Summer 2026
Explore Tour
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.
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 Now
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.
- JOURNEY REQUIREMENTS
- Cycle(s) One cycle (July 1 to September 30).
- Time Commitment A minimum of three hours per month.
- Journey Meetings Attend Explore Tour Journey Showcase. See date listed below.
- Mentoring Have a minimum of two one-hour pair sessions per month.
- Journey Project Present one polished piece in the Explore Tour Showcase.
Learning Objectives
Explore Tour Community Experiences
Mentees and mentors in the Explore Tour Journey must attend at least one Community Experience per month. It is strongly recommended that they attend Exploratory Community Studios, College & Career Chats, and Salon Experiences. You can find upcoming events in your portal under the “Events” section.
Summer Cycle Explore Tour Journey Showcase:
Tuesday, September 29th, 2026, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM ET
Explore Tour Courses
The Explore Tour offers short courses that introduce different multimedia forms that mentees and mentors can explore in further depth in pair sessions, community engagement events, and through more journeys in future cycles.
Courses:
- Horror: Becoming an Architect of Terror
- Poetry 101
- Magical Realism
- Photopoetry: A Synthesis of Photography and Poetry
- Video Fundamentals
- Graphic Design Fundamentals
- Social Media Fundamentals
- Podcasting Fundamentals
- Video for Performance & Digital Storytelling
- Spoken Word: Rhyme with Reason
- Storytelling Through Tattoos
- YA Fiction
- Stand-Up Comedy Writing
Explore Tour Mentoring
Mentees and mentors in the Explore Tour Journey will be matched for one cycle. Pairs will meet for at least two hour-long sessions each month.
Explore 360
All Journeys within this Adventure focus on discovering new genres, mediums, and topics to inspire mentees and mentors to create together. Learn more about the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below.
Explore Tour is a Journey in the Explore 360 Adventure.
Explore All Journeys
Explore All Journeys
Careers for Creatives: Unexpected Opportunities (Spring 2025)
The Careers for Creatives: Unexpected Opportunities Journey is perfect for mentees and mentors who are looking to turn their passion for storytelling, content creation, or journalism into a career. Through a dynamic online course, mentoring sessions, and live networking events, you will explore various career paths available to writers today, learn practical skills to help you succeed, and discover how to build a sustainable career that aligns with your interests and strengths. Discover career paths in finance, technology, corporate communications, publishing and more!
Read: Memoir (Spring 2025)
Each cycle, we’ll close read a new book and discuss it at monthly fixed meetings. We’ll focus, in particular, on reading as writers and taking note of the ways each author crafts their story. This cycle, we'll be reading How to Say Babylon: A Memoir by Safiya Sinclair.
