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!
The Complete Absolute Ultimate Total Undeniable Truth
Some people may see cats as being rude or disobedient and think that they’re the inferior pet. I feel the opposite.
growing my petals
life grows. life is challenging and confusing, but no matter what, there are beautiful petals, waiting to grow.
Mutilated Desire
A found poem from "The Great Gatsby" and "Passing," analyzing the role of women in regards to the American Dream.
These Lonely Bones
The pandemic isn’t over. Many disabled and chronically ill people have experienced isolation their entire lives, but since this pandemic’s
the Destroyer
A divine lesson in being careful about what you wish for.
The Terror of Obesity
Content Warning: Body Shaming, Fatphobia, Disordered Eating Excerpted from a longer essay. Inspired by the hilarious Samantha Irby's "The Terror of Love"
Writing Our Way to Wellness: Season 1, Episode 6 Part 1
In this Part I of a special two-part episode, mentee Chloe Lee guides Community Coordinator, Sally Familia, through a beautiful conversation about teenagehood, healing, and writing as a tool for wellness. They explore the differences and similarities growing up in the Gen Z generation, and how that has informed their healing and writing practices. Chloe and Sally connect through their exploration of the inner self and their hopes for a new world for the generations to come!
‘How Did I Get Here?’ – Episode 2: Leah Chernikoff
“How Did I Get Here?” is a podcast about the different stories of women in media and their career journeys. This episode highlights Leah Chernikoff, the executive editor of Harper's Bazaar.
The World Cup at Qatar
The world cup was a beautiful experience and it's something that should be remembered.
Writing Our Way to Wellness: Season 1, Episode 5
One of the best ways to care for our mental wellbeing is to care for our physical bodies. Community Manager Margery Hannah and mentee alum Chanelle Ferguson dive into the ways that their upbringing in their particular communities has influenced their relationship to physical health, and how care for the body is intimately tied to care for the soul. This episode covers tea as a favored Caribbean remedy, how to handle stress in the body, and how food deserts are affecting communities of color. Featured Poem: Featured Prompt by Mentee Alum Chanelle Ferguson:Write a letter from your body to you answering the question, "How has your body taken care of you?"
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.