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  • Everything’s a Story: Nonfiction that Reads like Fiction (Fall 2026)

Fall 2026

Everything's a Story:

Nonfiction that Reads like Fiction

This Journey offers a special opportunity for both mentees and mentors: participants will craft essays to be professionally published in a creative nonfiction anthology through our partnership with Gatekeeper Press. Mentees and mentors will explore how creative storytelling techniques can be applied to nonfiction writing across genres, from memoir and personal essay to op-eds and how-to articles. Together, we will examine what makes a compelling story—from structural archetypes to writing that flows—and learn to harness the power of narrative to make nonfiction engaging and transformative. Mentees and mentors will strengthen their ability to shape and refine nonfiction writing, build confidence as storytellers, and gain practical tools to bring clarity, depth, and impact to their work.

Pre-Enroll in a Spring 2027 Journey Now!

Though  enrollment is not currently open, you may express your interest for another Journey by filling out the form below.

You may also sign up for Mentorship on Demand and/or membership at any time.

Everything's a Story: Nonfiction that Reads like Fiction Community Experiences

Mentees and mentors must attend one Journey Live Meetings each month. 

Fall Cycle Journey Meetings:

  • Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 7:30-9:30 PM ET
  • Thursday, December 3, 2026 | 7:30-9:30 PM ET
  • Thursday, January 7, 2027 | 7:30-9:30 PM ET

If you’re unable to attend a Journey meeting, you must notify your Staff Lead in advance and attend a community event to make up for it—recommended options for this journey include Community Studios and Career Chats.

Journey Circle: Community

Everything's a Story: Nonfiction that Reads like Fiction Courses

Nonfiction as Narrative

This accompanying online course explores how storytelling techniques can transform nonfiction writing across genres, from memoir and personal essay to op-eds and how-to pieces. Through self-paced lessons, participants will learn core narrative structures, study compelling examples, and practice shaping their own work with clarity, flow, and emotional impact.

Writing

Everything's a Story: Nonfiction that Reads like Fiction 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.

Journey Teaching Artist

Hanna R. Neier

(she/her) Mentor

Hanna R. Neier is a freelance editor, lifestyle writer and the author of the middle grade novel When You Write Back (Feiwel and Friends/Macmillan 2027) which was the 2025 winner of the Sydney Taylor Manuscript Award. Hanna’s essays, interviews, critiques and other articles have appeared in POPSUGAR, Lilith Magazine, Kveller and Motherly, among other publications. On the editing side, she works with writers to help them find their voice and keep their readers turning the page. Originally from the suburbs of Boston, Hanna has a bachelor’s in history from McGill University and a law degree from Brooklyn Law School. She practiced law for six years before making the transition to writing when her first daughter was born. Hanna lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband, two kids, and far too many houseplants. You can visit her at hannaneier.com.

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Olivia Wronski

Mentee

Olivia Wronski is a casual creative writer and artist. As an artist, they find ways to express themselves through creative outlets like art and dance. They have a (recently acquired) BA in Environmental Studies and are a current MBA student at Binghamton University! Their interests include ballroom dance, video games, and music (especially 90s R&B)!

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Multigenre 360

Journeys within this Adventure focus on writing in a particular genre. It is perfect for mentees and mentors who want to focus on a specific kind of creative writing. Explore the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below to learn more.

Everything Is a Story: Nonfiction that Reads like Fiction is a Journey in the Multigenre 360 Adventure.

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Explore All Journeys

Explore All Journeys

Independent Study (Spring 2027)

Create your own experience with our Independent Study Journey. Mentees and mentors meet as a pair, attend events of interest, and use coursework to support creative projects and personal goals. Along the way, you can connect with others during a mid-cycle mixer designed to spark inspiration, share ideas, and build community. The Journey culminates in a showcase where participants present the work they have developed throughout the cycle and celebrate their accomplishments together. Mentees and mentors will benefit by gaining greater independence in their learning, deepening their creative practice, and building meaningful connections while pursuing self-directed goals.

Independent Study thumb nail featuring Girls Write Now logo, one woman studying at a desk, and another woman writing.

Teach GWN (Spring 2027)

In this Journey, members of the GWN community will develop curriculum and facilitate a Community Studio for one or more cycles within GWN’s Collaboratory structure. Each cycle involves facilitating three Community Studios, one per month. Mentees and mentors will gain valuable skills in leadership, teaching, and community building. Mentees and mentors can facilitate a Community Studio either independently (if they are 18 or older) or together as a pair.

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Screenwriting: Crafting Short Film Stories (Spring 2027)

This two-cycle Journey guides participants from crafting a short film script to bringing it to life on screen. In the first cycle, mentors and mentees focus on developing compelling stories, dynamic characters, and engaging dialogue, learning the essentials of screenwriting for short films. In the second cycle, participants move from script to screen, exploring the practical aspects of video production, including planning, collaboration, and bringing their creative vision to life. By the end of the journey, mentees will have both a polished script and hands-on experience in producing their own short film.

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