Your Summer Writing Companion
A letter-writing series to spark your creativity and support our 2026 scholarship fund
Write With Us: A Summer Series Supporting Writers
Beginning Wednesday, July 9, you’ll receive a new letter in your inbox each week for eight weeks. Each letter is written by a Whale Rock faculty member and is crafted to help you stay connected with your writing, your inspiration, and your voice.
These emails are not blog posts or worksheets. They are real letters, thoughtful, personal, and full of heart. Each one includes a writing prompt, reflection, and/or creative invitation to help you return to the joy of writing.
Whether you are mid-draft, revisiting an idea, or simply trying to maintain your writing practice, this series is designed to meet you where you are.
What You’ll Receive
Eight original letters from Whale Rock Faculty
A prompt, practice, or exercise to spark creativity with each letter
A blend of encouragement, insight, reflection, and craft support
Downloadable PDFs you can save, print, and return to when needed
A steady rhythm of connection, curiosity, and creative care
Letters That Spark Craft, Imagination, and Creative Action
Your Summer Writing Companion is also a fundraiser. It is the first of two fundraisers we are offering in 2025 to build our 2026 scholarship fund.
That fund allows us to say yes to more writers. It helps us bring Whale Rock’s mentorship, retreats, and workshops to people who might not otherwise have access to this kind of craft and care.
Your participation helps ensure that our commitment to supporting underrepresented and low-income writers continues. You’ll receive nourishing and joyful writing support, and by participating you make it possible for someone else to receive the same.
As a thank-you, participants in Your Summer Writing Companion will also receive early access to our fall “Buy It Now” fundraiser, featuring one-of-a-kind offerings from editors, mentors, and industry professionals.
Creative Support That Gives Back
This series is for anyone who:
Wants to stay connected to their creative practice
Needs a spark or reminder of why writing matters
Is looking for thoughtful prompts and ongoing inspiration
Misses the companionship of a writing community
Values creative generosity and wants to support it
Whether you are drafting your third novel or reimagining your relationship to the page, we hope these letters keep you moving, imagining, and returning to what you love.
For Writers Seeking Inspiration, Structure, and Connection
Join the Series on a Sliding Scale
This series is offered on a sliding scale from $65 to $200.
If a lower amount makes it easier for you to participate, we welcome it. If you’re able to give more, your contribution helps us provide more scholarships to writers who need them.
Every dollar raised supports Whale Rock’s 2026 scholarship fund.
Schedule
Letters arrive each Wednesday from July 9 through August 27
Optional “Write Now” live summer writing sessions: July 16, August 6, and August 27
These live sessions are casual and lightly guided, an invitation to show up and write in community.
A Note from Shari, Founder of Whale Rock Workshops
Dear Friends,
In the spring, I registered for a writing-based letter series run by my dear friend and Whale Rock faculty member Heather Demetrios. Each week I received musings on writing and process, along with some readings and exercises. Those weekly letters shook me out of my creative slump by giving me motivation to just play.
And they inspired Whale Rock’s summer campaign.
Summer reflections
I have been thinking about how to stay connected with you this summer. Write Now! offers regular accountability and community. But because participation tends to be spotty in the summer months, we normally take a break.
I have also been thinking about how to raise funds for our 2026 Scholarship Fund. Interestingly, our most viewed web page is not a specific workshop, retreat, or faculty member, but rather our scholarships page. Given our size (small) and business model (fair pay), Whale Rock can’t offer the number of scholarships I would love to give.
Making connections
I started putting together these two seemingly disparate ideas—summer and scholarships. What if we sent out a weekly summer letter designed to inspire your imagination, spark your creativity, AND raise funds for our scholarships? Our faculty got on board immediately!
What does this initiative entail?
Those who sign up will receive a letter from a different Whale Rock faculty member each week. These letters are designed to help you stay on track with your summer writing goals—whether they revolve around a specific project or simply maintaining your writing practice.
But that’s not all
With the help of our faculty and the larger publishing community, Whale Rock is putting the final touches on a “buy-it-now” auction-style fundraiser with some very sweet offerings. Students who register for our summer letter series will have first dibs on the fall fundraiser.
If you would like to be inspired and to support fellow writers who need a little help to continue pursuing their literary dreams, sign up for the summer letter campaign by July 4, 2025. The session kicks off the week of July 7.
Have a wonderful summer and happy writing!
All the best,
Shari