NEWS & PRESS

CITYarts Mural

Mentees Making Their Mark

Girls Write Now is proud to collaborate with CITYarts on this year's digital Peace Wall, a project that brings together young artists and writers from across the nation to celebrate creativity, community, and social impact. Through this partnership, Girls Write Now mentees submitted original poems and visual artwork inspired by the themes of peace. The result is a collection of pieces that embody radical joy, resistance, and collective care.

PODCAST SERIES

Speaking In First Draft: On Creative Burnout

Three Voices on Protecting Your Creative Wellbeing

To close out Mental Health Awareness Month, Girls Write Now's podcast Speaking in First Draft homed in on a feeling all too familiar to many of us creatives right now—burnout. To lead this much-needed conversation, mentee Ruby Nicholson speaks with fellow mentee Kayla Hunt and licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Kristie Norwood about maintaining wellness. From managing chaotic emotions to navigating overwhelming social media feeds, this episode is a powerful reminder of how important it is for us creatives to know when to choose ourselves.

WRITING PROMPT

The Places That Save Us

An Exercise on Place, Refuge & Belonging

Write an ode to a place in your community that you love, or that has saved you.

Arriel led a Salon for the Girls Write Now community about her debut YA novel, Under the Neon Lights, and what it means to write about the places that save us.

SPECIAL EVENT

Experience the Power of Punchlines

Saturday, June 6, 3–4:30 PM ET, Hybrid

Enjoy an afternoon filled with big laughs, bold stories, and plenty of heart as mentees take the mic for their stand-up comedy debut. The event will also feature performances by NYC-based female stand-up comedians. Let's honor these young voices as they use comedy to challenge the status quo—one punchline at a time. This showcase is the culminating event of our Power of Punchlines: Stand-Up Comedy for Change Journey.

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

SUMMER CYCLE

Collaboratory Orientation

Thursday, June 25, 6:30-8 PM ET, Virtual

Calling all mentors and mentees enrolled in the Collaboratory this summer: Join us at the end of the month to learn all you need to know about accessing opportunities, resources, and events at Girls Write Now. Make sure you have the tools to feed your passions and meet your personal and professional goals. 

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

SAVE THE DATE 

Collaboratory Summer Showcase

Thursday, July 30, 7-9 PM ET, Hybrid

Join us this summer to experience all the incredible projects our mentees and mentors have created across multi-genre, multimedia Journeys over the past year.

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

WRITING CONTEST

Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival

Short Fiction Story Contest

The BCLF Short Fiction Story Contest is an annual competition that celebrates and encourages the distinctive voices of Caribbean-descended writers, with the aim of expanding the landscape of Caribbean literature. The contest offers two prizes, both named for the Caribbean-American author and professor Dr. Elizabeth Nunez—one for unpublished writers of Caribbean heritage living in the U.S. and Canada, and another for writers of all levels residing in the Caribbean. Winners receive a $1,750 cash prize plus connections to literary networks and publishing opportunities.

Create a portal account to apply for this opportunity.

ENRICHMENT

Queer Capita

Queer Capita Resume Review

Join Queer Capita on Wednesday, June 3rd at 5 PM ET (2 PM PT) for a Virtual Resume Review Workshop. Receive feedback during the event from one of three HR professionals: Sudiah Haynes, Downtown Music, Ali Meyer, In The Door/Zocdoc, and Ashley Tambouris, Too Lost. All career levels and allies are welcome.

Create a portal account to submit for this opportunity.

ENRICHMENT

Film at Lincoln Center Academy

FLC Academy

The mission of the Film at Lincoln Center Academy Programs is to support the next generation of film artists and critics and to foster a film culture that encourages diverse storytelling and points of view. Designed for aspiring artists and critics early in their careers, the FLC Artists Academy and FLC Critics Academy offer tailored multiday workshops during the New York Film Festival, providing real-world experience and mentorship from leaders in their fields. 

Deadline: June 18, 2026
Create a portal account to apply for this opportunity.