Plus, Father's Day festivities continue!
June 16-22
Hope Lives In Our Words
Featured Media
Speaking on Skating to Liberation
By Arriel Vinson & Maryam Oguntola
An Episode of Speaking in First Draft
In this episode, we're taking a poetic trip to the roller rink with Arriel Vinson, a Girls Write Now mentor alum and debut author of Under the Neon Lights, and mentee Maryam Oguntola. From talking about Midwestern hometowns to revolutionary protest, first crushes to developing a poetic style, this conversation will make you want to grab your skates and find your own place of communal joy.
Mic Drop: Community Spotlight
LIFE@GWN
Our Dad Let Us Be Kids—Cultivating Girls’ Strong Opinions & Imaginations
Featuring Mustafa, Layla & Yasmeen Topiwalla
Father’s Day festivities continue! We proudly turn the spotlight on longtime Girls Write Now Board Member and Treasurer, Mustafa Topiwalla, and his daughters Layla and Yazi, woodland explorers turned spirited collegiate women, well on their way to conquer anything to which they put their minds—with their dog Macey in tow.
STORY COLLECTION
Black-nificence
Celebrate Juneteenth with
Stories of Black Resistance
From an ode to pan-Africanism to a poem about blackbirds, these stories written by Girls Write Now mentees over the years all speak to a desire for liberation, a striving for communal uplift, and the persistent cry of hope. To celebrate Juneteenth and the continual quest for freedom and justice for all, we hope you enjoy and share these stories widely.
The Creative Process
READ WITH US
When You Write Back
By Hanna Neier,
Girls Write Now Mentor
Publisher's Weekly just announced the upcoming publication of Hanna Neier's middle grade novel, When You Write Back, written in letters between 12-year-old Ellie and her school-assigned pen pal, Daniel. When Ellie realizes their letters are traveling through time, and that Daniel is a Jewish kid living in 1942 Nazi-occupied Paris, she is determined to save him before time runs out. Publication is planned for winter 2027.
WRITE FOR LIFE
Chasing Spirits
Essay Contest
Honoring Maya Logan Eileraas
Girls Write Now proudly joins forces with Chasing Spirits to present the inaugural "Writing for Life" Writing Prize. This award honors the free, rebellious spirit of fourteen-year-old Maya Logan Eileraas, who used the pandemic to write their novel and fought for writing as a lifeline while in foster care and mental healthcare facilities. The contest is open to girls, gender expansive youth, and LGBTQ+ youth across the United States. One winner in each age category (13-15 and 16-19) will receive $1,500 and publication.
WRITE WITH US
Prompt of the Week
By Kayla Dudley,
Girls Write Now Mentee & Intern
Who Was I? Who Am I Becoming?
Write a letter or poem from your younger self to who you are now—or from your current self to who you’re becoming. What dreams have changed? What strengths have stayed the same? How has your voice, power, or purpose evolved?
Happening Write Now
COLLABORATORY ORIENTATION
Summer 2025 Journey Orientation Dates
June 16-26, Various Times, Virtual
Attention mentors and mentees! We are so
excited to embark on our Summer Journeys together! Now that you have received your Journey introduction emails, you have been connected to your Journey Staff Lead and received your orientation registration link. If you’re unable to attend the orientation session, please notify your Journey Staff Lead as soon as possible.
For new Collaboratory participants, the Mentee & Mentor Orientation on June 26th is also required.
Required for Summer Journey mentees and mentors
SALON SERIES
Writing the Places That Save Us with Arriel Vinson
Friday, June 20, 6-7:15 PM ET, Hybrid
Girls Write Now Headquarters
247 West 37th, 10th Floor, New York City
Sometimes, the places we love are the spaces that allow us to create community. Sometimes, the places we love are the spaces that keep us alive. Join Girls Write Now mentor and Reese’s Book Club LitUp Fellow Arriel Vinson as she discusses her debut young adult novel, Under the Neon Lights, and explores what it means to write the places that save us. Plus, get started on your own writing projects with dedicated prompts and creative time!
Open to mentees, mentors, members and the public
SPECIAL EVENT
Ask Her Anything: An Honest Conversation About Women’s Health
Sunday, June 22, 1-3 PM ET, In-Person
The Center for the Women of New York
207 Totten Ave, NY 11359
This event was developed through the Lead Community Change Journey and conceived and produced by Lead Community Change mentee Mariam Faisal, with the support of her mentor Karen Mazza. Join us for an afternoon of support, learning, and empowerment at the Center for the Women of New York at Fort Totten. This special event is designed to create a safe and welcoming space for women to ask anonymous questions about their mental and physical health. Come as you are, bring your questions, and leave with knowledge and support. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome! This event is co-sponsored by the Center for the Women of New York.
Open to mentees, mentors, members and the public
COLLABORATORY ORIENTATION
Mentee & Mentor Orientation – Summer 2025
Thursday, June 26, 7-8:30 PM ET, Virtual
Welcome to the Summer Cycle at Girls Write Now! Join us for the Mentee & Mentor Orientation—your official introduction to the Girls Write Now Collaboratory and the first step toward a successful and creative cycle together.
This orientation session is required for all new mentees and new mentors. Returning mentees and mentors are warmly welcome to attend.
Every mentor and mentee will attend their specific Journey orientation—and new participants are required to attend this orientation as well.
Required for new mentees and mentors,
Open to all Summer Journey mentees and mentors
Read on for even more incredible opportunities—
and thank you for your support!
Get the Gig
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Book of the Month
Editorial Assistant, Rotational Program
The Editorial Rotational Program mission is to accelerate the professional growth and development of Early Career Editorial professionals through exposure to a multitude of assignments, apprenticeship-style learning, and accelerated responsibility. We are looking for driven, tenacious, and pragmatic team members who have the desire and potential to rise over time into a significant contributor within the Editorial team and our broader direct-to-consumer lifestyle business.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
InStyle
Dotdash Meredith
Fashion Editor, InStyle
InStyle is looking for a skilled fashion writer to produce thoughtful, engaging fashion content across the brand’s platforms. In this role, you’ll primarily be responsible for pitching and writing fashion and celebrity-style news, as well as trending stories with a focus on creating content that will drive traffic and engagement. This editor will report to the Fashion Director, working closely with the News Director and audience teams to identify the specific ways in which our fashion content can reach new audiences, as well as meet the needs of our existing audiences.
GRANT OPPORTUNITY
Poetry Foundation
The General Operating Support Program
The General Operating Support Program offers unrestricted funding to nonprofit poetry organizations, presses, publications, and select literary arts service and membership organizations. This funding is designed to support and strengthen core operations, including staff salaries, technology, marketing and fundraising efforts, and more. This program aims to provide flexible resources that enable organizations to focus on their missions and sustain their vital work in the literary arts. Grants range in size from $10,000-$75,000, and all grants are for a 12-month period.
Application due date: July 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM CT
