ANTHOLOGIES
Ctrl + B: The Girls Write Now 2019 Anthology
Girls Write Now is thrilled to be in partnership with Dutton who produced this year’s anthology. This collection was also made possible thanks to a charitable contribution from Amazon Literary Partnership. Thank you to The Feminist Press and Jisu Kim, their Senior Marketing and Sales Manager and Girls Write Now mentor, for partnering on the e-book for Ctrl + B.

The Girls Write Now 2019 class of mentees, and young people the world over, are coming of age in strange times; times when the powers that be are attempting to strip our control over our art, our livelihoods, our homes, and our bodies. But these young writers are bold. In this unique collection, mentees and mentors boldly take control of their own narratives, tackling topics such as inequity, love, belonging, ignorance, power, lineage, beauty, and so much more.
Introduction by
Foreword 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 "CTRL + B" Coming Soon!
Stories from Inside "CTRL + B" Coming Soon!
We’re on the Same Page
Two curious kids, Isabella and Imogene, each find a fantastical journal hidden beneath a tree at their local park and unknowingly unlock a correspondence with each other that transcends time, space, and perhaps even reality.
Climate Activism is Hard
Why is advocating against climate change a difficult journey, especially for youths?
Pieces Of Me
"Pieces of Me" unfolds as a series of letters from a soldier to different family members, offering glimpses into the emotional toll of war. It moves through themes of suffering, guilt, love, and redemption.
Eating (God) Disorder
This poem is about my experience growing up being forced to be Kosher.
Remembering Joy
These pieces share an insight into the challenge of finding joy in the world after coming out of the strangeness of mental illness.
ImaginEater
In a futuristic society, ImaginEater is a gadget that conjures food for people to consume without adverse health impacts, but Quasara discovers that unanticipated uses of ImaginEater can have serious repercussions.
102, 103, 104, 105 Word Stories
Here, you’ll find four flash fiction pieces that highlight moments of loss, love, and joy, written over the course of the past year. Short pieces to remind us that we’re all human
The Happiness Mandate
In high school, relaxation is a crime. Guilt regarding an upcoming homework assignment or exam often overshadows true happiness. Yet, as the anonymous narrator soon discovers, a dystopian 'Happiness Mandate' is not the answer either.
Let’s Be Five
Let's Be Five is a story about reflecting on the first semester of college and having to make the decision to be your own person.
Hayat
This poem reflects the resilience of the Palestinians people who are struggling for justice, dignity, and peace.
Praise for Ctrl+B
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.