MOTHER'S DAY GIFT IDEA

Celebrate the Nurturer with a Gift That Keep on Giving

Have we got Stories for you!

Make a gift in honor of your Mom or the nurturer in your life, and support the next generation of writers, leaders, and storytellers. Your donation is accompanied by a customized card with original art from the stories about mothers in our media collections. Shop early to ensure you give a gift that shows how much you care.

PROMPT OF THE WEEK

Dear Curiosity...

By Suleika Jaouad, Bestselling Author & Girls Write Now Champion

Girls Write Now proudly partners with Suleika Jaouad on The Alchemy Fund to support the transformative power of writing, mentoring, and community. Suleika’s new publication, The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life is a guiding light for people tapping into their creative energy through journaling, with contributions from Jon Batiste, John Green, Elizabeth Gilbert, among 100 literary luminaries. In the Afterword of her book, Suleika writes:

"The journal is tabula rasa and terra incognita....Here I create myself. Here I write my way through."

Prompt: Dear Curiousity....​​​​Your answers should all begin with, "I am curious about...

WHAT WE'RE READING

New Release from our Champion Isabel Allende 

Girls Write Now has the thrill of reading lots of books together as a community, and we’re especially excited that our mentor and honoree, Isabel Allende, is about to launch her next novel, My Name Is Emilia del Valle (Ballantine Books). Isabel has supported Girls Write Now through her foundation, and partnered with us and Mattel for the launch of her Barbie Inspiration Doll.

In light of this highly anticipated release, we share with you a keynote speech that Isabel gave to Girls Write Now mentees about living through uncertain times, finding your independence as a woman, and the power of writing!

CAREER CHAT

Close Up on Screenwriting & The Film Industry

Tuesday, Apr. 29, 4:45-6 PM ET, Virtual

This Chat will explore the essential attributes and pathways to positions within the film industry. Here is your chance to ask all of your burning questions with a panel that covers everything from film criticism to screenwriting to funding! Come and chat with Stephanie Zacharek, a film critic at TIME Magazine; Terry Lawler, the former ED of NYWIFT; Priscila Garcia-Jacquier, screenwriter; and more!

Open to mentees, mentors, members and the public.

COLLEGE CHAT

Maximize Your Community College Experience

Thursday, May 1, 7-8 PM ET, Virtual

Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring representatives from Bergen Community College, Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), Bronx Community College, and Hostos Community College. Learn how to unlock the full potential of a community college education and take charge of your future success!

Open to mentees, mentors, members and the public.

FRIDAY NIGHT SALON

Obsessions & Pet Peeves: Writing About What We Love and What We Can’t Stand with Kristopher Jansma

Friday, May 2, 6-7:15 PM ET, Virtual

If you’ve ever felt the pain of editing a piece while staring desperately at the published books on your shelf, wondering how they got from where you are to where they are—you’re not alone. In his book, Revisionaries: What We Can Learn from the Lost, Unfinished, and Just Plain Bad Work of Great Writers, Kristopher Jansma explores the work of beloved writers and the processes they went through to produce the stories we hold up as genius texts today. Join us for an inspiring session of camaraderie and creativity as we write together and embrace the process of revision.

Open to mentees, mentors, members and the public.

COLLABORATORY WORKSHOP

Love Well: Nourishing Yourself with Grace: Embracing Your Beloved & Comfort Foods with Maya Feller

Saturday, May 3, 11 AM-1 PM ET, Virtual

Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN presents an interactive workshop, Nourishing Yourself with Grace: Embracing Your Beloved & Comfort Foods, all about celebrating the healing power of food and the importance of nurturing yourself through the meals that bring you joy and comfort. Together, we’ll explore how to reconnect with the foods that nourish our bodies and learn how to approach our food relationships with love, care, and grace. Whether it’s a dish made by a family member, or a new comfort food you’ve discovered, this workshop is an opportunity to honor the role food plays in self-care, culture, and connection. 

Open to mentees, mentors, members and the public.

COLLABORATORY WORKSHOP

Advocacy Journalism: Op-Ed Case Study with LITNYS

Saturday, May 3, 3-4:30 PM ET, Virtual

Join us for an exciting workshop exploring the Op-Ed. Learn how to hone your perspective, perfect your pitch ,and practice putting together all the pieces of a strong argument on an issue you care about. Girls Write Now Mentee Christiane Calixte will lead us through the process behind her Op-Ed on the importance of literary organizations, inspired by LITNYS’s annual convening. Then we’ll discuss pitching and placing an Op-Ed, and brainstorm approaches to sharing your perspective with the world. In this special event, you'll acquire the skills to write your own pitch and outline, while connecting with the literary community.

Open to mentees, mentors, members and the public.

SPECIAL EVENT

Next Level Summit: Gamechangers – Reimagining Sports Media Presented by NBCU Academy 

Saturday, May 3, 3-4 PM ET, Virtual

The future of sports media is being written in real time—and it looks nothing like the past. The impact of streaming and AI, interactive fan experiences, and a long-overdue spotlight on women’s sports are all converging to redefine the playbook. Apply now for a chance to join the Next Level Summit: Gamechangers–Reimagining Sports Media presented by NBCU Academy & Project Up. You'll be part of a live studio audience at CNBC Global Headquarters with 75 other early career-professionals as we broadcast the event. The event also includes networking opportunities, free food, music, on-site résumé reviews, and more.

To apply email jjagtiani@girlswritenow.org by April 30.

PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITY

Copper Canyon Press

2025 Open Reading Period

For the May 2025 Open Reading Period, poets and translators are invited to submit a 15 to 20 page manuscript sample along with a query letter.  We have a cap of 1,000 submissions and will make an announcement via our website and social media platforms when this limit is met and the window for submitting has closed.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Jewish Currents

Operations Coordinator

Jewish Currents is seeking a full-time Operations Coordinator to facilitate the daily administration of the organization. Interested individuals should send a cover letter and resume to this application form. In the cover letter, we want to hear about your background and work experience, your orientation towards this role and/or operational support generally, and why you are interested in working at Jewish Currents.

PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITY

Human Rights Arts Movement

Today’s Pressured Youth: What Will They Say?

This anthology explores the challenges faced by today’s youth, including the pressures of social media, societal expectations, and family dynamics. These factors can take a toll on mental health and, in some cases, lead to serious struggles like anxiety, depression, loneliness, or even thoughts of suicide. Young people often face a frustrating contradiction: that they have the power to create change, but are frequently dismissed as “just children.” This collection will also examine the language surrounding this paradox and its impact on how youth are perceived and treated. 

Deadline June 1, 2025