A Series for Creative Women & Their Allies
Created by author and editor, Nikki Vargas, the Femme Circle is inspired by New York's historic round table and its "Vicious Circle”—where an informal group of influential artists regularly met at the Algonquin Hotel back in the 1920s and 30s. The Femme Circle invites creative women and their allies to gather offline for a happy hour followed by a live panel discussion that focuses on professional women from a specific creative field, discussing how their industry is evolving in today's day and age.
The first Femme Circle invited women in media to look at the shifting media landscape, bringing editors and writers from major publications (ELLE, AFAR, New York Magazine, etc.) to the historic Algonquin Hotel round table to discuss the importance of sharing women's stories. The second Femme Circle took place at the beautiful co-working space, Neuehouse, inviting a diverse panel of women to examine today's literary landscape from the perspectives of a literary agent from a top-tier agency, a bestselling YA novelist, a published essayist, and a veteran of the publishing houses as well as the founder of a Simon & Schuster imprint.
The Femme Circle is a seasonal series that encourages offline connection while fostering a sense of community amongst creatives.
Created by author and editor, Nikki Vargas, the Femme Circle is inspired by New York's historic round table and its "Vicious Circle”—where an informal group of influential artists regularly met at the Algonquin Hotel back in the 1920s and 30s. The Femme Circle invites creative women and their allies to gather offline for a happy hour followed by a live panel discussion that focuses on professional women from a specific creative field, discussing how their industry is evolving in today's day and age.
The first Femme Circle invited women in media to look at the shifting media landscape, bringing editors and writers from major publications (ELLE, AFAR, New York Magazine, etc.) to the historic Algonquin Hotel round table to discuss the importance of sharing women's stories. The second Femme Circle took place at the beautiful co-working space, Neuehouse, inviting a diverse panel of women to examine today's literary landscape from the perspectives of a literary agent from a top-tier agency, a bestselling YA novelist, a published essayist, and a veteran of the publishing houses as well as the founder of a Simon & Schuster imprint.
The Femme Circle is a seasonal series that encourages offline connection while fostering a sense of community amongst creatives.
Stay tuned for details on upcoming Femme Circles
or follow Nikki Vargas (@niknakvargas) on Instagram for Femme Circle announcements.
Femme Circle: Women in Books
Summer 2025
Hosted by Neuehouse
Hosted by Neuehouse
The second Femme Circle focused on women in the literary space, bringing together a panel of bestselling authors, literary agents, and publishing veterans to offer unique perspectives on the evolving book publishing landscape. In partnership with Neuehouse, the Femme Circle had over 80 RSVPs and 60 confirmed attendees and kicked off with a happy hour with complimentary prosecco before inviting guests to sit on Neuehouse's beautiful "Spanish steps" for a live panel discussion about today's literary world.
Meet the Panel
USA Today bestselling YA novelist of The Rebel Girls of Rome, The Paper Girl of Paris, and The Revenge Game, Jordyn Taylor.
Literary Agent of the Paradigm Talent Agency, Katelyn Dougherty.
Author of A Black Girl in the Middle: Essays on (Allegedly) Figuring It All Out, Shenequa Golding.
Founder of Regalo Press and Former VP and Executive Editor of Grand Central Publishing, Gretchen Young.
Moderated by author of Call You When I Land (HarperCollins, 2023) and Wanderess (Penguin Random House, 2022), Nikki Vargas.
Meet the Panel
USA Today bestselling YA novelist of The Rebel Girls of Rome, The Paper Girl of Paris, and The Revenge Game, Jordyn Taylor.
Literary Agent of the Paradigm Talent Agency, Katelyn Dougherty.
Author of A Black Girl in the Middle: Essays on (Allegedly) Figuring It All Out, Shenequa Golding.
Founder of Regalo Press and Former VP and Executive Editor of Grand Central Publishing, Gretchen Young.
Moderated by author of Call You When I Land (HarperCollins, 2023) and Wanderess (Penguin Random House, 2022), Nikki Vargas.
Femme Circle: Women in Media
Spring 2025
Hosted by The Algonquin Hotel
Hosted by The Algonquin Hotel
For the first Femme Circle, a panel of writers and editors across the media industry gathered at the iconic Round Table inside the historic Algonquin Hotel. This first sold-out event focused on bringing together women in media for a candid discussion on the shifting media landscape, the importance of telling women's stories, how women are represented across media genres, and the stories behind each of the panelists' own impressive careers.
Meet the Panel
AFAR's Editorial Director, Billie Cohen.
Freelance Journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of Full Time Travel, Esme Benjamin, whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Wired, New York Magazine, and more.
Author of This Might Be Too Personal (St. Martin's Griffin, 2022), New York Magazine contributor, and The Cut Columnist, Alyssa Shelasky.
ELLE's Staff Culture Writer, Lauren Puckett-Pope.
Moderated by Fodor's Travel Senior Editor, author of Call You When I Land (HarperCollins, 2023) and Wanderess (Penguin Random House, 2022), Nikki Vargas.
Meet the Panel
AFAR's Editorial Director, Billie Cohen.
Freelance Journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of Full Time Travel, Esme Benjamin, whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Wired, New York Magazine, and more.
Author of This Might Be Too Personal (St. Martin's Griffin, 2022), New York Magazine contributor, and The Cut Columnist, Alyssa Shelasky.
ELLE's Staff Culture Writer, Lauren Puckett-Pope.
Moderated by Fodor's Travel Senior Editor, author of Call You When I Land (HarperCollins, 2023) and Wanderess (Penguin Random House, 2022), Nikki Vargas.
