Girls Write Now is a nationally award-winning nonprofit, media incubator, and multi-generational community. For nearly three decades, we have broken down the barriers of gender, age, race, and poverty to mentor, teach, and connect writers and leaders across disciplines and around the nation. With a focus on those historically disempowered due to their gender and gender identity, we harness the power of stories to shape culture, impact industries, and bridge worlds.
Welcome to The
Collaboratory
The Girls Write Now Collaboratory is our home to connect and create as a community. The doors are now open to join us as a mentor, mentee, partner, or member starting this fall.
Give. Write. Now.
Our mission is more important than ever. Donate now and uplift the next generation of leaders & storytellers.
2024 Girls Write Now Gift Guide
The Girls Write Now 2024 Gift Guide is here! Get a head start on your holiday shopping with unique products and ideas from and for our beloved community. Find the perfect gift for your friends and loved ones of all ages and backgrounds.
The Lifelong Gift
Don’t miss out on this week’s Monday Memo, where we’re featuring “The Lifelong Gift” by Mario Osorio.
Plus, we’re sharing a new episode of our podcast, Writing Our Way to Wellness, a prompt of the week, upcoming events, amazing opportunities, and so much more!
Here & Now:
Girls Write Now 2024 Anthology
Do not read this book, unless you want to know what real humans are thinking. Taking poetic license to express things in ways that make AI fear it will be replaced by humans, the stories in these pages reflect the here and now: a collective urgency as the pandemic recedes, the world overheats, wars overwhelm, and the national discourse is conducted in a language far from love.
In partnership with Dutton Books, Dottir Press, and Amazon Literary Partnership, we are thrilled to announce our newest publication, the 18th anthology in our 25th anniversary year. This book is evidence of a future worth fighting for in which the long tradition of building community through the written word is upheld throughout the highs, lows, and everything in between.
Girls Write Now On The Art Of The Craft: A Guidebook To Collaborative Storytelling
A writing companion, inspirational guide to the craft, and innovative anthology featuring interactive multi-genre work from the acclaimed organization Girls Write Now on its 25th anniversary. Published by Harper One.
This hands-on guide—conceived of, written, and edited by the young people of Girls Write Now—draws from the organization’s dynamic curriculum and the writers’ own personal experiences spanning decades.
Multimedia Stories
In The News
A Traveler's Tale: A Story Collection
Reflections On A Semester Abroad in Copenhagen
This piece offers reflections on my semester abroad in Copenhagen, highlighting the class that changed how I…
Stories from Venice
Last summer, I went on a two-and-a-half-week trip throughout Italy with my cousin and grandma. Our visit…
Mangoes and Memories
In this piece, I explored my desire to travel when I was younger and how this has…
Fast Company: The Surprising Truth About The Gifts Nonprofits Value Most
Girls Write Now Founder and Executive Director Maya Nussbaum Talks to NBCU's Hilary Smith About Unique Partnerships
11 Indigenous Movies To Watch During Native American Heritage Month
This Thanksgiving and during Native American Heritage Month, check out these eleven movies featuring Indigenous artists and writers telling stories in their own voices.
STARS Fellows Lead Self-Care and Community-Care Town Hall in NYC
Girls Write Now mentees, along with STARS Fellows, facilitated conversations with young women and gender expansive youth about how to bring more care into their local government and communities.
Holidays We All Need to Celebrate
November 15, 2024 is National Philanthropy Day—a day to give to the causes most important to you. From Bodily Autonomy to Immigration to Trans Rights & Wellbeing, Girls Write Now mentors writers and leaders in all of these spaces, and beyond. Our model nurtures the whole writer—intellectually, socially, and emotionally—preparing them to create change and bridge…
Partners in Action
Award-Winning Literary Journals
Original Audio & Visual
Speaking in First Draft
Podcast Series
Writing or Way to Wellness
Podcast Series
A Passengers Library
by Mentee Anais Fernandez
Girls Write Now Presents
Ode to Malala
Meet Our Authors & Leaders
Community Engagement
UPCOMING EVENTS
December 3 – 4:45 pm – 6:00 pm ET
Letters to the Future with NBCU: An Intergenerational Journey Through Past, Present & Possibility
NBC and Girls Write Now are joining forces this holiday season for a special event inspired by A Christmas Carol, where participants will reflect on the past, engage with the present, and envision a hopeful future through writing.
December 5 – 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm ET
Open Mic: A Creative Showcase
Join us at the Girls Write Now Office for our Open Mic Series! Performers are invited to share their work (poems, songs, stories, and more!) on the mic for an audience as we gather to celebrate creativity and build community.
December 6 – 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET
Estée Lauder Companies + Girls Write Now: Think Tank on Tech, Art, Language & Beauty
Join us for an inspiring Tech Day with Estée Lauder, where creativity meets technology to make a lasting impact! This event will spark curiosity, build skills, and empower minds through hands-on learning and expert insights. Together, we’ll explore the world of technology and collaborate on building a curriculum that shapes future tech talent.
December 9 – 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm ET
The World of Prompts
This month, we’ll discuss how to find inspiration and writing prompts in media of all kinds — books, movies, plays, shows, etc! And then we’ll create a few prompts together for good measure.
Multi-Disciplinary Teaching Artists
Navigate the Joy of First Love with Melissa See
Learn how to write first love in all its complexities with YA author Melissa See. Through having a conversation about…
Celebrate an Undiplomatic Juneteenth with Deesha Dyer
Explore self-awareness, overcoming adversity, and embracing your authenticity at all costs with former White House Social Secretary and author Deesha…
Touch a Memory with Pepita Sandwich
Learn about the art of crying and the creative journey involved in crafting autobiographical comics with illustrator and visual artist…
Uncover the Magic of Poetry & Plants with Melania Luisa Marte
Join two-time national Audie Award winner Melania Luisa Marte as she explores the magic of poetry and plants.
Defend Reproductive Rights with Merle Hoffman
Learn why writing from experience and empathy are such powerful tools in defending reproductive rights with activist and author Merle…
Create a Memoir-in-Essays with Morgan Parker
Learn how vulnerability through writing can give way to a deeper examination of societal issues with poet and writer Morgan…
Write Hope At the End of A World with Ross Gay
Learn how language can help us imagine and embody new worlds with author Ross Gay.
Write a First Novel Inspired by Your Own Story with María Alejandra Barrios Vélez
Learn the importance of telling your story in your own voice and how to overcome the challenges of writing a…
Make Manga with Misako Rocks!
Join Manga writer and illustrator Misako Rocks! as she leads an all-skills level welcome Manga lesson—which includes drawing by hand!…
Turn Tragedies into YA with Joy L. Smith
Learn how exploring complex emotions associated with tragedy can create a poignant story with author and mentee alum, Joy L….
Channel Your Senses with Bernice L. McFadden
Learn how to channel the senses on the page with the author of ten critically acclaimed novels, Bernice L. McFadden.
Heal and Grow with Yasmine Cheyenne
Join Yasmine Cheyenne as she explains how to deal with feedback & be compassionately honest with ourselves.
Write Magical Realism with Alexandra V. Méndez
Explore belonging through magical realism with Alexandra Méndez, author of What The Jaguar Told Her.
Write Workplace Romances with Donna Hill
Join mentor and bestselling author Donna Hill as she leads us through the intricacies of writing about romance.
Write Nonfiction with Michelle Duster
Uncover history through the tales of those dear to you with Michelle Duster, author of Ida B. the Queen.
Write Memoir with Elle Johnson
Join TV writer and author Elle Johnson as she shares turning a family tragedy into a heart-wrenching story of love.
Pen Personal Narratives with Qian Julie Wang
Join New York Times bestselling author Qian Julie Wang as she leads us through the process of writing a memoir.
Create a Graphic Novel with Kate Gavino
Learn from graphic novelist Kate Gavino how to create a graphic novel that illustrates the industry!
Write Poetry that Shatters Expectations with Mahogany L. Browne
Break down the prescriptive norms of being “girl.”
Memorialize the Important People in Your Life in Writing with Gigi Coleman
Learn how to honor and celebrate the important figures in your own life with Gigi Coleman.
Practice Writing Conflict & Tension with Natalie Baszile
Learn how to find and accentuate conflict and tension with Natalie Baszile, author of Queen Sugar.
Learn to Write Micro Narratives with Darien Hsu Gee
Find a new way into your story in this micro narrative writing workshop with Darien Hsu Gee.
Write the Intimate & the Invented with Daphne Palasi Andreades
Learn how to write fiction using your lived experiences with Daphne Palasi Andreades.
Become an Expert in the Art of Interviewing with Abby West and Rebecca Carroll
Learn how to break down simple conversations into dazzling narrative stories with Amistad’s Abby West and Podcast Host Rebecca Carroll.
Rewrite Your Past into Poetry with Christina Olivares
Make new meaning from what matters most to you with writing prompts designed to dig up the details.
Dive Into Historical Fiction with Emily Neuberger
Use your memories to write Historical Fiction with Emily Neuberger, mentor and author of new novel A Tender Thing.
Develop Your Fictional Identity with Brit Bennett
Indulge your fictional half with the New York Times bestselling author Brit Bennett.
Build a Powerful Podcast with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford
Dive into podcasting with the renowned therapist behind Therapy For Black Girls.
Deep Dive Into Character Study with Megan Giddings
Experiment with voice and character dimension with the author of Lakewood.
Pen Lyrics for Lonely Hearts with Anna J Witiuk
You don’t need to be a musician to write great lyrics. Turn heartbreak into art in this songwriting Salon.
Craft A Poetry Collection with Jasmine Mans
Freewrite to uncover a thematic thread for your collection with inspiration from Jasmine’s experience growing up in Newark, NJ.
Find Your Narratorial Voice with Olivia Abtahi
Learn how to make your writing sound as authentic as possible!
Get Super Personal to Write Comedy with Nikki Palumbo
Learn to turn your most embarrassing experiences into comedy gold.
Explore What Home Means to You with Sepideh Moafi
Discover what home and belonging mean to you with actor, singer, writer, and producer Sepideh Moafi.
Enter the World of YA Fiction with Amy Zhang
Write young adult fiction with author Amy Zhang, who published her first novel at age 18.
Love [Poetry] Galore: Write Hip-Hop–Inspired Love Poems with Sam Arriozola
Learn about the history of Hip-Hop and write love poems with writer, poet, and youth worker Sam Arriozola.
Start a Novel with Keisha Bush
Learn how to start small to write a novel with Keisha Bush, author of No Heaven for Good Boys.
Go All In in Memoir with Maria Konnikova
Learn to write high-stakes memoir scenes with Maria Konnikova, New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and professional poker player.
Write as a Form of Resistance with Dominique Morisseau
Learn how to use art as protest with TONY nominated playwright Dominique Morisseau.
In The Words of Our Mentees
“Girls Write Now has given me the unique experience of being at the cross-section of so many types of art—something I hope to carry with me as I continue to create.”
ANAÍS FERNÁNDEZ
MENTEE
“Girls Write Now gives us a community and a wealth of opportunities to figure out what we can make of our passion.”
TIFFANI REN
MENTEE ALUM & CURRENT MENTOR
“You are giving underprivileged girls and gender-nonconforming kids the tools and connections that other people get in their starter pack for life. That’s what equity means. That’s what activism is.”
KAT JAGAI
MENTEE ALUM & CURRENT MENTOR
“My years at Girls Write Now were some of the best parts of my high school experience. I learned that there are other people who are just like me who felt lost in the world and were able to find themselves in their writing.”
MAXX CARR
MENTEE ALUM
“I am super grateful to (still!) be in community with the many friends, mentors, and supporters that I met through Girls Write Now. Without them, I never would have pursued my dream to become a writer.”
ROMAISSAA BENZIZOUNE
MENTEE ALUM & TEACHING ARTIST
“Most young people in my neighborhood do not have the same opportunities that I am lucky to have received, but what we do share are the difficult experiences of living in East New York / Brownsville. When I won the Posse Scholarship, I felt like their voices and dreams were also being honored.”
KAYLA MORGAN
CLASS OF 2022 MENTEE & POSSE SCHOLAR
Let’s Create Together
We are a diverse, multi-generational, passionate community of writers, creatives, leaders, artists and activists who all share a love of stories. Our programs are interwoven with wellness- and activist-minded curricula and offer endless opportunities for friendship, networking and professional development support.
