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

Fall 2026

Everything Is a Story:

Nonfiction that Reads like Fiction

This Journey offers a special opportunity for both mentees and mentors: participants will create essays that will be published in a culminating creative nonfiction book through our partnership with Gatekeepers 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.

Ready to Apply?

Learn more below or get started now. If you do not already have a Girls Write Now Portal account, you will be asked to create one in order to apply.

Apply to Fall 2026 Journeys

Ready to Apply?

Learn more below or get started now. If you do not already have a Girls Write Now Portal account, you will be asked to create one in order to apply.

 

 

Apply to Fall 2026 Journeys
  • JOURNEY REQUIREMENTS
  • Cycle(s) 1 Cycle (3 months, Nov 1 – Jan 31)
  • Time Commitment a minimum of 3 hours per month
  • Journey Meetings Attend all Journey Meetings (see dates below).
  • Mentoring Have at least 2 Pair Sessions per month
  • Journey Project This Journey offers a special opportunity for both mentees and mentors: participants will create essays that will be published in a culminating creative nonfiction book through our partnership with Gatekeepers Press.

Everything Is 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 | 7-9 PM ET
  • Thursday, December 3, 2026 | 7-9 PM ET
  • Thursday, January 7, 2027 | 7-9 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 Is 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 Is 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 hopeless romantic, growing up surrounded by the romance genre in books and movies. As an artist, they find ways to express themselves through creative outlets like art and dance. She is an environmental activist, working to change the way we treat our earth, starting with her immediate family and local neighborhood. They are also a queer activist, pushing for rights for all. As a side note, she is a twin sister and is very interested in understanding the phenomenon of twins.

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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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