Plus, find ways to treat yourself in our holiday gift guide!
DECEMBER 9-15
25 YEARS OF TRANSFORMATIVE STORIES. 52 WEEKS A YEAR.
i'm worried about her
By Anaís Fernández
This piece was inspired by the writing prompt "i'm worried about her."
When writing, I had no idea the prompt would
produce a love letter to "hers" everywhere.
Our Mentees Are Speaking Out.
Will You Show Up For Them?
Your donation supports mentorship that nurtures the activists and leaders who are standing up for women and gender expansive people everywhere. In honor of Human Rights Day on Tuesday, give a gift to the next generation of leaders.
Community
Spotlight
LIFE@GWN BLOG
R. F. Kuang on Claiming Her Voice
On Craft, Mentorship, and Gender Liberation
At the 2024 Girls Write Now Awards, R. F. Kuang, the bestselling author of The Poppy War and Yellowface, left us with this charge to celebrate the voices historically disempowered because of their gender:
"We're in this room because our voices were and are heard. We must continue to write worlds where all women can narrate their futures.”
Now she shares her Life@GWN with us. Check out Kuang's Q&A with mentee Sophia One.
FROM OUR COMMUNITY
Prompt of the Week
by Navya Vasireddy and Marina Fang, Community Studio Facilitators
Think about your all-time favorite movie/TV show. Why is it your favorite? What does it do differently than other pieces of media? Is there anything it could've done better? Write a few sentences and prepare to share!
Mentor Marina Fang and Mentee Navya Vasireddy have teamed up to lead writers through journalism and culture writing prompts that may spark your own viral article. Sign up for their studio today.
COLLABORATORY EXPERIENCE
Join a December Community Studio
Have a Holly Jolly Writing Experience
Want to get the best of Girls Write Now? Join a studio for a short and sweet workshop led by our community! Mentors and mentees, community studios count as an engagement event, and it's a great chance to connect with fellow participants. Members and anyone interested in applying for our Spring Journeys can join studios to get a taste of our workshops. Choose from topics like Surrealism in Fiction, Spoken Word, Journalism, Cultural Storytelling, and much more!
GIFT GUIDE HIGHLIGHT
Treat Yourself!
Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy These Gift Picks
Imagine yourself in a cozy cabin in the woods with a fire crackling merrily and a good book in your hands. Transport yourself to your happy place with these gift picks that are the peak of coziness, including the Sweet July Sweet Morning candle and Le Labo hand pomade.
Plus, find presents for every person on your list with our popular Girls Write Now Holiday Gift Guide!
Happening
Write Now
CAREER CHAT
The Best Short Stories 2024 with Penguin Random House
Tuesday, Dec. 10, 4:45-6 PM ET, Virtual
Join Girls Write Now and Penguin Random House for a panel discussion on the Best Short Stories 2024 Anthology featuring The O. Henry Prize Winners! Hear from the O. Henry Prize series editor Jenny Minton Quigley's about her perspective on shaping the anthology; and from the O. Henry Prize Winners, Amber Caron and Caroline Kim on their writing process and creative journeys. The panel will be followed by a Q&A, where you can ask questions about the craft of storytelling and the journey of creating the anthology.
Open to all Mentees, Mentors, Members & the Public. If you don't yet have an account, it's easy to set one up and become a Girls Write Now Member. Required for Fiction Journey participants.
SPECIAL EVENTS
A Networking Event on Technology, Innovation & the Next Generation of Leaders
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 4-6 PM ET
247 West 37th Street, Suite 1000
New York, NY 10018
Leading tech company Kyndryl joins forces with Girls Write Now for a workshop about the importance of preparing the next generation of creative talent for careers in technology. Mentees will learn about the world of cyber security from professionals who work in communications, corporate social responsibility, government affairs, and sustainability. Make valuable contacts, practice your pitch, and build your resume/portfolio. Enjoy snacks, drinks, and gift bags!
Open to all Mentees, Mentee Prospects, Silver Members (Alumni) & Kyndryl Employees.
FRIDAY NIGHT SALON
Romantic Comedy: Writing Modern, Unique Love Stories
Friday, Dec. 13, 6-7:15 PM ET, Hybrid
247 West 37th Street, Suite 1000
New York, NY 10018
Join acclaimed author Georgia Clark for a fun and engaging talk on what makes romantic comedies shine. Using her latest holiday romcom, Most Wonderful, as inspiration, Georgia will dive into the magic behind creating fresh, relatable love stories with characters you'll root for and moments that'll make you laugh out loud. This is a great chance for anyone interested in becoming a mentor or mentee to get a taste of what we do at Girls Write Now! Plus, current mentors and mentees can meet up to write something new and full of heart.
Open to all Mentees, Mentors, Members & the Public. If you don't yet have an account, it's easy to set one up and become a Girls Write Now Member.
PERSPECTIVES ON PUBLIC POLICY JOURNEY
Systemic Inequality with Dr. David McMillon
Saturday, Dec. 14, 12-1:30 PM ET, Virtual
Join Girls Write Now and Dr. David McMillon, Assistant Professor of Economics at Emory University, for a timely discussion on how public policy can address systemic inequality. Dr. McMillon, who works at the intersection of economics and social justice, will explore how policies in education, criminal justice, and economic systems can either perpetuate or dismantle entrenched disadvantages. This session offers a powerful opportunity to deepen your understanding of public policy's role in shaping a more equitable society. Don't miss it!
Open to all Mentees, Mentors, Members & the Public. If you don't yet have an account, it's easy to set one up and become a Girls Write Now Member. Required for Fiction Journey participants.
Read on for even more incredible opportunities—
and thank you for your support!
Get The Gig!
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Penguin Random House
Publicity Assistant
Random House Children's Books seeks a Publicity Assistant to join the Publicity team! The role includes a combination of administrative and project support. The assistant will also communicate with a diverse array of partners, including authors, illustrators, agents, booksellers, media, and other divisional departments.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
HarperCollins
Editorial Assistant
HarperCollins has an exciting opportunity for an Editorial Assistant to join the Ecco team! The Editorial Assistant will provide administrative and editorial support to two Senior Editors specializing in literary fiction, literature in translation, poetry, cookbooks, and non-fiction across a wide range of genres including cultural criticism, journalism, history, narrative history, memoir, and food writing.
WRITING CONTEST
Storyshares
Story of the Year Contest
The annual Story of the Year Contest is coming back for the seventh year, and they are searching for compelling, diverse stories that are "easy to read and hard to put down." This year, $15,000 in cash prizes are up for grabs, in addition to publication in both digital and print form. This is an opportunity for writers to not only expose
their work to a large, established network of readers, but for their words to become part of the mission to improve literacy outcomes for teens and young adults across the globe.
Due Date: January 13, 2025
