Plus, publications & praise for mentors & mentees...
May 12-18
If You Can Write, You Can Do Anything...
if only i could speak
By Premrudee Mepremwattana
Because even as we open our mouths to speak, we realize, sitting at the edge of our tongues, there is already a narrative written out for us.
As we celebrate Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we are proud to present stories by mentees who are interrogating ideas of representation and expanding the canon in surprising ways.
There's Still Time to Apply to the
Summer Collaboratory!
Deadline: May 16
Summer is that special season when you uncover your passions and meet the people who change the trajectory of your year. In the Girls Write Now Collaboratory, you get access to expertly curated packages of one-to-one mentorship, community experiences, and an exciting range of writing-based courses to stretch your creativity and critical thinking. No matter your age or background, this is an opportunity for you—and now you have a bit more time to get in!
Community Spotlight
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT
Lydia Bach
Mentee Lydia Bach Makes Waves with Recent Publication, Today Show Appearance & Frazzled Lit Shout-Out
Congratulations to mentee Lydia Bach who has had an amazing year of accomplishments! Lydia
not only published a short story entitled “My Friend Joan” in the March 2025 edition of The Blotter Magazine, but has also been recognized by Frazzled Lit as one of 38 writers on their short story longlist. She also appeared on NBC’s Today Show in late January to talk about the podcast she helps run, This Teenage Life, where she was interviewed by anchor and 2023
Girls Write Now Awards Honoree Savannah Sellers.
WHAT WE'RE READING
Everyday Intuition
By Elizabeth Greenwood, Girls Write Now Mentor
We rely on our intuition, even though we don’t fully understand what it is, how it works, or if we can even trust it. In Everyday Intuition (HarperCollins), Girls Write Now mentor Elizabeth Greenwood takes us on a sweeping investigation into the subject, exploring how, in our data-driven world, we can harness intuition in our day-to-day lives. Fun fact: Elizabeth talks about her incredible mentee, Mei, in the book, so keep a look out for Girls Write Now mentions!
FROM OUR COMMUNITY
Prompt of the Week
By Sadiqah Al-Masyabi & Carolyn Lamphier,
Community Studio Facilitators
If you could build your dream gadget, what would it do? How would it add value to your life?
Let’s light things up on Wednesday, May 21st in a Community Studio! Learn how to build your own circuit in Tinkercad and then light it up! We will walk you through the steps of building your own electronic circuit and how to manipulate it utilizing components like Arduino boards, LEDs, and sensors. No experience necessary—just come ready to create!
COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES
Community Studios Start This Week!
Write, Connect, Have fun!
Are you looking for a way to connect with other writers while exercising your creative muscles? Join us for a May Community Studio! From cooking up something special with "Food Writing Across Genres" to explporing the role of technology in creativity in "Code & Quill: Weaving Stories Through Technology," there's something for all!
Create your free Portal account to register for Studios.
PARTNER HIGHLIGHT
Meet Your New Pen Pal
Connect Creatively Through Pen Gals
We’re so excited to introduce you to our friends at Pen Gals — a beautiful new platform built by women, for women and girls to find meaningful connection through the art of letter writing. Think: cozy snail mail, dreamy
stationery, and real friendships with creative souls around the world. Whether you're into journaling, storytelling, or simply miss the magic of old-school letters, Pen Gals is for you. Launching soon!
Be the first to get updates by signing up for their newsletter.
Happening Write Now
CAREER CHAT
Safiya Sinclair & Dawn Davis on How to Say Babylon
Tuesday, May 13, 4:45-6 PM ET, Virtual
Join us for a conversation with poet and memoirist Safiya Sinclair, and editor Dawn Davis, as they discuss the creation of Safiya’s award-winning memoir, How to Say Babylon. How to Say Babylon is the winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Autobiography, a finalist for the Kirkus Prize, and longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction and the OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature. Safiya and Dawn will share insights from their respective creative and professional journeys, reflecting on their collaborative work in bringing How to Say Babylon to life.
Open to mentees, mentors, members and the public.
COLLABORATORY WORKSHOP
Real Conversations on the Mic: Effective Interview Techniques to Amplify Voices
Tuesday, May 13, 5-7 PM ET, Virtual
Christabel Nsiah-Buadi, an executive audio storytelling and podcasting strategist and founder of Your Podcast Pipeline, will lead a workshop to guide participants toward mastering the essential skills for conducting interviews that amplify and value the voices of their subjects. The workshop will cover interview techniques, the interview environment, and the importance of active listening. By the end of the session, you will learn how to uncover and amplify meaningful narratives that might otherwise be overlooked.
Open to mentees, mentors, members and the public.
MENTOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Understanding & Supporting Youth Struggling with Suicidal Thoughts & Self-Injury
Friday, May 16, 6-7:15 PM ET, Virtual
Addressing the mental health crisis among adolescents is more important than ever. Please join us for this Mentor PD session, where we will explore the underlying factors contributing to these behaviors, offering insight into warning signs, risk factors, and effective intervention strategies. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to provide support, reduce stigma, and foster resilience in young people. This session will equip you with valuable knowledge to help youth navigate their emotional well-being. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people facing these challenges.
Open to mentors and peer-to-peer mentees.
COMMITTEE MEETING
Intersectional Voices in Tech
Thursday, May 22, 7-8 PM ET, Virtual
What's your take on AI? Is there a way to utilize AI in creative spaces while protecting the work of artists? Join us for an engaging Intersectional Voices in Tech (IV Tech) Committee meeting exploring the theme of Tech Ethics through the lens of mentoring, intergenerational connection, writing, and community. This session is designed to spark meaningful dialogue, deepen understanding, and help us collectively shape ethical, inclusive approaches to technology in our mentoring and writing community.
Open to mentees, mentors, members and the public.
COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
Nurturing Ourselves & Others
Thursday, May 22, 7-8:30 PM ET, Virtual
Take a break from the stressors of your life and give yourself the gift of kindness, care, and community.
What does nurturing look like to you? Who do you go to in times of need? How does writing and creating art nurture you? In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re coming together in community to share our stories of being nurtured and nurturing others. We’ll complete a grounding exercise, share stories from our own experiences, and discuss the ways that caring for ourselves and others benefits our mental well-being.
Open to mentees, mentors, members and the public.
Read on for even more incredible opportunities—
and thank you for your support!
Get The Gig!
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Solutions Journalism
Impact Research Manager
The Solutions Journalism Network (SJN), a U.S.-based nonprofit with international reach, is leading a global shift in how people understand and shape the world by focusing reporting on responses to problems. They
are seeking an impact research manager to co-design and coordinate sustainable tracking and research infrastructures that support SJN, the Solutions Insights Lab, and their network partners to tell a story of impact.
Application due date: May 19, 2025, 5:00 PM ET
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITY
Inkluded
Inkluded Academy - Publishing Course
Inkluded Academy is a tuition-free, career-focused publishing course designed to equip BIPOC individuals with the knowledge, skills, and connections they need to succeed in publishing. Over eight weekends, participants will learn from industry professionals in: Editorial & Agenting, Managing Editorial & Production, and more. Beyond the curriculum, each participant receives career counseling and a dedicated mentor to support their publishing journey.
WRITING CONTEST
The Novelry
The Next Big Story
Novelry is thrilled to announce the launch of The Next Big Story with a grand prize of $100,000 for the best 3-page entry. What do you need? Just 3 pages of pure imagination—the beginning of a work of fiction, the first 1,500 words of what could become a page-turning book. Eight shortlisted entries, chosen by our judges, will win The Finished Novel Course from The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school. Together, we’ll help you turn your winning idea into a publishing-ready book.
Due date: July 31, 2025, 12:00 AM ET
