Summer 2025
Independent Study
Create your own experience with our Independent Study Journey. Meet as a pair, attend events of interest, and use coursework to help you plan creative projects and meet your goals.
Summer Journey Applications Closed
…but you are still invited to join the Collaboratory! Explore other pathways this summer, and be the first to know when fall Journey applications open.
Start Here
Summer Journey Applications Closed
…but you are still invited to join the Collaboratory! Explore other pathways this summer, and be the first to know when fall Journey applications open.
As a mentee or mentor in the Independent Study Journey, you’ll have access to an online course designed help you set goals and plan an independent creative project. You’ll be paired with a mentee or mentor for one full cycle, and you’ll meet with them at least twice each month. Mentees and mentors in the Independent Study Journey must attend at least one Community Experience per month.
- Cycle(s) Summer 2025
- Time 3 hours per month
- Areas of Focus Project Planning, Time Management, Creative Independence
- Available Spots Per Cycle 20
Independent Study Course
This self-paced Independent Study course will provide resources and tips for those working on creative project independently. You’ll learn about study spaces & materials, SMART Goal Setting, visualization, calendaring, time management, procrastination – and more!
Independent Study Mentoring
Mentees and mentors in this Journey will be matched for 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.
Independent Study Community Experiences
Mentees and mentors in the Independent Study Journey must attend at least one Community Experiences of their choice per month.
Explore 360 Adventure
The Independent Study Journey is a part of the Explore 360 Adventure.
Journeys in the Explore 360 Adventure focus on introducing a variety of genres, topics, and ideas to participants who want to try a little bit of everything. It is recommended for any mentee or mentor who wants to get a taste of all that Girls Write Now has to offer!
Learn more about the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below.
Find Your Journey
Find Your Journey
Perspectives in Publishing (Advanced) (Spring 2026)
Poetry Rising: Voices from Latin America (Spring 2026)
Book Club: Spring (Spring 2026)
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.
I.V. Steward: Cultivating Collective Power (Spring 2026)
Journalism: The Art of Profiles (Spring 2026)
Photography (Spring 2026)
Independent Study (Spring 2026)
Create your own experience with our Independent Study Journey. Meet as a pair, attend events of interest, and use coursework to help you plan creative projects and meet your goals.
The Power of Punchlines: Stand-Up Comedy for Change (Summer 2026)
In this Journey, participants 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, you’ll learn how to write and perform material that blends humor with meaningful social critique. Through workshops and performance coaching, you’ll develop your own comedic voice. Discover how satire and personal storytelling can raise awareness, inspire dialogue, and challenge the status quo— all while keeping your audience laughing. By the end of the Journey, you’ll have developed a 5 -10-minute stand-up routine that not only entertains but sparks meaningful conversations about the world around us. Comedy is a form of intelligence, whether you’re new to comedy or a seasoned performer, this Journey will help you use humor as a force for social impact.
Explore Tour (Summer 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-on-one pair sessions. Discover new skills and build on existing ones with offerings that range from fiction to journalism to publishing, and dive into formats like video, podcasting, visual storytelling, and more. Ideal for mentees who enjoy working across multiple genres and media or are focused on specific projects, this Journey offers the flexibility to tailor your learning experience to your individual needs.
Life Lines: Crafting Memoir and Nonfiction (Summer 2026)
This Journey invites you to explore personal truth through nonfiction and memoir writing. You’ll learn to shape real experiences into compelling narratives that resonate with readers. Through reflection, drafting, and feedback, you’ll develop your authentic voice and storytelling skills to share your unique story with confidence.
