Charlotte Van Schaak and I are sitting outside in late June heat, devouring perfectly greasy pizza slices and downing large gulps of lemonade. This is our personal afterparty for the Capital Love LitFest, an eight-hour literary salon we helped organize, advertise, and execute as editorial fellows for Washington Writers’ Publishing House (WWPH).

Our conversation ebbs and flows as we slowly regain energy and share both funny and challenging moments from the event. As I reflect on the day, what is most memorable is the panel on joy, hosted by WWPH co-publisher Caroline Bock. During the session, David Ebenbach, Therese Doucet, Kara Oakleaf, and Sean Felix spoke about how they combat despair and foster joy in their writing process. They talked about how the simple act of showing up to the page is the best way to fend off paralyzing feelings of hopelessness. A common theme they discussed was being present in the world and opening themselves up to the possibilities that life has to offer.

Events like the Capital Love LitFest are special because they’re spaces for writers to engage with — and be present for — one another. It’s easy to get stuck in our heads while writing or scrolling through endless bad news online. But this is how despair festers: by separating us from our writing and from each other. We’re living in a time in which our presence is crucial for cultivating a joyful, creative world.

I’m new to the WWPH community, but it was so wonderful to be part of this event and witness the product of years of community-building. From the panel celebrating WWPH’s longtime presence in the DC area — moderated by current co-publisher Jona Colson — to craft workshops and discussions that brought many different kinds of writers together, it was clear that this was a space where people felt inspired and connected. While the spirit of togetherness was embodied throughout the event, there was another important aspect that couldn’t be coordinated ahead of time: the unscripted, in-between moments, those small ways of connecting.

My friendship with Charlotte (a recent American University grad, writer, and fellow literary traveler) blossomed during instances like these, short interactions as interns that led to us finding common ground. The post-LitFest pizza we share turns into a walk to get frozen yogurt. We’re physically tired but energized, enriched by our vibrant literary community and the joy found in being truly present.

This summer, I hope you’ll join WWPH as we continue our “Summer of Love” with free, two-hour salons around the DMV designed to inspire and delight you. Let’s create the joy we want to feel in the world — one reading or workshop at a time!

[Editor’s note: WWPH’s Capital Love “Summer of Love” tour continues at Busboys and Poets in Hyattsville, MD, on Mon., July 13th, at 7 p.m., and at Little District Books in Washington, DC, on Wed., July 15th, at 6 p.m. Find other upcoming events here.]

Jupiter Berrysmith is a poet from Monterey, CA, currently pursuing his MFA at the University of Maryland.