we engage with a though-provoking panel and discuss our current political moment.

Open to all mentors, mentees, members, and the public

SPECIAL EVENTS

Open Mic + Community Togetherness Cafecito

Thursday, August 28, 5-6:15 PM ET, In-Person
Girls Write Now Headquarters
247 W 37th Street, NYC, on the 10th floor

Join us for an evening of creativity, expression, and community! This open mic is a space to connect with other artists and creators through poetry, song, and storytelling at large. Whether you want to perform a piece you’ve written, something you love (but didn’t write), or just soak it all in, you’re welcome here. We’ll kick things off with some writing prompts from the Community Togetherness Journey—perfect to get your ideas flowing—then engage with Latine/Hispanic Affinity Group co-facilitators Kaila and Isabella for some cafecito, sweet treats, and warm conversation. Come early to grab snacks, sign up for the mic, and learn more about ways to get involved. Can’t wait to see you there!

Open to all mentors, mentees, members, and the public

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Video Consortium

Social Media Coordinator

Video Consortium is looking for a creative and self-driven Social Media Coordinator to help grow their brand across social platforms. This is a part-time role ideal for someone with strong storytelling instincts, a keen eye for design, and a passion for social video who’s looking to learn, grow, and collaborate with a passionate team of media makers. You’ll own content creation from start to finish under the guidance of their Senior Manager, Communications.

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY

New York Public Library

Cullman Center Fellowship

The Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers is an international fellowship program open to people whose work will benefit directly from access to the collections at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building—including academics, independent scholars, and creative writers (novelists, playwrights, poets). Visual artists at work on a book project are also welcome to apply. The Center appoints 15 Fellows a year for a nine-month term at the Library, from September through May. A Cullman Center Fellow receives the use of an office with a computer, full access to the Library’s physical and electronic resources, and a stipend of $90,000.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Questbridge

Full Four-Year Funding Through the
National College Match

QuestBridge connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with a thriving community and transformative educational, career, and life opportunities that help propel them to lives of fulfillment, meaning, and purpose. Through the National College Match, you can apply for free to the nation’s top colleges and be considered for early admission and a full four-year scholarship. If admitted to a college partner through the Match or QuestBridge Regular Decision, you will join a supportive community of over 11,000 other QuestBridge Scholars currently attending their college partners.

Apply by September 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT.