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  • From Manuscript to Published Book with Gatekeeper Press (Spring 2027)

Spring 2027

From Manuscript to Published Book with Gatekeeper Press

In this Journey, mentees and mentors will take the next step in their publishing experience by helping transform the creative nonfiction writing developed in the Fall 2026 Everything Is a Story: Nonfiction That Reads Like Fiction Journey into a professionally published anthology through our partnership with Gatekeeper Press. Mentees and mentors will explore and engage directly with the publishing process, from metadata and editorial review to interior formatting, cover design, proofing, eBook conversion, pricing, and distribution. Working directly with the anthology, they will examine real publishing materials, contribute feedback, and make decisions where appropriate. Through hands-on participation, mentees and mentors will gain a practical understanding of what happens after a manuscript is complete and develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate the publishing process as emerging editors and authors.

How Professionals Across Industries Benefit as Mentors

Driving Meaningful Impact at Work

At a time when many feel stretched thin or disconnected, Girls Write Now helps professionals feel creatively energized, supported, and seen, all while elevating the communication and leadership skills that matter most in the workplace: clear and compelling storytelling, confident public speaking, and experience expressing ideas with clarity and authenticity across teams and generations.

Spring 2027 Pre-Enrollment Is Open!

Express your interest in this Journey by filling out the form below.

You may also sign up for Mentorship on Demand at any time.

 

Pre-Enroll in a Spring 2027 Journey Explore Mentorship on Demand

Learning Objectives

Understand the Publishing Process

Learn the major stages of independent publishing, from a completed manuscript to a published book, including the Gatekeeper Press process.

Explore Publishing Roles

Understand the roles of editors, designers, publishers, printers, and other professionals involved in bringing a book to publication.

Apply Publishing Skills

Apply knowledge of metadata, cover design, formatting, pricing, and distribution to the development of a published book.

Participate in Publishing Decisions

Build the skills and confidence to actively contribute to editorial, design, proofing, and other publishing decisions.

Journey Teaching Artist

Sally Familia

Girls Write Now Staff

Sally Familia (they/them) is a queer poet and freelance editor. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Washington Heights, Familia has a rooted passion for their community. They spent a year serving as senior editor for La Galería Magazine, a Dominican-based magazine for the Dominican diaspora in Washington Heights. They hold a B.A. in creative writing with a focus on poetry from SUNY Oswego. Most recently, Sally’s passions have shifted; now incorporating a strong desire to work with and for the youth. Sally hopes to merge their love for literature, Queer and BIPOC communities, and the youth as they continue to navigate the artist/ professional dichotomy. Sally has been awarded the Academy of American Poets Prize for the poem, “The Trouble with Reminiscing” (2019). They were also nominated for a Pushcart Prize by Brooklyn Poets for the poem, “Esperanza, Republica Dominicana”. Sally is currently working on their first poetry collection.

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Sally Familia

Publish 360

All Journeys within this Adventure focus on the process of producing and publishing creative work. It is perfect for mentees and mentors who want to learn more about the publishing world.

From Manuscript to Published Book with Gatekeeper Press is a Journey in the Publish 360 Adventure.

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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.

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Girls Write Now Girls Write Now .
Girls Write Now Girls Write Now .

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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Girls Write Now Girls Write Now .
Girls Write Now Girls Write Now .

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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Girls Write Now Girls Write Now .
Girls Write Now Girls Write Now .

Life Lines: Crafting Memoir (Part 1) (Spring 2027)

In this three-cycle Journey, writers will get the support and expert industry insight they need to write their memoir. In the first three-month cycle, participants will outline, structure their book, and begin their first drafts; in the second three-month cycle, participants will write and workshop their drafts; and in the third cycle, participants will finish their drafts and write their book proposals.

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