SPEAKING IN FIRST DRAFT PODCAST

Speaking on Making Do in the Kitchen & in Life

Food Network Star Chef Kardea Brown on Bringing Tradition to the Forefront of Her Work

In the latest episode of Speaking in First Draft, we had the privilege of chopping it up with Chef Kardea Brown about her new cookbook Make Do with What You Have. Set to launch later this year, Kardea shares 100 delicious new and accessible recipes rooted in the legacy of her family and hometown of the Gullah Geechee Sea Islands off South Carolina’s coast. We dive into rich topics such as gaining strength from “struggle” meals, the historical impact of race on the culinary industry, and how to manifest your dreams through writing.

COLLABORATORY FEATURE

Let Me Finish! Voices of Comedy Showcase

The Power of Punchlines Journey Puts on a Show

This past weekend, Girls Write Now mentors and mentees brought the house down at Let Me Finish! Voices of Comedy Showcase. All summer long, participants in the Power of Punchlines: Stand-Up Comedy for Change Journey have been exploring stand-up as a powerful tool for self-expression and social impact. The evening was hosted by Girls Write Now Teaching Artist and Stand Up! Girls board member Hollie Harper, and featured incredible performances by Journey members and professional comedians.

WRITE WITH US

Prompt of the Week

By Fatiha Malik-Adams, Community Studio Facilitator

Write a TikTok script where you debunk common myths about DEI initiatives in the workplace. Present each myth and then provide the facts, making it an informative and engaging video that educates your audience while keeping them entertained.

During the Summer Cycle, Fatiha Malik-Adams led the Using Social Media for Advocacy Community Studio where participants could find the most effective way to make their message heard.

READ WITH US

Anita de Monte Laughs Last

 By Xoxhitl Gonzalez

Author Xochitl Gonzalez praised our 2025 anthology, Hope Lives in our Words, for offering "a helping hand to guide us through mayhem; reconnecting us with the fresh perspectives, sparks of optimism, and beautiful transformations this country still has to offer." Her most recent book, Anita de Monte Laughs Last is a Reese's Book Club pick about a first-generation Ivy League student who uncovers the genius work of a female artist decades after her suspicious death.

COLLEGE CHAT

Polishing Your Personal Statement with MacMillan

Tuesday, September 30, 4:45-6 PM ET, Virtual

Bring your personal statement (650 words max) to be workshopped and revised by Macmillan employees, who will be your Mentors for the Day. This event is a unique opportunity to receive personalized feedback on your writing from professionals in the publishing industry. Whether you’re in the process of applying to college, graduate school, or scholarships—or simply looking to strengthen your personal storytelling skills—this session is designed to help you craft a compelling and polished personal statement.

Open to all mentors, mentees, members & the public. Become a member to access registration. 

SPECIAL EVENT

Hope Lives in Our Words: 2025 Anthology Launch Party

Thursday, November 6, 6-8 PM PT,
McNally Jackson Books - Seaport
4 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038

Celebrate the launch of Hope Lives In Our Words: The Girls Write Now 2025 Anthology at McNally Jackson Seaport! Hear dynamic new work from the next generation of women and gender expansive writers as a lineup of our authors read their poems, short stories, and more! Plus, get your own copy of Hope Lives in Our Words as you browse the McNally Jackson shelves with members of the Girls Write Now community.

Open to all mentors, mentees, members & the public. Become a member to access registration. It's quick and easy!

SALON SERIES

Friday Night Salon with Tish Rabe

Friday, November 14, 6-7:15 PM ET, Hybrid
Girls Write Now HQ
247 W 37th Street, 10th Floor

Have you ever wondered who's behind your most beloved children's books? Join Girls Write Now and Tish Rabe, children’s book author and publisher, for a special conversation about her inspiring journey in children’s literature. From her early work as a writer and editor, to becoming the founder of her own publishing company, Tish’s stories offer a sense of calm and care, wrapping children in the warmth of love and connection.

Open to all mentors, mentees, members & the public. Become a member to access registration. It's quick and easy!

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITY

New York Theatre Workshop

Youth Artistic Instigators

Youth Artistic Instigators is a free program at NYTW that brings together high school students to create theatre inspired by and responding to the current moment. Students collaborate to write and perform an original piece of theatre to be produced by NYTW in the Spring of 2026. To achieve this goal, the students are guided by NYTW Teaching Artists during weekly sessions to develop their writing and performance skills. Students will also be able to engage with professional theatre artists in the NYTW community.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Penguin Random House

Summer Internship - Editorial

Penguin Random House offers a 10-week paid, remote internship opportunity available in their adult, children’s, and corporate divisions. Interns are exposed to the publishing process and their business through panels, networking events, and employee speaker series!

Deadline: October 6, 2025, at 11:59pm ET

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Association of Writers and Writing Programs

HBCU Fellowship Program

AWP is honored to highlight emerging Black voices through the AWP HBCU Fellowship Program. They seek to provide a space where HBCU faculty can work with students through mentorship to create and share original work awarding fellowships to attend and participate in every annual AWP Conference & Bookfair. With the help of generous donations, current fellowships will send fellows to the 2026 AWP Conference & Bookfair in Baltimore, Maryland!

Deadline: TOMORROW September 30, 2025