Opportunities. Resources. Community Events.

Opportunities. Resources. Community Events.

We encourage you to do your own research to see if these opportunities align with your goals.

Get Published!

  • Not a Big Deal Magazine was started by a WriteGirl mentee, and is focused on showcasing young voices. Founded for writers, artists, thinkers, and most importantly, innovators who inspire and create. Submit to notabigdeal magazine through checking out the website https://copper-lute-m2b7.squarespace.com/. WriteGirl members can submit for free.

  • Accessible Science is a teen-run scientific research journal seeking writers, editors, and articles that explain STEM related topics in a way that is easy for teens and pre-teens to understand. Multiple submissions welcome and encouraged! Email accessiblescience2020@gmail.com!

  • The GOAT is a student-run sports publication seeking writers who love sports and are looking for a platform to publish their work. Visit their website, the-goat.org, to read pieces about sports by other students! No work is rejected, and multiple submissions are welcomed and encouraged! Send your pieces to yniu25@andover.edu.

  • Auroras & Blossoms is accepting admissions for various types of arts to be included in their anthologies. Learn more about submitting your work here.

  • WriteGirl mentee Je'Kayla Crawford has created their own online+print magazine focusing on Entertainment News called New Scene Magazine. The magazine features entertainment news, reviews and interviews. To learn more, email Je’Kayla at jekayla.journalist@gmail.com.

  • Germ Magazine — Germ is a magazine for girls, high school and beyond, that celebrates beginnings, futures and all the amazing and agonizing moments in-between. Read more about the magazine and how to submit here.

  • crwnmag — crwnmag is on a mission to be the most beautiful and honest representation of Black women in the history of modern print. If you're an exceptional writer with style and a point of view, they want to hear from you! Read their guidelines and submit here.

  • Wayfarer Art and Literary Journal— Wayfarer Art and Literary Journal showcases exceptional literary talent and also offers a unique opportunity for select works to be professionally produced into audiodramas. This blend of literature and performance art allows them to present stories in an innovative format, enhancing the reach and impact of the writers they highlight. For more information, click here.

  • Pretty Pretty Press is an independent news and literary organization run by a group of creative teenage girls in the San Fernando Valley. They’re currently looking for pieces that revolve around how feminism interacts with your daily life and/or community, and are around 850 words or less. The writer with the best submission, which is graded by content, ideas, creativity, style, voice, language, and organization, will win a one-on-one meeting with a mentor! The submissions are rolling and you will be responded to within a week. To submit to their literary magazine, click here. If you have any questions, you can reach Fallon at f40964@student.ghctk12.comor at the Pretty Pretty Press Instagram account (@prettyprettypress). On their Instagram account, you can also find generative prompts that may guide your pieces.

Tell Your Story

Tell your story on a national podcast! – Public Radio Exchange (distributors of shows like TED Talks Daily, This American Life and The Moth) is seeking young storytellers (ages 10-25) for their new podcast Ooh You’re in Trouble. Do you have a story about breaking rules – whether you were fighting an injustice, stirring up mischief, or something else? Learn more and submit your story here!

Write A Short Period Piece (About Periods) Calling all activists: Period poverty still exists because of society’s archaic beliefs and behaviors. It’s something that should be straight out of a period piece drama instead of a news segment in 2024. PERIOD (@periodmovement on TikTok and IG) is a youth-fueled movement that believes menstruators’ rights are human rights. The nonprofit is looking for people to write and/or perform their own #PeriodPiecePSA. Check out the hashtag and toolkit below to create your own and help make period poverty a thing of the past. Click here. Contact HiKristiLira@gmail.com with any questions.

Scholarships

  • Sallie has a monthly $2,000 No Essay Scholarship Contest to help students pay for their college journeys. Upcoming deadlines are: April 30, May 31, and June 30. For more information and to apply, click here.

Contests

  • The Youth Alliance for Writers and Poets is hosting a free annual writing contest and exchange.The contest is open to all students grades 9-12. Students are invited to submit writing of any genre up to 3,000 words, and anonymously read works from other young writers across the country. Every single submission will receive peer feedback and join our community of writers, and winning works will get publication, a certificate, and possible networking opportunities. The submission deadline is May 31st. To submit, please fill out the form here. Rules for submission and information about student judging are in this document.

  • Can you write a full story in 53 words? Get prompts for this monthly contest here.

  • BOOKFOX is a great list of writing contests, year-round.

  • We Are Teachers has compiled a list of the best student writing contests. To check out the list and get inspired, click here.

Los Angeles Area Opportunities

  • Venice Arts is now accepting applications for their Media Arts Summer Camp. All workshops are free for low-income families and open to all skill levels. Students will develop and expand their creative and technical skills in media arts and storytelling with hands-on activities, field trips, and access to professional equipment/software. All paperwork must be completed, signed, and received by June 19. For more information, click here.

  • TECH360 is a free, immersive summer program designed for high school students who are curious about technology and interested in exploring topics like artificial intelligence, problem-solving, and real-world tech applications. Students will gain hands-on experience, collaborate with peers, and build projects that reflect real industry challenges. The priority deadline is May 3 and the final deadline is May 24. For more information, click here.

  • Coro’s Youth Fellows Program offers an immersive leadership development summer experience for high school students. Youth Fellows gain a deeper understanding of Los Angeles while strengthening their communication and analytical skills. The deadline is April 28. For more information and to apply, click here.

  • Snap Lens Lab @ Otis College—This three-week "sneak peek" into the world of AR allows students to master 2D and 3D design tools. Participants work closely with Otis College faculty and Snap experts to bring their creative visions to life. It is an ideal entry point for young artists to explore the intersection of technology and art. The application window is March 13 - May 10. For more information, click here.

  • LA Times High School Insider — LA Times High School Insider is dedicated to showcasing youth voices on pressing issues through art, poetry, and creative writing. They are recruiting poets, writers and artists to become contributors.  To get involved, send an email to Molly.Heber@latimes.com.

  • YMCA LA — The Youth and Government Program is a national YMCA program that empowers 9th-12th graders by allowing them to learn about — and experience — government policies and methodologies firsthand. For more information, click here. For registration information, email JoelMartinez@ymcala.org. Scholarships are available. 

Workshops, Classes, Camps & Databases

  • Created by a WriteGirl mentee, ProjectGenZWrites is a growing database with over 30 free videos from published authors dealing with their experiences with writing, and publishing their novels, and the wisdom they have gained along the way. ProjectGenZWrite’s mission is to provide expert creative writing education to economically diverse youth to level the creative education playing field, and fill the creative education gap so the next generation can tell the stories that live inside them. 

  • TECH360 is a free, immersive summer program designed for high school students (in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami and Atlanta) who are curious about technology and interested in exploring topics like artificial intelligence, problem-solving, and real-world tech applications. Students will gain hands-on experience, collaborate with peers, and build projects that reflect real industry challenges. Upon completion of the program students will receive a certificate and $500 stipend. The priority deadline is May 3. The final deadline is May 24. For more information, click here.

  • Scholarships are available for the Kauai Writers Conference: kauaiwritersconference.com. To apply for a scholarship, email David Katz, Director at davidk@kauaiwritersconference.com. Include your age, what kind of writing you do and why you'd like to attend the Conference.

Internships, Mentorships & Fellowships

  • Paramount Writers Mentoring Program is an eight-month opportunity for writers. It focuses on building relationships, improving writing skills, and developing essential interpersonal and industry "soft skills." Each participant will have help in creating a rigorous career action plan and there will be on-going support in evaluating and achieving those goals. The application deadline is May 1. To apply, click here.

  • Alicia Brooks Literary Agency is looking for college students who are interested in gaining publishing experience. Interns will review queries, liaison with clients, edit manuscripts, write editorial letters and rejection. For more information, click here.

  • Interested in working in the television industry? The Television Academy has multiple internship opportunities! The Summer 2026 internship period has closed but stay tuned for updates on the next season! Find out more here.

Writing Resources

Writing Resources

Songwriting Resources

Poetry Resources

  • Local LA Bookstore Readings: See if your nearest independent bookstore has virtual poetry events! Los Angeles bookstores like Book Soup, Skylight Books, the Last Bookstore, Chevalier’s Books and Small World Books all have events featuring poets.

  • Download the Poetry Foundation free app from iTunes for a fun interface that categorizes topics by theme, and it offers you a chance to SPIN for a random poem every time you open it!

  • Local Poetry Journal: The Los Angeles Review features many poems and poets.

  • Poetic Devices: Check out this great slideshow from our 2022 WriteGirl Poetry Workshop with a ton of poetic devices you can learn and try to incorporate into your poetry.

Events

Events

Events Around Los Angeles

  • Book Swell – A calendar of upcoming author talks, signings and other literary events in Los Angeles.

  • Local Bookstore Readings – Check out events at your nearest independent bookstore: Book Soup, Skylight Books, the Last Bookstore, Chevalier’s Books, Small World Books all have events featuring writers.

  • Poetry in Motion stages live poetry events locally – search their name in EventBrite!

  • Local poetry publishers (and friends of WriteGirl) Red Hen Press are based in Pasadena and schedule events. Check out their website.

  • Los Angeles has a Poet Laureate, Robin Coste Lewis. Search her name to find out what she’s up to in your area.

Virtual Events

  • The GRAMMY Museum At Home spotlights a different pillar of the Museum’s Mission: education, curatorial, and Public Programs.and Watch, learn, and engage right from home. Explore the museum here!

Cool Communities

Additional Resources. . .

Additional Resources. . .

Mental Health Resources

  • HelpGuide: This site dives into many complex and difficult topics around mental health. Please note that the site contains advertisements for paid therapy services.

  • The LA Times has compiled a list of mental health resources including crisis hotlines and counseling services. See the list here. (Click here to apply for a student LA Times subscription. Contact WriteGirl for additional mental health resources.)

  • My School My Rights is a fantastic resource for California public school students to learn more about your civil rights and civil liberties as students. We believe every young person has the right to advocate for themselves and their communities!

  • Getting started. This infographic created by the National Alliance on Mental Illness depicts early warning signs, how to ask for help and how to stay connected. 

  • Making friends. The National Alliance on Mental Illness has created a helpful guide on making and maintaining friendships in stressful or nerve-wracking situations.

  • It Gets Better: It Gets Better shares stories from ordinary people and celebrities alike affirming that no one is alone in the struggle that is growing up, especially when trying to affirm and assert your sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

  • Never a Bother is a campaign launched in 2024 by California Department of Public Health’s Office of Suicide Prevention. Their big goal is to prevent suicide among teens and young adults in California. They also want to reduce self-harm, while encouraging friends to recognize the power they have to support someone in crisis. To check out their resources, click here. 

  • Mental Health Hotline

Support Black Lives Matter

  • Get informed. Facing History and Ourselves is a great resource with articles on understanding the role of race in America. The National Museum of African American History & Culture put together this helpful guide at navigating starting a conversation on race. 

  • Support Black-owned bookstores. Reparations Club: rep.club and Malik Books: malikbooks.com are some great options for support.

  • Check out the list of winners of the Coretta Scott King Book Award for children's books and Young Adult books that "demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values."

  • Don’t forget to take care of yourself. The American Psychological Association has created a guide to Unmute Your Feelings and allow yourself to be fueled by your strong emotions while balancing moments to feel hope and joy. 

LA Community Resources

Technology Resources

Immigrant Rights & Resources:

National immigration Legal Services Directory

ACLU - Immigrants' Rights

National Immigrant Justice Center Resources

Additional Resources:

Feeding America: Local Food Bank Directory

If you are in need of additional resources, please reach out to the WriteGirl staff at membership@writegirl.org.

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