Summer 2026
Writing Our Way to Wellness: A Podcast Journey
This Journey invites you to explore the intersection of storytelling and wellness through the art of podcasting. You will learn the essentials of editing and sound design, and transforming conversations into a polished, engaging podcast episode. You’ll also explore how to market an episode—craft show descriptions, select excerpts, and find an audience. Each episode will reflect the spirit of the Girls Write Now community: intergenerational, inclusive, and rooted in wellness and the art of writing.
Girls Write Now Collaboratory
This Journey is Closed, but You Can Apply for a Fall 2026 Journey Now!
Learning Objectives
Writing Our Way to Wellness: A Podcast Journey, Pt. II Community Experiences
Participants will attend one Journey Live Meeting each month as part of the course for the cycle.
Summer Cycle Journey Meetings:
• Saturday, Jul 18, 2026, 1 – 3 PM ET
• Saturday, Aug 15, 2026, 1 – 3 PM ET
• Saturday, Sep 12, 2026, 1 – 3 PM ET
Release Party: Saturday, Sep 26, 2026, 2-4 PM ET
If you’re unable to attend a Journey meeting, you must attend any of the following: Exploratory Community Studios, College & Career Chats, and Salon Experiences.
Writing Our Way to Wellness: A Podcast Journey, Pt. II Courses
Writing Our Way to Wellness: A Podcast Journey, Pt. II
In this course, you’ll move from planning to production—learning editing and sound design while shaping conversations into polished podcast episodes. You will also explore how to market your work and reach an audience, centering intergenerational storytelling, inclusivity, and wellness.
Writing Our Way to Wellness: A Podcast Journey, Pt. II Mentoring
Mentees and mentors in this Journey will be matched for a minimum of one cycle. Pairs will meet for at least two hour-long sessions each month. This Journey is open to both mentor/mentee pairs and peer-to-peer pairs.
Wellness 360
All Journeys within this Adventure focus on using writing and creating as a tool to help support your mental heath and general well-being. Learn more about the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below.
Writing Our Way to Wellness: A Podcast Journey, Pt. II is a Journey in the Wellness 360 Adventure.
Explore All Journeys
Explore All Journeys
Everything Is a Story: Nonfiction that Reads like Fiction (Fall 2026)
In this Journey, mentees and mentors will explore the ways in which creative storytelling techniques can be applied to nonfiction writing of all kinds, from memoir and personal essay to op-ed and how-to articles. We will dive into what makes a story—from structural archetypes to writing that flows—and learn how to harness the power of story to make nonfiction compelling and transformative.
Wild Ideas: Nature, Science & Creativity (Fall 2026)
Created in honor of Helen Ghiradella’s pioneering work at the intersection of science and creativity, this Journey invites mentees and mentors to explore the natural world through the complementary lenses of scientific inquiry and artistic expression. Inspired by Ghiradella’s legacy, and through close observation, research, and reflection, they will investigate the forms, patterns, and processes found in nature while creating an original project—through writing, visual art, media, performance, music or another creative form—that celebrates the connections between nature, science, and creativity.
Hooked on Fiction: Story Structures for Plotters, Pantsers, & Plantsers (Fall 2026)
In this Journey, we’ll tackle one of the most daunting parts of novel writing: the opening chapter. Participants will explore how to hook readers while establishing character, setting, and stakes—asking big questions like where to begin and how to share key details without overload.
Building Buzz: Publicity in the Publishing Industry (Fall 2026)
This Journey explores how social media—especially TikTok’s BookTok community—has transformed the publishing industry.
The Power of Punchlines: Stand-Up Comedy for Change (Fall 2026)
In this Journey, mentors and mentees will explore the power of comedy as a tool for social change, with a special focus on stand-up comedy. From climate change and economic inequality to LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and mental health, participants will learn how to write and perform material that blends humor with meaningful social critique.
Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion (Fall 2026)
In this Journey, mentors and mentees will develop essential skills in public speaking, argumentation, and critical thinking. Through engaging activities and interactive discussions, participants will learn to craft persuasive speeches, construct well-reasoned arguments, and present their ideas with confidence.
Independent Study (Fall 2026)
Create your own experience with our Independent Study Journey. Mentors and mentees meet as a pair, attend events of interest, and use coursework to help plan creative projects and meet your goals.
Lead Community Change (Fall 2026)
Lead Community Change is a dynamic two-cycle Journey that harnesses the transformative power of storytelling to drive social impact. Aspiring young leaders and activists will unleash their creativity to develop and implement innovative community-based social activism projects, supported by Girls Write Now’s rich storytelling resources.
Dark Tales: A Horror Book Club (Fall 2026)
Step into the shadows of horror and explore what makes a story truly unsettling. Through three monthly book club meetings, participants will engage in close readings and lively discussions of selected horror works, examining how authors build suspense, create atmosphere, evoke fear, and use the genre to explore deeper social, psychological, and cultural themes. Together, we will analyze storytelling techniques, character development, and the many forms horror can take. By the end of the fall, you will have deepened your appreciation of the genre, sharpened your critical reading skills, and gathered inspiration and craft techniques to enrich your own writing.
Explore Tour (Fall 2026)
Explore all of the creative and storytelling pathways Girls Write Now has to offer through a multimedia, multi-genre experience that includes mini courses, exploratory studios, and one-to-one pair sessions.
