Girls Write Now Collaboratory
Journeys
Each Journey in the Girls Write Now Collaboratory is a package of Writing Course Content, Mentorship, and Community Experiences for mentors and mentees. Our team of teachers, artists, and content experts have thoughtfully curated each Journey to be a dynamic, multifaceted experience. Journeys can be light touch or intensive, short or long-term, asynchronous or in real time.
1. Apply
Select the Journey below you'd like to join and complete an application to become a mentor or mentee. Applications for the Spring Cycle will open mid-November 2025.
2. Meet Your Match
Be matched one-to-one with a mentor or mentee for a three-month Journey (summer, fall, and/or winter) for three hours per month, including one-two pair sessions to be scheduled with your mentor/mentee; and one community experience to be selected based on your schedule.
3. Attend Monthly
At least one hour-long pair session and one community experience is required each month. The timing and format of these sessions are determined by each mentor-mentee pair.
Girls Write Now Collaboratory Journeys
Mentors and mentees can pre-enroll in a Spring 2026 Journey (March – May) by filling out the form below.
Journey Mentors & Mentees
Journey Mentors
Journey Mentees
Journey Cycles
A Cycle is a three-month time period. You can sign up for one, two, or three Cycles to meet your schedule and goals.
- Summer: July 1-September 30
- Fall: November 1-January 31
- Spring: March 1-May 31
Journeys Lead to Adventure
Each Journey is a part of an overarching Adventure for mentors and mentees. Think of Adventures like majors that over time provide a 360 degree exploration of a genre, topic, or focus area.
Girls Write Now
Select the Journey you want to go on this cycle! Once you're accepted, you'll be matched with a mentor or mentee who shares your interests.
Select the Journey you want to go on this cycle! Once you're accepted, you'll be matched with a mentor or mentee who shares your interests.
The Lead Incubator (Fall 2025)
The Lead Incubator is a crucial extension of the Lead Community Change Journey, offering Mentees the space, resources, and support needed to implement their project plans and drive meaningful change in their communities. It acts as a dynamic platform where they can turn their ideas into action. Mentees participating in the Lead Incubator focus on advancing their community-based social activism projects with the support of their mentors and Girls Write Now’s resources.
Explore Tour (Fall 2025)
Explore the creative and storytelling pathways Girls Write Now offers through a multimedia, multi-genre experience with mini courses, exploratory studios, and one-on-one pair sessions. Build new skills and deepen existing ones across fiction, journalism, publishing, and formats like video, podcasting, and visual storytelling. Ideal for mentees working across media or focused on specific projects, this Journey offers the flexibility to tailor your learning experience to your goals.
Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion (Spring 2026)
In this one-Cycle journey, Mentees will develop essential skills in public speaking, argumentation, and critical thinking. Through engaging activities and interactive discussions, participants will learn to craft persuasive speeches, construct well-reasoned arguments, and present their ideas with confidence. They will explore techniques for effective communication, refine their ability to think critically under pressure, and practice responding to diverse perspectives in a structured setting.
Teach GWN (Spring 2026)
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. Participants will gain valuable skills in leadership, teaching, and community building. Mentees and Mentors can facilitate a community studio either solo (if they are 18 or older) or together as a pair.
Careers for Creatives: Unexpected Opportunities (Spring 2026)
This Journey explores diverse and unconventional career paths available to creative thinkers beyond traditional roles. Participants will discover how to leverage their creative skills in various industries and learn about emerging opportunities that value innovation and originality. Through guest talks, workshops, and practical exercises, you’ll gain insights to navigate and shape your unique career journey.
The Power of Punchlines: Stand-Up Comedy for Change (Spring 2026)
In this Journey, participants will explore the power of comedy as a tool for social change, with a special focus on stand-up comedy. From climate change and economic inequality to LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and mental health, you’ll learn how to write and perform material that blends humor with meaningful social critique. Through workshops and performance coaching, you’ll develop your own comedic voice. Discover how satire and personal storytelling can raise awareness, inspire dialogue, and challenge the status quo— all while keeping your audience laughing. By the end of the journey, you’ll have developed a 5 -10-minute stand-up routine that not only entertains but sparks meaningful conversations about the world around us. Comedy is a form of intelligence, whether you’re new to comedy or a seasoned performer, this journey will help you use humor as a force for social impact.
Lead Community Change (Spring 2026)
Lead Community Change is a dynamic two-cycle Journey that harnesses the transformative power of storytelling to drive social impact. Aspiring young leaders and activists will unleash their creativity to develop and implement innovative community-based social activism projects, supported by Girls Write Now’s rich storytelling resources. This personalized Journey empowers participants to bring their visions to life, inspiring meaningful change tailored to the unique needs of their communities.
Perspectives on Editorial (Spring 2026)
Embrace editing as an essential aspect of writing in this journey that leads you through lessons and experiences that explore everything from line edits and grammar to the psychology of revision. Great for individuals who are interested in honing their skills for editing their own creative work (and the work of others!)
Writing for TV: From Script to Screen (Spring 2026)
The Writing for TV Journey is designed to help develop the skills and understanding needed to work as a writer in today’s TV industry. This Journey provides insight into the work of a scriptwriter – a deep understanding of TV storytelling and professional scripts, drama vs comedy scripts, professional working practices, and employment strategies. Specific topics range from story structure and formatting scripts to actually seeing a script to fruition.
Writing Our Way to Wellness (Podcast) (Spring 2026)
Collaboratory Access for Mentors, Mentees & Members
Enjoy a la carte or as part of a Journey
All mentors, mentees & members also have access to our Resources, including jobs, internships, scholarships, writing contests, enrichment opportunities, and more.
Writing
Build skills though courses that focus on any genre, media, leadership, activism, college, career, and more.
Mentoring
Connect one-to-one across generations and establish a supportive relationship that lasts a lifetime.
Community
Collaborate and share with other inspiring minds at countless engaging events and experiences.
Join Our Community
Journey Mentorship
Make a commitment as a mentor or mentee for at least one Journey and get full access to our writing, mentoring, and community experiences and resources.
Membership
Be a part of our community without committing to a Journey, and receive select access to our writing, mentoring, and community experiences and resources.