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!
Speaking on Artful Mysteries
This week we have the pleasure of hearing a conversation between Mentee Alum Imani Okwuosa and Mentee Ijeoma Asonye as they dive into an excerpt from Ijeoma's forthcoming graphic novel, Allergy Girl.
Millennials vs Gen Z
Millennials vs Gen Z: the generational battle made famous by TikTok. But can we at least agree to fight the system together?
Speaking on More Than Poetic Teen Angst
Today’s episode features Mentees Chloe Lee(she/her) and Kayla Misa (she/they). You’ll learn about Kayla’s writing and creative process for her excerpts from one of her many poetry chapbooks. We hope you enjoy this insightful discussion about poetry, Asian identity, and embracing the silly parts of ourselves.
A Letter to My Grandparents
This letter was inspired by a prompt and written after I came back from visiting my grandparents in Japan last summer. It is a letter of eternal thanks and love.
A Necklace of Pearled Dreams
"A Necklace of Pearled Dreams" narrates the story of my grandmother's beautiful pearled necklace, a cherished family heirloom, and how its meaning transformed and developed through generations.
Deliberately Feathered
Winner of Passing Down Our Stories: A Writing Contest Hosted in Partnership Sweet July Deliberately Feathered By Kayla Misa Winner
Here We Are Again
Runner up in the Sweet July x Girls Write Now Contest: Passing Down Our Stories
Guide to Defrosting
A Writing Contest HOSTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Sweet July Guide to Defrosting By Chelsea Zhu FINALIST Sunrise and I wake
Sweet Home
A Writing Contest HOSTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Sweet July Sweet Home By Zaynab Ahmed FINALIST Midsummer, sweet july Home is a
Threads of Resilience: A Tale of Family Traditions
The poem intertwines the narratives of Palestine and Bengali heritage, celebrating resilience and solidarity. Through storytelling and shared struggles, it portrays the enduring legacy passed from generation to generation.
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.