Community Collaborations
We love teaming up with others in our community! Check out our upcoming collaborative events below.
For information on registering for an event, be sure to click “Learn More.”
If you’re interested in hosting a Wildfire writing workshop for your community email April.
Time 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm PST
Virtual via Zoom
Dec 9, 2025
The Surprising Science of Writing It Down: How to Start Healing with Writing Today (Free)
A free Wildfire interactive talk hosted by Dana Donofree and AnaOno.
An educational, inspiring, and practical talk by April Stearns, founder of Wildfire Journal & Writing Community. Drawing on decades of expressive writing research, including studies by Dr. James Pennebaker and the field of Narrative Medicine, this interactive talk reveals how writing can improve emotional and physical well-being. April combines science with deeply personal stories of healing after her own breast cancer diagnosis to show how putting pen to paper can literally change the brain, lower stress, and foster resilience.
Participants will have the opportunity to explore writing prompts in the session, and leave with a new understanding of why writing heals, along with simple tools and prompts they can begin using immediately. Whether you’re a patient, survivor, caregiver, or clinician, this talk offers a compassionate, evidence-based invitation to start writing as a form of self-care and connection today.
Time 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm PST
Virtual via Zoom
Dec 17, 2025
“Is This Happening to Anyone Else?” Documentary Screening (Free)
A collaboration between artist Francesca Olsen, Temple of Kinship, and Wildfire.
How can we use art as a supportive vehicle during hardship? Join textile artist Francesca Olsen, April Stearns from Wildfire Journal, and Temple of Kinship Founder Alyssa Tsagong for a collaborative screening of the short film “Is This Happening to Anyone Else?” and a conversation about cancer, creation, and caregiving.
Wildfire Journal recently released its 10th annual metastatic breast cancer (MBC) issue, guest-edited by Tsagong and featuring writing by 20 women living with Stage IV breast cancer all diagnosed under 50 years old, including a feature on Olsen’s 2025 exhibit, “Witness,” a series of seven quilts exploring the experience of young adults in cancer treatment.
April Stearns will emcee this free online event.
Time 10:30 am - 1:00 pm PST
Virtual via Zoom
Dec 31, 2025
Letting Go & Calling In: An Art & Writing Workshop for 2026 (Paid)
As one year closes and another begins, join April Stearns and Stephanie McLeod-Estevez for a 2.5-hour guided workshop that blends expressive writing with intuitive art-making. “Letting Go + Calling In” is an invitation to release what no longer serves you and to intentionally welcome what you most desire in the year ahead.
Through reflective prompts, creative exploration, and gentle community connection, you’ll uncover your guiding word or theme for 2026 and bring it to life through art. No writing or art experience required—just curiosity, presence, and a willingness to begin again.
Time 11:00 am - 1:00 pm PST
Virtual via Zoom
Jan 17, 2026
Expressive Writing with the Bay Area Young Survivors (Free)
Want to write about your experiences but aren’t sure where to begin? Maybe you love writing but have a hard time finding the time or maybe you don’t write currently but would like to try. A prompt-style writing workshop is just the thing for you. In this 2-hour workshop, join April Stearns to write away some of our stress — and find some healing in the long run by using writing as a tool to find meaning. You’ll make new friends and fill a notebook along the way, even if you don’t consider yourself a writer.
This workshop is exclusive to members of the BAYS-MITC organization. If you live in the San Franscico Bay Area, learn more about joining here.
Ready to deepen your writing connection? Check out our other workshops.