Author | Lightnews

Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Jul 10

friday, 7/18, check out FLOAT AND FRIENDS’ first zine ft. photography, essays, illustrations, +more on the topic of (dis)connection with technology, social media, + artmaking - all from our community. ☁️🤎

thank you to all the artists who submitted, we can’t wait to share your pieces with the world!

Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Jul 1

can you believe half of 2025 has already flown by?! ☁️

we’ve loved spending this year with you all so much. swipe to see the media that’s been on our mind lately as we move into july. 🌠

what songs, lit, or movies have been carrying you through the year? 🫧💌

love,
float and friends 💙

Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · May 29

This workshop is FREE and on Zoom. Register here to get the Zoom link: forms.gle/5Zuv8WCp7Ptv...

Creative Non-Fiction Writing Workshop

Touring the Histories of our Heritage: Who we are, Where we came from, and Writing the stories. Hosted by FLOAT AND FRIENDS To celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, this Creative Non-Fiction workshop encour...

forms.gle

Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · May 29

CREATIVE NON-FICTION WORKSHOP TONIGHT! 9pm ET / 6pm PT

To celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, thru guided journal prompts and family trees, you'll write a CNF piece which reflects your own family's history and heritage.

NOT LIMITED to those who identify as AAPI. We STRONGLY ENCOURAGE all to attend! 📝

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Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Apr 28

Our April Monthly Media Roundup!!! Everything we read, watched, and listened to that left an impression on us.

Have a recommendation for us? Leave a comment! <3

#media #monthlyroundup

Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Apr 16

APRIL/MAY RESOURCE ROUNDUP!! 🌷💫🍊

Check our these awesome opportunities for you to apply to!

P.S. we have a Google Doc linked ⬇️ with more detailed descriptions and the link to apply :)
docs.google.com/document/d/1...

#writingopportunity #writingcommunity

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Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Apr 16

HAIKU WORKSHOP RECAP!

check out some of the lovely haikus written by attendees. spring is in the air! 🌸

register now, don’t miss the next ones! at forms.gle/GC3yP39Mgctv...

next:
4/20 3p ET / 12pPT - THE LAMENT
4/30 9p ET / 6p PT - THE SONNET
free, virtual, 1 hr. hope to see you there! 🫂☁️🖋️

Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Apr 11

Looking for a penpal? Well, you're in luck!

We're now accepting applications for our penpal matchmaking program <3

Applications close April 25th.
Apply here: forms.gle/sp3hfnkrh8Ut...

#penpals

love letters to a friend. now accepting: penpal applications until april 25th

looking for a penpal? our penpal application is now open. Follow our 3 easy steps to apply. 1 locate the link to our application. this can be found in the linktree in our IG bio. 2. complete the questionnaire. 3. get your match by may 2. That's it we'll provide you with your penpal's preferred name and email alongside some prompts to get the converstaion going. otherwise, the connection is all yours. must be 18+ got questions? email us floatandfriends@gmail.com

Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Apr 10

To celebrate National Poetry Month, Float and Friends is hosting 3 FREE virtual workshops to learn about the forms of Haiku, Lament, and Sonnet.

Register for a workshop here: forms.gle/GC3yP39Mgctv...

We hope to see you there!

#poetry #nationalpoetrymonth

April is National Poetry Month and we're celebrating! Join Float and Friends for Poetry Workshops. April 13th - Haiku from 3pm to 4pm ET and 12pm - 1pm PT. April 20th - Lament from 3pm to 4pm ET and 12pm - 1pm PT. April 30th - Sonnet from 9pm to 10pm ET and 6pm to 7pm PT. In each workshop we'll learn about the noted form and write our own poems! All workshops are FREE and 1 hour long.

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Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Apr 9

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: digital zine!

SEEKING: photography, painting, illustration, poetry, essays, short stories, and more. if it can be inserted into a digi zine, we want it! on the theme “Oh Beautiful World, How I Wish to Reconnect”

email with your name to [email protected] by MAY 7.

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Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Feb 8

why we should continue to create in times of distress

with an overload of frustrating and disheartening headlines in the news everyday, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed out

we encourage community building and creation as a form of resilience

Love,
FLOAT AND FRIENDS

#community #selfcare

why we should create
in times of distress

stressed out?
Stress is a normal reaction to everyday pressures, but it affects nearly every system in the body and influences how you feel and behave.
many things can influence stress levels
so, it's important to find ways to manage it!
including...

• work

• politics

• school

• the future
such as...
• cultivate social support
• pursue a hobby
• enjoy nature
page

cultivate community
In stressful times like these,
FLOAT AND FRIENDS pledges to continue to foster a space for you to create.
How do you create in times of distress?
WRITE
PAINT
DRAW
COOK
DANCE
READ
EDIT
DESIGN
SING
ACT
BAKE
LOVE

ways to de-stress
Keep a journal
A journal is a great resource to help reflect on your day, creating space for you to engage with how you're handling life's stressors.
Volunteer in your community
Whether you join a community garden, neighborhood trash pick-ups, or tutor, helping others in your community helps cultivate social support.
Organize walks & hikes
Take the hangout outdoors by finding a park, trail, or view to go on a walk and enjoy nature with friends.
Read a book from the library
Support your local library by signing up for a card, check out a book, and ask a librarian about other services! Reading is a great way to wind-down and re-focus.
Visit a local museum
Engage in your local arts community by visiting a museum or gallery in your area.

Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Feb 6

☁️ What is Cloud Cafe? ☁️
Cloud Cafe is a virtual workspace hosted by Float and Friends for anyone and everyone to block out time and create. We follow the Pomodoro Technique to promote efficient work flow and help support your ideas. All Cloud Cafe sessions are FREE held on Zoom.

#community #create

Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Feb 6

Now announcing February Dates for Cloud Cafe! ☁️🩷

Calling all writers, artists, + multi-hyphenate creators come de-stress with us for 3 hours on:

Feb. 11 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT until 10pm ET / 7pm PT

Feb. 19 at 6pm ET / 3 pm PT until 9pm ET / 6pm PT

Sign up ⬇️
forms.gle/LZC1yLwKNyiE...

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Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Feb 2

Celebrate Black history month by reading and watching stories created by Black artists & learning more about Black-led movements.

Let's honor the contributions & histories of Black Americans together. Learn, watch, read, listen, & contribute to your community.

#blackhistorymonth #bhm2025 #bhm

Join Float and Friends in celebrating the
ART, VOICES, & LIVES
of
BLACK
AMERICA

Explore the stories and histories of Black voices through literature and film:
just a few places to start...
Between the
World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Essays handling themes of racial injustice in the U.S.
Citizen: An
American Lyric by Claudia Rankine
Poetry that confronts racial microaggressions.
The Poet X by
Elizabeth Acevedo
Lyrical novel about an Afro-Latina girl from Harlem who discovers slam poetry.
March: Book One by John Lewis
Graphic novel about a lifelong struggle for civil and human rights.
When They See Us dir. Ava DuVernay Miniseries about systematic racism and criminal justice reform.
Nickel Boys dir. RaMell Ross Movie and Book about institutional violence.
To Sleep With Anger dir. Charles Burnett
Movie exploring family dynamics through
folklore and magical of love in the face of
realism.
If Beale Street
Could Talk dir. Barry Jenkins
Movie with themes
injustice.

celebrate together
black history month visit your local library
• attend events hosted to uplift Black voices
• check out a book to learn about a Black led movement
buddy read
• choose a book about a Black led movement and read it with a friend or introduce it to your book.club
movie night
• watch a Black-created documentary or movie with friends
• support a local theater and indie cinema showcasing Black stories and creators

•"Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today."
- National Geographic
https://kids:nationalgeographic.com/history/article/black-history-month
AAO
BaenD

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Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Jan 31

love letters to a friend: penpals 💌

looking for a penpal this valentine's day? well, we gotchu! sign up for our a virtual penpal through Float and Friends!❣️

link to sign up! ⬇️
tinyurl.com/FF-PenPal - forms close Feb. 12

p.s. you'll get your match on valentine's day! 💘

#penpals #friends

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Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Dec 31

a few recommendations for things we couldn’t stop consuming this past month🫧

we invite you to comment your favorite book, movie, song, tv show, album, any media from the past month or year 🫂

love,
float and friends 💙

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Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Dec 29

☁️☁️ we’re back ☁️☁️

CLOUD CAFE is returning in 2025! 🌀

Join Float and Friends on Mon. 1/6/25 and Mon. 1/20/25 to write, create, design, etc. in community. 🫂

Cloud Cafe is a virtual workspace for any and all to come get work done together! 💙

REGISTER HERE ⬇️
forms.gle/LZC1yLwKNyiE...

#writers

Cloud Cafe
float and friends is excited to announce
JANUARY DATES
Mon. 1/6/25
Mon. 1/20/25

for 3 hours starting at 7pm ET / 4pm PT

calling all writers, artists, editors, & multi-hypenate creators
work in community

• make new friends
- welcoming atmosphere
• feedback opportunities

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Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Dec 12

#resourcesharing #artistcommunity #writerscommunity #community

WRITING AWARDS

AWARD
DUE
Narratively 2024 Memoir Prize
Dec. 19
Poetry Society of America
Robert H. Winner Memorial Award
Judged by Claire Wahmanholm
Prize - $2,500
Dec. 31
The Madison Review
Chris O'Malley Prize in Fiction 2025
Jan. 1
Disquiet Literary Prize 2025
Jan. 6
New American Press
2025 New American Poetry Prize
Jan. 15
2025 Hurston/Wright Legacy Book
Awards for Black Writers
Jan. 27
@FLOATANDFRIENDS
DEC / JAN RESOURCE ROUNDUP

COMPLETED MANUSCRIPTS.
FICTION/NON-FICTION
DUE
AAWW Pages in Progress:
2025 Fiction Contest
Dec. 31
Atmosphere Press Full Length Book
Dec. 31
Dzanc Books: Manuscript Submissions for Literary Fiction and Non-Fiction
Jan. 2
2024 Longleaf Press Book Contest
Jan. 6
POETRY
DUE
Alternating Current Press Book-Length
Poetry Manuscripts
Dec. 31
Pine Row Poetry Manuscript Open
Reading Period
Dec. 31
Finishing Line Press Call for
Manuscripts: Full Length Poetry Books
Jan. 1
@FLOATANDFRIENDS
DEC / JAN RESOURCE ROUNDUP
PAGE 3

RESIDENCIES, RETREATS, FELLOWSHIPS
NAME
DUE
Lambda Literary 2025 Virtual Writers Retreat for Emerging LBGTQ Voices
Jan. 2
2025 Robert Rauschenberg
Foundation Archives Research
Residency
Jan. 3
SJSU Steinbeck Fellowship
Jan. 5
Hugo Burge Foundation New Writing for Theatre Residency - April 2025
Jan. 9
2025 Anderson Center Residency
Jan. 14
Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill
Artist Residency: Castle Hill at
Edgewood Farm
Jan. 15
Martha's Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing: Voice of Color Fellowship
Jan. 19
@FLOATANDFRIENDS
DEC / JAN RESOURCE ROUNDUP
PAGE

FILMMAKING, SCREENWRITING NAME
DUE
Launch Pad Pilot Competition
Dec. 20
Los Angeles International Screenplay
Awards
Dec. 20
ScreenCraft Short Film Screenplay
Competition
Dec. 31
Antigravity Academy's Short Film
Studio Powered by Dolby Creator Lab
Jan. 3
Jackson Wild 2025 World Wildlife Day Film Showcase Entry - Documentary
Jan. 3
Circle M + P x Anarchists United Writers Discovery Fellowship
Jan. 10
Raindance Script Competition
Jan. 13
PAGE International Screenwriting
Awards Competition
Jan. 15
@FLOATANDFRIENDS
DEC / JAN RESOURCE ROUNDUP
PAGE

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Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Dec 12

Hey friends, check out these awesome opportunities!

Float and Friends monthly resources roundup is comprised of awards, contests, and submissions that you can apply to!

View-only Google Doc with brief descriptions and hyperlinks:
docs.google.com/document/d/1...

Float and Friends
Resource Roundup
DEC / JAN EDITION
Apply. Submit. Compete. Contribute.
Float and Friends is your new information hub.
To help support the dreams of any and all artists: community, recognition, funding, residencies, fellowships, workshops, publication.
Check back here every mid-month for a new roundup of opportunity.
& APPLY NOW *
For more information, see next pages.
@FLOATANDFRIENDS
PAGE 1

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Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Dec 10

btw…

Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Dec 7

to all our friends, both existing and new, we welcome you to float and friends! 🌀🤍

we started this project as a way to make art and community accessible to anyone.

here’s who we are, what we do, and how to get involved with us 👾

love,
float and friends <3

#communitybuilding #makefriends #create

who we are. a virtual third space for people who create things. any things. we support anyone with a vision, whether you’ve been an artist for years or just considering it for the first time!

community. what we do. virtual workshops. virtual community cafes. open call for submissions. access to free resources.

our mission. our goal is to foster community, meet new friends, provide resources, and support your ideas from start to finish.

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Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Dec 6

our monthly media roundup for the month of november! 📚🎞️🎧

we read, watched, and listened to a lot in november and these are some titles that really stuck with us.

we'd love to hear what moved you and what you loved this month, leave us your recommendations! ☁️ 💌

float and friends monthly media roundup: november

literature. martyr by kaveh akbar. a newly sober iranian immigrant navigates loss and mental hardships through magical conversations with other artists, poets, and family. In the County by Mia Alvar. A short story collection tracing the Filipino diaspora through the love and loss experienced by 1st-gen immigrant. OFWs (Overseas Filipino Worker), refugees, and those stay. Before the coffee gets cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. A small Tokyo cafe allows guests to travel back in time, as long as they return before their coffee gets cold.

Movies. Nocebo (2022) director Lorcan Finnegan. A psychological thriller following a migrant Filipino worker caretaking for a rich fashion designer who has a mysterious illness. The Fall (2006) director Tarsem Singh. A heartbroken stuntman transports a little girl's imagination out of the hospital and into the thrilling world of a hero's epic. Saving Face (2004) director Alice Wu. A Chinese-American lesbian and her pregnant widowed mother struggle to hide their true lovers from their family.

Songs. "Rain" by Roy Blair. From his most recent album Chasing Moving Trains. Electronic, cinematic, and moving, the line "If it was dark, I wouldn't run for cover" makes me cry! "Viuda Negra" by Paco Amoroso. This song is electronic, upbeat, and just fun to listen to. From the 2021 album Saeta, I initially found this Argentinian artists from his Tiny Desk concert with co-artist Ca7riel! "Cursed" by Lord Huron. A whimsical romantic tune I found through a coworker of mine. Very fall vibes!

Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Dec 6

Holiday Gift Guide by Float and Friends 🎁

Wondering what to get your friend or family member for the holidays?

Float and Friends presents our extremely hyper-specific recommendations!

#giftguide #happyholidays

for the friend who projects all of their fantasies onto fictional characters. past lives original motion picture soundtrack, vinyl, $35. wax seal kit from nostalgic impressions $25, a romance novel, $15, a kitten chia pet so they can touch grass $21.99 from chia pet

for the friend who always says "i need to get back into reading," but never does. highlighters set $5 from Japanese taste. crochet bookmark $10 from etsy. a novella to help them start reading again $15. an e-reader so they can change the font size to 2 words per page and feel like they're making quick reading progress, $150

for the friend obsessed with DIY projects. reusable brown paper back lunchbox $30 from WAAM. beeswax wrap $20 from beeswrap.com. reusable wool dryer balls $8 from ten thousand villages. variety of tiny pliers so they can fix whatever little things they need $22 from home depot.

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Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Dec 2

thank you so much for joining us! your support keeps our virtual third space a glowing community to be a part of.

help keep us afloat - everything listed in the last slide can be done here: linktr.ee/floatandfrie...

we're really happy to be doing what we're doing and we can't wait to do more soon

Float and Friends @floatandfriends.bsky.social · Nov 23

congratulations to all of the talented screenwriters who submitted to antigravity academy’s camp for first time filmmakers!

and for those who attended Float and Friends Cloud Cafe, we hope you write with us again soon! 🥰☁️

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