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!
It Had Always Been Like This
It had always been like this, I’d always had this outlook within me – but I’d kept it underground. I’d buried my own ability to appreciate life.
Our Bodies. Our Choices.
Given the current debate over a woman’s right to choose in America, we asked 7 women between the ages of 21-26 these two questions: (1) What would a world where women across America lose their right to choose look like? (2) What gives you hope about this issue?
Glasshouse Fever Dream
A euphoric fever dream about the buzzing energy of party politics, people, and dancing.
Rooted and Unchanging
A personal essay about change.
A Cup of Tea
This piece is dedicated to my grandma.
Story Finds
By buying the church, he bought the graveyard and used his children and grandchildren to become the librarians of the dead.
A Perfume Named Nostalgia
Memories branch the past and present. Through four vignettes, this piece documents the continuities of life and the importance of revisiting and appreciating past experiences through olfaction.
Pt. 2: Am I Really Indian?
This short essay describes my ongoing journey in navigating my identity.
NYC Mayor’s Office Cover Letter
Here’s the first cover letter I ever wrote! It provides insight to my past experiences but also how I hope
who
"Who" is a coded piece of poetry meant to document Lee's struggles as she reconciles with different parts of her identity as a female Asian American and serves as an outlet for girls like her.
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.