Write into the Week: February 3, 2025

Elle LaMarca  |  February 20, 2025  | 

“Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.”

–Rumi

Dear Writer,

I hope you’re having a good start to your week. In this newsletter:

  • A writing prompt to inspire your creativity.
  • Reading and listening recommendations in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
  • Publishing, residency, and retreat opportunities available now.
  • Join our free Friday write-in, and meet our community of writers.
  • Our courses that start this week, and that will soon come off “early bird” discount.

Happy writing this week!

—Elle, Curriculum Specialist & Community Manager

Writing Prompt

Write a piece from the line, “Have we met?” Or, write a piece to someone you’ve never met. 

Reading Recommendations:

Poetry:

  • “How Damage Can Lead to Poetry” by Kelli Russell Agodon. Through vivid imagery and candid introspection, the speaker reflects on personal wounds and emotional scars, exploring how pain and vulnerability can transform into art.

Fiction:

  • “Simplexity” by Kiley Reid. Reid is a master at writing about modern-day race relations. In “Simplexity,” co-workers navigate the complexities of race, privilege, and social dynamics during an unexpected encounter, revealing the subtle tensions and unspoken codes that shape everyday interactions. 

Nonfiction:

Listening Recommendations:

  • From The Poetry Lab Podcast: “Finding Your Fire: The Role of the Writer in Challenging Times” What is the role of the writer when the world feels like it’s on fire? In this episode, poet and professor, Bridgette Bianca, shares how she rediscovered her creative spark during challenging times. Drawing on wisdom from Baldwin, Giovanni, and Sanchez, she offers insights on how writers can turn hardships into inspiration and keep creating, even when it’s tough.
  • Joan Didion reads “On Keeping a Notebook”: Listen to Didion read a beautiful passage on keeping a notebook, and stay for her interview with Charlie Rose, from May 1992. 

Publishing Opportunities:

  • Poetry Northwest – Seeking submissions of poetry for Presenting, a print feature that introduces readers to a poet whose work has never before been featured in a nationally distributed print journal. All work submitted in this category will be considered for general publication even if not selected for the Presenting feature. Submissions are open now until February 15, 2025. Free to submit.
  • Applause Literary Journal –  Applause is an annual, fully online journal seeking poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, visual art, and photography from undergraduate writers worldwide. Submissions for Issue 34 are open now to March 15, 2024, with a focus on three themes: Sensory Reverie (work that evokes vivid sensory experiences), Rhythms of Resistance (narratives of resilience and activism), and Place Personified (settings that act as dynamic characters). Selected work receives publication, national exposure through social media, and will be featured in an immersive digital format. 

Residency & Retreat Opportunities:

  • Djerassi Resident Artists Program – Application Deadline: February 15, 2025
    The Djerassi Resident Artists Program offers month-long residencies to writers, visual artists, composers, and choreographers on a breathtaking 583-acre ranch in Woodside, California. This program provides uninterrupted time and space for creative exploration in a serene natural setting, with private studios, shared meals, and opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange. Djerassi values innovation and artistic growth, supporting both emerging and established artists dedicated to advancing their craft.

    • A Note from Elle – I was awarded a 30 day residence at Djerassi in 2015. Without being hyperbolic, I can say, it was one of the most impactful and memorable months of my life. I encourage anyone who is able to apply! 
  • Hedgebrook Writer-in-Residence Program – Application Opens: February 14, 2025
    The Hedgebrook Writer-in-Residence Program offers two- to three-week residencies for women-identified writers on Whidbey Island, Washington. This residency provides individual cottages, nourishing meals, and a supportive environment designed to foster deep creative focus. Hedgebrook champions writers whose work contributes to social change, offering a space where storytelling and activism intersect. The program supports writers at all stages of their careers, providing both solitude and a vibrant community of fellow artists.

Friday: Free Group Writing Session

Come write with us! Community write-ins are a great way to meet other writers, and carve out space in your calendar for your writing.

Join the Writers.com staff for a 90-minute writing session each Friday from 11 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern time. We will write together for the first hour. In the last, optional half hour, we’ll share our writing with one another and connect.

To add yourself, click here, and we’ll send you a Zoom link the morning of the call. You can also always add yourself to or remove yourself from the “Friday Write-Ins” list at the bottom of this newsletter.

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Elle LaMarca

Elle is a writer and novelist originally from southwestern New York, now residing on the central coast in California. She does not miss the snow even a little bit. As an avid traveler, Elle can frequently be found wandering the globe, having lived in and explored over thirty countries, all while gaining inspiration for her writing and new perspectives on life. Elle is a former educator and Teach for America alumna, having taught in Los Angeles, Baltimore and Boston. She holds a B.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing from George Mason University and a M.A. in Education and Curriculum Design from Johns Hopkins University. She is passionate about well-crafted sentences and memorable metaphors. Elle is currently at work on a novel and a collection of personal essays.

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