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

Fall 2026

Career Journey: Inside Book Publishing

This Journey is for mentors curious about breaking into publishing, mentors already in the industry who want to pass on what they know, and mentees serious about building a career in books. Together you’ll map the roles across publishing houses and literary agencies and get into the nuts and bolts of what each one actually does. Those of you looking to turn a love of books into a livelihood will leave ready to approach internship and job applications with confidence. Those already working in the field will recharge, widen your networks, and grow as leaders—in service of the generation coming up behind you.

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.

The Career Journey: Inside Book Publishing Community Experiences

Mentees and mentors must attend one Journey Live Meeting each month. 

Fall Cycle Journey Meetings:

  • Monday, November 2, 2026 | 7:00–9:00 PM ET
  • Monday, December 7, 2026 | 7:00–9:00 PM ET
  • Monday, January 11, 2027 | 7:00–9:00 PM ET
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

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.

Independent Study thumb nail featuring Girls Write Now logo, one woman studying at a desk, and another woman writing.

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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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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