Write Out Loud: September

Cate Cooke is a writer, musician, and a self-appointed village witch from Ocean County, NJ. Passionate about the weird and uncanny, she pens tales about sad ghosts and magical folks in her own distinctly gothic style. Cate graduated from Georgian Court University with bachelor’s degrees in English and Digital Communications, and has taken her love for storytelling across various industries throughout her professional life. She has found her home in the literary world where she currently serves as Volunteer Coordinator at Asbury Book Cooperative in Asbury Park, NJ and an instructor for Project Write Now. When she’s not out haunting the shelves of her local library, Cate is at home curled up on the couch with a good ghost story and her dog, Athena.

Justin Javier is a gay Nuyorican currently living in Asbury Park. He is a lover of art and nature and anything that is truly alive. He would say that moving to Asbury Park was the best decision he ever made because it has everything he needs—music, the ocean, and a diverse community of queer people who are always willing and able to welcome new members. Professionally, he is a Ryan White Case Manager and a Co-Chair of the New Jersey HIV Planning Group’s Priority Setting Committee, where he advocates for our community to help end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. He is thrilled to be a co-host of Write Out Loud at the Asbury Book Cooperative! He is a son, a brother, and—for everyone at Project Write Now—a new friend.

Here’s what some of our writers are saying…

Project Write Now offers no refunds or credits once registered, except in the unfortunate case a class or event is cancelled. We reserve the right to change instructors if necessary. We reserve the right to cancel, postpone, or reschedule any class, workshop, or event because of low enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us at info@projectwritenow.org or call 908.675.0467 for more information. Please note that when you register for a class you are reserving one of a limited number of spots available. Your registration also counts toward our consideration of class minimums.

Our organization was founded to help amplify the voices of those who are often not heard—including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+ individuals, and other historically marginalized groups. We have witnessed how writing and sharing stories has the power to effect change by generating greater love, compassion, and empathy in the listener. In all of our programs, we provide an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment. We do not tolerate writing and/or behavior that perpetuates harmful stereotypes or fuels hate. Failure to align with our philosophy can result in your removal from class.