LIFE@GWN

Teaching Artist Hollie Harper

Gets the Last Laugh

Comedian and Teaching Artist Hollie Harper brings her signature humor to the Girls Write Now community in our Spring Journey Power of Punchlines: Stand-Up Comedy for Change—and this summer, she'll be leading a new Journey about finding your superpower through comedy. Fresh Mouth: Confidence through Comedy will run from July to September, offering comedy to a younger group of mentees—tweens 10-13—who will discover their inner strength through a good laugh. Learn about Hollie's approach to teaching, parenting—and life@GWN. It takes more than having a thick skin. Comedy is its own suit of armor.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

The Mac Impact on Girls Write Now 

Career Readiness with Macmillan

Girls Write Now's partnership with Macmillan's MacImpact kicked into high gear this season with a Career Chat featuring Macmillan employees who turned their love of books into careers in storytelling. Nearly 70 GWN community members joined the conversation, bringing their most pressing questions about breaking into the publishing industry.

For those looking to give or get professional guidance, applications are now open for our summer Journey, Career Exploration: From Searching to Securing the Position!

WRITING WARM-UP

Write With Us: Prompt of the Week

By Kayla Hunt & Hakima Malam, Community Studio Facilitators

Blackberries and raspberries look similar but are quite different in structure, ideal use, and, of course, color. That’s somewhat how emotions and feelings are. Emotions are automatic, physical, and universal. Feelings are more mental, subjective, and take time to form. Sadness generally reads the same for everyone but what makes one person sad may differ for the next.

Take one feeling of your choice (i.e. joy, awe, anxiety, frustration, etc.) and write about two distinct moments that manifested your chosen feeling. Notice the differences and similarities! 

Want to cultivate wellness through creative writing? Join the next Poetic Restoration: Nurturing Wellness Through Creative Writing Community Studio on April 21, 6 PM ET, for a poetic session centered on well-being. In this Community Studio, attendees will focus on their favorite wellness-related activities, identify which objects they utilize to practice self-care, and through a generative session, personify those objects to give them purpose and express gratitude.

COLLEGE CHAT

Pathways Into the Publishing Industry

Tuesday, April 14, 4:45-6 PM ET, Virtual

Curious about a career in publishing? Join us for a College Chat with representatives from Pace University and The City College of New York to explore undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs designed for aspiring publishing professionals. Whether you’re considering the field yourself or mentoring a young writer who is, this conversation will offer valuable insight on the paths into publishing.

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

CAREER CHAT

Is There A Doctor in the House? A Wellness Career Chat

Tuesday, April 21, 4:45 PM-6 PM ET, Virtual

Has The Pitt inspired you to get involved with healthcare, but you’re not sure what path is right for you? Come to this Career Chat to hear from a range of professionals in the wellness space. Speakers include Dr. Bisi Alli, a dual board-certified physician in Internal and Lifestyle Medicine; Sabia Wade, reproductive justice advocate, entrepreneur, and thought leader; and Yori Ayeola-Scott, psychotherapist. Learn about the many career paths that are possible if you want to work in wellness.

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

FRIDAY NIGHT SALON

Standing up to Power with Wit & Humor: Meet The Creators Of The New Documentary, Ask E. Jean

Friday, April 24, 6PM - 7:15PM ET, Virtual

In this Friday Night Salon, you’ll dive into the art of non-fiction storytelling through film. Join Ask E. Jean Director/ Producer, Ivy Meeropol (Indian Point, Heir to an Execution), and Ask E. Jean Editor/ Writer/ Story Producer, Ferne Pearlstein (Sumo East and West, The Last Laugh), for a dynamic conversation on how documentaries are shaped from concept to final cut. The filmmakers are excited to engage with writers eager to tell stories through curiosity, care, and collaboration.

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

JOB OPPORTUNITY

New York Theatre Workshop

Front of House Staff

The Front of House Staff is the friendly face of New York Theatre Workshop, welcoming audience members to the theatre, facilitating the entry process, and shaping the customer experience for everyone attending productions in its East Village theatre.

Deadline: April 13, 2026
Create a portal account to apply for this opportunity.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Macmillan

Summer 2026 Interns

Macmillan Publishers is excited to offer paid, full-time, remote internship opportunities for their Summer 2026 session! While these positions are remote-friendly, interns hired locally will have the opportunity to work from their New York City offices if interested.

Create a portal account to apply for this opportunity.

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Pen Parentis

Writing Fellowship for New Parents

Submissions for the Pen Parentis Writing Fellowship call for a new, never-published fiction story—in any genre, on any subject—of up to 440 words. One talented writer who is the parent of at least one child under 10 years old will receive $2K to further their writing career, along with a year of mentorship, and the opportunity to read their winning story at a Pen Parentis Literary Salon in Fall 2026. Their winning story will also be published in Dreamers Creative Writing Magazine and may be included in the annual Dreamers Writing Anthology. The second and third prize winners will receive $500 and $250 respectively, and be welcomed into the Pen Parentis Cycle of Support accountability groups. See FAQ for even more on the prize!

Deadline: April 17, 2026
Create a portal account to apply for this opportunity.