STORIES BY GIRLS WRITE NOW

Other Shores

A Caribbean Heritage Collection

Our collection, "Other Shores," brims with the energy and beauty of the Caribbean. These pieces are as diverse as the islands that inspired them: no two stories are exactly alike, and each one shimmers its own light.

Read on to see what lies beyond the shores. 

Plus, pump up the volume on our companion playlist for a more immersive reading experience!

Prompt of the Week

From Deesha Dyer, Friday Night Salon Teaching Artist

Write an affirmation right before you reach for an opportunity that you are not qualified for or that you  feel you "don't deserve."

Explore self-awareness, overcoming adversity, and embracing your authenticity at all costs with former White House Social Secretary and author Deesha Dyer in this Friday Night Salon recap.

SPEAKING IN FIRST DRAFT PODCAST

Speaking on Magical Girls and Worlds

Featuring Kristy Cunningham Bigler &
Shreya Darji

Prepare to enter into an incredible world with familiars, fantastical tech, and magical girls. That is what's in store for this conversation between mentor Kristy Cunningham Bigler and mentee Shreya Darji. They discuss world-building, the quest for character names, and the funny personalities of ferrets. In this episode, you'll get to hear all about Kristy's work-in-progress Code Name: Space Goddess.

SPECIAL EVENT

Summer Open Mic

Thursday, July 11, 6-7:15 PM ET
Girls Write Now Headquarters

Join us on Thursday, July 11, for our second open mic of the Summer Open Mic Series. Ten readers will be given three minutes to perform their work (poetry, a song, a story excerpt, etc.) in front of a live audience at Girls Write Now headquarters. We will begin with a group generative writing exercise to explore our own creativity before hearing from performers. Enjoy light snacks and refreshments!

Please message Azia Armstead on Slack if you are interested in performing.

Open to the public, mentors, mentees, and alum.

COMMUNITY STUDIOS

July Summer Studios

Monday -Thursday, July 15-19
Studios start between 5-7 PM ET, Virtual

Are you ready to dive into the vibrant world of creativity this summer? Join us for our Summer Studios and experience a taste of the Girls Write Now curriculum! Connect with mentees, mentors, and other members of our community in a supportive and dynamic environment. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out; a veteran community member or just learning about who we are and what we do—there's something for everyone.

Open to mentors, mentees, alum, and the public.

SALON SERIES

Writing Difficult Moments & Histories with Humor

Thursday, July 18, 6-7:15 PM ET, Virtual

In Anna Lapera's upper middle grade novel, the main character's abuelita is always telling her to find her "quetzal voice"—legend in Guatemala has it that during the Spanish invasion, the quetzal bird stopped singing and will only sing again when Guatemala is free. But what does that even mean for 12 year-old Mani? And can she tap into her quetzal voice in time to stand up to the bullying and sexual harassment going on at her own school?

Author and Educator Anna Lapera will lead us through writing prompts centered around how to use humor and inner dialogue when writing difficult histories and experiences.

Open to the public, mentors, mentees, and alum.

CAREERS

Arts FMS

Finance Assistant

Arts FMS is seeking a highly motivated and self-directed individual with extensive experience with accounting and financial management. This position offers the flexibility of 100% remote work.

INTERNSHIPS

National Book Foundation

Summer 2025 Internship

The National Book Foundation, presenter of the National Book Awards, offers internship opportunities for current undergraduate and graduate students looking to learn and develop skills at an established and active literary arts non-profit. Over the course of a semester or a summer term, interns do meaningful work for NBF supporting the National Book Awards, our educational and public programming, communications and social media efforts, and non-profit operations and administration. NBF ensures that every intern receives mentorship and experience necessary to progress in the arts or publishing industry.

WRITING CONTESTS

WOW! Women on Writing

Summer 2024 Flash Fiction Contest

Do you need some writing inspiration? Contests are a great way to spark your creativity, and you may even win a prize! This season we are awarding over $1,550 in cash prizes and the top winner will receive Reedsy's master course, How to Write a Novel ($1249 value). Get your best work together and consider entering the WOW! quarterly flash fiction contest with guest judge Tom Bromley, author, editor, and Reedsy creative writing instructor. The Summer Contest is open to all genres of fiction between 250 - 750 words. Only 400 stories are accepted, so enter early to ensure your spot in the contest.

Due Date: August 31, 2024