Power of Punchlines has opened my eyes to how comedy works behind the scenes and how to start thinking of my own jokes. Hollie Harper, the amazing Teaching Artist, really takes the time to help everyone find their own voice and perspective as a comedian. Doing stand-up feels really daunting, especially as a full beginner, but it's been a great experience, and I'm excited to see where it'll take me! -Camilla Spillman (she/her), Girls Write Now Mentee

COLLABORATORY EVENTS

Community Studios Start This Week!

April Showers Bring Creative Flowers

Are you looking for a way to connect with other writers while exercising your creative muscles? Join us for an April Community Studio! From exploring the work of African writers in "Take Back the Pen: Deconstructing Harmful Narratives" to getting tech savvy in "Code & Quill: Weaving Stories Through Technology," there's something for all! 

Create a Portal account to register for Studios.

FROM OUR COMMUNITY

Prompt of the Week

By Olivia Wronski & Louise Edwards,
Community Studio Facilitators

Write a poem about a food or ingredient. Use that food/ingredient to talk about a broader idea or feeling.

Come explore culinary-inspired creativity at Food Writing Across Genres, a Community Studio led by mentor Louise Edwards and mentee Olivia Wronski! This month, participants will reflect on food and their experiences with it through reading and writing food poems.

PARTNER HIGHLIGHT

Mentee Ayushree Dahal Teams Up with Practice Space for New Journey

The Civil Discourse Journey Launches This Summer

Girls Write Now mentee Ayushree Dahal was a member of our Lead Journey just one year ago. Now, she is taking her leadership skills to the next level by launching the Civil Discourse Journey with Practice Space, an organization that seeks to build confidence and community through communication skill development and elevate systemically marginalized voices. The Civil Discourse Journey is accepting applications through April 30 for mentors and mentees.

GIRLS WRITE NOW MEDIA

Add Your Hope to the 2025 Girls Write Now Anthology

Share Your Messages on Our Wall of Hope

Girls Write Now is preparing to release our newest Anthology "Hope Lives In Our Words" later this year, and we want to feature YOU! Every year, we gather a collection of excerpts and original reflections in addition to our community's powerful writing. During these uncertain and tumultuous times, this section will serve as a "Wall of Hope" highlighting hopeful tidbits that will uplift our spirits when we need it most. If you're interested in submitting a message about hope, add to our digital Padlet.

The deadline for Girls Write Now mentees to submit to the Wall of Hope has been extended to April 17.
Submit through your Portal.

COMMUNITY STUDIO

Peer Pair Support

Wednesday, Apr. 16, 8-9 PM ET, Virtual

A supportive space where peer pairs come together to share experiences and participate in guided exercises focused on effective communication, creative project development, and storytelling. This month, pairs will be given the opportunity to ask questions to get to know each other better and have a greater sense of how they can foster their relationship as peer mentees.

Open to all peer-to-peer mentees.

SPECIAL EVENT

Girls Write Now + YoungArts Virtual Open House

Thursday Apr. 17, 7-8 PM ET, Virtual

Want to grow your creative practice? Join us to learn how Girls Write Now can enrich your life as a mentor or a mentee! Hear from mentees and mentors about their experience, write and reflect, and discover a warm supportive community invested in the whole artist, not just their artistry. Invite your friends who may be interested in Girls Write Now!

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

SPECIAL EVENT

Random House Workshops: Writing with Suleika Jaouad

Monday, Apr. 21, 7-8 PM ET, Virtual

Join Suleika Jaouad for a very special virtual workshop to celebrate the publication of her new book, The Book of Alchemy. Girls Write Now is offering a limited number of free tickets for mentors, mentees, and alum. To claim one, check the Girls Write Now Slack General channel. You can also get a join link when you pre-order a copy of The Book of Alchemy from the retailer of your choice and submit proof of your purchase when registering.

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

SPECIAL EVENT

Film at Lincoln Center Presents L.A. Rebellion: Then and Now

April 25-May 11, Lincoln Center NYC

Film at Lincoln Center is excited to present L.A. Rebellion: Then and Now, a series of films both made and inspired by a diverse group of African, Caribbean, and African American filmmakers and video artists from UCLA in the 1970s and ’80s that revitalized not only Black cinema but American film culture as a whole—with many films created by and focused on the experiences of Black women. Use the code BURNETT for $5 off tickets!

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

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Alcott Youth Magazine

Open Staff Positions

Alcott Youth Magazine, a student-run publication dedicated to amplifying the voices of young women, is looking to fill multiple positions, from social media manager to staff writer. Open to all high school girls.

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Pen Parentis

$2,000 Writing Fellowship for New Parents

One talented writer who is the parent of at least one child under 10 years old will receive $2000 to further their writing career, a year of mentorship, and will be offered the opportunity to read their winning story online at a Pen Parentis Literary Salon in Fall 2025. Their winning story will also be published in Dreamers Creative Writing Magazine (both online and in print) as well as included in the annual Dreamers Writing Anthology. The second prize and third prize will receive $500 and $250, respectively.

WRITING CONTEST OPPORTUNITY

Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation

Author of Tomorrow Award

The Author of Tomorrow Award is designed to find the adventure writers of the future. Part of the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize, it is an annual competition open to young people across the world who have completed a short piece of adventure writing in English. Prizes are awarded in three categories: 11 and Under, 12-15 years, 16-21 years. Each shortlisted author also has their work digitally published on Booksmart, an app and online library run by global literacy charity, Worldreader. Each story will be online and available for readers anywhere in the world there is internet. 

Submissions due: April 30, 2025, 6:59 AM ET