45th Annual Summer Writing Workshop for NYC Teens

Who are your people? Who believes, plays, creates, organizes, identifies, looks, or lives like you? What groups do you seek out or find yourself in?

Family is most people’s first community, but we don’t choose our biological families. An important part of discovering your own identity is finding where you belong in the wider world. Who helps you be your true self? Who recognizes your unique contributions? Where are you inspired to grow?

Join a group of 12 young people who will explore these issues as part of Youth Communication’s 45th annual summer writing workshop!

Participate in writing lessons, discussions, and group activities. Explore the personal and sociopolitical factors that influence your idea of community. 

Our workshop is a safe space for open conversations. Guest speakers and field trips will deepen our understanding of these topics. No prior writing experience is required, but you must be able to attend for all six weeks and will be expected to complete at least one publishable story. The writing process is rigorous, involving many drafts, but with lots of support and guidance from an editor. We will provide laptops and writer notebooks.

Our stories reach thousands of readers through our online publications and newsletters. Your story may also be republished by our media partners such as The Nation and Chalkbeat, or in Youth Communication curricula.

Communities that YC writers have written about include Black Lives Matter; LGBTQ+ clubs at school; soccer fans; indigenous communities; female gamers; Burmese immigrants; even gangs. As these stories are published and move through the world, they broaden the community of readers who can relate to or are inspired by them. 
The workshop will be held in person at our midtown office on West 38th Street. We will modify this as needed if the COVID situation changes, including providing masks.

All participants receive a $2,000 stipend for completing at least one story in the workshop. A daily two-trip MetroCard will also be provided.

Dates: Monday, July 8 to Thursday, August 15.
For New York City youth who are ages 15-20 in summer 2024.
 
Application deadline: Friday, May 6, 2024 ⏰

See more details and apply online: youthcomm.org/teens-write-for-us