ANTHOLOGIES
Rise Speak Change: The 2017 Girls Write Now Anthology
At the QWERTY Digital Media Exhibition, our mentees showcased projects that are changing the way we tell narratives. A video overlaid with powerful poetry, thoughtful podcasts, and interactive games created with Twine — our mentees used the skills they learned in our digital workshops to create these multi-platform masterpieces.

Our mentees are defining the digital age by bringing the craft of writing into the 21st century. In our Digital Media Mentoring Program, we boost girls’ tech savvy and creative potential through digital media. In bringing our curriculum and writing approach into the digital age, we prepare the girls we serve to truly be the next generation of writers—on whatever platform they choose. Students are paired one-to-one with a digital media professional and together they transform their writing into digital art. All workshops are facilitated by graduate students at Parsons The New School for Design. Our workshops feature writing and digital skill-building exercises, prompts, and share-outs to diversify participants’ modes of self-expression. At the end of a program year, girls are equipped to tell a story in GIFs, a poem in HTML, and take their words to the next level.Together we embark on a journey of creative workshops, public readings and showcases, opportunities for publication, and more, all to give girls the tools to advance their writing through different mediums.
Introduction by
Foreword by
Moderated by
Read What's Inside
Browse our collection of stories from inside the book. Complete with notes from the author and anecdotes from our mentees and mentors.
Stories from Inside "Rise Speak Change" Coming Soon!
Stories from Inside "Rise Speak Change" Coming Soon!
Strange Combination
Although this piece is not tied to the theme "Taking Our Place in History," it does take place in my own history of living in a world where someone of my shade of color grows up Hispanic.
maybe you know
My piece is about meeting my half brother who does not know that I exist. I created this piece after writing my college essay about the other half of my family that I know nothing about.
The Tonight Show with Jimmy and Cherri
Gorillaz is a virtual band consisting of four cartoon characters created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. Their albums have a backdrop of the character’s personal “lives,” which are often ridiculous, violent, and as cartoonish as the band itself. This “interview” is a tribute to Gorillaz’s nonsensical ingenuity.
Wanted Food, But I Had Homework
This all started out with a six-word prompt written by a classmate of mine, “wanted food, but I had homework.” I ended up turning it into something special to myself, and something relatable to everyone in high school.
The Journey We Take
All of our stories deserve to be heard, which is why I decided to share mine. This experience has been the motivation that pushes me to demonstrate to others, and myself, what I am capable of.
Everything That Ever Haunted Us
I wrote this poem while thinking about two of my favorite poets—Edna St. Vincent Millay, and Elizabeth Bishop, and the imagery they use. In this piece I hoped to follow in their footprints, and create something within their styles.
Behind Elevator Doors
This short horror piece, based off the Elevator Game, is just another tale that shows women can tell beautiful stories, but also show the world something dark.
The Shortcut
I was inspired to write this story because it is a common fear/nightmare that women have and I wanted to write a story in which the woman was victorious in the end.
Where I’m From
In this piece you are about to read, I am telling you more about who I am and exploring all the layers of my identity. I use the words “I am” to highlight the different places, physical and emotional, that have made me who I am today.
Icarus Ascending
I’ve always been fascinated by the story of Icarus and how his fall has been portrayed, comparing him to myself. I wanted to showcase my point of view, along with a side of the story no one’s really considered.
Praise for Rise Speak Change
From the Literary Community
Intersectional Voices in Editorial Print Committee
Every year, the Intersectional Voices in Editorial (IV Edit) Print Committee brings their talents to the task of editing, producing, and promoting this fresh collection of writing from today’s emerging voices. The committee is made up of mentors, mentees, and other volunteers who are passionate about diversifying the publishing landscape.