Day Eight is pleased to announce details and signup for our spring 2023 writing program for DC-area high school girls. The program meets one weekend per month, directed by R.E.I.L with an advisory leadership team including Arlington County poet laureate Holly Karapetkova, Dr. Casey Catherine Moore, Dine Watson, Thea Joselow, Norah Vawter, Liana Conyers, and Cecilia Mencia.
The free program is designed to provide a supportive, creative, space for female writers to create and grow. The program has a core component geared toward high school students including monthly club meetings. Writing by participants will be published in a book by Day Eight Fall, 2023.
The 2023 sessions will occur on the third Sunday of each month beginning January, 2023. High school students participating in the activities and field trips will be accompanied by the project director and invited guest professional female writers. A finalized schedule will be provided following enrollment and the planned activities and locations include:
Sunday, January 15 Field trip to visit the Planet Word Museum in Washington, D.C. followed by provided lunch and writing. Friends, parents and care-givers welcome, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday, February 19 Field trip to visit the African American Museum (upper floors) in Washington, D.C. followed by a provided lunch and writing, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Sunday, March 19 Field trip to visit the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia followed by a provided lunch and writing, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Sunday, April 16 The group will meet at Regal Gallery Place in Washington, D.C. to enjoy a movie (TBD), followed by lunch and a writing session. The group will meet from 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm on this date.
Sunday, May 21 The group will meet at the National Gallery of Art, in Washington, D.C. followed by a provided lunch and writing, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Sunday, June 18 The group will meet at Georgetown Waterfront Park, in Washington, D.C. for a hike with a naturalist, followed by a provided lunch and writing. Please plan to wear comfortable attire for moving on this date, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Project director R.E.I.L. (Shaquetta Nelson) is a poet and poet-educator. She is author of the book Ashes to Justice, published February 2022 by Day Eight. About her book Joseph Ross wrote, “The sorrow of abuse pulses under these poems. But so does the joy of double-dutch, a grandmother’s love, and the truth of rebirth.” R.E.I.L. started her poetry career at open mics in the D.C. area and at 16 competed in the Brave New Voices slam in New York City.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign up?
To sign up, email project director R.E.I.L / Shaquetta Nelson at: Qnelson33 <at> gmail.com.
What if I can’t attend every session?
While we hope all participants will attend every session, attendance at all sessions is not required.
Do I have to be vaccinated, or wear a mask indoors?
Proof of vaccination is required for enrollment and masks are required to attend indoor sessions.
My daughter is planning to attend. Can I attend also, or chaperone?
We welcome participation from parents, guardians, and caregivers. If you would like to attend a particular session, or all sessions, please let us know. Some of the monthly sessions require tickets to be purchased in advance and for those sessions we may have to limit the total number attending with the group.
What is the organization or entity producing Write Now?
The Write Now project is produced by the non-profit organization Day Eight. Day Eight’s programming includes an arts magazine, Bourgeon, a literary program including poetry events, an annual college student arts writing competition, an arts writing fellowship, exhibitions and performances, education programming for children and youth, and book publication.