Each cycle, we’ll close read three new books and discuss them at monthly fixed meetings. When you apply, you can recommend a book that might be chosen for the journey! We’ll focus, in particular, on reading as writers and taking note of the ways each author crafts their story.
Led by
Annaya Baynes
Annaya Baynes (she/they) is excited to join the Girls Write Now team as a Fellow after being a mentee. They recently graduated from Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and French. As an undergraduate, she worked on Spelman’s social justice podcast, The Blue Record, and the reproductive justice-oriented podcast Black Feminist Rants. Annaya has interned at various publishing houses, including Penguin Random House, Macmillan, and The Feminist Press. They have a deep love for literature and film. In her free time, she enjoys baking.
Learning Objectives
- Analyze character, plot, and prose of chosen novels
- Connect literature to current events/history
- Engage with literary criticism and theory
Apply Now
Applications for the Summer 2025 Cycle are open!
Priority Deadline: April 30, 2025
Final Deadline: May 15, 2025
Cycle(s) Offered:
Summer 2025 (July-September)
Time:
3 hours
Areas of Focus:
Facilitation, Community Engagement, Audience Engagement
Requirements:
- Read the assigned books
- Attend the monthly journey meetings
- Write a piece responding to one of the books
Book Club: Summer Read Journey Package
As a mentee or mentor in the Book Club: Summer Read Journey, you’ll have access to an online course designed to help you get the most out of the books we’re reading. You’ll be paired with a mentee or mentor for one full cycle, and you’ll meet with them at least twice each month. You’ll be expected to attend Book Club meetings to discuss the books.
Book Club: Summer Read Course
Each cycle, we’ll close read 3 books and discuss them at monthly fixed meetings. We’ll focus, in particular, on reading as writers and taking note of the ways each author crafts their story.
This course/These courses are offered as a part of this journey package. If you’d like to take a course without joining a journey, click here.
Book Club: Summer Read Mentoring
Mentees and mentors in the Book Club Journey will be matched for one cycle. Pairs will meet for at least two hour-long sessions each month.
This Journey requires mentees and mentors to commit to [NUMBER OF PAIR SESSIONS] per month. If you’d like to mentor but cannot commit to this requirement, click here.
Book Club: Summer Read Community Experiences
Mentees and mentors in the Book Club Journey must attend at least one Community Experience per month. They are expected to attend Book Club meetings to discuss the books. It is strongly recommended that they attend Exploratory Community Studios, College & Career Chats, and Salon Experiences.
This Journey requires attendance at the Community Experiences noted above. If you’d like to attend Community Experiences but cannot commit to these requirements, click here.
Read 360 Adventure
The Book Club: Summer Read Journey is a part of the Read 360 Adventure.
Journeys in the Read 360 Adventure focus on close readings of books and creative works in community with other writers. Think of it as a Girls Write Now book club!
Learn more about the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below.
Not ready for a Journey?
If you want to be a part of the Girls Write Now Collaboratory but you aren’t ready to join a Journey, you can participate in individual writing courses, short-term mentoring services, and select community engagement experiences. See all of the options available to you below!
Writing
Take a course without joining a journey, being paired with a mentee or mentor, or attending community experiences.
Mentoring
Meet with a mentee or mentor without joining a journey, accessing writing courses, or attending community experiences.
Community
Attend Community Experiences without joining a journey, being paired with a mentee or mentor, or accessing writing courses.