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  • The Career Journey: Inside Book Publishing (Fall 2026)

Fall 2026

The Career Journey: Inside Book Publishing

This Journey is for mentees who are serious about a career in publishing, mentors who are interested in entering the field themselves, and mentors who are experienced publishing professionals eager to share their expertise. We’ll explore the various roles at publishing companies and literary agencies and the nuts and bolts of the work they do. By the end of the Journey, participants who want to turn their passion for books into a career in publishing will gain the necessary tools to prepare them for internship and job applications, while publishing professionals recharge, grow their networks, and develop leadership skills, all in support of the next generation of industry professionals.

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.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and each of our Journeys can accommodate a limited number of mentees and mentors. Apply early to secure your spot in the Journey of your choice!

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  • JOURNEY REQUIREMENTS
  • Cycle(s) 1 Cycle (3 months, Nov 1 – Jan 31)
  • Time Commitment a minimum of 4 hours per month
  • Journey Meetings Attend all Journey Meetings (see dates below).
  • Mentoring Have at least 2 Pair Sessions per month
  • Journey Project Create a career-ready publishing portfolio featuring a reader’s report, a case study analyzing the success of a breakout book, and a tailored résumé and cover letter.

The Career Journey: Inside Book Publishing Community Experiences

Mentors and mentees in The Career Journey: Inside Book Publishing 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.

Journey Circle: Community

The Career Journey: Inside Book Publishing Courses

The Career Journey: Inside Book Publishing courses will dive into various roles in publishing that bring books to life, from editorial and design to marketing, publicity, production, and more.

Writing

The Career Journey: Inside Book Publishing Mentoring

Mentors and mentees 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

Alexandra Franklin

Alexandra Franklin joined Curtis Brown, Ltd. as a literary and dramatic rights agent in 2023, and has since transitioned to agenting on the book side full-time. She began her career in publishing as an intern at Writers House in 2015 before joining the Vicky Bijur Literary Agency as an assistant, where she was promoted to associate literary agent in 2019. Alexandra serves on the communications and conference planning committees of the Association of American Literary Agents and was elected to the board of AALA for the 2026-2028 term.

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Alyssa Eisner Henkin

Alyssa Eisner Henkin began her publishing career in editorial at Simon & Schuster in 1999, mentored by the wisest of colleagues and steeped in the craft of shaping stories. Seven years later, drawn to the creative freedom and author advocacy of literary agenting, she made the leap.

At Trident Media Group, Alyssa rose to EVP, brokering hundreds of deals across books, film, and musical theater. In 2021, she founded Birch Path Literary (a nod to Anne of Green Gables), where she represents acclaimed and bestselling creators including Julie Berry, Ruth Behar, Lisa Greenwald, R.J. Palacio, and Bobbie Pyron, as well as many emerging voices.

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Publish 360

All Journeys within this Adventure focus on the process of producing and publishing creative work. Learn more about the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below.

The Career Journey: Inside Book Publishing is a Journey in the Publish 360 Adventure.

See All Adventures

Explore All Journeys

Explore All Journeys

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

In this Journey, mentees and mentors will explore the ways in which creative storytelling techniques can be applied to nonfiction writing of all kinds, from memoir and personal essay to op-ed and how-to articles. We will dive into what makes a story—from structural archetypes to writing that flows—and learn how to harness the power of story to make nonfiction compelling and transformative.

Wild Ideas: Nature, Science & Creativity (Fall 2026)

Created in honor of Helen Ghiradella’s pioneering work at the intersection of science and creativity, this Journey invites mentees and mentors to explore the natural world through the complementary lenses of scientific inquiry and artistic expression. Inspired by Ghiradella’s legacy, and through close observation, research, and reflection, they will investigate the forms, patterns, and processes found in nature while creating an original project—through writing, visual art, media, performance, music or another creative form—that celebrates the connections between nature, science, and creativity.

Dark Tales: A Horror Book Club (Fall 2026)

Step into the shadows of horror and explore what makes a story truly unsettling. Through three monthly book club meetings, participants will engage in close readings and lively discussions of selected horror works, examining how authors build suspense, create atmosphere, evoke fear, and use the genre to explore deeper social, psychological, and cultural themes. Together, we will analyze storytelling techniques, character development, and the many forms horror can take. By the end of the fall, you will have deepened your appreciation of the genre, sharpened your critical reading skills, and gathered inspiration and craft techniques to enrich your own writing.

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