Plus a job opportunity from Penguin Random House
September 12-18
Featured Girls Write Now Story
we were made to be poets
By Mentee Claire Yu
Selected by Video Intern Kaya Fraser
“we were made to be poets" reads like a love letter to both poem and poet as Claire Yu describes just how human it is to attempt to "make sense of the world" through writing. How being a writer, at its core, is an extension of the human experience. This piece consoles me in a way only the words of a fellow writer ever could. I found communion in every line. Every stanza.
Happening Write Now
Taking Root Praised on PBS
Mentee Ilana Drake Writes for PBS Newshour Classroom
Mentee Ilana Drake, a second-year student at Vanderbilt University, wrote a review of Taking Root: The 2022 Girls Write Now Anthology for the Student Book Recommendation segment for PBS News Hour Classroom.
From Workshop to Publication
Mentor Vera Sirota Featured in Ukrainian American Anthology
In our workshop, Writing Our Way Through War, Mentor Vera Sirota began drafting a poem in response to the invasion of Ukraine. What started as a couple verses is now a stunning piece published in Ukrainian American Poets Respond, a new anthology available from Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Join Vera at the book launch this Friday, and read more of her work for Girls Write Now.
#BeKind21 Challenge
Share Your Stories of Self-Care This September
From September 1 to September 21, Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation is encouraging us all to do one act of kindness each day. Being kind to others starts with being kind to ourselves. Share a story from our mental health collection, draw inspiration from our artists, or write your own take on what self-care means to you using the hashtag #BeKind21. Don't forget to tag @GirlsWriteNow and @btwfoundation.
Prompt of the Week
Based on "Note to Self" by Mentee Alum Mikayla Augustin
Write a love letter to yourself on a piece of paper. What are five specific things that you love about yourself? How can you show kindness to the parts of yourself that feel unloved? Re-read this letter whenever you need it.
Read Mikayla Augustin's poem "Note to Self" to inspire your own declaration of self-love. Share this act of kindness with #BeKind21 and by tagging us @GirlsWriteNow. Let's cover our feeds in kindness!
Featured Opportunities
CAREER
Penguin Random House
Publishing Assistant, Pantheon Books
Pantheon Books are the proud publishers of culturally significant works such as Maus and Persepolis. The Publishing Assistant will be a meticulous, self-starter who is invested in learning about the publishing industry.
For opportunities from Girls Write Now partners, remember to fill out the Employment Interest Form AND your application!
CONTEST
See Us, Support Us
Art & Writing Contest for Youth Impacted by Parental Incarceration
This contest is open to young artists and writers working in any medium who are 25 years old or younger and have experienced parental incarceration. There will be $100 and $50 prizes. Deadline: October 24.
WRITING
dramatic question theatre
Play Development Program
The dramatic question theatre develops and presents plays by women and BIPOC to promote diversity on the stage. Apply for one of their free development programs to bring your script to life! Deadline: September 30.
