To support our young and emerging writers, we want to create a Creative Frenzy of writing prompts, craft books, and inspiration.
We’ll maintain all of our writing prompt posts here, as well as open-access teaching materials for poetry, creative writing, ekphrasis, sharks, and conservation.
In the future, we’ll also maintain our own published books here: books on writing craft, writing prompt journals, and writing goal planners—not to mention our recommendations of other craft books and essays on writing.
On a warm June evening in 2018, I showed up for my first canoe trip as a member of the North Brooklyn Community Boathouse (NBCB). I greeted the other members and the trip leader, selected my paddle and life jacket, listened to the instruction details for the outing,...
The Sunlit Zone When most people think of the ocean, they think of the sunny upper layer called the “Sunlit Zone” or more scientifically, the “Epipelagic” layer or zone. It ranges from the surface to 656 feet (200m) deep. Here, creatures such as hammerhead sharks,...
Microplastics! What are They, and Why are They Harmful? Microplastics, or polymer chains composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms, are much smaller pieces of plastic that have disintegrated from larger plastic over time and environmental impact. Although it takes...
In light of tonight's full moon, the "Cold Moon" and the last full moon of 2024, we're excited to introduce our newest contributor, Pamela Rafalow Grossman, and to hear an amazing story about last September's Super Moon, which she experienced with the North Brooklyn...
Before we get started, just try to tell us that you can't hear this picture. In light of all the troubling news around the world, we wanted to take a moment to bring a little levity and humor to your day today. This piece written by Melinda Torr will be relatable to...
Happy Thursday, readers, writers, and shark fans! We previously had the pleasure of sharing with you the latest collaboration between Sesame Workshop (the home of Sesame Street) and HiHo Kids in their "Kids Meet" series on YouTube, starting with their episode, "Kids...
Happy Tuesday, readers, writers, and shark fans! As we're getting back in the swing of regular posting, you'll begin to notice that each day of the workweek has its own "theme" here at Lit Shark, including today's very first Lit Pup Tuesday, geared toward children and...
Happy Tuesday, readers, writers, and shark fans! I hope you're having a wonderful start of your week. I have a bit of a rough update for you today relating to the XL Bully Ban in the UK and Wales (find our previous post about this here), but I also have a unique,...
UPDATE: We've shared a new post with an update on the XL Bully Ban, as well as a submission opportunity to work with Lit Shark and to support XL Bully Dogs, their families, and the animal rescues who are advocating for them. You can find that post here. We hope you...
Did you know that coral reefs absorb up to 97% of the energy of the waves that reach the shoreline? At Teahupo'o Reef in Tahiti, that is a massive amount of energy generated every winter by the south swells that hit their islands. Coral reefs act as a natural buffer...
“The stars of amusement park shows around the world, have long died before their time.” –National Geographic I heard some chatter on X (Twitter) recently, where folks were commiserating about whether the natural world was mad at us, considering some of the...
Whether they fly in the air or swim far down in the deep, have soul-searching eyes or giant teeth---we all have a favorite animal (or a few), and our reasons for loving them tend to be very personal. We may not think about it very often, but our favorite animal we...
I slowly make my way down a worn path through Western Maryland, breathing in the clear air and enjoying the alarmingly warm weather in February. My friends and I have gathered as we do every year for a long weekend spent in a faux-rustic cabin. The days extend into...