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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

The Lead Incubator (Fall 2024-Spring 2025)

The Lead Incubator is a crucial extension of the Lead Community Change journey, offering mentees the space, resources, and support needed to implement their project plans and drive meaningful change in their communities. It acts as a dynamic platform where they can turn their ideas into action. Mentees participating in the Lead Incubator focus on advancing their community-based social activism projects with the support of their mentors and Girls Write Now’s resources. They will take on leadership roles, facilitate a community studio, and develop an episode of the Lead Podcast, interviewing an expert relevant to their project’s cause.

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Screenwriting (Spring 2025)

The Screenwriting Journey is an immersive program designed for aspiring screenwriters eager to master the art and craft of storytelling for the screen. Whether one dreams of writing for Hollywood blockbusters, indie films, or television series, this program provides a comprehensive exploration of the essential elements and techniques of screenwriting. By the end of the Journey, participants will have developed a solid foundation in screenwriting, equipped with the tools and knowledge to start crafting their own compelling stories for film. Whether you're new to screenwriting or looking to enhance your existing skills, join us on this creative exploration and bring their cinematic visions to life.

Poetry (Spring 2025)

Join us for an immersive journey into the art and craft of poetry through the lens of the Furious Flower Poetry Center, renowned for its dedication to celebrating African American poetic traditions. The curriculum draws inspiration from the rich legacy of African American poetry, reflecting on themes of history, identity, social justice, and personal narrative. Mentees will have the chance to interact with guest poets, participate in workshops, and collaborate on creative projects that challenge and inspire their own poetic expression.

Perspectives on Publishing & Marketing (Spring 2025)

Learn about the different ways to publish creative work and the fundamentals of marketing yourself and your creations. This Journey will take mentees and mentors through the process of publishing from beginning to end.  This is a great opportunity to learn about the publishing industry from employees who work in in the field. Perfect for mentees who would like to be published or work in publishing. With the information gained in this Journey, you will be ready to enter the publishing industry as employees and writers. You will have the knowledge you need to create change in an industry that needs your fresh perspectives.

Perspectives on Publishing

Investigative Podcasts (Fall 2024-Spring 2025)

In this journey, you’ll collaborate as a production team to produce a podcast series about the Cop City project that includes research, pitching episodes, outlining episodes, hosting the podcast, and editing. We’ll try to understand why these cop cities are popping up, why people are resisting their construction, and different ideas around what makes a community “safe.” Great for mentees who are interested in social justice, journalism, and podcasting.

Investigative Podcasts Journey
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