Upcoming Events
Virtual Book Swap
Swap books with fellow readers without leaving your couch. Sign up with a title you’re ready to pass on and a few genres you love; we’ll match you with another participant for a mystery exchange. It’s a fun way to refresh your shelves and discover new favorites.
Cover Redesign Challenge
Put your creative spin on a classic! Each month we pick a well-known book and post its original cover. You create your own version (digital art, collage, hand-drawn, or Canva) and submit it through our form by the deadline. We’ll showcase the gallery of redesigned covers on the blog and let readers vote for their favorites. It’s a fun way to celebrate book design and discover new titles through fresh visuals.
Beloved Libraries Community Map
We’re making a crowd-sourced atlas of amazing libraries! For the next month, you can fill out our short form with:
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Library name (public, school, tiny local branch)
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City & country so we can pin it on a map
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One sentence about why you love it (a cool feature, a friendly librarian, best reading nook, etc.)
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(Optional) upload one photo you’ve taken inside or outside
Once the submission window closes, we’ll publish an interactive map and a blog post featuring your entries (with pins, quotes, and pictures), so the whole community can plan future visits.
Poetry Contest
Show off your poetic side in our seasonal mini-contest. Each round has a simple theme and a short line limit. Submit your poem through the form, and we’ll feature winners and audience favorites right here on the blog.
Community Reading List
Help us build a living bookshelf of everyone’s go-to reads. Each month, we open a form where you can submit your favorite books you. We compile all the entries into a big community list on the blog, complete with shout-outs to the readers who suggested them.
Virtual Seminar
Queering the Canon: Feminist and LGBTQ+ Revisions of Classic Myths
Join me live on Zoom for a one-hour seminar exploring how contemporary authors are reclaiming and re-imagining ancient myths through feminist and queer lenses. We’ll look at Madeline Miller’s Circe alongside other retellings to see how gods, heroes, and monsters are redefined when told from marginalized perspectives.
What to expect
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A guided talk with slides introducing key feminist and queer approaches to myth.
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Close readings of selected passages from Circe and at least one other modern retelling (handouts provided).
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Reflection prompts and a short reading list emailed after the session.
How to join
Register through our form to receive the Zoom link and handouts. Attend from anywhere (a replay link will be sent to registered participants who can’t make it live).
Past Seminars
We’ve already hosted 14 virtual literature seminars on various feminist topics, and these four are some of our absolute favorites. Even better, more sessions are already in the works! Don’t be shy, join our community of book-loving feminists to broaden your literary horizons.
Ecofeminism
Monster Girls
Explored how feminist and ecological thought intersect to critique systems of domination over both women and nature.
Examined female monsters and hybrid beings in myth and literature as metaphors for gender, power, and otherness.
Afrofuturist Feminisms: Visions Beyond Earth
Rewriting the Odyssey
Looked at feminist retellings of Homer’s epic, such as The Penelopiad, to highlight marginalized female perspectives.
Investigated how Black feminist creators use science fiction and space-age imaginaries to envision liberation beyond Earth.
Literacy Leaders Program
Are you passionate about reading, writing, and empowering women? Do you want to make an impact in your school, community, or online? If so, we want you to apply to be part of our Literacy Leaders program!
As a Literacy Leader, here’s what you’ll do:
Writing & Content Creation
Use writing to share your voice and inspire others:
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Write guest posts for our blog
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Share original poems or short stories
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Interview authors, librarians, or fellow readers and writers
Reading & Literacy Promotion
Promote reading as a habit:
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Lead monthly book discussions online or at your school or library
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Run reading challenges to get more people excited about books
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Organize book swaps, little libraries, or reading circles
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Recommend diverse, inclusive books that uplift girls and marginalized voices
Advocacy Through Storytelling
Use your words to speak up and spark change:
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Promote literacy awareness days like World Book Day or National Reading Month
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Share why reading and writing matter through social media campaigns
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Speak at events to encourage peers to read and write more
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Be a mentor to younger readers who need support
Creative Projects
Express your love for reading and writing in creative ways:
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Design bookmarks, posters, or zines about books and stories
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Start a podcast or YouTube channel about books, authors, or writing tips
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Lead a creative writing club or workshop series for younger girls
Leadership Through Literacy
Develop leadership skills while making an impact:
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Help plan youth panels, book events, or writing festivals
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Learn blogging, journalism, and digital storytelling techniques
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Represent your community and help influence content that matters to young girls
Program Structure
We support leaders of all ages and backgrounds. You can be organized by:
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Grade Levels (Middle School or High School)
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Roles (Writing Mentor, Reading Advocate, Event Organizer, Content Creator)
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Chapters (for school clubs, libraries, or regional teams)
*You decide what kind of leader you want to be and what projects you want to spearhead. We’ll help you grow.*
How to Apply
To apply, send us:
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Your resume or a summary of your interests and experience
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A cover letter telling us why you want to be a Literacy Leader and what you’d love to work on
Email: francescahowardnyc@gmail.com
