Jenn Schultz is a four-time melanoma survivor. As a cancer survivor myself, I know how a diagnosis such as that can shake your sense of self. But I also know that you can write your way back to yourself, and that’s exactly what Jenn did with her book Bravely Becoming. But she didn’t stop there. Jenn is also an ambassador and advocate for melanoma research and prevention. May is Melanoma Awareness Month and the perfect time to celebrate Jenn as the See Jane Write Member of the Month. In addition to her advocacy work for organizations like the Melanoma Research Foundation and the Melanoma Research Alliance and her full-time job as a college educator, Jenn somehow finds the time to be an active member of the See Jane Write Collective too. Not only does she attend many virtual meet-ups and workshops, but she’s also led write-in sessions for other members.

Read on to get to know our May Member of the Month — Jenn Schultz.

I can’t remember when or how I first met Margaret Smith Marston but I do remember that we reconnected after she attended an in-person journaling workshop I hosted a while back. Since then, she’s been one of the most active members of the See Jane Write Collective, showing up on Zoom for our weekly write-ins and monthly critique sessions not only to get help with her own projects but to be a source of encouragement for other members too.

We’re celebrating Margaret this month because this month she’s making one of her writing dreams come true. Margaret’s first children’s book Eureka, Paprika is set to be released on Tuesday, August 13, and is available for pre-order now.

Hand illustrated by Margaret’s cousin Susanne St. Clair Hebden, Eureka, Paprika is a touching tale that brings kitchen spices to life to teach children the importance of including others. Determined to bring this book baby into the world, Margaret signed up for my 1-on-1 coaching program for additional guidance and I’m so excited her book launch is finally here. Read on to learn more about Margaret and her labor of love.

Jelisa Jay Robinson is the woman behind the faith-based writing space called Light Write — a virtual meet-up of writers who seek to worship with words.

Like many of us, Jelisa began to reconsider her priorities during the pandemic. “Every time I wrote out my list of priorities, my faith and my writing came in the top six,” says the Houston, Texas native.  “I wanted a space where the two can come together.”

And Light Write was born. During these virtual writing sessions, participants are invited to write in response to prompts. These sessions also include prayer and worship music, but Jelisa strives to make Light Write a faith-based writing space that’s open to all, regardless of their beliefs.

It’s because of her commitment to cultivating community that Jelisa — a playwright, theatre teacher, wife and step mom — is the See Jane Write member of the month for November 2022.

Jelisa is hosting two Light Write sessions this month: one on Saturday, November 5 from 10 to 11:30 am CT (register here) and a special NaNoWriMo write-in edition of Light Write on Monday, November 21 from 7 to 9 pm CT. You can register here.

Read on to learn more about Jelisa and Light Write.