The April 2023 edition of "Writing Life Essentials" is a monthly hand-curated list of contests, grants, scholarships, submission calls, and awards. We try to prioritize opportunities that are at least one of the following: local, free to apply, and/or committed to celebrating and supporting writers from historically marginalized communities. We do the research, so you have more time for what matters: the writing. Or, tucking a book into your local Little Free Library. That’s important, too.

Dear GrubStreet Community,

Thank you to everyone who participated in the first installment of our Cultural Belonging and (Re)Connection Series this past November 2022.

In the April 2023 edition of "Best of Boston," we bring you our top Boston lit events this month, taking place virtually and in-person. See below for our list of local literary happenings. Check back for more!

Boston Open Mic Night!

Saturday, April 1st at 7:00pm (EST) | Event Fee: $0

For LGBTQ+ writers, a lack of queer-focused guidance, support, and community in writing workshops can stifle or even stall progress for novels. The Novel Immersive for LGBTQ+ Writers is a 9-month online program uniquely designed to fill this void and help queer writers complete or make significant progress towards completing a draft of their novel in a supportive community. 

GrubStreet's Teen Summer Writing Fellowship immerses high school students in the writer's life of creative craft and publishing. During three weeks at GrubStreet, teens work with published authors and meet with literary agents and editors, take field trips to inspirational locales like the ICA, and more.