Women Lit featured in Writer’s Digest — click here to read the interview with Executive Director Cherilyn Parsons.
Women Lit
Where women’s words remake the world.
Founded in 2018 at the height of the #MeToo movement, Women Lit was created to elevate women’s voices. This membership-based program has blossomed into many opportunities for you: an A-list literary event series; a society of book-lovers who meet up in beautiful places to connect with each other and to meet renowned authors; and, in the era of shelter-in-place, a lifeline that brings inspiration, broadens horizons, builds bonds, and (much needed these days) simply helps keep us all sane.
“Women Lit Rocks! Thanks for all the great events these past MANY months. You’ve been integral to my sanity!”
Emily Sellers, Women Lit member, Fall 2020
Click to Join Women Lit
Women Lit is also the ideal “gift-that-keeps giving” for the book-loving women in your life.
Click here to gift a year-long membership for someone special today!
What’s Women Lit? A Place for Literature, Growth, and Community
“Here’s what I love about Women Lit: it’s a special opportunity that people usually don’t get. You get that personal slant from the author about why they wrote what they wrote. Such a fabulous resource for women writers and readers.”
–Cheryl Popp, Women Lit member and owner of Sausalito Books by the Bay
- Literature: Women Lit members get special access to a year-round series of live conversations with top women authors—iconic trailblazers like Gloria Steinem, Eve Ensler, and Patti Smith; wisdom bearers such as Terry Tempest Williams and Sharon Salzberg; and exciting voices in the literary vanguard such as Rachel Cusk, Jenny Offill, and Valeria Luiselli. Members at higher levels join authors for pre-event intimate receptions (when we can meet in person) and salons (in-person or virtual). All members get exclusive access to Literary Lighthouse (check out the inaugural issue here), a monthly Women Lit newsletter with author interviews, glimpses of the lives (and bookshelves) of the fascinating women who make up the Women Lit community, curated literary news and personalized reading recommendations, and more.
- Growth: Women Lit is where we all—authors and Women Lit members—shine a light, up close and personal, on what it means to live a creative life. We embark upon change-making, perspective-shifting conversations about books, life, art, work, and everything in between.
“Women Lit is a huge source of growth and empowerment.”
–Jennifer Risher, author and Women Lit member
“Literary community doesn’t just drop in your lap. I do have a big social network in the Bay Area, but I realized: how many people do I usually talk to about writing and books? [Women Lit] is the feeling of finding your tribe.”
–Megan Vered, writer and Women Lit member
- Community: In “normal” times, Women Lit members and authors meet up in gorgeous, luxe venues like the Pines mansion in Sausalito, the Battery in San Francisco, and lovely private homes. In shelter-in-place times, we’ve had to get more creative about building community, but it’s no less meaningful. In interactive virtual events, you can dialogue with blockbuster authors and chat with each other in real time. We’ve even brought our intimate Women Lit salons—small personal gatherings that have been described as soul-nourishing—online! Now we’re launching new features that make that Women Lit magic happen, including our Women Lit Member Hub, an online portal where members can reserve their spot for author events, view live events in real time, access the entire Women Lit archive, and get to know one another in a secure members-only environment.
How do I join?
It’s easy. Just choose your level of membership below, sign up, and presto, you’re an official Women Lit member! You’ll immediately receive a welcome email with all the details you need. You’re in for a whole year of amazing events (including free or special-rate admission to some of our most high-profile year-round events with major authors) and the support and camaraderie of an extraordinary community of women.
BENEFITS DURING SHELTER-IN-PLACE
(More benefits, such as author receptions and catered salons, will come when we can meet in person again!)
“Voice,” our introductory member level, is a good way to experience what Women Lit has to offer! But if you want more, there’s plenty to enjoy. At the level of “Esteem” or higher, you’ve activated your inner philanthropist, giving Women Lit a virtual hug and helping to keep us strong during this difficult time. If you choose the “Integrity” level, there are even more hugs: you can join authors and other members in virtual private salons (formerly only for “Fearlessness” members and higher).
One day, shelter-in-place will end, and we’ll roll over your membership to receive our full array of in-person perks, such as face-to-face small receptions with authors, catered salons at private homes, and tickets to the annual Bay Area Book Festival’s blowout Gala. In the meantime, we’re so grateful for the support and commitment of our members—for you.
Choose your membership level (and your benefits)!
Link to: Join Women Lit!
Voice
$50
- Early access and free admission to all Women Lit events*
- Monthly “Literary Lighthouse” letter, only for Women Lit members**
- Access to Women Lit portal to connect with other members
Link to: Join Women Lit!
Esteem
$100
- Early access and free admission to all Women Lit events*
- Monthly “Literary Lighthouse” letter, only for Women Lit members**
- Access to Women Lit portal to connect with other members
- Appreciation! You’ve provided a much-needed philanthropic donation to help Women Lit survive these difficult times
Link to: Join Women Lit!
Integrity
$500
- Early access and free admission to all Women Lit events*
- Monthly “Literary Lighthouse” letter, only for Women Lit members**
- Access to Women Lit portal to connect with other members
- PLUS: Invitation to intimate, exclusive, virtual literary salons with a notable author
- Appreciation! You’ve provided a much-needed philanthropic donation to help Women Lit survive these difficult times
Link to: Join Women Lit!
Fearlessness
$1000+
- Early access and free admission to all Women Lit events*
- Monthly “Literary Lighthouse” letter, only for Women Lit members**
- Access to Women Lit portal to connect with other members
- Invitation to intimate, exclusive, virtual literary salons with a notable author
- PLUS: Get a complimentary copy of the featured book with event registration!*
- Appreciation! You’ve provided a much-needed philanthropic donation to help Women Lit survive these difficult times
*Fearlessness members can receive their complimentary book by registering for a “General Admission + Book” ticket to the chosen event.
**Our inspiring members-only publication with author interviews, WL member profiles, fascinating literary news items and curiosities, book reviews and more! Read an example of the newsletter here.