ANTHOLOGIES
Girls Write Now Unmuted: The 2021 Anthology
Girls Write Now is thrilled to be in partnership again this year with Dutton, who produced this anthology. A special thanks to the team at Dutton—Christine Ball,Maya Ziv, and Lexy Cassola, and to Feminist Press and Jamia Wilson, who produced the ebook. Thank you as well to Amazon Literary Partnership for their continued support, which directly funds the production of our anthologies.
In the 2021 Girls Write Now Anthology, our mentees give voice to fear and silence, demand justice, and hold nothing back. To be unmuted right now requires a new brand of bravery, and these writers show how it’s done. Using stories, poems, essays, fiction, drama, interviews and more, they report on a global pandemic, a climate crisis and the movement for racial equality. They also invite us on their personal journeys through the labyrinth of young adulthood: feeling the rich soil of a neighborhood garden beneath their fingers; traveling through time in search of their parents; inhaling the charged air where young love is brewing. In a world pushed to the precipice of change, in a society that values the tried and true over the dynamic and new, the Girls Write Now class of 2021 is breaking the chains and showing what it means to speak loud, clear and true—to be unmuted.
Foreword by
Introduction 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.
Girls Write Now Unmuted Print Anthology
Stories from Inside "Unmuted" Coming Soon!
Stories from Inside "Unmuted" 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 Here & Now
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.